messenger_inquirer
The college football postseason picture is beginning to take shape after the selection committee unveiled its first rankings of the season, and this weekend offers a loaded schedule with major implications. The headliner is undoubtedly No. 1 Miami (8-0) traveling to face No. 4 Notre Dame (7-1), a game that could define both teams' playoff trajectories.
Miami holds the top spot in both the Associated Press poll and the CFP rankings, while the Fighting Irish sit at No. 11 in the CFP despite their strong record. A victory for the Hurricanes would likely solidify their No. 1 ranking through the regular season, with remaining home games against unranked Duke, Virginia Tech, and Boston College before the ACC championship. Historically, only Alabama (2020) and Georgia (2021) have started No. 1 in the CFP rankings and gone on to win the national title.
Early Slate
The Big 12 race takes center stage when No. 7 BYU (7-1) visits No. 3 Utah (8-0) in the Holy War rivalry. Utah has committed two turnovers in each of its last four games and coughed up the ball five times in its last two meetings with BYU, both losses decided by a combined four points. Meanwhile, No. 10 Texas (6-2) plays at No. 19 Missouri (6-2) in what could be a playoff elimination game. Missouri is 4-0 at home, quarterback Austin Simmons has outperformed Arch Manning statistically, and SEC rushing leader Jamal Roberts surpassed 1,000 yards last week. No. 5 UCLA, aiming for its first 9-0 start since 1998, faces a tough road test at Minnesota (5-3). The Golden Gophers may lack offensive firepower but have already knocked off Michigan and a ranked Iowa team at home. UCLA's Ty Dieffenbach will make his first road start since taking over for injured quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Midafternoon Matchups
No. 9 Alabama (6-2) visits No. 15 LSU (6-2) in a prove-it game for the Crimson Tide, who are ranked No. 5 by the CFP. Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell will need a strong running game to counter LSU's pass rush, which ranks second nationally with 34 sacks. No. 8 Kentucky (7-1) travels to No. 16 Tennessee (6-2), a game the Volunteers could use to bolster their playoff résumé. Tennessee has never lost to Kentucky in five meetings under coach Josh Heupel, who has been noncommittal about whether George MacIntyre or Faizon Brandon will start at quarterback. No. 11 Ohio State (6-2) hosts Oregon (5-3) in a game that once looked like a titanic matchup when both teams were ranked No. 1 and 2 in the preseason. It remains crucial due to playoff elimination implications for both Big Ten powers.
Night Games
Miami's high-scoring offense, led by Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney, will face the nation's top-ranked defense in Notre Dame. Irish quarterback CJ Carr will go up against a Miami secondary that has allowed over 300 passing yards in three consecutive games. No. 2 Georgia (7-1) visits No. 12 Mississippi (6-2), a critical game for the Rebels, who are ranked No. 10 by the CFP. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has been sharp in two previous meetings with the Bulldogs, passing for 635 yards and accounting for five touchdowns. No. 21 Iowa, fresh off a 30-0 win over Wisconsin, hits the road to face Northwestern, which is coming off a loss at Oregon. Both teams are 6-2 and still harbor Big Ten title game aspirations.
Players to Watch
Miami's Mensah and Notre Dame's Carr will go head-to-head in a meeting between the current Heisman Trophy favorite and the preseason favorite. Mensah threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-35 win at North Carolina and has completed 80.1% of his passes with 25 touchdowns. Carr is averaging over 230 passing yards per game and has thrown 18 touchdowns. Each has one interception. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith will play his second game with freshman Luke Fahey at quarterback in place of the injured Julian Sayin. Smith had 10 catches for 83 yards in a loss at Southern California but remains the nation's second-leading receiver behind Oregon State's Jesse Legree. Chambliss is the only other player in the Heisman conversation behind Smith, Mensah, and Carr.
Originally reported by messenger_inquirer.