In depth previews

No. 7 Auburn vs. No. 25 Georgia, 3:30 ET, CBS

Instant Analysis: A couple weeks ago after Georgia had lost nearly its entire roster to injury this game did not look near as compelling, but now the Dawgs have RB Todd Gurley back this one could get interesting. Auburn has been surprisingly solid this season and is looking to crash the BCS party. This game could go a long way to helping the Tigers get there and give them a ton of confidence before an Iron Bowl that could have national title significance once again. That being said the Tigers need to find a way to get past a constantly improving Bulldog roster.

Keys to victory:

Auburn: Auburn is going to need to lean on its third-ranked rushing attack in this game. The Tigers are averaging 320 yards on the ground this season and if they can even get close to that it will go along way in this game. Tiger quarterback Nick Marshall and running back Tre Mason are both having great seasons, with Marshall rushing for more than 750 yards and Mason just surpassing 1,000 yards. These two are going to need to have a great game against Georgia’s defense. If the Tigers can rush for their season average and get a couple big plays through the air they could continue the great season. Auburn’s defense is going to need to force the Georgia offense into quick three-and-outs. It needs to keep Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley off the field as much as possible. The Tigers also need to keep Gurley from his explosive plays and keep him behind the line.

Georgia: The Dawg rushing defense is ranked No. 20 in the country allowing 126 yards per game and they are going to need to lean on it big time in this game. If the Georgia defense can keep Auburn’s rushing attack slowed and off the field as much as possible it will hold the Tigers well below their season average of 320 yards. Offensively, Georgia needs Gurley to have a huge game showing that he is back from that high ankle sprain and ready to carry it again. Murray has been nothing short of stellar this season leading the Dawgs through an injury-plagued year. He is going to need to hit what big play threats he has left down the field for some quick scores to put Auburn behind and force them to throw the ball early.

Prediction: The Georgia rush defense is going to step up in this game and show why it is ranked No. 20 in the country in one of the best rushing leagues, the SEC, in the nation. Murray and Gurley will each have big games with Gurley rushing for more than 100 yards and two scores with a couple big plays mixed in. The Dawgs will get another statement win to show that their three losses are because of an injury-depleted roster. This will be a high-scoring game, but I think the weapons for Georgia will make the big plays when it counts.

Fun Facts: Georgia has won the last two meetings of this game by a combined score of 83-7. This will be the deciding game in this series as it is tied 54-54-8. This will be the fourth top 10 opponent Georgia has played this season.

No. 16 Michigan State @ Nebraska, 3:30 ET, ABC/ESPN2

Instant Analysis: The Spartans are having a great season so far and are on track to make the B1G Championship game with just one major hurdle left, a trip to Lincoln. The Huskers have done nothing short of survive this season in Lincoln and should be happy that still this is one of the toughest places in the country to play.

Keys to victory:

Nebraska: Use that home field advantage as much as possible to get Michigan State’s sometimes-shaky offense off balance. The Huskers are going to need to pressure Connor Cook and for him into mistakes, which has been hard this season as he as only throw three picks. They are also going to need to slow running back Jeremy Langford who has scored 10 touchdowns this season. The Blackshirt (using the term loosely) is going to need to be very opportunistic and capitalize on the smallest Michigan State mistake. The Huskers on offense are going to stuggle to move the ball so what they need to do is a steady dose of Ameer Abdullah who has been a beast this season with more than 1,200 yards and seven scores. The Huskers need their patchwork offensive line to come together.

Michigan State: Do what you have done all season play monster defense and dominate at the point of attack. Nebraska has struggled to run the ball in the last few weeks and its passing game is nonexistent (except on the final play of the game apparently). Michigan State needs to stop Ameer Abdullah or at least not let him beat them on the ground. If it can force either Taylor Martinez or Tommy Armstrong Jr., into throwing all game the Huskers will not get passed the 50. Offensively, just give the Husker defense, which is playing better as of late, a steady diet of Langford who has 10 scores already. Run Langford to open up the big play with Connor Cook tossing the ball down the field.

Prediction: I don’t see this game very close at all as long as Michigan State scores more than 21 points the Huskers don’t have a chance. The Spartans are the No. 1 ranked defense for a reason and beyond Abdullah the Huskers don’t have the fire power to win this one. I think Sparty wins this going away and holding Neb to under 250 yards of total offense.

Fun Facts: Michigan State has never beat Nebraska as the Huskers lead the all-time series 7-0. Since 1970 Nebraska has a nation-leading 429 victories. Michigan State is 5-0 in the B1G for the first time under head coach Mark Dantonio and the third time in school history. This is the 15^th time in school history Michigan State has started the season winning eight of its first nine games.