(#10)Ohio State at (#18)Michigan State
Noon, FOX
Sure, it shares a timeslot with the Penn State-Wisconsin game, but this one could go much longer if Urban Meyer has Dwayne Haskins chucking the ball 80 times again this week. Once again, Michigan State has one of the nation’s best defenses, which gives them a chance against basically anyone besides Alabama. Mark Dantonio usually has his team ready to give Ohio State everything they have, and will not allow them to get embarrassed by the Buckeyes in consecutive years following last season’s 48-3 shellacking.
Prediction: Ohio State-26, Michigan State-21
(#16)Mississippi State at (#1)Alabama
3:30 p.m., CBS
Mississippi State has already pulled off upsets against Auburn and Texas A&M this season. Can they pull the ultimate upset and knock off ‘Bama? The Crimson Tide are coming off a huge win against formerly #3 LSU, but don’t expect them to be caught sleeping as they return home to face the Bulldogs. Joe Moorhead will need to have more than a few tricks up his sleeve to keep Mississippi State in this one.
Prediction: Alabama-38, Mississippi State-17
Oklahoma State at (#6)Oklahoma
3:30 p.m., ABC
Oklahoma State has sputtered to a 2-4 record in its past six games, and things don’t look much better as they face the #6 team. However, Oklahoma has made a habit of making things interesting against lesser-opponents this year, and the Cowboys will be looking to save its season with an upset of its in-state foe. Oklahoma State has destroyed the Sooners title hopes in the past, and just might be due to do it once more.
Prediction: Oklahoma State-34, Oklahoma-30
(#2)Clemson at (#17)Boston College
8 p.m., ABC
B.C. continues to be a surprise team in a year where many unfamiliar names have taken over the lower half of the Top 25. The Eagles have won three straight, and still have dreams of an ACC title with an upset on Saturday night. Clemson looked vulnerable earlier in the season, but has caught fire as of late, winning its last four games by a combined margin of 204 points. B.C. will do all it can to feed off its home crowd and try to pull off one of the biggest wins in program history.
Prediction: Clemson-35, B.C.-21