Garrett Nussmeier and the Bayou Bengals remain alive in the College Football Playoff race, but what are their chances?

For all the Game(s) of the Century and Saban Bowls, all the SEC West battles and national championship showdowns, there’s never been an LSU-Alabama battle quite like the one about to unfold this weekend.

This weekend, No. 14 LSU will take on No. 11 Alabama in a massive SEC matchup. But LSU will reportedly have a unexpected presence on the sideline on Saturday: a live tiger. The return of the tiger is seemingly at the hands of Louisiana governor Jeff Landry,

The annual Alabama-LSU rivalry is Exhibit A this weekend for how the expanded College Football Playoff has changed what constitutes a high-stakes game in November.

No. 11 Alabama and No. 14 LSU are both still in contention for one of 12 College Football Playoff spots as they meet in Tiger Stadium

No. 11 Alabama (6-2, 3-2 SEC, No. 11 CFP ) at No. 14 LSU (6-2, 3-1, No. 15 CFP), 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ABC). The Crimson Tide and the Tigers each return from byes looking to avoid a third loss that will likely eliminate them from conference contention and the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket.