No. 7 Michigan St. at No. 12 Michigan ADVERTISING No. 7 Michigan St. at No. 12 Michigan 9:30 a.m., ESPN Morale is sky high in Ann Arbor after three straight shutouts. The Wolverines are giving up only 6.3 points a
No. 7 Michigan St. at No. 12 Michigan
9:30 a.m., ESPN
Morale is sky high in Ann Arbor after three straight shutouts. The Wolverines are giving up only 6.3 points a game (fewest in the country) and have been steadily climbing the rankings under their new coach, Jim Harbaugh. The offense has been taking care of the ball, special teams have come up big and the Wolverines are rolling. In East Lansing, the outlook is a little shakier. The Spartans have had a rash of injuries (particularly on the offensive line) and have struggled to put away inferior opponents like Purdue and Rutgers. While they are underdogs in this one, Michigan State has owned this rivalry lately, winning six of the last seven meetings. The Spartans’ Connor Cook is the winningest quarterback in the program’s history (29-3), and he has knack for coming through when the spotlight is on. The matchup between Michigan State receiver Aaron Burbridge and Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis is as good as it gets.
No. 10 Alabama at No. 9 Texas A&M
9:30 a.m., CBS
A lot has changed at Texas A&M since Alabama blew out the Aggies, 59-0, last season. Kyle Allen has taken over at quarterback and emerged as one of the best passers in the Southeastern Conference. With a solid running game and host of fine receivers, there is little chance that the Aggies are going to be blown out again. On the other side of the ball, Texas A&M has a new defensive coordinator, and end Myles Garrett leads the conference with seven and a half sacks. Alabama has bounced back well from its loss to Mississippi, but a loss here all but eliminates the Crimson Tide from contention in the SEC West — and from the national championship playoff. One player to watch: Alabama kicker Adam Griffith is just 6 of 12 on field goal attempts this season, and this game promises to be a close one.
No. 8 Florida at No. 6 LSU
1 p.m., ESPN
This game has been overshadowed by the suspension of Florida quarterback Will Grier for violating the NCAA’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Florida was ascendant, but this changes the narrative. Treon Harris, who is not without experience, will step in. LSU has one of the best players in college football in running back Leonard Fournette, who is a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Quarterback Brandon Harris is coming off a solid game against South Carolina, but the Gators will look to slow Fournette and force Harris to beat them. Of course, slowing Fournette is something yet to be accomplished this season. Still, this Gators defense is probably the best one that LSU has seen this season. They are tough up front and have one of the best secondaries in the SEC.
Penn State at No. 1 Ohio State
2 p.m., ABC
The Buckeyes might have figured out their two-quarterback system last week. Cardale Jones marches the team down the field and J.T. Barrett takes them into the end zone. This week a solid Penn State defense that leads the nation with 25 sacks comes into this primetime matchup in the Horseshoe. This could be the stiffest test to date for the Buckeyes.
No. 17 Iowa at No. 20 Northwestern
6 a.m., ABC
Iowa has been one of the biggest surprises in college football. A win here and it has a real shot to go undefeated. The Hawkeyes do not play Ohio State, Michigan State or Michigan this season, and after this game, they do not have a ranked opponent on the schedule. Northwestern is hoping to bounce back after a 38-0 drubbing by Michigan last week.
No. 13 Mississippi at Memphis
6 a.m., ABC/ESPN2
(Regional)
This a huge game for Memphis, which is 5-0 and has won 12 consecutive games dating to last season. Fourth-year coach Justin Fuente is a rising star in the coaching world. A victory over Mississippi would be a signature win for him and his program.
Southern California at No. 14 Notre Dame
1:30 p.m., NBC
First, the Trojans lost to Washington, a team they were favored to beat by more than two touchdowns. Then coach Steve Sarkisian was dismissed Monday. Now they play a Notre Dame team that is fighting to work its way back into the playoff conversation.
Arizona State at No. 4 Utah
4 p.m., ESPN
Unbeaten Utah forced five interceptions last week against Cal, and its defense continues to impress. This week, the Utes get a tricky matchup against an Arizona State team that needs a victory to stay in the Pac 12 South race.
