SEC ROOTING GUIDE

In which we tell you which teams you should root against in the upcoming week.

Here are the Week 8 teams that SEC fans should root against.

Clemson at Miami (noon ET, Saturday): Al Golden’s name constantly surfaces during national hot seat discussions. It may not halt that talk forever, but jolting Clemson from its clear path to the College Football Playoff would represent one of the biggest wins for Miami in years. It’s at least possible, too, as Brad Kaaya is having a solid second season at quarterback for the Hurricanes, which are a one-touchdown underdog.

Indiana at Michigan State (3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday): We don’t expect the Hooisers to pull off a road upset. But SEC fans, particularly at Mizzou, know all too well that it’s possible. Ohio State remains unbeaten as the defending national champions, but most weeks do not look like a team poised to fend off all comers. Michigan State is lucky to remain unbeaten after a crazy failed Michigan punt led to six the other way in the game’s final seconds. An unexpected loss by the Spartans in this game could serve as the first blow that helps wobble the Big Ten.

Florida State at Georgia Tech (7 p.m. ET, Saturday): The Seminoles are unbeaten and 4-0 in ACC play. The Yellow Jackets are 2-5 and 0-4 in ACC play. Case closed, right? SEC fans got excited Wednesday when, through an apparent hoax rumor, the internet thought that Florida State running back Dalvin Cook injured his knee. Cook is on pace to shatter Warrick Dunn’s single-season school record for rushing yards. But Georgia Tech’s triple option could shorten the game, and if the Yellow Jackets can become the first team to force some takeaways, perhaps the outcome will be forced onto Everett Golson’s shoulders. At that point, all bets are off.

Utah at USC (7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday): The Utes are not the third-best college football team in our great nation. Right? RIGHT?! A USC program that may not be in shambles, but certainly is experiencing even more distracting side drama, remains a home favorite against Utah. The Trojans are just 3-3, while the Utes remain unbeaten at 6-0. But the team’s metrics are nearly identical in terms of scoring offense and scoring defense. On paper, at least, this has the potential to be one of those wild Pac-12 games that finishes in some whacky fashion. The SEC can start thinking of a potential playoff without the inclusion of a Pac-12 team if Utah loses this one, as that would leave zero unbeaten teams in the conference and a maximum of three one-loss teams.