#2 Alabama (9-0) @ #16 Mississippi State (7-2)
The Mississippi State Bulldogs have won four straight and have climbed to number 16 in the polls, but a true test rides into Starkville this Saturday in the form of the Alabama Crimson Tide. If QB Nick Fitzgerald can play turnover-free football, and provide a balanced attack in the air and on the ground against a depleted Alabama defense, a Mississippi State upset may not be outside of the realm of possibilities. Alabama has given up over 20 points only once this season, so the Bulldogs have their work cut out for them. Fitzgerald has thrown 10 INTs this season, and on the other sideline, Alabama’s Jalen Hurts has thrown only one. The turnover battle could help decide this one when its all said and done.
Kickoff at Davis Wade Stadium is set for 6:00 p.m.
Louisiana (4-4) @ Ole Miss (4-5)
Ole Miss won in the final moments last week against Kentucky, and this week they will take a break from SEC play to take on the Louisiana Rajin’ Cajuns. As a 20 point favorite, Ole Miss will have to play to prove that they can win the games that they’re expected to win. Jordan Ta’amu showed poise and toughness down the stretch of the win over the Wildcats in just his second start. He must now show his coaches and his teammates that he put in the same type of preparation for a home non-conference matchup that he did for a road game in the SEC.
An early kick in Oxford is set for 11 a.m.
Southern Miss (5-4) @ Rice (1-8)
Southern Miss has lost two straight games, but now they have a good chance at a bounce-back win as they travel to Texas to take on the 1-8 Rice Owls. QB Keon Howard was replaced by Kwadra Griggs in the fourth quarter of last weeks loss to Tennessee, and it remains to be seen who’ll get the start this week. In the past two weeks, the Golden Eagle offense has struggled to find a rhythm, but the Rice defense presents an opportunity to get back on track. The Owls have given up more than 40 points on five occasions this season. Despite the record for the Owls, Southern Miss is only a 10 point favorite.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
