No. 15 Iowa State at No. 20 Texas
Nov. 27, 11 a.m. CT, ABC
Texas is back on the gridiron hosting Iowa State after a double-bye week. The Cyclones head south to the Forty Acres after shutting out Kansas State in Ames last weekend. Eyes will be on Iowa State junior quarterback Brock Purdy and Texas senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger in what could be considered the Big 12 Championship semifinal game. Purdy and Ehlinger have split their first two matchups, with the Cyclones winning a thriller in Ames last season 23-21.
No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 25 North Carolina
Nov. 27, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC
The Fighting Irish are enjoying the ride to the College Football Playoff after handing Clemson their first loss of the season and bulldozing Boston College a week later. This week against the Tar Heels, Notre Dame will need its defense on its top game to outmatch North Carolina’s hot offense. The Tar Heels are currently averaging 51 points and 607 yards in the last four games behind sophomore quarterback Sam Howell. However, its defense has struggled, giving up at least 21 points in all but one game this season.
Pittsburgh at No. 4 Clemson
Nov. 28, 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
COVID-19 issues are beginning to plague the Tigers, though the Tigers return quarterback Trevor Lawrence and others from protocol. Last weekend’s matchup against Florida State was canceled hours before the game after the two schools’ medical teams “were unable to mutually agree on moving forward with the game.” But finally, after back-to-back bye weeks, Clemson will return to play when it hosts the Pittsburgh Panthers in Death Valley.
LSU at No. 5 Texas A&M
Nov. 28, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN
After postponing two consecutive games due to COVID-19 contract tracing, the Aggies are set to host the LSU Tigers. While many thought they would plummet in the rankings, the Aggies have maintained their position thanks to their upset win against Florida and the success of senior quarterback Kellen Mond. This trip will be the first time the defending national champions have traveled to Aggieland since they lost in seven overtimes in 2018. While the Tigers found redemption for their 2018 loss season, the Aggies are poised to take this matchup. However, the Tigers have found their momentum after a disappointing start to the 2020 season with wins over Vanderbilt, Arkansas and South Carolina, while the Aggies still have a few starters sitting out because of SEC COVID-19 protocols.
No. 22 Auburn at No. 1 Alabama
Nov. 28, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS
Alabama-Auburn is one of the most intense rivalries in college football. The Crimson Tide is enjoying its consistent top-two ranking after throttling Kentucky 63-3 in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s redshirt junior quarterback Mac Jones, a former four-star recruit, has played his way into Heisman contention this season. Jones has completed 77.1% of his passes and ranks second nationally in yards per attempt with 12.1. Not only will the Auburn defense have to find a way to contain Jones, they’ll also have a challenge with senior wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who broke an SEC record for career touchdown receptions last weekend with 32.
