No. 1 Alabama at No. 4 LSU should change the series image



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The initial rankings of university football matches were published this week. Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Notre Dame rank among the top four places.

The image of the playoffs could change radically the first weekend following the classification.

The schedule is filled with huge games, including first place in Alabama at LSU, Michigan No. 5 against No. 14 Penn State and No. 6 Georgia at No. 11 Kentucky.

He is about to become really interesting quickly.

Here is an overview of some things to know as the 10th weekend of the season approaches:

BEST GAME

No. 1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) at LSU No. 4 (7-1, 4-1)

This is not just the biggest game of the week, it could be the biggest of the season so far.

Champion Crimson Tide has not yet been challenged to defend his national title, winning his first eight games with an average of nearly 40 points.

That could change this week in Baton Rouge.

LSU leads the nation with 14 steals and is fifth in defense efficiency, so the Tigers could have the right components to at least slow down Tua Tagovailoa and the nation's biggest attack.

No matter how it is played, it is a game to watch absolutely.

WATCH HEISMAN

Tagovailoa was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, but do not count Kyler Murray. The Oklahoma quarterback took advantage of Alabama's week off to grab the limelight, scoring 353 yards and signing four touchdowns in the crushing victory of the No. 7 Sooners on Kansas State. .

Murray and Oklahoma will face Texas Tech on Saturday, which could help reduce his squad. He could also appeal to LSU's defense. By ending the Tagovailoa and Alabama offensive, the Tigers could strengthen Murray's candidacy for Heisman.

Of course, if Tagovailoa has a big game or a strong moment against LSU, the race could be over.

NUMBER TO KNOW

2_Number of teams in the AFP's initial ranking who will play in the playoffs.

13.0_Points per game allowed by Clemson and Kentucky, best in the FBS

16_Seed of Ohio State in the initial ranking of 2014, the lowest to reach the playoffs. The Buckeyes are No. 10 this year.

144.4_Average per match by Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin leading the country. The Badgers will play Saturday against Rutgers, 115th in the FBS against the race, allowing 224 yards per game.

UNDER RADAR

No. 14 Penn State at No. 5 Michigan.

The Wolverines (7-1, 5-0) are in a good position in the CFP playoff game in fifth place with two of the teams in front of them facing each other. Michigan is also in a position to win the Big Ten title for the first time since 2004.

A big test comes this weekend, though.

The Nittany Lions (6-2, 3-2) are No. 14 CFP and need a win to stay in contention for the Big Ten title. Both Penn State defeats were combined for a total of five points. It's one of the top ranked teams in the country with 41 per game.

Michigan, which has the best defense in the country, has been released after a string of seven consecutive wins.

If there had not been the Alabama-LSU game, it would have been the game of the week.

HOT SEAT WATCH

Chris Ash, Rutgers.

A $ 9.8 million buyout may be the only reason Ash is still in Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights are 1-7 and 0-4 in the Big Ten, their only win against Texas State at the start of the season. Rutgers has defeats in Kansas and Buffalo this season, and Ash is 7-25 in three seasons as a coach.

Proponents of Scarlet Knights have demanded his dismissal, but the buyout could ban the move of a sports department that may not be able to afford it.

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