Week 8 is a big one for the SEC.
Saturday features two games between top-11 opponents and could go a long way to deciding who is playing in Atlanta for the conference title in December. Of the four, only No. 1 Texas is undefeated. No. 5 Georgia, No. 7 Alabama and No. 11 Tennessee each have a loss.
But there’s a lot to watch outside the SEC too.
Here are the games we’ll be monitoring closely on Saturday night.
No. 8 LSU at Arkansas
Time: 7 p.m. | TV: ESPN | Line: LSU -3 | Total: 55.5
That three-point line is no coincidence. The last four games in this series have been decided by exactly three points. The Razorbacks are playing their third straight ranked opponent after falling to Texas A&M and beating Tennessee. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier had his roughest game of the season in the Tigers’ OT win over Ole Miss in Week 7, but it was still a win thanks to the Tigers’ defense.
No. 5 Georgia at No. 1 Texas
Time: 7:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: Texas -4.5 | Total: 55.5
Georgia’s second huge road test of the season is the biggest game of the weekend. The top-ranked Longhorns are coming off a blowout win over Oklahoma in Quinn Ewers’ first start since Week 3. It’s not much of a stretch to say that Georgia will need the best game of the season from Carson Beck to get the win. Ewers got more comfortable as the Oklahoma game went on, but Texas’ biggest strength has been its running game.
Live76 updates
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Touchdown Alabama!
The Tide respond right back with a touchdown of their own. Justice Haynes capped off a 6-play, 75-yard drive with a short TD run to retake the lead.
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Touchdown Tennessee!
The Vols offense has awakened. One play after Nico Iamaleava hit Dont’e Thornton Jr. for a 55-yard gain, Dylan Sampson runs it into the end zone for the lead.
It’s 14-10 Tennessee.
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Tide settle for FG
Tennessee’s defense holds strong in the red zone and forces a field goal. This one, from 35 yards, is made by Graham Nicholson.
It’s 10-7 Alabama.
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The Tide have responded with a lengthy drive of their own and are in the red zone after two completions from Jalen Milroe.
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Touchdown Tennessee!
UT is finally on the board. Long runs by Dylan Sampson and Nico Iamaleava got the Vols down the field and then Sampson finished things off with a short run into the end zone.
Game on in Knoxville!
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Travis Hunter OUT for Colorado
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We are back for the second half in Knoxville and the Vols’ offensive struggles continue. They just punted after starting the third quarter with the ball.
The bad news for the Vols:
Three straight scoreless first halves, for the first time since 1963.
The good news for the Vols:
Only down 7, after three turnovers and two missed FGs.
Somebody has to win this.— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) October 19, 2024
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Illinois fakes punt, scores
Illinois fakes a punt and gets 36 yards on it! Luke Altmyer finishes off the drive with a short TD run and the Illini are up 21-7 in Champaign.
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Scoreboard update
Here’s where things stand in the games involving ranked teams going on right now:
Scoreboard update -
Halftime: Alabama 7, Tennessee 0
The Tide had worked their way past midfield toward the end of the first half and attempted a 54-yarder by Graham Nicholson, who missed the mark.
For the Vols, that’s the third straight scoreless first half — first time they’ve done that since 1963.
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Touchdown Colorado
The Buffaloes are in the end zone after all those turnovers with a short scramble by Shedeur Sanders.
It’s 28-7 Colorado.
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Turnover-fest in Tucson
Three turnovers in five plays! First, Shedeur Sanders doesn’t get the snap and Arizona comes up with it. Then Noah Fifita fumbles it while being tackled and Colorado falls on it. Then Shedeur Sanders is picked off.
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Interception Alabama!
Now it’s Nico Iamaleava making an ill-advised throw that results in an interception. Another big mistake by a Vols quarterback.
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Touchdown Colorado
Shedeur Sanders has his second touchdown pass of the day. This one is to Will Sheppard, who makes the one-handed grab on the sideline to give Colorado a 21-7 lead.
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The Crimson Tide are unable to do anything with the ensuing possession though, so it’ll be Vols ball at their own 20.
Nico Iamaleava is back on the field after the injury scare.
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Interception Alabama!
On the very next play, Tennessee backup Gaston Moore threw an ill-advised deep ball and Malachi Moore intercepts it and returns it 41 yards.
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Nico Iamaleava injured
The Tennessee quarterback was taken down awkwardly and went to the medical tent after this hit.
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Meanwhile, Illinois has taken command early in its Big Ten showdown with Michigan. After two early field goals, Luke Altmyer finds Tanner Arkin in the corner of the end zone for the score.
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Touchdown Alabama!
Who else but the star freshman wideout to get things started in Knoxville? After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama drives down and scores the game’s first TD on a pass from Jalen Milroe to Ryan Williams.
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Touchdown Colorado
Shedeur Sanders has his first touchdown pass of the day, connecting with Delon Miller for a short score.
