5. No. 9 BYU (8-0) at Utah (4-4)

For the first time since 2010, BYU and Utah are members of the same conference which means the Holy War will once again become an annual rivalry. Jake Retzlaff has so far been the nation’s most improved quarterback. His production has skyrocketed across the board, and he has specialized in tearing apart zone coverages, especially down the middle of the field. He faces a new challenge, though, from rival Utah, one of the most prolific teams in terms of its usage of man coverage. The Utes are notorious for their high usage of Cover 1. Beating man coverage is an area where Retzlaff has played with a bit less consistency this season. If Retzlaff and wide receivers Chase Roberts and Darius Lassiter can win those one-on-one battles against Utah’s talented cornerback group, the Cougars could run away with this game.

Prediction: BYU 24, Utah 16

4. No. 4 Miami (9-0) at Georgia Tech (5-4)

Georgia Tech was off to a nice start until they lost their quarterback Haynes King. Since then, they’ve lost their last two games to Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. Head coach Brent Key is hopeful that King will return this week against Miami but can’t say that he is probable to do so. The Yellow Jackets’ chances of pulling off the upset likely hinge on his availability. If King returns, then Georgia Tech will regain the ability to attack downfield with their dynamic receivers, Eric Singleton Jr. and Malik Rutherford. The Hurricanes’ secondary is the one obvious weakness on the team. But Ward, the current betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, is perhaps the most poised and comfortable quarterback in college football. It’s incredibly difficult for defenses to rattle him, as it seems he almost nonchalantly throws for 350 yards per game.

Prediction: Miami 38, Georgia Tech 21

3. Michigan (5-4) at Indiana (9-0)

The Hoosiers can all but clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff with a win over Michigan on Saturday. If the Hoosiers beat the defending national champs, they’ll move to 10-0 on the season with games against Ohio State and Purdue remaining. Even if Indiana loses to the Buckeyes, an 11-1 record is most likely enough for the Hoosiers to get an at-large spot in the playoff. This matchup works very well in Indiana’s favor. Simply put, Michigan will need to dominate on the ground to compete against anyone they play against. Indiana has the top-ranked rush defense, holding teams to just 72.6 yards per game on the ground. If the Wolverines can’t find a way to control Indiana’s defensive line in the run game, they won’t have many other answers on offense. With Kurtis O’Rourke back under center, Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers will beat yet another team by double digits.

Prediction: Indiana 31, Michigan 17

2. No. 3 Georgia at No. 16 Ole Miss (7-2)

In all likelihood, this game will determine whether or not Ole Miss makes the College Football Playoff. At 7-2, the Rebels cannot afford another loss if they want to make the 12-team field. This promises to be a heavyweight bout in the trenches. Georgia’s pass protection has been the only thing going right in its passing game lately. Meanwhile, Ole Miss has the second-highest-graded defensive line in college football (91.1) according to PFF. The Rebels lead the Power Four with 45 sacks, while their 220 pressures are the most in the country. As good as Ole Miss is at getting after the quarterback, it’s arguably even better at defending the run. If Ole Miss’ defensive line can take away the run and get after the quarterback like it’s done all season, the Rebels have an excellent chance at emerging victorious. 

Prediction: Ole Miss 28, Georgia 27

1. No. 11 Alabama (6-2) at No. 15 LSU (6-2)

The loser of this game is effectively eliminated from College Football Playoff contention. Both Alabama and LSU sport a 6-2 record and a third loss would likely be a death knell for their playoff hopes. Garrett Nussmeier has had an excellent season in which he and his receivers have carried the Tigers offense to this point. However, LSU can be far too reliant on Nussmeier as its rushing attack has taken a major step back from last season. This is likely to be the case for Alabama, as the Crimson Tide have played well against the run aside from the Tennessee game. Milroe is a big play waiting to happen, thanks to his elite arm strength and mobility. LSU has had issues with mobile quarterbacks in the past. South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed combined for five rushing touchdowns against LSU , while Sellers ran for 107 yards total. LSU will need to clean both areas up as Milroe has the ability to expose their defense more than any other quarterback it’s faced this season.

Prediction: Alabama 31, LSU 27

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