(#10)LSU at (#17)Vanderbilt
Noon, ABC
LSU may be in the top 10, but it seems short-lived due to a lethargic offense that has performed well below expectations. Could a loss against Vanderbilt mark the beginning of the end of the Brian Kelly Era? I’ll say yes, with Diego Pavia doing enough to frustrate a Tigers defense to come out on top at home.
Prediction: Vanderbilt-20, LSU-17
(#12)Georgia Tech at Duke
Noon, ESPN
The Yellow Jackets could very well go undefeated in ACC play and stand at 11-0 heading
into their Black Friday showdown with Georgia…if they can survive the road trip to Duke. As always, Manny Diaz’s crew will have a defensive gameplan to get Georgia Tech in disarray. Haynes King will have his work cut out for him, but has the experience to get the job done. This game is being overshadowed by others on an action-packed Saturday, but it will be a hard-fought game with playoff implications that is likely to come down to the final possession. Prediction: Duke-24, Georgia Tech-20
(#5)Ole Miss at (#9)Georgia
3:30 p.m., ABC
It’s been difficult to get a read on either of these teams halfway into the season. They are both talented and worthy of top ten rankings up to this point, but inconsistent play seems like they will both drop another game or two they shouldn’t. I’ll go with the home team, which has shown resiliency with comeback victories over Tennessee and Auburn.
Prediction: Georgia-28, Ole Miss-24
(#7)Texas Tech at Arizona State
4 p.m., FOX
The Red Raiders seem poised to tear their way through the Big XII. However, the reigning conference champs will do everything in their power to keep their hopes alive for a return to the playoffs. The Sun Devils are coming off a brutal 42-10 loss at Utah, and will throw everything at Texas Tech in hopes of an upset.
Prediction: Texas Tech-34, Arizona State-24
(#11)Tennessee at (#6)Alabama
7:30 p.m., ABC
The Vols are a missed field goal from an undefeated record, but have also appeared listless at times by barely squeaking past the likes of Arkansas and Mississippi State. Alabama has been much more impressive, taking down Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Missouri in its last three games. However, anything can happen when these rivals meet on the third Saturday of October.
Prediction: Alabama-30, Tennessee-21
(#20)USC at (#13)Notre Dame
7:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock
Enjoy this one while you can, with the long-time rivals at an impasse on future scheduling. There’s no shortage of drama, with both teams trying to keep their playoff hopes alive after some early-season disappointments. The Trojans shocked the nation by imposing their will and racing past Michigan last week. Can they get a repeat performance on the road against an Irish team with a much better offense?
Prediction: Notre Dame-31, USC-24
(#23)Utah at (#15)BYU
8 p.m., FOX
The Holy War is the nation’s most underappreciated rivalry, and this year treats us to a ranked-vs.-ranked match-up under the lights. BYU has skated to a 6-0 record without any true challenges, but that will change for the second half of the season, starting with a visit from the Utes.
Prediction: Utah-31, BYU-26
