This week is full of clashes of titans across college football with none earning more hype than the matchup between the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs and the No. 1 Texas Longhorns.
Unfortunately, for diehard UGA fans, they’ll have to wait until the end of the day, at 7:30 p.m. ET, for the game to start. For those of you dying for something to do while the game starts, you’re in luck. There are several more matchups that can impact Georgia’s chances at the SEC championship and the College Football Playoff.
No. 7 Alabama vs. No. 11 Tennessee
This one has by far the most implications on Georgia’s chances at the SEC championship. If it weren’t for the Georgia-Texas barnburner, this matchup would no doubt be featured on “College GameDay”. Alabama and Tennessee have each shown signs of insane offensive strength, but they’ve also shown signs of weakness, with both teams being upset by inferior SEC competition.
If Georgia loses against the Longhorns tonight, then team that wins this game could jump them in the rankings and be in line to play Texas in the SEC championship. Out of these two hated rivals, Georgia fans will probably be cheering for Tennessee to win since the Bulldogs have already lost to ‘Bama and play Tennessee at home later in the year.
The Alabama at Tennessee game will be at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
No. 8 LSU vs. Arkansas
Alabama and Tennessee are two of the three teams Georgia would have to worry about advancing past them in the polls after this week. The other one? LSU. The Tigers are now No. 8 after an insane win over No. 18 Ole Miss, and they have a decent chance at playing Texas in the SEC championship, only having No. 14 Texas A&M and No. 7 Alabama to play against.
Georgia fans will be looking for lightning to strike twice here. The Razorbacks upset No. 11 Tennessee in their previous matchup, and they’ve also played No. 14 Texas A&M close.
LSU has also played Arkansas close each of the last four matchups, winning by a combined three points. Their receiving room also looks banged up, with Chris Hilton confirmed out for this matchup and Kyle Parker being out for the year. Expect this matchup to be close.
LSU at Arkansas will take place on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET, so you may not be able to watch the full game unless you have multiple screens.
No. 6 Miami vs. Louisville
This matchup doesn’t impact SEC standings, but playoff standings in general. Miami is currently undefeated at No. 6, but they’ve looked very sketchy in ACC play.
Against 4-3 Virginia Tech, they were down 34-24 with 12 minutes left to go in the fourth quarter, but Miami came back and won thanks to an overturned Hail Mary. Against 3-3 California, Miami was down 38-18 in the fourth before rattling off 21 unanswered points, winning 39-38.
Now they play on the road against a solid Louisville team, and if they lose the game, Clemson could overtake Miami’s spot as the ACC leader, bringing Miami in the doghouse of non-division winners, where they’d have to jockey for playoff positioning against teams like Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU.
Miami-Louisville one will be a noon game on ABC. For those of you interesting in watching a lunch game, here’s your pick.