Well that was certainly an eventful few days. Indiana may just be a legitimate national title contender, Texas Tech seemingly has a stranglehold on the Big 12, and a whole gaggle of head coaches are now out of a job. We’re now officially in the second half of the season and still have plenty of questions to answer. The race to the top of the SEC pecking order will be front and center this week, as will a few Big Ten and Big 12 rivalry matchups. For those at the top of the heap, it’s time to prove that early gains were not just a facade. For those down below, it’s time to see what comes next (and maybe play spoiler).

Top 25 Matchups

Rankings are from AP Poll (CFP Poll after release)

Friday 10/17 :

• Louisville @ #2 Miami, 7PM, ESPN
• #25 Nebraska @ Minnesota, 8PM, FOX

Saturday 10/18:

12:00-3:00PM

• #10 LSU @ #17 Vanderbilt, ABC
• #12 Georgia Tech @ Duke, ESPN
• #14 Oklahoma @ South Carolina, SECN

3:30PM-6:30PM

• #1 Ohio State @ Wisconsin, CBS
• Michigan State @ #3 Indiana, Peacock
• #4 Texas A&M @ Arkansas, ESPN
• #5 Ole Miss @ #9 Georgia, ABC
• #7 Texas Tech @ Arizona State, FOX
• #22 Memphis @ UAB, ESPN2
• #8 Oregon @ Rutgers, BTN
• Washington State @ #18 Virginia, The CW

7:00-10:30PM

• #21 Texas @ Kentucky, ESPN
• #11 Tennessee @ #6 Alabama, ABC
• #20 USC @ #13 Notre Dame, NBC
• Florida Atlantic @ #19 South Florida, ESPNU
• #16 Missouri @ Auburn, SECN
• #23 Utah @ #15 BYU, FOX
• #24 Cincinnati @ Oklahoma State, ESPN2

Most Interesting Matchups

LSU vs Vanderbilt: The loss to Alabama has taken a bit of wind out of the Commodores’ sails, but they have a chance to right the ship against the Tigers. LSU has a gauntlet of 3 ranked opponents in a row starting this week – a perfect time to prove the doubters wrong.

Ole Miss vs Georgia: The Rebels are in rare territory – undefeated and on top of the SEC with a legitimate chance to make it all the way to Atlanta. The Bulldogs are familiar with both achievements and would like to deny Lane Kiffin’s squad this chance at glory.

Tennessee @ Alabama: The Crimson Tide have looked like a new team since that loss to Florida State, much to the chagrin of the rest of college football. Tennessee has quietly stayed right on the heels of the SEC’s elite, and can prove they belong with a big upset this Saturday night.

USC @ Notre Dame: Fresh off a win over a scrappy Michigan team, the Trojans will look to put Notre Dame’s playoff hopes fully to bed. Winning in South Bend won’t be easy, but silvery games like this tend to be entertaining regardless.

Utah @ BYU: The Holy War is back! One of the few good things about recent realignment was keeping this series going every year. The winner of this edition not only gets bragging rights for the next year, but also a crucial step towards Arlington this December.

FCS Game of the Week

North Dakota @ Southern Illinois, 3PM, ESPN+

It’s #11 vs #12 this week in Saluki Stadium as the Salukis and Fighting Hawks battle, with a crucial Missouri Valley conference win on the line.

Selected Pick ATS

Last Week: 2-3 Season: 13-25

• LSU (+2.5) @ Vanderbilt
• Ole Miss @ Georgia (-7.5)
• Tennessee @ Alabama (-7.5)
• USC (+8.5) @ Notre Dame
• Utah @ BYU (+3.5)