Rivalry Week tends to bring out the crazy.

Remember last year? Two unbeatens lost in the final week of the regular season. Pitt ended No. 2 Miami’s perfect season dreams. Auburn stunned No. 1 Alabama.

Will we see a repeat? No guarantees, but here are 6 storylines I’ll be closely following today in and around the SEC while hoping that the Playoff committee comes to its senses and realizes Oklahoma belongs in the Playoff.

1.  Tua Tagovailoa throws for 300+ yards and wins the Iron Bowl

That might sound like a relatively normal day for him, but it’s not for Tide QBs, not in this rivalry.

Just 5 times has a Bama QB topped 300 yards passing vs. Auburn — and their record is 1-4.

Interestingly, though, Scott Hunter set the Tide’s single-game record with 484 yards — against Auburn in 1969. Greg McElroy has the Tide’s second-highest Iron Bowl total. He threw for 377 in the 2010 Iron Bowl. Gary Hollingsworth threw for 340 in 1989.

Common theme? All three Alabama QBs lost the game.

Blake Sims (312 yards in 2014) is the only Alabama QB to top 300 yards and win the Iron Bowl.

Look for Tua to become the second.

AJ McCarron (2012) and Sims (2014) hold the program record for most TD passes against Auburn, with 4.

That record could fall, too.

2. No QB beats Nick Saban twice in a row

Ole Miss beat Alabama twice in a row, but that was with different quarterbacks.

Chad Kelly, who won the second of those games, had his chance to become the first QB to take down Saban twice, but he came up just short, falling 48-43 in 2016.

To be honest, not that many QBs even get the opportunity. Johnny Manziel failed in his bid in 2013 after his 2012 performance won the game and launched his Heisman bid.

Deshaun Watson beat Saban to win the 2016 national title game, but that was after losing to Saban in the 2015 title game.

One year after his tying TD pass set up Kick-6, Nick Marshall came up just short as well, through no fault of his own, though. Marshall was spectacular in 2014, throwing for 456 yards and 3 TDs, but Sims was good enough to rally the Tide to a 55-44 victory.

Now it’s Stidham’s turn. Unfortunately for Stidham, he doesn’t have Kerryon Johnson or Auburn’s home crowd with him this time.

3. Is Michigan for real? The Big Ten better hope so

Admittedly, I’m not sold on Michigan as a Playoff threat. The Wolverines lost their only nonconference Power 5 game (at Notre Dame) and then did what all good Big Ten teams do: They beat up on the rest of the Big Ten.

We’ve seen the movie. It’s a rinse-and-repeat scenario. In 2015, some of you believed Iowa was different. Nope. In 2016, it was Wisconsin and Penn State. Nope and Nope. It’s always somebody. And now it’s Michigan’s turn.

This Michigan offense looks a lot like 2017 Clemson’s offense, in other words: It’s no threat to Alabama should we get that semifinal matchup. And it would have absolutely zero chance to match points with Oklahoma, which clearly is one of the four best teams in the country.

But the Wolverines can’t worry about the Playoff. They have to get past Ohio State today in Columbus. It’s been a long time since Michigan won this game, but it’s been a long time since Michigan legitimately had the better team, too. Ohio State has 1 loss, but probably should have 3.

The Big Ten needs Michigan to win because if the Pac-12 and Big 12 also produce a 1-loss champion and Notre Dame is undefeated, there’s no way 1-loss Ohio State is making the Playoff.

4. Pride matters, too

Several games today will have no impact on the Playoff picture, but they will determine who goes to bowls and who stays home.

For two teams in particular, Florida and Tennessee, today is an absolute must-win.

Florida has lost 5 consecutive games to Florida State. Both programs have first-year coaches, and what better way to lock down their first real Early Signing Period than with a statement victory over their hated rival.

Not only would a Florida victory end the losing streak and secure a New Year’s 6 bowl bid, it would end the Seminoles’ nation-best 36-year bowl streak. This is a huge, huge game for Feleipe Franks and Dan Mullen.

The stakes aren’t quite as high in Nashville, but once-proud Tennessee must end a 2-game losing streak against Vanderbilt to secure a bowl bid.

It won’t be easy, especially not if Jarrett Guarantano isn’t fully recovered.

Vandy also secures a bowl bid with a victory. That too would be significant. Vanderbilt hasn’t beaten Tennessee in 3 consecutive years since the 1920s. The Dores have been to just 1 bowl game under Derek Mason and have yet to post a winning record. If Vandy wins today, it would have a chance to finish 7-6.

That’s plenty to play for.

Mason doesn’t necessarily need any of that to return, but nowhere in the SEC does one bowl bid buy more time than at Vandy. Mason’s good for the program and the league. He doesn’t need the aggravation of worrying about his job status.

5. Can Georgia Tech wreck Georgia’s Playoff hopes?

In theory, the Jackets don’t have much of a chance, but the triple option is a great equalizer. For many on Georgia’s defense, this will be their first real experience dealing with it.

The flip side is, Georgia Tech has to stop Georgia, too. Tech’s running game can shrink the clock, but Tech’s defense still gave up 49 points to South Florida and 31 to Louisville.

Expect Georgia to outrush Georgia Tech and keep rolling into the SEC Championship Game against Alabama.

6. Notre Dame, welcome to the Playoff

The Irish travel to Los Angeles to take on reeling rival Southern Cal on Saturday night.

The Irish are 60 minutes from their first Playoff spot. Assuming the Irish take care of business, their Playoff resume is beyond reproach.

Not only would it be without a blemish, but it would include:

  • 10 victories over Power 5 teams
  • 3 victories over Power 5 conference division champions: Michigan, Northwestern, Pitt
  • 3 victories over teams ranked in top 15 at kick off
  • 5-0 record vs. ACC; 2-0 record vs. Big Ten; 2-0 record vs. Pac-12; 1-0 record vs. SEC.

It also would mean this: For the second consecutive year, at least two Power 5 conference champions are guaranteed of missing the Playoff. Washington State’s loss last night guaranteed the Pac-12 will be left out again. The final spot could come down to Big 12 (Oklahoma) vs. Big Ten (Michigan). Notre Dame already beat Michigan once, right?