The most important thing for Alabama football is to win its own game this week. The Crimson Tide faces an LSU team that effectively dashed its College Football Playoff hopes last season, and could do so again if it gives UA a second loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday.

Still, Alabama was ranked No. 8 in the initial CFP rankings, released on Sunday. The Tide could use some help in its late-season push to make the playoff.

Before the Tide and Tigers kick off at 6:45 p.m. CT Saturday, here are five other games that could impact Alabama’s quest to make the four-team event.

Georgia vs. Missouri

The top-ranked team in the SEC and No. 2 squad in the CFP top 25 has a rematch with the team that played it the closest during last year’s national championship run. Georgia needed a second-half comeback to win last year’s game in Columbia, and this year’s No. 12 Missouri team is even better.

The game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.

Texas vs. Kansas State

In previous years, this is exactly the type of game Texas would trip over on the way to another disappointing season. After beating Alabama this season, former Crimson Tide assistant Steve Sarkisian seems to have elevated the Longhorns past that level, despite a loss to Oklahoma.

Still, this is a feisty K-State squad and one that won’t roll over for Texas, which is currently ranked No. 7 in the CFP rankings. The game

Washington vs. USC

The Pac-12 has had a long-standing tendency to cannibalize itself when it comes to getting into the playoffs. That could happen again for an extremely good No. 5 Washington team, when a talented, if flawed defensively, No. 20 USC team comes to visit.

The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

Pittsburgh vs. Florida State

The “Pitt Superweapon” often joked about on the college football internet might have already fired this season in a win over current No. 13 Louisville. No. 4 Florida State should handily beat the Panthers on the road, but Pat Narduzzi’s team gets up for big games and will be looking to ruin another season.

The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M

The Crimson Tide already beat Lane Kiffin’s Rebels this season, but No. 10 Ole Miss is 7-1 on the season and nipping on Alabama’s heels in the playoff race. Kiffin delights in embarrassing Jimbo Fisher and a convincing win over the Aggies could push the Rebels closer to a playoff spot.

That game is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT and will be aired on ESPN.