The Battle for the Golden Egg sounds like something out of mythology. It is more usually known as the Egg Bowl, and it is the annual college football battle between Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

Normally it is important only in Mississippi. This year’s meeting in Oxford on Nov. 29, however, could determine not one but two of the four participants in the first College Football Playoff.

Mississippi State, unranked when the season began, is now No. 1. Ole Miss is No. 3. And they will be carefully watched down the stretch. Hey, we’re watching now. Both are in action on Saturday, with the Bulldogs (that’s Mississippi State, and boy am I getting tired of typing Mississippi) back from a bye.

GAMES WE’RE WATCHING

No. 1 Mississippi State (6-0) at Kentucky (5-2): It’s the Bulldogs’ first outing as the nation’s top-ranked team. “We’re going into a game with a target on our back,” says coach Dan Mullen. Kentucky has a solid record but got clobbered 41-3 last week by LSU. You’ll enjoy Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott’s running and passing exhibition.

No. 3 Ole Miss (7-0) at No. 24 LSU (6-2): The Rebels play solid defense, leading the major colleges in scoring defense (10.6 points a game). They’re tied for third with 15 interceptions. Last week they held Tennessee to zero rushing yards. LSU has recovered from an early-season slide that knocked it from the polls for the first time in six years with consecutive victories.

No. 20 USC (5-2) at No. 19 Utah (5-1): A Pac-12 battle that will briefly distract us from the Southeastern Conference’s great matchups. Utah has allowed only three rushing touchdowns. USC leads the conference with nine interceptions and the Utes have an unsettled situation at quarterback.

Today’s question

Which games will you be watching, and why?

Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .