NCAA Week 10 football preview

The GIST: This week’s CFP rankings drop has only added fuel to the fire for some bitter Week 10 rivalries. There’s not one, but two massive SEC games on tomorrow’s docket as squads battle it out to see who’s the king of the conference jungle.

• At the same time, the Big 12’s bananas season continues to determine who’s a contender and who’s monkeying around.

No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers (8-0) vs. No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (8-0), 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS): In what could be a preview of January’s national championship, the CFP’s top team faces the reigning AP No. 1 in an expensive bout that will mar an undefeated season. The Vols best-in-the-nation offense averages over 49 points per game and they’ve put up 52 (!!!) touchdowns (TDs) so far.

• But the ’Dogs boast the second-best scoring defense in the country, allowing just 10.5 points per game. That said, Georgia’s top defender is doubtful due to a shoulder injury, which may determine who wins this game.

No. 18 Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-2) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (5-3), 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1): Just one week after getting trounced by the other Kansas team, the Cowboys are out for some Sunflower state revenge. If history means anything, Oklahoma State is primed for a dub — the Cowboys haven’t lost to the Jayhawks in Lawrence, KS, in nearly 30 years.

• The Jayhawks spent Week 9 on a bye, mulling over their three consecutive losses after their strong 5-0 season start. If they can reclaim their early mojo, they could have the Cowboys wishing they weren’t in Kansas anymore.

No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1) vs. No. 15 LSU Tigers (6-2), 7 p.m. (ESPN): In the SEC’s other epic matchup, the Tide roll into Death Valley to try and drown the gritty Tigers. Given both teams are coming off of a bye week, they should be well-rested and well-prepared to battle it out for top SEC West honors.

• Fun fact: In 30 years, the Tigers have been shut out at home just four times…all by Bama. Bonne chance to Baton Rouge…

Texas Longhorns (5-3) vs. No. 13 Kansas State Wildcats (6-2), 7 p.m. ET (FS1): The common denominator coming into this contest? Oklahoma State. Both the Longhorns and the Wildcats most recently faced the Cowboys’ squad, but to very different outcomes: Texas blew a lead to lose to OSU two weeks ago, while the ’Cats shut them down to the tune of 48–0.

• The Longhorns have bested Kansas State in their last five meetings, but the Wildcats have both academic Heisman finalist Adrian Martinez and OSU shutout hero Will Howard on the quarterback roster, so the Texas D-line better be prepared.