Time to put up or shut up for teams
No. 7 Michigan State (9-1) at No. 4 Ohio State (9-1) Noon Saturday, ABC
The winner gains control of the Big Ten East while the loser is out of contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State hopes to extend its winning streak over Michigan State to six with the last Spartans win coming in 2015. This one features a pair of Heisman Trophy candidates in Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud, who averages a conference-best in passing yards (337.3) and passing touchdowns (30) and MSU tailback Kenneth Walker III, who leads the nation in rushing yards (1,473) and rushing touchdowns (17).
No. 10 Wake Forest (9-1) at Clemson (7-3) Noon Saturday, ESPN
Clemson started the season as the favorite in the ACC but offensive struggles saw the Tigers plunge out of the picture. That’s opened the door for Wake Forest to make a push for its first ACC title since 2006. This one becomes an elimination game of sorts with the Demon Deacons able to clinch the Atlantic Division and a spot in the championship with a win or a win vs. Boston College. Clemson’s path is less clear with the Tigers needing a win and a Wake loss next week as well as a loss by N.C. State to either Syracuse or North Carolina.
No. 21 Arkansas (7-3) at No. 2 Alabama (9-1) 3:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS
Arkansas is riding a three-game winning streak with three of its seven wins coming against ranked teams including Texas, Texas A&M and Mississippi State. The Razorbacks hope to snap a 14-game losing streak to Alabama with their last win in Tuscaloosa coming in 2006. The Crimson Tide can clinch their third SEC West title in four seasons with a win, setting up a meeting with No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship. Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. leads the nation in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (21.5) and is a dark horse for the Heisman Trophy.
SMU (7-3) at
No. 5 Cincinnati (10-0) 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN
Cincinnati continues its quest to become the first Group of Five team to qualify for the College Football Playoff.
The Bearcats can clinch a spot in the American Athletic Conference championship vs. Houston with a win over SMU or East Carolina (Nov. 26). SMU can win nine games for the first time in the last three seasons. The Mustangs’ two losses (Houston, Memphis) were by a combined 10 points. Cincinnati is tied for the second-longest home winning streak in the country, having won 25 straight at Nippert Stadium, with the last loss coming in 2017.
No. 3 Oregon (9-1) at No. 23 Utah (7-3) 7:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC
Oregon faces its biggest challenge since upsetting thenNo. 3 Ohio State in Columbus on Sept. 11. A loss would all but eliminate the Ducks from contention for the College Football Playoff and would mean the Pac-12 would have gone six seasons without a team in the national championship mix. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham can become the school’s all-time wins leader with a victory. A win would also give the Utes the inside track on the Pac-12 South crown and most likely would mean a rematch against Oregon in the conference championship game.
Other top 25 games of note
No. 8 Michigan at Maryland: Sandwich game for the Wolverines between come-from-behind win at Penn State and The Game against Ohio State.
No. 9 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech: Cowboys have won 10 of 12 against the Red Raiders, including five of six in Lubbock.
Iowa State at No. 12 Oklahoma: Last six meetings have been decided by 10 points or fewer.