College Football around Alabama: Calendar Turns to November

As the calendar goes from October to November, the college football world sees the contenders separate from the pretenders when it comes to conference championship and postseason positioning.

In addition to Alabama vs. LSU in Tuscaloosa, several teams inside the Yellowhammer State have the opportunity to play for or position themselves for a run at a conference championship.

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Auburn’s Final SEC Road Game of 2017

No. 14 Auburn comes off a bye week as they travel to Texas A&M for their final SEC road game of the season.

Since Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012, the road team has won every game in the series with the Aggies winning at Auburn in 2012, 2014 and 2016 and the Tigers taking contests at College Station in 2013 and 2015.

The Tigers are 4-1 in conference play and need to run the table in the regular season for any realistic shot at representing the SEC West in Atlanta on December 2.

Auburn will be without the services of Kamryn Pettway who fractured a shoulder blade in their most recent game at Arkansas. According to AL.com, the star running back could be out the remainder of the season.

Kickoff is at 11 AM on ESPN.

Troy Outlasts Idaho

In a special Thursday night affair from Veterans Memorial Stadium, the Troy Trojans slipped past Idaho 24-21.

Senior running back Jordan Chunn scored two touchdowns in the game and tied the school record for total touchdowns in his career with his 44th and 45th career touchdowns.

The win pushes the Trojans to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in Sun Belt Conference play.

UAB Playing for Bowl Eligibility

After shuttering their doors for two years, UAB has an opportunity to earn a bowl bid with a win over Rice at Birmingham’s Legion Field.

The Blazers have won three of their last four games including a decisive 30-12 win at Southern Miss last Saturday and appear to have a good shot to get their sixth win on Saturday.

Rice enters the game with a 1-7 overall record and ranks 13^th in Conference USA scoring 13.1 points per game while UAB is fourth in the conference averaging 30.5 points per game.

Kickoff is at 2 PM

(Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Jacksonville State Dominating in the OVC

No. 3 Jacksonville State puts an undefeated Ohio Valley Conference record on the line Saturday against Murray State.

JSU is 5-0 in OVC play and have a realistic shot at finishing undefeated in conference play as their final three games come against teams in the bottom half of the OVC.

The Gamecocks have won 29 straight OVC games dating back to 2013. Their dominance is reflected this season in the OVC statistics as the Gamecocks lead the conference in scoring offense (28.8 ppg), scoring defense (15.9 ppg), total offense (371.4 yards per game), total defense (263.8 yards per game) and rushing defense (79.2 yards per game).

Kickoff from the campus of JSU is at 1 PM.

UWA Can Clinch Sole Possession of the GSC Title

West Alabama plays their final Gulf South Conference road game of the season Saturday at Valdosta State.

The Tigers can secure sole possession of the Gulf South Conference title and a likely Division II playoff bid with a win over the Valdosta State Blazers.

UWA comes in 12^th in Division II scoring 40.7 points per game and have scored 30 or more points in eight of their nine game this season.

Valdosta State hosts their final home game this season and needs a win Saturday to have a chance for a share of the conference crown.

Kickoff is at 2 PM.

Weekend Schedule

No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 19 LSU 7 PM (CBS)

Texas A&M vs. No. 14 Auburn 11 AM (ESPN)

Jacksonville State vs. Murray State 1 PM

Cincinnati Christian vs. Faulkner University 12:30 PM

Birmingham Southern vs. Millsaps 1 PM

Huntingdon College vs. Methodist University 1 PM

UAB vs. Rice 2 PM

Mercer vs. Samford 2 PM