College Football 2013: 2 Big Questions for Week 11

Another exciting week of college football gets an early start with two huge games on Thursday night. Here's what to watch for this week:

Which Big Name Team Can Rebound in the Big Ten?

Michigan’s offense fell flat in last week’s showdown with No. 17 Michigan State, managing just two field goals and rushing for minus-48 yards. This week, they’ll look to rebound and remain in Big Ten-title contention with a home matchup against a Nebraska defense that has shown improvement in recent weeks but has still been prone to giving up big plays. For Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, the stakes are even higher. Despite the excitement surrounding last week’s thrilling Hail Mary victory over Northwestern, Pelini is still very much on the hot seat among Cornhusker fans. With back-to-back games coming up against Michigan and Michigan State, Nebraska has very little margin for error if they hope to salvage any of the high hopes the Husker faithful had coming into this season. With the Big Ten expanding to 14 teams next year, this is the last time these two schools will meet in the regular season until 2018.

Can LSU Challenge Alabama?

While it may not be as hyped as some recent LSU/'Bama matchups, there is still a lot riding on this week’s game. Although Alabama was able to overcome a regular season loss and still make it to the title game in the last two years, the number of still-unbeaten teams remaining could mean that staying undefeated will be required for the Crimson Tide to win their third straight BCS crown. And with their own title hopes gone, Les Miles and LSU would love nothing more than to be the team that ends Alabama’s run. The last three regular season meetings between these two have all been decided by four points or less. Thanks to the resurgence of starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger, the Tigers rank 16th nationally in scoring. But he will have to have the best game of his career against one of the nation’s best defenses for LSU to pull off the road upset.