Every game sort of matters?

That’s not what the TV execs want to hear, but outside of LSU-Auburn, that’s pretty much the reality of the SEC’s Week 9 slate.

With only 5 games on tap, it’s a good opportunity to check in on the rest of the college football world. That’s what I plan on doing quite a bit today.

Here are the 6 biggest storylines I’ll be monitoring in and around the SEC in Week 9, starting with the mega-matchup in Death Valley.

1. Will you vote LSU No. 1 now?

After Joe Burrow and the Tigers take down No. 9 Auburn today, LSU will have 3 victories over top 10 teams.

They should be No. 1 already.

I know it doesn’t matter, but it’s amusing listening to analysts scream about not playing anybody … and then reward a team that hasn’t played anybody.

LSU has the best team, best quarterback and best résumé in the country.

2. Show us something, Ohio State

Noon kickoff? Perfect. This will be my first opportunity to watch Ohio State anthem to handshake against a quality opponent.

Typical Big Ten questions aside, my 2 biggest, specific concerns about these Buckeyes are:

1. Ryan Day is still a first-time, first-year head coach.

2. Justin Fields is still a first-year starting QB.

Doesn’t mean that combo can’t lead to a national title. Just means the Buckeyes have to beat somebody of note before I go all-in.

I’m looking forward to finding out.

3. It’s Tualia time in T-town, right?

Well …

https://twitter.com/aldotcomTide/status/1187189480794611712

I’m going to assume that Alabama is going to win the game. I’m also going to assume that Alabama probably will run it more than it throws it tonight against Arkansas. That’s the prudent and practical approach.

I wouldn’t. At the risk of further infuriating Nick Saban, I’d get Mac Jones as many live reps as possible and live with the results, knowing there is no possible way Arkansas wins this game.

And then I’d turn the 2nd half over to Tualia Tagovailoa and continue to air it out. Alabama’s season-high for pass attempts this season is 39. I’d throw it at least 40 times.

Tua’s ankle injury isn’t magically going away. At a minimum, it’s going to linger like a hangover. At worst, it’s a dream-changer, a potential goal-eraser.

As I’ve noted numerous times over the past 4 years, you have to be able to score to win Playoff games. This year might bring the greatest collection of offenses we’ve seen in the field.

Old Alabama can’t beat these teams in a ground-and-pound style. Two TDs and a field goal are not going to take out Trevor Lawrence or Jalen Hurts or Justin Fields or Joe Burrow.

If Tua reinjures the ankle against LSU or beyond, the game plan can’t change. Alabama’s best playmakers are on the perimeter. They must be fed.

Alabama has 1 chance to get these QBs ready for that challenge. Take advantage of it.

4. Let’s go, Tennessee

I root for the best story. Tennessee rallying to make a bowl game would be a great story.

That quest either starts in earnest or ends today against South Carolina.

There are some interesting subplots, too, beginning with who starts at QB? Have we seen the last of Jarrett Guarantano? I don’t think so. Maybe the over-the-top tough love motivates him. Maybe Tennessee’s staff finally figures out how to use him.

At any rate, given the options and Brian Maurer’s injury status, I’d go with Guarantano.

Nothing against the Gamecocks’ bowl quest, either. South Carolina making a bowl would be a good story.

What would be a better story? Needing to knock off Texas A&M in College Station for a 6th victory.

Both teams need to win today, but it’s more crucial that the Vols do.

5. Trevor Lawrence sets career-high with 5 TD passes

Dabo Swinney has to be loving life. He doesn’t need to motivate his Tigers. Everybody else is piling on.

Rat poison? None to be found.

Clemson has won 22 consecutive games. The Tigers have won 2 of the past 3 national championships — both times beating an undefeated Alabama team, by the way.

And all the Tigers are hearing is how they aren’t Playoff-worthy and how their QB isn’t getting it done.

Trevor Lawrence has never lost a college game and has lost just 1 game since his sophomore year of high school (h/t Matt Connolly.)

Will 5 TDs tonight against Boston College silence this nonsense?

6. Urb’s next stop? I have a wish …

Urban Meyer’s potential return to coaching has been the hottest topic of the week/month/season. No doubt his name will be mentioned on various pregame shows today, too.

He’s been linked to national champions on both coasts (USC and, most recently, FSU).

I have another.

Can you imagine Urban Meyer at Georgia?

I can. Kirby Smart’s only downfall as a head coach is his in-game decision-making. It’s cost the Bulldogs numerous times and hasn’t seemed to improve in Year 4. That’s one of Meyer’s strength, in addition to recruiting.

Urban Meyer, with Georgia’s recruiting base, would be the scariest threat to Alabama’s stranglehold on the SEC since Meyer left Florida.

Would it happen? Almost certainly not. The buyout is Malzahn-like. But if Kirby loses the Cocktail Party and doesn’t make it to Atlanta … you really think it’s going to be better next year if Jake Fromm leaves?

Meyer will coach again, and wherever he goes will contend again.

Remember, I wanted Jalen Hurts to pick Auburn. That would have been spectacular — and Gus Malzahn certainly was interested, too. Meyer to Georgia is the coaching equivalent of that wish … admittedly with about the same chance of it happening.

But what a story it would be.