Florida fans get a break from the downward spiral that is the 2014 season thanks to a bye this weekend. But fear not college football fans, there are plenty of other games to enjoy throughout the weekend.
No. 6 Oregon @ California — Friday, 10pm, Fox Sports 1
Oregon has won the last five games in this series, but California is currently third in the PAC-12 North standings. A win for the Bears at a neutral site — the game is being played at the new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, — would shatter Oregon’s playoff hopes.
No. 1 Mississippi State @ Kentucky — Saturday, 3:30pm, CBS
Top-ranked Mississippi State travels to Lexington, Kentucky, to take on a Kentucky team that is one of the most improved in the Southeastern Conference.
The Bulldogs are currently a 13.5-point favorite, but they have a target on their back being the No. 1 team in the land.
An upset victory for Kentucky would undoubtedly be a signature win for second-year head coach Mark Stoops.
No. 3 Ole Miss @ No. 24 LSU — Saturday, 7:15pm, ESPN
Ole Miss showed some slight vulnerabilities last week against Tennessee by not being able to score any points until late in the second quarter.
The Rebels then went on to roll 35-3.
This week, Ole Miss gets a big road test traveling to Death Valley for a night game — one of the toughest environments to win no matter how good a team you are.
Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace hasn’t thrown an interception since the fifth week of the season, a key to Ole Miss’ successful ascension to No. 3 in the country. This week will determine in a hostile environment if Wallace’s turnover issues are really behind him.
No. 4 Alabama @ Tennessee — Saturday, 7:30pm, ESPN2
What was once one of the best rivalries in the SEC many years ago has lost a lot of its luster thanks to the Crimson Tide’s continued dominance and the Vols’ trend downward.
This is also former Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin’s first return to Neyland Stadium since his disastrous stint in Knoxville in the 2009-10 season.
While he usually coordinates the Crimson Tide’s offense from the sideline, there has been speculation that he’ll coach from the booth for this one.
South Carolina @ No. 5 Auburn - Saturday, 7:30pm, SEC Network
South Carolina has fallen off the radar after compiling three SEC East losses, but as Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said this week, the Gamecocks were ranked in the Top 10 in the preseason for a reason. Spurrier gets a chance to prove he’s still got some life left in him by keeping it close, and even more so if pulls off the upset.
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No. 13 Ohio State @ Penn State - Saturday, 8:00 p.m., ABC
One of the most historic rivalries in college football gets the nod for this week’s primetime ABC slot. Ohio State hasn’t lost since Week 2 and has one of the best chances to represent the Big 10 in the college football playoff, so Saturday night’s game in Happy Valley is a must-win to keep those hopes alive.
Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace (14) releases a pass during the first half of Ole Miss' win against Tennessee in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday.
