No. 21 Missouri (6-1, 2-1 SEC) at No. 15 Alabama (5-2, 2-2), 3:30 p.m. EDT today (ABC) Line: Alabama by 13 1/2

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Both teams have their playoff hopes hanging in the balance after falls from the top 10. Frustrations are running high in Tuscaloosa, where first-year coach Kalen DeBoer has gotten off to a rough start despite a huge win over No. 2 Georgia. Alabama will enter November with multiple losses for the first time since 2007. Missouri produced a come-from-behind win over Auburn when Brady Cook returned from an early-game injury. The Tigers failed their only other test against a ranked team, falling 41-10 to Texas A&M.

KEY MATCHUP

Alabama’s running game against Missouri’s defense. Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe attempted 45 passes against Tennessee and hasn’t gotten loose as a runner lately. Running backs Jamarion Miller and Justice Haynes have been solid but not the kind of dominating backs that Alabama had produced over the years. The Tigers rank 10th in the SEC in run defense, giving up 115.4 yards per game.

No. 20 Illinois (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) at No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0), 3:30 p.m. today (CBS) Line: Oregon by 21 1/2.

What’s at stake?

Oregon is ranked No. 1 in the current AP Top 25, the first time the team has held the top spot in the rankings since 2012. The Ducks are one of just 10 remaining undefeated teams in the nation. Oregon is coming off a 35-0 victory at Purdue last weekend, their first road shutout since 1992. Illinois is coming off a 21-7 victory over then-No. 24 Michigan. It was the team’s first ranked-vs.-ranked home win since 1991. This will be Illinois’ first game against a top-ranked team in the country since the Fighting Illini won at Ohio State in 2007. That year, they went to the Rose Bowl.

Key Matchup

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer has 15 touchdown passes this season and just one interception for the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the Power Four. He’s completing 65.9% of his passes, and could be the biggest factor in the Illini’s chances. Oregon has allowed just four passing touchdowns and is holding teams to 175.6 passing yards per game. Overall, the Ducks rank 15th nationally in total defense.

No. 12 Notre Dame (6-1) vs. No. 24 Navy (6-0), at East Rutherford, New Jersey, noon today (ABC) Line: Notre Dame by 12 1/2

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Notre Dame comes into the most recent version of the longtime rivalry with the higher ranking but, unusually, one more loss than the Midshipmen. The Fighting Irish realize another loss, even to a ranked opponent, could derail their playoff hopes before November. Navy is trying to snap a six-game losing streak in the series and celebrate its first 7-0 start since 1978. And a win, perhaps, could get the Midshipmen into the playoff discussion.

KEY MATCHUP

Navy ground game vs. Notre Dame defensive line. The Fighting Irish have been winning largely on the strength of a defense that had three preseason All-Americans. But injuries have decimated the Irish, who have lost two playmaking defensive ends to season-ending injuries. Navy’s surprising start has been built primarily on a ground game that averages 274.8 yards. Whoever wins this battle likely wins the game. As always, turnovers can be a factor.

No. 8 LSU (6-1, 3-0 SEC) at No. 14 Texas A&M (6-1, 4-0), 7:30 p.m. today (ABC) Line: Texas A&M by 2 1/2.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

SEC supremacy — at least for one week. Though there’s plenty of football to be played, the winner will have a leg up in securing a spot in the conference championship game. Both teams have won six games in a row after dropping their openers.

KEY MATCHUP

Texas A&M’s rushing attack vs. LSU’s run defense. The Aggies, led by Le’Veon Moss, rank 13th in the country by averaging 218.6 yards rushing. The Tigers allowed 38 yards rushing in last week’s win over Arkansas and held UCLA to a season-low 14 on Sept. 21. Moss ranks second in the SEC by averaging 96.3 yards rushing a game and has eight rushing touchdowns.

No. 3 Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) at Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1), 7:30 p.m. today (NBC) Line: Penn State by 6 ½.

What’s at stake?

Penn State is seeking its first 7-0 start since 2019, when the Nittany Lions won their first eight games and finished 11-2. Wisconsin is attempting to beat a top-five team for the first time since a 31-18 victory over No. 1 Ohio State in 2010.

Key matchup

Wisconsin offensive line vs. Penn State defensive line: Wisconsin’s first-team offensive line of Jack Nelson, Joe Huber, Jake Renfro, Joe Brunner and Riley Mahlman has 138 combined starts. That group has allowed just three sacks and has paved the way for 736 yards rushing during Wisconsin’s three-game winning streak.

— Associated Press