College football’s 2022 regular season is just three weeks away, which means division races in leagues across the country are heating up, conference championship footage is getting clearer, and teams are rightfully eligible for the playoffs. college football dwindle with each passing Saturday. This will be the case again in Week 11 with several top 25 matchups to clarify these scenarios.
The most notable matchups come from the SEC where the No. 7 LSU hopes to avoid taking a step back from their thrilling overtime win over Alabama during their visit to Arkansas. Although the Tigers have suddenly become the talk of the nation in their first year under coach Brian Kelly, their hold on SEC West is tenuous. LSU will have to win to secure a spot in the SEC Championship Game (likely against No. 1 Georgia), and that starts with avoiding an upset road against an Arkansas team that can play anyone. .
Speaking of No. 9 Crimson Tide, barring an absolute miracle, their SEC and CFP hopes are dashed. That’s not the case for No. 11 Ole Miss, who hosts Alabama in the SEC on CBS Game of the Week with Rebels coach Lane Kiffin looking to earn his first win over Nick Saban. Unlike the Tide, the Rebels still have a chance to win SEC West. Ole Miss will have to beat Alabama to get into position, although it will also need LSU to take an L at the end of the regular season.
Saturday’s nightcap is a massive Big 12 showdown as the new No. 4 TCU visits No. 18 Texas in perhaps its toughest test in the last three weeks. The Longhorns have played much better in the second half of the season, and with former Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson on staff as an analyst, they’ll definitely get a feel for what TCU brings to the table. If the Frogs can get past the ‘Horns, only Baylor and Iowa State remain as TCU chases a playoff spot.
Be sure to stick with CBS Sports throughout the day for college football coverage from kick-off. Let’s take a look at our expert picks for the best games of week 11.
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook | All times Eastern
No. 9 Alabama at No. 11 Ole Miss
Featured game | Ole Miss Rebels vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
3:30 p.m. | SCS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports app — Grab Ole Miss and the points, but you won’t need them because the Rebels win this one. The Rebels’ multi-dimensional rushing offense will hit early, draw Alabama defenders into the box, and Jaxson Dart will land shots over the top. At the same time, Ole Miss’ defense will be successful enough to push to put Alabama behind the sticks. That’s bad news for an Alabama team that hasn’t been clean on the road. Prediction: Ole Miss +12 — Barrett Sallee
Georgia No. 1 in Mississippi State
Featured game | Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Georgia Bulldogs
7 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Try for free) — Mississippi State has failed to cover in three straight games while Georgia appears to be peaking here in the most important part of the season. The Georgian defense performed at an even higher level than from Alabama, and the Crimson Tide were able to tape the way to end this year’s Mississippi State offense. I think the Athens-based Bulldogs will be able to do the same. Prediction: Georgia -16 -Chip Patterson
TCU No. 4 at Texas No. 18
Featured game | Texas Longhorns vs. TCU Horned Frogs
7:30 p.m. | ABC, fuboTV (Try for free) — The Longhorns rank well in most analytic systems thanks to a close game against Alabama and a blowout from a quarterbackless Oklahoma team. However, the Longhorns also have losses at Texas technology and Oklahoma State, as well as a close game against Iowa State. One of those teams knows how to finish games, and it’s the boys in purple. Prediction: TCU +7 — Jeyarajah
Missouri at No. 5 Tennessee
Featured game | Tennessee Volunteers vs. Missouri Tigers
Noon | SCS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports app — Aside from a confusing 40-12 loss to Kansas State in Week 2, Missouri was excellent defensively. Even in that game, the Tigers allowed just 336 total yards, as they were hampered by a 4-to-1 deficit in the rotational margin. Missouri’s last seven games have ended within that gap, and the Tigers should be able to keep things respectable here again. Missouri is tied for 100th nationally in revenue margin, but that has to change at some point. If the Tigers keep their turnover issues under control, they will keep the game close. Prediction: Missouri +21 –David Cobb
No. 7 LSU at Arkansas
Noon | ESPN, fuboTV (Try for free) — A disappointment on the road against a talented opponent is a natural trap play opportunity, but KJ Jefferson’s status makes the chance for an upset more tenuous. LSU has played inspired football since its first losses against Tennessee and state of floridaand there is little reason to expect a team coached by Brian Kelly not to play good fundamental football in a critical game with CFP prospects. Prediction: LSU -3 –Shehan Jeyarajah
What college football picks can you confidently make in Week 11, and which top-25 teams will fall hard? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a proven computer model that’s brought in nearly $3,000 in profit over the past six-plus seasons — and find out.