Week 8 is a big one for the SEC.
In the first of the two marquee matchups of the night, No. 11 Tennessee overcame a rough start to knock off No. 7 Alabama, 24-17. We’ll see if No. 1 Texas can also protect its house in the evening showdown with No. 5 Georgia.
In other action, Brady Cook suffered an early injury before leading No. 19 Missouri back for a win against Auburn in a gritty performance. Also dinged up on Saturday: Travis Hunter. Colorado’s two-way star left at halftime after re-aggravating his shoulder, but the Buffaloes didn’t need him in a blowout win over Arizona.
Defending national champion Michigan suffered its third loss of the season, falling to No. 22 Illinois, 21-7.
There’s still plenty of worthwhile action on Saturday night. Here are the games we’ll be monitoring closely.
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.
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Meanwhile, in the other SEC clash of the night, LSU is up 16-7 on Arkansas in what has been a hard-hitting affair in Fayetteville.
The Hogs have the ball at midfield with time winding down in the first half.
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Touchdown Georgia
The Bulldogs are on the board first after the turnover gives them a short field. Trevor Etienne runs it in from two yards out to give Georgia the lead.
That’ll do it for the first quarter in Austin.
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Fumble recovered by Georgia!
Now it’s the Bulldogs getting a turnover as Texas QB Quinn Ewers gets hit and fumbles the ball in the backfield. Georgia falls on it and has the ball in great position.
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Interception Texas!
It’s another interception on another overthrow by Carson Beck just as the Bulldogs get into scoring range. This time it’s Jahdae Barron who comes down with it for Texas.
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The Bulldogs are on the march and in the red zone after a long third-down completion to Trevor Etienne.
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The Longhorns can’t do anything on the ensuing possession and are forced to punt it back to the Bulldogs.
We’re still scoreless midway through the first.
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Interception Texas!
Carson Beck just made the first big mistake of the game, throwing high and away from his receiver and into the arms of a leaping Andrew Mukuba.
Texas has the ball in great position.
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We are underway in Austin, but there’s been little in the way of action so far. Both teams have had a possession and a punt.
Georgia is back on offense now.
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Final: Tennessee 24, Alabama 17
The Vols knock off the Tide in a crucial SEC matchup in Knoxville.
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INTERCEPTION TENNESSEE!
Jalen Milroe throws his second interception of the game on the first play of the drive.
That’ll do it for this one folks.
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Vols tack on FG
Alabama’s defense holds strong with the short field and forces a 41-yard attempt by Max Gilbert, who drills it.
It’s 24-17 with 1:30 left in the game.
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Bama turnover on downs!
Alabama goes for it on fourth-and-22 and DOES NOT GET IT.
The Vols will take over at the Tide 31-yard line with 1:48 left.
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Now the Vols are punting it back to the Tide.
We’re down near the 2-minute mark with UT up 21-17
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The Vols have the ball back after a quick three-and-out by the Tide.
There are just 4 minutes left in the game.
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Final: Colorado 34, Arizona 7
The Buffs bounce back from a loss last week with a dominant win over the Wildcats.
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Touchdown Tennessee!
Nico Iamaleava caps off a 7-play drive with a TD throw to Chris Brazzell, who makes a tough diving catch to put the Vols back on top.
It’s 20-17 Tennessee with 5:52 left.
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It’s getting to crunch time in Tennessee. The Vols have the ball and are over midfield now with just under 8 minutes left in the game.
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Final: Illinois 21, Michigan 7
Big win for the Illini as they improve to 6-1.
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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.