5. No. 1 Oregon (8-0) at Michigan (5-3)

Oregon will travel to Ann Arbor for the first time since 2007 in this important Big 10 showdown. The former national champions are struggling to find their answer at quarterback but still have an elite defense. Oregon meanwhile is ranked No. 1 for the first time since 2012, and are clicking on all cylinders after a slow start to their season. This game comes down to Oregon’s offensive line, can they hold up against one of the best defensive lines in the country? If they give Gabriel time to throw on Michigan’s depleted secondary, the Ducks will fly high in the Big House.

Prediction: Oregon 27, Michigan 13

4. No. 10 Texas A&M (7-1) at South Carolina (4-3)

The Aggies are at the top of the SEC (for now) as they take on a South Carolina team that’s playing better than their record indicates. The Gamecocks biggest strength is their pass defense; they have long defensive backs and an elite pass rush that shut down Jalen Milroe a few weeks prior. That would put Texas A&M at a big disadvantage if they hadn’t switched from Connor Weigman to Marcel Reed at quarterback. The Aggies will run a lot more with him, and that’s one spot where South Carolina has struggled. South Carolina will try to run a similar style offense with LaNorris Sellers, but their offensive line has struggled mightily and will face their biggest challenge this weekend. I think both teams will be pretty afraid to throw the ball here making this a closer game than it should be.

Prediction: Texas A&M 20, South Carolina 17

3. Florida (4-3) vs. No. 2 Georgia (6-1)

The Gators season looked like a disaster after the Miami game, but they’ve fought their way to a winning record so far. The problem is they have the most brutal stretch of games to play than any other team in the country.  Although they’ve lost Graham Mertz for the rest of the season, DJ Lagway has shown why he was the highest-rated quarterback recruit in 2024. He’s just been a big play machine that can stretch the field at a level the conservative Mertz never could. For a gunslinger like Lagway, patience will be key in this game and it will be paramount to strike only when the opportunity is there, rather than forcing it and playing right into Smart’s hands. But I think this will be a situation where he tries to do too much and makes some costly mistakes.

Prediction: Georgia 41, Florida 24

2. No. 18 Pittsburgh (7-0) at No. 20 SMU (7-1)

While many see the ACC coming down to Miami and Clemson, there are still two other schools still looming large. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said the team is in a “wait and see” mode with quarterback Eli Holstein after he left the blowout win against Syracuse with an undisclosed injury. Regardless if the redshirt freshman suits up or not, SMU should focus on forcing Pittsburgh to win with its passing attack. Holstein struggles under pressure which is something the Mustangs are very good at doing. According to PFF, his 14 turnover-worthy plays are also tied for the third most in the Power Four, despite throwing just six interceptions. SMU also suffered some injury trouble, losing their leading receiver, RJ Maryland, for the season. If SMU is going to win this week, it will need to make fewer mistakes against another very unique defense.

Prediction: SMU 34, Pittsburgh 24

1. No. 4 Ohio State (6-1) at No. 3 Penn State (7-0)

The Nittany Lions enter their biggest game of the season with a question mark on who will be under center for them. Star quarterback Drew Allar injured his left knee in the win over Wisconsin this past Saturday and didn’t return to the game. Head coach James Franklin said that he expects Allar to be a game-time decision on Saturday. Penn State’s chances of pulling off the upset likely depend on its defensive line to dominate the Buckeyes’ beat-up offensive line. Ohio State’s offensive line suffered a devastating blow in the loss to Oregon when left tackle Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending knee injury. His replacement, Zen Michalski, struggled mightily in relief of him. Then, Michalski was carted off in the win over Nebraska, putting his availability in doubt for Saturday. The Buckeyes responded by moving left guard Donovan Jackson to left tackle and inserting sophomore Luke Montgomery at left guard. If Allar is healthy for this one, I can see them winning this one at home.

Prediction: Penn State 17, Ohio State 13