No surprise, stakes high in The Game
No. 9 Ole Miss (9-2) at Mississippi State (7-4) 7:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN
This version of the Egg Bowl isn’t short on storylines but the one guaranteed to garner the most attention centers on the future of Lane Kiffin. With his name mentioned as a possible candidate for openings at Florida, LSU and USC, could this be Kiffin’s last game as the coach at Ole Miss? This game also features two of the top quarterbacks in the SEC. Mississippi State’s Will Rogers is one of three players with 4,000 passing yards in the country, while Ole Miss QB Matt Corral could be a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft.
No. 2 Ohio State (10-1) at No. 5 Michigan (10-1)
Noon Saturday, FOX
As if this game needed any more juice with the winner claiming the Big Ten East crown, a spot in the conference championship game and an inside track in the College Football Playoff race. This game marks the fifth time these teams faced off while ranked in the top 10 since 2000. In this series, Ohio State won eight straight games, with the last loss in Ann Arbor in 2011. Michigan is winless against the Buckeyes under coach Jim Harbaugh (0-5), with the Wolverines a dismal 2-13 against AP top 10 teams. Ohio State is No. 2 in the AP rankings, while Michigan is No. 6.
No. 18 Wake Forest (9-2) at Boston College (6-5) Noon Saturday, ESPN2
Wake Forest can clinch its first Atlantic Division crown since 2006 and earn a spot in the ACC championship game. A loss by the Demon Deacons opens the door for either N.C. State or Clemson to win the division and a subsequent trip to the title game in Charlotte. Boston College hopes to win seven games in a season for the first time since 2018. Wake QB Sam Hartman has put together a career season, one in which he’s passed for 3,475 yards with 31 TDs and nine interceptions.
No. 3 Alabama (10-1) at Auburn (6-5)
3:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS
The shine for the Iron Bowl may have dulled a bit with Alabama claiming the SEC West last week, but it doesn’t mean this game doesn’t lack interest. The Crimson Tide have won five of the previous seven games in this series but have dropped two straight at Auburn. While Alabama has its ticket punched to the SEC championship game in Atlanta and a matchup against top-ranked Georgia, a loss to the Tigers, could seriously damage its College Football Playoff chances.
No. 13 Oklahoma (10-1) at No. 7 Oklahoma St. (10-1) 7:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC
With Oklahoma headed to the SEC in 2025, this could be one of the final meetings in this long-running rivalry. Oklahoma State clinched a spot in the Big 12 championship last week, but the Cowboys hope to snap a six-game losing streak to their in-state rivals. Oklahoma can return to the conference title game for the seventh straight season with a win or a Baylor loss to Texas Tech. The Cowboys feature one of the stingiest defenses in the country, allowing less than 15 points and 267 yards per game.
Other games of note
No. 16 Iowa (9-2) at Nebraska (3-8) on Friday: The Hawkeyes have beaten the Huskers in six straight, but the last three win have only been by a combined 12 points.
No. 1 Georgia (11-0) at Georgia Tech (3-8) on Saturday:
Since the Yellow Jackets beat the Bulldogs in Kirby Smart’s first season as coach, Georgia has won three straight by an average of 33 points.
Oregon State (7-4) at No. 11 Oregon (9-2) on Saturday:
The Ducks are 2-2 vs. the Beavers under Mario Cristobal.