Notre Dame can move one step closer to an ACC championship with a road win over North Carolina, while a pair of SEC games could have an impact on the College Football Playoff semifinal rankings. Check out the top four games to watch Thanksgiving weekend.
No. 13 Iowa State at No. 17 Texas
Friday, Noon; ABC
The Buzz: Iowa State (6-2, 6-1 Big 12) owns the top spot in the Big 12 standings and the Cyclones can wrap up a berth in the conference championship game with a win over Texas (5-2, 4-2 Big 12). The Longhorns, meanwhile, need a win on Friday to retain their hopes of a return to the title game for the first time since 2018. Texas has won seven of the past 10 meetings in this series, but it lost 23-21 last year.
No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 19 North Carolina
Friday, 3:30 p.m.; ABC
The Buzz: North Carolina (6-2, 6-2 ACC) is the biggest roadblock Notre Dame (8-0, 7-0 ACC) faces as it pushes to qualify for the ACC Championship Game. The Tar Heels lead the conference in total offense (563 yards per game), with quarterback Sam Howell setting the pace with 2,631 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. The Fighting Irish are riding a 14-game win streak and feature the best defense in the conference, allowing just six passing touchdowns this season.
No. 22 Auburn at No. 1 Alabama
Saturday, 3:30 p.m.; CBS
The Buzz: Alabama (7-0) enters this version of the Iron Bowl looking for some redemption. Auburn (5-2) has won two of the last three meetings in this rivalry series, including last year’s 48-45 thriller that knocked the Crimson Tide out of a New Year’s Six bowl game. Alabama is averaging more than 49 points and 540 yards per game this season, with quarterback Mac Jones passing for 2,426 yards and 18 touchdowns. Auburn quarterback Bo Nix has passed for 1,627 and 10 touchdowns, adding another 284 rushing yards and three scores. Tide coach Nick Saban will miss the game after testing positive for COVID-19.
LSU at No. 5 Texas A&M
Saturday, 7 p.m.; ESPN
The Buzz: Texas A&M (5-1) hasn’t played a football game in three weeks after concerns over COVID forced the postponement of games against Tennessee and Ole Miss. The Aggies are still a wildcard for the College Football Playoff semifinals, but they have three remaining games to make a statement. LSU has won eight of the last 10 meetings in the series, including last season’s 50-7 victory — the largest margin in the series since 1922.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com.
