Games to watch this weekend

It's pretty obvious what the game of the week is. Alabama vs. Texas A&M has enormous implications. Outside of Saturday's Alabama game and a midseason tilt at Ole Miss, the Aggies won't be tested again until a showdown at LSU on November 23. They don't face Florida, Georgia or South Carolina, which means a win against the Crimson Tide would vault them into the top three where they could sit all season. The same goes for Alabama, which has a home game against Ole Miss in two weeks, and won't get another test until it hosts LSU on November 9. A win here would practically lock Alabama into the top spot for the rest of the season.

USC-Boston College wouldn't normally be a game to watch, but Lane Kiffin is in trouble after last week's 10-7 home loss to Washington State...UCLA-Nebraska should be an exciting intra-conference affair, while Ohio State at Cal could be interesting if Braxton Miller doesn't play. Ole Miss at Texas? Mack Brown could also be in hot water after the shellacking the Longhorns took at the hands of BYU.

Alabama’s A.J. McCarron tossed two interceptions last year. That can’t happen in this one or the Aggies will spoil Alabama’s bid for an undefeated season for the second straight year. Texas A&M's Deshazor Everett, who picked off McCarron in last year’s game, was benched for a half in each of Texas A&M’S two games. That will be something Alabama needs to worry about. There is also some concern about Alabama’s rushing game, and the 96 yards it gained in its win over Virginia Tech. Before people go crazy over that, it should be noted that the Hokies routinely field great defenses. It should also be noted that the Aggies gave up 240 yards on the ground to Sam Houston State. They also gave up 509 total yards to Rice.

On a separate note, Alabama is dealing with allegations that former players received improper benefits during their careers in Tuscaloosa. That isn’t likely to make a difference on the field, but it certainly adds to the overall drama.