#9 Notre Dame @ Pittsburgh

After last week’s 24-20 win at Temple, there is plenty of talk that includes Notre Dame in the final four of the College Football Playoff. The problem for the Irish will be not overlooking any of their final four opponents. It starts Saturday with a trip to traditional rival Pittsburgh. The Panthers are 6-2 and were ranked in the Top 25 prior to last week’s loss to North Carolina. Pittsburgh has upset Notre Dame plenty of times in the past including the 2008 game when the Panthers won by a field goal in four overtimes. While the Panthers are tough defensively and will run the ball against the Irish defense, they won’t have an answer for QB DeShone Kizer… Notre Dame 31, Pittsburgh 24.

#17 Florida State @ #3 Clemson
It’s the ACC’s biggest game of the year. Too bad it might turn into a yawner. Clemson is just too talented for the Seminoles this time around. Quarterback Deshaun Watson accounted for six touchdowns last week in a win over N.C. State. The Clemson defense has overcome the loss of eight starters from a year ago and become one of the nation’s better units. Regardless of who starts at quarterback for Florida State, Everett Golson or Sean McGuire, Clemson will continue to roll… Clemson 33, Florida State 17.

#5 TCU @ #12 Oklahoma State
It’s hard to believe that Oklahoma State is unbeaten. The Cowboys are 8-0 and hosting TCU in one of many Big 12 showdowns that will take place between this weekend and the end of the season. Wide receiver James Washington caught four passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboys win over Texas Tech last week. TCU features QB Trevone Boykin (2,927 yards passing, 28 TDs) and WR Josh Doctson (71 receptions, 1,250 yards, 14 TDs) on an offense that averages 48 points a game, second most in the nation. TCU is better on defense. That will be the difference… TCU 48, Oklahoma State 34.

Navy @ #16 Memphis
The American Athletic Conference still has two unbeaten teams and two with one loss each. Navy, 6-1, takes on the Tigers in the first of several big conference games. Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds will have a chance to set the NCAA record for career touchdowns. He tied Montee Ball last week when he scored his 77th touchdown. The Tigers will most likely give up a boatload of yards and points to Navy and its triple option offense. Can Navy slow down the Memphis offense led by QB Paxton Lynch? The 6-7 Memphis QB has thrown for over 300 yards in the past six games in a row and leads an offense that scores 47 points a game. Tigers in a thriller… Memphis 56, Navy 52.

#4 LSU @ #7 Alabama
The result of this game will impact the SEC and the College Football Playoff more than any other game this season. LSU goes in unbeaten and a win all but guarantees an SEC West title. The winner will likely defeat Florida in the SEC title game and earn a spot in the CFP. Alabama has won the last four games in the series. Head coach Nick Saban will have to find a way to slow down Heisman Trophy candidate Leonard Fournette. The game of the year… Alabama 13, LSU 12.

#2 Baylor @ Kansas State
The Bears are back after a week off, but they will finish the season without their starting quarterback, Seth Russell. True freshman Jarrett Stidham was the QB at Stephenville HS in Texas just a year ago. He will now lead the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense against Kansas State on Saturday. The Wildcats are just 3-4 and haven’t won a game in the Big 12 yet. Don’t expect that to change this week, even with a freshman QB… Baylor 56, Kansas State 20.

Arkansas @ #19 Ole Miss
The Rebels can still win the SEC West Division. They beat Auburn on the road a week ago and are now primed to take on Arkansas at home. Head coach Hugh Freeze’s squad will need to shut down the power running game of the Razorbacks. Arkansas will not have an answer for Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly and WR Laquon Treadwell… Ole Miss 44, Arkansas 28.

#10 Iowa @ Indiana
From the looks of Iowa’s remaining schedule, it is likely that the Hawkeyes will finish unbeaten and earn a trip to the Big Ten Championship game. Indiana started the season 4-0 but has yet to win a Big Ten game. While the Hoosiers offense can be hard to stop, their defense is terrible yielding over 40 points a game in their four Big Ten losses. Iowa may not score 40, but they will win… Iowa 28, Indiana 10.

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Cincinnati @ #18 Houston
While the Houston-Memphis showdown looms next weekend, hopefully the Cougars don’t forget about 5-3 Cincinnati. The Bearcats three losses are to Temple, Memphis, and BYU, three teams that have a combined three losses. Quarterback Gunner Kiel completed all 15 of his passes last week for 319 yards and five touchdowns in a 52-7 win over Central Florida. Don’t expect numbers like that against a fairly stout Houston defense. The offense, led by QB Greg Ward, is fifth in the nation in scoring (45 points a game) too. Oh, and the Cougars are at home… Houston 38, Cincinnati 24.

Arizona @ USC
These two teams are headed in different directions. After the firing of head coach Steve Sarkisian, USC has won two of three and would like that to continue as the Trojans look to become bowl eligible with a win over Arizona. The Wildcats have lost three of their last five games and are giving up over 34 points a game. USC is at home…and they’re more talented… USC 37, Arizona 30.