The Saturday slate in Week 10 is loaded with games that could shake up the playoff picture, and LSU fans have plenty to keep an eye on while the Tigers wait for their own turn.
The day starts at 11 a.m. with the Holy War on ABC, as undefeated Utah hosts BYU. The Cougars already have one loss, a setback against a 3-3 UCF team after their win over Notre Dame, and another road defeat would leave their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
Utah, meanwhile, sits at No. 3 in the committee rankings and looks positioned for a serious push toward a top-four seed. If the Utes keep rolling, a first-round bye should be within reach, but BYU is more than capable of making this one a fight.
That same 11 a.m. window brings another game with major ripple effects: Texas at Missouri on ESPN. Both teams have two losses, but neither is out of the race yet.
For LSU, the game matters for another reason too, since the Tigers face Texas next week. Even the TV schedule is tied to what happens here and in LSU vs.
Bama, with this weekend’s results helping determine the start time for LSU vs. Texas.
Beyond that, the outcome will shape the playoff outlook for both the Longhorns and the Tigers. Texas has looked vulnerable at times, while Missouri has flashed plenty of promise.
The matchup that may decide it all is Missouri’s offense against a Texas defense that has been one of the best in the country.
At 2:30 p.m. on CBS, Ohio State meets Oregon in a game that could slam the door on the Buckeyes’ playoff hopes. Without starting QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State is already on the brink, and a loss would likely end its postseason chances. That result could also help LSU, since it would push the Tigers higher in the rankings as November moves along.
Then comes the night stretch, when two top-10 games hit at 6:30 p.m. Georgia travels to Oxford to face Ole Miss, while Miami heads to South Bend to take on Notre Dame.
The Georgia-Ole Miss matchup will have plenty of eyes on it in Baton Rouge, and it carries major weight for the Rebels as well. If Ole Miss drops this one, Pete Golding’s first full season as head coach could see its playoff path come to an end.
The Rebels will have to do it without one of their key playmakers, Kewan Lacy, who is out with a shoulder injury. The issue has been around all year and traces back to their playoff matchup against Miami last season.
Ole Miss has gotten more from its reserve backs lately, but Lacy’s burst and his value as a pass-game threat have been missed. Georgia’s secondary should be a strong test for that receiving group.
That game will air on ABC, and it sets up nicely alongside NBC’s broadcast from South Bend. Notre Dame gets a huge chance to prove it belongs in the conversation against the No. 1 team in the nation.
The Irish won’t have another ranked opponent left on the schedule, so if they lose at home, they may not get another shot to make their playoff case. That matters even more because of the strength of their schedule and the fact that they have no conference record to lean on.
Miami does have a hit to absorb, though, because Malachi Toney will miss the game with a high ankle sprain suffered in practice. Even so, the Hurricanes still bring a Heisman favorite at quarterback in Darian Mensah and a dangerous back in Mark Fletcher. It’s a prime chance for Miami to show it is the best team in the country.
It should be a strong weekend across the board, but for LSU, the first order of business is simple: win on Saturday. All the chaos elsewhere only matters if the Tigers take care of their own game first.
In Other News...
LSU Suddenly Has Another Big Alabama Availability Concern
LSU is still dealing with a thin margin for error heading into its matchup with Alabama, and the latest availability report did not do the Tigers many favors. Linebacker Whit Weeks remains doubtful for the game, while tight end TreyDez Green is listed as questionable because of a knee injury, adding more uncertainty to a roster already missing several players on season-ending injuries.
Alabama, meanwhile, got a cleaner update on its side of the ledger, with receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and center Racin Delgatty both moved from questionable to probable. For LSU, the concern is less about one injury and more about how many moving parts remain in flux this late in the week, especially against a rival that is trending in a more stable direction. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Could Get A Huge Boost For Alabama At The Perfect Time
The timing could hardly be better for LSU. Tiger Stadium is set to host Alabama in a Week 10 SEC matchup after a bye week for both teams, and the Tigers appear to be getting a key piece back in tight end Trey'Dez Green after his injury absence. For an LSU offense that can use every available weapon in a game of this size, his return adds another layer to a matchup that already carries plenty of weight.
LSU's defense will also have a chance to lean into one of its biggest strengths against an Alabama quarterback who has taken plenty of punishment this season. Keelon Russell has been sacked 22 times, and the Tigers have built a reputation around getting after the passer. With both teams still chasing playoff positioning, this one in Baton Rouge has the feel of more than just another SEC showdown. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Heads Into LSU With Key Availability Still In Limbo
Alabamas injury situation is still hanging over the buildup to its matchup with LSU, with several players sitting in game-time territory as kickoff approaches. Zabien Brown, EJ Crowell, Jett Thomalla and William Sanders are all listed as decisions to be made on the spot, and Brown and Crowell are still working through injuries they picked up against Tennessee.
For LSU, that kind of uncertainty matters because it can change how Alabama lines up and how much depth the Crimson Tide can lean on in a game that already carries plenty of weight. The final call on those players will not come until just before kickoff, leaving both sides to prepare for a version of Alabama that could look a little different than expected. [Read more 🡒]