This Saturday might be the best regular season college football slate in years, with ranked matchups from noon through 7:30 PM ET.

Things get interesting this weekend as it comes right after the first College Football Playoff rankings were released earlier this week. The selection committee, made up of athletic directors and former coaches, ranks the top 25 teams, and its final rankings in December decide the 12-team playoff field. This is our first look at where they’re leaning, and one loss this weekend could be the difference between making the playoff or missing it.

The day starts with BYU vs. Utah at noon, continues with Alabama vs. LSU and Oregon vs. Ohio State in the afternoon, and ends with Miami vs. Notre Dame and Georgia vs. Ole Miss going head to head at 7:30 with other big matchups throughout.

The stakes: Miami is 8-0, No. 1 in the rankings, and leads the country at 47 points per game. But the Hurricanes have beaten only one ranked team and recently struggled against weaker competition. They needed double overtime to get past Florida State and barely escaped North Carolina 38-35 last week. This is their first real test of the season.

For Notre Dame, it's close to an elimination game. The Irish are No. 11 with no ranked wins and a bad loss to BYU, a game they were favored to win by double digits. A second loss would likely leave them outside the playoff. They need this one.

What to watch for: How will Miami’s offense function without its best player? It was just announced star receiver Malachi Toney will have ankle surgery and miss Saturday’s game. Quarterback Darian Mensah now has to find someone else to lean on against the best defense Miami has seen all year. Meanwhile, Miami has had issues with their pass defense as it ranks 121st in the country, so Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr should find some big plays downfield.

Skin in the Game: Given the recent Toney news, I’m taking Miami’s team total Under 23.5. Instead of picking a side, this is a bet against the Miami offense going on the road without its best player. They now face one of the best defenses in college football, which allows just 14 points per game. I don’t think they get to 24 points. Remember this is for fun, not your rent money.

The stakes: Alabama vs. LSU is one of the best rivalries in college football, and they are usually major factors in the SEC and playoff race each year. This year is no different. Both teams are 6-2, so whoever loses has three losses and is in real danger of missing the playoff. Alabama comes into this one ranked 5th in the country while LSU is 14th. Enjoy this one while you can as the two won’t play next season under the SEC’s new schedule.

What to watch for: Which version of Alabama shows up. The Tide looked like a top contender early, then lost to Georgia and Tennessee as injuries piled up. Two key pieces of the offense missed the Tennessee game: star receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and starting center Racin Delgatty. Without its center, Alabama gave up five sacks in that loss.

Both are back at practice and expected to return. That matters against an LSU defense that’s fourth in the country in sacks. If Alabama’s line holds up and Coleman-Williams gets his big plays back, this looks like the team from early in the season. Watch Alabama’s first few drives to find out.

Skin in the Game: I'm taking LSU -5.5. Alabama has won six of its last seven trips to Baton Rouge, but this LSU pass rush is the worst matchup for an offensive line that hasn't protected well. LSU’s quarterback Sam Leavitt has also been heating up in recent games, I think they break the streak to win and cover this one. Remember this is for fun, not your rent money.

The stakes: The last time these two played, Ole Miss beat Georgia 39-34 in last season's playoff quarterfinal, ending Georgia's season. Now Georgia is No. 2 and Ole Miss is No. 10, and a third loss would put the Rebels' playoff hopes in serious trouble.

What to watch for: Trinidad Chambliss against Georgia’s defense. In last season’s playoff quarterfinal, Chambliss threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns and kept escaping pressure with his legs. He’s back this year playing at a high level, but Georgia’s defense is one of the best in the country, allowing fewer than 190 passing yards per game. Expect a much better plan from Georgia this time, especially for keeping Chambliss in the pocket. If he consistently gets loose again, Ole Miss can win this game.

Skin in the Game: I'm taking Georgia -3.5. Georgia's defense is the best Chambliss will see all season, and Ole Miss’ poor 3rd down defense gives Georgia an advantage as they’ll be able to play to their strength, sustain drives, and keep Ole Miss’ explosive offense off the field. Remember this is for fun, not your rent money.

BYU vs. Utah | Sat 12:00 PM (ABC): This historic rivalry known as The Holy War has never been played with both teams in the top 10, until now. No. 3 Utah is 8-0 and has the nation's longest winning streak at 14 games, and quarterback Devon Dampier leads a run game that hasn't gotten enough national attention. No. 9 BYU has won three straight in the series. This will be a good one.

Oregon vs. Ohio State | Sat 3:30 PM (CBS): Before the season, this was set up as No. 1 vs. No. 2. Now it's a game neither team can afford to lose. Ohio State is No. 12 after losing 30-18 at USC with freshman Luke Fahey starting in place of the injured Julian Sayin, and No. 23 Oregon already has three losses. An Oregon win can cause a massive shakeup in the standings.

Bengals vs. Falcons | Sun 9:30 AM (NFL Network): The NFL's international series is back with this weekend’s game in Madrid. Joe Burrow has been playing at an MVP level over his past few games while the 3-5 Falcons are coming off a 16-0 loss in which Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions.

Must-watch:

Worth tuning in:

— Zach Blumenstein

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