With crucial conference matchups this week, the Crimson Tide are on upset alert

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Longhorn football helmets sit on the sideline at the K-State vs. Texas football game in Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Oct. 22, 2016. (Emily Starkey | Collegian Media Group)

No. 6 University of Georgia (7-1, 5-1) at No. 11 University of Kentucky (7-1, 5-1)

The Wildcats and the Bulldogs will battle to be alone at the top part of the East of the Southeastern Conference. They both go into this game tied in first place in the east.

Georgia is coming off a huge win against the then-ranked No. 9 Florida Gators 36-17, and Kentucky survived an upset last week as they just got past 4-4 Missouri Tigers 15-14.

Georgia’s high-powered offense that has averaged 38.6 points per game this season is led by sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm. Fromm is coming off a terrific game against Florida, as he completed 17 of his 24 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns. He has also thrown for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.

Along with Fromm, the Bulldogs have junior running back Elijah Holyfield, who has rushed for 559 yards on 85 carries — and has found the end zone four times this season.

The Bulldogs’ offense will be tested as Kentucky’s defense allowed just 13 points per game this season.

For Kentucky, its offense has been led by junior running back Benny Snell Jr. Snell has carried the Wildcats offense this season as he has accumulated 935 yards on 179 carries — and has recorded nine touchdowns.

Sophomore quarterback Terry Wilson has struggled this season, as he has thrown more interceptions (six) than touchdowns (five), and has thrown for less than 1,000 yards on 100 completions. He will be tested once again against Georgia’s defense.

This crucial conference game will kick off on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on CBS.

No. 1 University of Alabama (8-0, 5-0) at No. 4 Louisiana State University (7-1, 4-1)

The LSU Tigers will have a golden opportunity to knock off Alabama, the defending national champion, on their home field in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Crimson Tide have defended their national title and No. 1 ranking as they have remained unbeaten so far this season, recently handling the Tennessee Volunteers 58-21.

Both teams have played exceptional defense, as Alabama has allowed just 15.9 points per game, and LSU has allowed just 15.1 points per game.

Alabama’s offense against the Tigers’ defense is the matchup to look for in this game, as the Crimson Tide have averaged 54.1 points per game.

Sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been outstanding, completing 107 of 152 touchdown passes for 2,066 passing yards along with 25 touchdowns, with no interceptions through the first eight games. Sophomore wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has been the most productive receiver for the Tide, he has 31 receptions for 777 yards and 10 touchdowns.

For the Tigers on offense, senior star running back Nick Brossette continues to carry his team, he has run for 697 yards on 10 touchdowns.

The Tigers’ upset bid will begin on Saturday at 7 p.m. on CBS.

No. 12 West Virginia University (6-1, 4-1) at No. 15 University of Texas (6-2, 4-1)

Two high-powered offenses of the Big 12 collide as they sit in a three-way tie with Oklahoma in first place in the Big 12.

Two great quarterbacks will be the showcase of this game as the Mountaineers’ Will Grier and the Longhorns’ Sam Ehlinger have both put up big numbers this season.

Grier has thrown for 2,272 yards on 154 completions and has thrown 25 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. Ehlinger has thrown for 1,817 yards on 158 completions and has thrown 13 touchdowns, along with just three interceptions.

The Mountaineers one loss this season was in Ames, as they were upset by Iowa State 30-14. The Longhorns were just recently stunned in Stillwater, as the Cowboys upset them 38-35.

The Longhorns’ hopes for the College Football Playoff most likely ended after their loss to Oklahoma State, but their hopes for the Big 12 trophy remain alive.

This crucial Big 12 matchup will kick off on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on FOX.

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