If the LSU Tigers and Brian Kelly don't beat Alabama this weekend then their playoffs hopes are gone. Priority number one is taking down Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide. Garrett Nussmeier will need to play nearly perfect. The defense will have to contain the mobile Alabama quarterback play of Jalen Milroe. However, even if the Tigers take care of business against Alabama they're still not guaranteed a spot in first ever 12-Team College Football Playoff bracket.

What else would LSU need to secure a playoff bid? Which team(s) do LSU fans need to be rooting for and against heading into Week 11 action of college football?

Here are the top five 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. 3 Georgia vs No. 16 Ole Miss

Rooting Interest: Ole Miss upsets Georgia

This might sound impossible given Ole Miss' recent history against Georgia and the SEC elite, but Georgia is still barely favored by even a field goal heading into the weekend. Jaxson Dart ranks top five in just about every meaningful rate stat that speaks to quality quarterback play. Carson Beck has been a mess, throwing 11 interceptions in the last five games.

The playoff selection committee has already shown that head-to-head wins matter immensely with their first set of rankings. LSU already has a win over Ole Miss. If Georgia logs a second loss (first was to Alabama) and LSU defeats Alabama then the Tigers would hold two wins over teams that defeated Georgia and the head-to-head advantage against Ole Miss. That would put LSU in an extremely advantageous position.

No. 8 Indiana vs Michigan

Rooting Interest: Michigan exposes Indiana

The Hoosiers have been the best story in college football this fall, but their toughest opponents have been 5-4 Nebraska and Washington. Neither team has particularly deep rosters with future NFL talent on either side of the ball. Michigan, on the other hand, has a defense stacked with future NFL players. The Wolverines offense is disgusting, but if they ugly up the game against Indiana they could expose the Hoosiers. That would put the Hoosiers in line to earn their second loss to Ohio State shortly thereafter, likely knocking them far behind LSU in the rankings.

No. 7 Tennessee vs Mississippi State

Rooting Interest: Mississippi State upsets the Vols

Tennessee has already defeated Alabama this year. LSU really needs to beat Alabama worse than the Vols did if they want to matchup anywhere near them resume-wise. However, if the Vols blow it here with their first really bad loss that might just give LSU the edge if it comes down to the final playoff spot discussion. It's unlikely because Mississippi State is rolling out a young quarterback with limited passing chops, but this would be the perfect outcome to shoot LSU straight near the top of the SEC Conference standings.

No. 9 BYU at Utah

Rooting Interest: BYU's lack of talent exposed by Utah

Utah and BYU have one of the most brutal rivalries in the entirety of the sport. They hate each other. Utah, while their quarterback play has been problematic, is still coached by one of the best in the game in Kyle Whittingham. He always has his team ready to surprise in meaningful rivalry games.

If BYU loses, that would all but ensure that the Big 12 only gets one playoff bid, regardless of who wins the conference championship. If BYU goes into the Big 12 Championship undefeated, but loses, that could send an undeserving bid-stealer to the playoff while also perhaps still getting in themselves. That's an outcome every single playoff hopeful team outside of the Big 12 does not want to see. This is BYU's best shot to lose on their remaining schedule.

No. 5 Texas vs Florida

Rooting Interest: Florida somehow surprises Texas

If DJ Lagway stayed healthy for the entire game against Georgia last week Florida almost certainly wins. And while it looked Lagway was seriously hurt mid-game, there's still a sliver of hope that he may face Texas. If Lagway somehow can play then the same Gators team that looked like they had Georgia beaten could very well keep it close against the Longhorns. LSU needs all the two-loss SEC teams they can get to clear up a path to the playoff.

Final predictions for huge SEC rivalry game between No. 11 Alabama and College Football Playoff hopeful LSU

LSU vs Alabama will decide the College Football Playoff Bracket

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