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Here are the can’t miss games of Week 11 in the SEC:
NO. 5 ALABAMA AT NO. 16 LSU (SATURDAY ON CBS — 8 P.M.)
The Alabama-LSU rivalry has become one of the best in the SEC since Nick Saban returned to the SEC in 2007, and on a weekend lacking other premier matchups this game is the must-watch showdown of Week 11. Alabama is on thin ice with one loss and upcoming games against the Tigers, Mississippi State and Auburn. LSU, meanwhile, handed Ole Miss its first loss of the season in its last outing, and Miles’ bunch is beginning to peak at the right time. Boatloads of talent will be on display between these two teams, and there is a ton at stake for both sides. CBS is broadcasting this game in primetime, and for good reason, so have your clickers ready for this one.
TEXAS A&M AT NO. 3 AUBURN (SATURDAY ON CBS — 3:30 P.M.)
Although the Aggies and Tigers are moving in different directions, this should be a fascinating game due to the opposing styles of these two teams. No one in the SEC is more fond of the pass than A&M’s Kevin Sumlin, and few teams in the conference run the ball as often or as well as Malzahn’s Tigers in their spread rushing attack. There should be plenty of points scored in this one, with explosive athletes making dazzling plays all over the field. The game may be one-sided by the second half, but this should be a fun, fast-paced appetizer on CBS before the main course between the Alabama and LSU Saturday night.
NO. 20 GEORGIA AT KENTUCKY (SATURDAY ON ESPN — NOON)
This game is not one of the sexier matchups on the Week 11 slate, but there are a lot of interesting variables in play between the Bulldogs and the Wildcats. Georgia was embarrassed by Florida last weekend in Jacksonville, and the Bulldogs could either play angry Saturday in a rout of the Wildcats, or they could suffer a hangover from last week’s deflating loss and come out flat against the Cats. On the other side, Kentucky will be celebrating its Senior Day on Saturday in honor of its final home game of the year, which could inspire the team, and the home crowd, to a magical run like UK had against Mississippi State two weeks ago. Georgia is now out of first place in the SEC East, and with a game against Auburn looming on Nov. 15, the Bulldogs can’t afford another loss to an unranked opponent. These might not be the two best teams in the conference, but this matchup has the potential to produce a close game with a thrilling finish.
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.