Big Ten & SEC Weekend Preview: Texas A&M at Alabama & Two More Ranked SEC Matchups Lead Week 8 Slate

In the eighth week of the college football season, members of the Florida Citrus Sports Team Selection Committee are making visits throughout Big Ten and SEC country, meeting with fans across both conferences in advance of the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl on December 31st.

#6 Texas A&M at #1 Alabama– 3:30 p.m. on CBS

In a meeting between Top 10 teams and the final two unbeatens in the SEC, Alabama (7-0, 4-0 SEC) hosts Texas A&M (6-0, 4-0 SEC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama returns home following a 49-10 victory on the road against Tennessee. In four home games this season the Crimson Tide have allowed just one touchdown and 22 total points. Texas A&M enters the matchup off of their bye week. Their most recent game also came against Tennessee, with the Aggies knocking off the Volunteers in overtime, 45-38. The Crimson Tide and Aggies have met eight previous times with Alabama holding a 6-2 lead. The Aggies last win in the series came in Tuscaloosa in 2012.

#17 Arkansas at #21 Auburn– 6:00 p.m. on ESPN

Arkansas (5-2, 1-2 SEC) travels to Auburn (4-2, 2-1 SEC) where they’ll face their third ranked opponent in as many weeks. The Razorbacks knocked off Ole Miss 34-30 at home in their last outing, scoring with just over two minutes remaining in the contest. Following its third straight victory, Auburn made its way into the rankings for the first time this season. They defeated Mississippi State in Starkville 38-14 in their most recent game after jumping out to a 35-0 lead at the half. Arkansas knocked off Auburn at home last season 54-46 for Brett Bielema’s first victory over the Tigers since taking over at Arkansas in 2013. Auburn holds a slight edge in the all-time series, 13-11-1.

#23 Ole Miss at #25 LSU – 9:00 p.m. on ESPN

The Rebels (3-3, 1-2 SEC) head to Baton Rouge to face LSU (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) in the Magnolia Bowl. LSU holds a 59-41-4 lead in the all-time series but the series is even at four games apiece since the teams began playing for the Magnolia Bowl trophy in 2008. Ole Miss is coming off of a 34-30 loss to Arkansas while LSU won remained undefeated under interim head coach Ed Orgeron with a 45-10 victory over Southern Miss. The Rebels last win in Baton Rouge came in 2008 when they snapped a six-game losing skid in the overall series.

Here are the rest of the Big Ten and SEC games our selection committee members will attend:

#10 Wisconsin (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten) at Iowa (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) – 12:00 p.m. on ESPN
Illinois (2-4, 1-2 Big Ten) at #3 Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) – 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Purdue (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) at #8 Nebraska (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) – 3:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN2
Michigan State (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) at Maryland (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten) – 7:30 p.m. on BTN
Mississippi State (2-4, 1-2 SEC) at Kentucky (3-3, 2-2 SEC) – 7:30 p.m. on SECN
#2 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) at Penn State (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) – 8:00 p.m. on ABC

We’ll also be checking out some key games in the ACC, which could swap into the Big Ten spot in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl if a Big Ten team plays in the Orange Bowl. For a look at the important ACC games this weekend, check out our Russell Athletic Bowl weekend preview.