Storyline Saturday: What to watch in college football's Week 10

Perhaps it’s appropriate that the first weekend of play following the initial release of the College Football Playoff rankings will go a long way toward telling us who’s a contender, and who’s not.

For all the hoopla surrounding the announcement and all the cries of bias, now teams have their chance. Win the big games, people will take notice. Dominate a worthy opponent, people will praise you.

This weekend is the kind you wait all year for. So, get the beverages and popcorn ready — it is about to get real in college football.

The big games

Who: No. 16 Florida State at No. 1 Clemson
Where: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C.
When: 2:30 pm, ABC

Clemson has earned the No. 1 ranking, there can hardly be any debate about that. First the Tigers gutted through some close wins, most notably over a top-10 Notre Dame at home. But recently they have really seemed to hit their stride on offense. Against Florida State, though, it will be their defense that is the most critical element.

Defensive end Shaq Lawson and the rest of the Tigers will have their hands full trying to stop Dalvin Cook. If they are able to slow him, they can do what they do best: rush the passer. We keep waiting for Clemson to do what it's famous for, but if it can get past the Noles, it looks like it will be in the clear.

Who: No. 8 TCU at No. 14 Oklahoma State
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Okla.
When: 2:30 pm, FOX

Now in its second season, nobody has more cause for concern over the Playoff than those ten teams residing in the Big 12. To TCU, I would say: you must win games like this. In a battle of undefeated teams, we’ll get another look at what the Horned Frogs are made of.

Trevone Boykin is in the middle of the Heisman race and stages like this are exactly what he needs. Can he put up the points his team needs once again? Because rest assured, the Frogs will need them. The Cowboys are coming off a 70-53 win over Texas Tech, so prepare yourself for the fireworks show.

Who: No. 2 LSU at No. 4 Alabama
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
When: 7:00 pm, CBS

It’s Bama and LSU, Fournette and Henry, Saban vs. Miles. Does any more really need to be said? Well, we’ll do it anyway.

Since finding out LSU is legit, the discussion has shifted to this weekend. Whichever team emerges from this game will immediately jump to the top of people’s minds as the toughest in all the land. If anybody has the front seven to slow Fournette, it’s the Tide. But that is a mighty big if. On the other side, will Henry be effective enough to take the pressure off Jake Coker and allow him to pick apart the LSU secondary? We don’t know yet, but it will be a lot of fun finding out.

How would you like that cooked?

Everybody has different tastes and different opinions, that’s part of what makes sports so much fun. Whether you’re right or wrong isn’t as important as having an opinion. In college football, one of the biggest topics that splits opinion is an age-old one: offense or defense?

Since the evolution of the spread offense, fans have either loved it or lamented it. This week, you get a little spread and a little old school. Tech and West Virginia may set offensive records, while Alabama and LSU may be lucky to cross the goal line. While it is up to the committee to decide which it prefers and who it will reward, it is up to us, the fans, to sit back and enjoy this week of chaos.

We’re already into November, so the season is closing fast. Relax and appreciate this weekend — there’s something for everyone.