Is the best team in the country playing in Tuscaloosa this weekend?
We really feel like the winner of No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 6 Alabamawill have strong claims to this designation after this weekend. Both teams are undefeated and in excellent position to return to the College Football Playoff this year.
Alabama leads the nation in explosive plays and has the nation’s third-ranked offensive attack, while Georgia ranks in the top 10 in rushing defense and scoring defense. It’s force against force in a game that could be affected by weather as Hurricane Isaias passes through the state Saturday.
Before Alabama and Georgia kick off Saturday night, you’ll want to tune in to No. 21 UCLA at No. 13 Oregon (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS). The Bruins are on a roll under first-year coach Bob Chesney and could be the 2024 version of Indiana if they can continue with a win against Oregon.
The Ducks have rebounded well since that shocking opening loss to Oklahoma State, but are expected to be without quarterback Dante Moore against UCLA. A loss on Saturday would be devastating to Oregon’s CFP hopes – the odds would drop to 19.6%, according to our CBS Sports Predictions and Projections team.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten, undefeated No. 7 Indiana visits undefeated Nebraska. Matt Rhule would love to end the Cornhuskers’ ignominious 31-game losing streak against top-25 teams.
Could we have a trap match on Saturday? Other top 25 teams in potentially tricky matchups include No. 1 Texas at Oklahoma, No. 9 Ole Miss at Vanderbilt, No. 10 LSU at Kentucky, No. 14 Missouri at Texas A&M and No. 19 USC at Penn State.
Texas vs. Oklahoma Prediction, Picks
3:30 p.m. on ABC, Fubo (try for free): It’s always dangerous to bet on a big line in a major rivalry game, but it’s becoming harder than ever to trust Brent Venables’ team to pull through. Three of Oklahoma’s four games against Texas under Venables have yielded a 17-point margin of victory, and this Sooners team might be their worst yet. College football surprises you sometimes, but…this would be a surprise. Pick: Texas -8.5 – Shehan Jeyarajah
Oregon vs. UCLA Prediction, Picks
Noon on CBS CBSSports.com, CBS Sports app Paramount+ Premium: UCLA’s bread and butter is racing. But all four of the Bruins’ wins are against teams ranked No. 65 or worse in the CBS Sports 138, and three of those four teams rank outside the top 100 in run defense. Oregon is 38th. What happens if the running game hits a wall and the Bruins fall behind on the road against a team with superior talent? They haven’t demonstrated the passing skills necessary to erase a deficit, especially not against a team of Oregon’s caliber. He expects the Ducks to flex and remind the nation why they were ranked No. 2 in the preseason. Pick: Oregon -11.5
LSU vs. Kentucky Prediction, Picks
7 p.m. on ABC, Fubo (try for free): This one is dangerous for the visiting Tigers, especially if Kentucky is able to hold on at the line of scrimmage and get the running game going early to keep LSU’s explosive offense off the field. The Tigers have been virtually flawless on both ends of the football since the loss at Ole Miss in Week 3, beating Texas A&M by 29 points before McNeese’s 63-point baptism last week. Much like its 45-17 loss to Alabama last month, Kentucky must avoid giveaways and extra possessions for LSU to keep this one in the number. Pick: LSU -10.5
Alabama vs. Georgia Prediction, Picks
7:30 p.m. on ABC, Fubo (try for free): Can Alabama really beat Georgia in three straight regular season games? Kalen DeBoer had the advantage over Kirby Smart in the regular season – Georgia beat Alabama in last year’s SEC Championship, however – including memorably the last time the two teams faced off in Tuscaloosa. Weather conditions create the ultimate unknown, but I think they tend to favor Georgia, which is not as dependent on its air attacks. This one will be close as they always seem to be in the regular season, but the Bulldogs come out late. Pick: Georgia +1.5
The Proven SportsLine Computer The model simulated every Week 6 college football game 10,000 times. Visit SportsLine now to see the picks, all from the model that is on a 40-35 run among CFB’s top-rated picks this season.
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