Above: Alabama will need a strong performance from its defense this week against Georgia. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)

Already saddled with a league loss, the No. 13 Crimson Tide almost certainly cannot overcome falling a second time to a Southeastern Conference foe.

Not if Nick Saban’s team wants to make a second straight appearance in the College Football Playoff. Hence, Alabama’s 2:30 p.m. kickoff against No. 8 Georgia between the hedges looms large.

Auburn quarterback Sean White scrambles in last week’s loss to Mississippi State.
(Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics)

Auburn celebrates homecoming this week, entertaining San Jose State at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Tigers will continue trying to find themselves and establish an identity after a blowout loss to LSU and failing to score a touchdown in a defeat to Mississippi State.

Here’s the rest of this week’s slate:

OTHER STATE COLLEGES

South Alabama at Troy: A week after Alabama native Deontay Wilder successfully defended his World Boxing Council heavyweight belt, another belt will be on the line at Veterans Memorial Stadium. When these Sun Belt Conference foes meet at 6 p.m. Saturday in a game that will be seen nationally on ESPN3, they will establish a new tradition with the “Battle For The Belt.” The winner takes home a championship-style belt. South Alabama brings a 2-2 mark into the contest. The Trojans are 1-2.

North Alabama at Valdosta State: This is one of two battles of unbeatens in the Gulf South Conference. No. 8 UNA is 3-0, 2-0 in the league, while host Valdosta State is 3-0 as it begins its Gulf South slate at 1 p.m. Saturday. UNA’s Bobby Wallace is bidding to become the winningest coach in the history of the program as he is now tied with Hal Self at 109 victories.

West Georgia at West Alabama: Not to be outdone by North Alabama vs. Valdosta State, the Tigers (4-0, 0-0) host West Georgia (4-0, 0-0) at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Wolves, No. 2 in the latest Division II national poll, are led by former West Alabama coach Will Hall.

Alabama State University travels to Texas Southern tonight. (contributed)

Alabama State at Texas Southern: Tonight at 6:30, the Hornets (1-3, 1-2) will try to notch their second win of the season. After opening the season with three losses, Alabama State recorded win No. 1 last week –45-15 over Mississippi Valley State. Defense has been the strong suit for both teams as TSU is tops in the Southwest Athletic Conference in scoring defense at 23 points per game; ASU is right behind at 26 points per game.

Alabama A&M at Coastal Carolina: The Bulldogs (1-2) face the second-ranked team in the STATS FCS Top 25 at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The Chanticleers are 4-0.

Albany State at Miles: Coach Reginald Ruffin’s Golden Bears (1-3, 1-0) earned win No. 1 on the season last week. They’ll go for two in a row at 4 p.m. against the Rams (1-3, 1-0).

Tuskegee at UNC Pembroke: The Golden Tigers (4-0) have been nearly three touchdowns better than their opponents on average. The Braves bring a 3-1 record into the 1 p.m. meeting after falling 40-17 last week to North Greenville.

Lane College at Stillman: Coming off a bye week, the Tigers (1-2, 0-1 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) will try to even their record and stay in the hunt for the West Division crown. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Mississippi Valley State at Jacksonville State: The 0-4 visitors could have a devil of a time keeping pace with the 3-1 Gamecocks, who remain No. 1 in the STATS FCS Coaches Poll for the third-straight week and No. 3 in the Coaches Poll. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Samford: The Bulldogs are off this week before traveling to Lexington, Virginia, for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff with VMI on Oct. 10 that will be shown on ESPN3.

Chicago at Birmingham-Southern: The Panthers (3-1) have averaged 24.5 points in their first four games, the most recent being a 41-13 loss at Washington University in St. Louis. Kickoff on Battle Field at Panther Stadium is at 1 p.m.

Concordia at Ave Maria: The Hornets travel to Naples, Florida, for an 11 a.m. kickoff.

N.C. Wesleyan at Huntingdon : The Hawks are 2-1 this season, averaging 41.7 points per game. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Campbellsville at Faulkner: The Eagles are 3-0. Kickoff Saturday is at 1:30 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOLS

Class 7A: Prattville, No. 4 in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association poll, is 4-1 and takes on Jeff Davis (5-1) Saturday morning at 11 at Cramton Bowl. The loser could wind up on the road when playoff time rolls around.

Class 6A: Chelsea faces perhaps the most important game of its brief 6A history. Both the Hornets and visiting No. 3 Opelika are 5-0 going into this key Region 3 contest.

Class 5A: Vigor (3-1) visits No. 1 Jackson (5-0) in Region 1.

Class 4A: No. 9 Handley (5-0) is hosting defending 4A state champion Leeds (4-2). Could there be a better two-loss team in Alabama than the third-ranked Green Wave?

T.R. Miller hosts Opp this week. (contributed)

Class 3A: No. 6 Opp (4-1) hosts No. 6 T.R. Miller (5-1) in a game that will likely decide the Region 1 title. Miller is coming off a 42-18 win – Coach Jamie Riggs’ 300th in a 30-year career. Coincidentally, Riggs’ first head-coaching job was at Opp.

Class 2A: No. 10 Washington County (4-1) is at No. 8 Mobile Christian (5-0). Each appears to be the cream of the crop in Region 1 this year at 3-0.

Class 1A: No. 10 Berry (4-1) is fresh from an eight-touchdown passing game by James Raines, the quarterback and son of Berry head coach Danny Raines. The Wildcats visit rival Hubbertville (4-0), which reached the finals last season from Region 6.

AISA: No. 8 Tuscaloosa Academy hosts No. 2 Bessemer Academy in the Alabama Independent School Association.