5 storylines to watch ahead of Saturday's games
Can Ole Miss bounce back mentally?
Ole Miss playing Presbyterian on Saturday already has SEC fans rolling their eyes in boredom.
While a win over the Blue Hose will not be a bright spot on the Rebels 2014 season, it will serve an important purpose: Ole Miss will recapture that winning feeling that left in its two season losses to LSU and Auburn.
The Rebels are dealing with multiple injuries to important players that has team morale at an all-time low. Ole Miss will be playing its first game without star receiver Laquon Treadwell, who broke his leg and dislocated his ankle in the 35-31 loss to Auburn.
Head coach Hugh Freeze is hoping that a win over Presbyterian will inject a spark of confidence into the Rebels who will face Arkansas and Mississippi State at the end of November.
Can Utah overcome the loss of Dres Anderson?
It was clear in Utah's 19-16 loss to Arizona State last Saturday that the Utes are missing injured Dres Anderson.
The top receiver has been ruled out for the season after suffering a knee injury against USC last Saturday. Before his injury, Anderson was key in Utah's passing game. He averaged 16.1 yards per game, proving that he can stretch a field.
Anderson's absence was felt when Utah’s 22 pass attempts against the Sun Devils last Saturday produced a paltry 57 yards. The Utes will lean more heavily on Devontae Booker to become more of a rushing offense against Oregon, but it remains to be seen if this will be enough to fend off the No. 4 Ducks.
Can LSU extend its winning spree?
LSU has struggled this season, but with three back-to-back wins against Florida, Kentucky and Ole Miss, the Tigers luck seems to be changing.
If LSU can beat Alabama, the Tigers will be launched into the race for the SEC West. LSU's running game has been on point in its victories, with the Tigers running at least 50 times for at least 195 yards in each game. LSU is also coming off a win over Ole Miss where they ran 55 times for 264 yards. Combine that with the fact that quarterback Anthony Jennings has completed 25 passes in the past three games, and the Tigers could have a blueprint for success against Alabama.
Who will win the biggest Big Ten battle?
Despite Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer's insistence that the game against Michigan State is not a rivalry, it is the biggest game the Big Ten Conference will see this season.
Michigan State and Ohio State both head into Saturday with solid teams and six-game win streaks, in what will be a good, old-fashioned battle for victory. The Buckeyes bring a lightning offense spear-headed by J.T. Barret that is known to rack up supreme yardage to meet a Spartan defense that is ranked seventh nationally.
Can Notre Dame's Everett Golson avoid turnovers?
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson has been the talk of the college football realm since the Irish lost to Florida State in the final moments of the game.
Golson proved he came to play against Navy by leading the Irish to victory after they surrendered a 21-point lead.
But Golson is not error-free. He has had 12 turnovers in the past five games, including a key late interception against Navy in the first half that allowed for the Midshipmen to come back. If Golson can avoid turnovers against Arizona State, the Irish has a good chance at a signature win.