For whatever reason, much of the SEC has always loved using this penultimate week of the season for a final warm-up game. Alabama is playing Eastern Illinois, Auburn is playing Mercer, and Georgia is playing Furman.
The Tide kicks off at 1:00 CT, and there’s at least a couple of games, like Mizzou-Okie to keep you entertained until then.
So, let’s take a look at what to watch, why to watch it, and how to do so. The schedule is in God’s Right and Proper Central time, and comes via CFBGrid.
Must See TV
#23 Missouri vs #8 Oklahoma
I considered moving this down to a different category, as both teams are plenty capable of putting out some pretty putrid looking offensive play. Still, a Missouri win would knock one team out of the playoff race and help Alabama’s chances if things wind up coming down to that.
#16 USC vs. #6 Oregon
Hey look, the Ducks finally have to play someone again! This would be another big one for Alabama fans, as a Duck loss should drop them below Alabama in the jockeying for playoff position.
#20 Tennessee vs Florida
There is no good reason to care about this game other than maybe how it affects Alabama’s strength of schedule. But I get the feeling it’s going to be one of those light night games that goes completely off the rails for no reason and could make for some quality entertainment.
Keep an Eye On
#11 BYU vs Cincinnati
This one is interesting, as BYU and Texas Tech are at the top of the Big 12, and the conference is going to be hoping to get two teams into the playoffs. If BYU wins and keeps going, then both programs winding up with only 1 regular season loss would give them a lot of argument strength. But a loss makes for a huge logjam of 2-loss teams.
#17 Texas vs Arkansas
Similar to the Tennessee-Florida game, this one matters little and should amount for an easy win for the Longhorns. Keep an eye on it though, because Arkansas always has a way of making games more interesting than they should be.
Louisville vs SMU
Both of these three loss squads are out of contention at this point, but they’re two solid teams and it should amount to a good game for the 2nd tier of the ACC.
Unwatchable Filth
#1 Ohio State vs Rutgers
Seriously?
Cal vs Stanford
This should be a Pac-12 after dark special, but instead, it’s going to be a snoozefest that is, for some reason, an ACC game now.
Michigan State vs Iowa
There’s a good chance there are less than 20 total points scored. And they’ll all be Iowa’s.
Let this post serve as the discussion post and open thread until Alabama kicks off at 1:00. Roll Tide, and happy Saturday!
