LSU and Brian Kelly unfortunately now have two losses on their record coming off of their disappointing game against Texas A&M. However, the Tigers are still certainly in the mix to make the College Football Playoff. Almost every team still has four or five regular season games left on their schedule, so that leaves plenty of opportunity for teams currently "ahead" of LSU to blow it in the coming weeks.

Yes, when we look at LSU's schedule, the most critical thing they need to do is defeat Alabama. If Garrett Nussmeier can't prove to make good decisions in that game, and the defense can't adjust to Jalen Milroe's threat as a running quarterback then nothing else matters. But for this week, LSU is on bye. Which team(s) do LSU fans need to be rooting for and against heading into Week 10 action of college football?

Here are the top six games from this weekend that LSU fans should keep their eye on as the Tigers look to earn their shot in the first ever 12-Team College Football Playoff field.

No. 1 Ole Miss vs Arkansas

Rooting Interest: Arkansas upsets Ole Miss

Ole Miss is the one team almost identically situated to LSU. If Ole Miss wins out that would include beating Georgia, an even stronger win than LSU potentially defeating Alabama next weekend. If the Rebels beat Georgia they likely catapult ahead of LSU in the playoff committee's mind leaving the Tigers as a potential "first team out" candidate.

Ole Miss has the pass rush and offensive fire power to beat anyone, but their lack of consistency in the run game and the defense giving up splash plays late in games has cost them twice now. If Arkansas can upset Ole Miss, or even perhaps play them extremely tight that might be enough to wear the Rebels down ahead of Georgia, who they play next week.

No. 7 Tennessee vs Kentucky

Rooting Interest: Kentucky upsets Tennessee

Tennessee already has one loss this year and certainly hasn't looked great this season in spurts. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is struggling in his first full season as a starter, leaving the door wide open for future first round defensive tackle Deone Walker and Kentucky's strong front to pressure him into mistakes.

LSU doesn't play Tennessee this year, so the Vols must snag a second loss to be considered even on equal footing with the Tigers. Kentucky's defensive front could force Tennessee into some turnovers and make this an ugly game. That's their only play.

No. 10 Texas A&M at South Carolina

Rooting Interest: Texas A&M crushes South Carolina

Texas A&M just beat LSU, so the first inclination might be to root against them the rest of the way. Not so fast. Every win that Texas A&M tallies makes LSU's loss to them less significant. And if the Aggies win out, that includes handing Texas their second loss as well in the final week of the regular season. That would knock Texas out of the SEC Championship and perhaps the playoff entirely given they would not have a single ranked win on their resume at that point. Hopefully the Aggies just crush South Carolina, amping up the "good loss" perception for LSU.

The one area of concern will be Gamecocks' pass rush as it's one of the best in the nation at bringing pressure without the blitz thanks to their elite athletes on the edges in Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard. However, if Marcel Reed can rush around the edge anyway, or perhaps Conner Weigman can win with the short passing game, Texas A&M could handle business early against the Gamecocks.

No. 4 Ohio State at No. 3 Penn State

Rooting Interest: Ohio State blows out Penn State

Penn State has been little brother to Ohio State for this entire century. Ohio State has defeated the Nittany Lions seven times in a row and that likely does not change this weekend. If the Buckeyes can blow out Penn State that would do wonders in making sure LSU finds a key advantage in final playoff consideration. Historically, the selection committee has acted as though teams can lose games and still make the playoff, but blowout losses almost immediately mean the end. A huge loss this weekend puts Penn State one more mistake away from likely ranking below LSU for an at-large bid.

No. 11 Iowa State vs Texas Tech

Rooting Interest: Texas Tech upsets Iowa State

LSU's absolute worst nightmare for their playoff hopes involves multiple teams making the field from the Big 12. That would almost assuredly lock LSU out, leading to a playoff field with perhaps just four SEC teams. Both BYU and Iowa State are still undefeated and need to lose quickly before they arrive to the Big 12 Championship game.

BYU is off this week, so no losing for them (for now), but the Cyclones face one of their most difficult remaining opponents in Texas Tech. Iowa State barely ranks inside the Top 40 in most offensive and defensive metrics this year, so they're certainly susceptible to a loss. Texas Tech's high volume fast-paced offense could threaten Iowa State's "good-not-great" defense.

No. 11 Clemson vs Louisville

Rooting Interest: Louisville upsets Clemson

Clemson already has a blowout loss on their resume to Georgia. A second loss to Louisville, and then perhaps missing the ACC Championship because of that might be enough to drop them out of the field in the playoff selection committee's eyes. The Louisville Cardinals present perhaps the most difficult remaining challenge on the regular season schedule for Clemson. Now is the time for the Tigers to falter.

Clemson's offense has been top ten in yards per play this year, improving drastically over the last couple seasons, but so has Louisville's. The Cardinals are top 12 in yards per play, and bring a ton of pressure on defense. The Tigers need to lose for LSU' sake because a one-loss Clemson is getting in over a two-loss LSU, even with a win against Alabama.

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