Key college games:
How we think Alabama-Auburn, Ohio State-Michigan and other clashes will unfold.
Key games this week: No. 1 Alabama at No. 6 Auburn
Nov. 25, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Line: Alabama by 41⁄2 The Iron Bowl will determine whether the visiting Crimson Tide (11-0, 7-0 SEC) or the Tigers (9-2, 6-1) will head to the Southeast Conference title game.
Alabama, led by QB Jalen Hurts, would move close to a fourth consecutive playoff appearance with a victory, and it would also give the Crimson Tide its 25th consecutive victory against SEC opponents. Auburn, behind RB Kerryon Johnson, is seeking its first SEC West championship since winning the famed Kick Six game against Alabama in 2013.
Expect a low-scoring tussle worthy of the teams’ elite defenses. Alabama leads the country in scoring defense (10.2 points per game) and total defense (244.1 yards per game), while Auburn is tied for eighth in scoring defense (16.6 points per game) and 10th in total defense (302.5 yards per game).
The winner will meet Georgia in next week’s SEC title game in Atlanta, with the winner all but assured a spot in the playoff. A one-loss Alabama team would still harbor hopes of a playoff invite, while Auburn has little choice but to win out.
Who wins? Alabama, 20-10
Mississippi at No. 17 Mississippi State
Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Line: Mississippi State by 16 The Rebels (5-6, 2-5 SEC) will try to send interim coach Matt Luke out with a victory and deal a surprising setback to the Bulldogs (8-3, 4-3), whose only losses have come against Alabama, Auburn and Georgia. Mississippi State is looking to win back-to-back Egg Bowls for the first time since 2009-11.
Who wins? Mississippi State, 31-17
No. 2 Miami at Pittsburgh
Nov. 24, noon, ABC
Line: Miami by 14 The Hurricanes (10-0, 7-0 ACC) remain a prime playoff contender, but first they must deal with a Panthers team (4-7, 2-5) that will miss a bowl for the first time since 2007. The Panthers hope to repeat some history; that ’07 team upset West Virginia to deny the Mountaineers a chance to play for the national title. Who wins? Miami, 34-20
No. 19 South Florida at No. 12 Central Florida
Nov. 24, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Line: Central Florida by 11 The American Athletic’s East Division title comes down to this rivalry. The visiting Bulls (9-1, 6-1) rank eighth in the country in rushing offense (276.9 yards per game) behind QB Quinton Flowers, while Cen- tral Florida (10-0, 7-0) leads the country in scoring (48.2 points per game) with QB McKenzie Milton running the offense. The winner will meet Memphis in next week’s AAC championship. Who wins? Central Florida, 38-31
No. 25 Virginia Tech at Virginia
Nov. 24, 8 p.m., ESPN
Line: Virginia Tech by 7 The Hokies (8-3, 4-3) have won 13 consecutive Commonwealth Cups, and can deny the Cavaliers (6-5, 3-4) a winning record in the regular season. Virginia squandered a pair of 14point leads at Miami last week, but QB Kurt Benkert threw for 384 yards and four TDs in the loss. Who wins? Virginia Tech, 20-17 No. 8 Ohio State at Michigan Nov. 25, noon, Fox Line: Ohio State by 111⁄ 2 The Buckeyes (9-2, 7-1 Big