ESPN College GameDay 2014: Week 6 Schedule, Location, Predictions and More

Week 6 in the 2014 college football season is going to be one of the most pivotal of the year. There are six games that pit two teams ranked in the Top 25 against each other. 

Because of that, the choice of location for the ESPN College GameDay broadcast was not as easy as it has been in recent weeks. That said, the decision to take the crew to Oxford, Mississippi, can't really be disputed.

The No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide will invade The Grove to take on the No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels. It's hard to quantify just how big this game is for both teams. Here's how you can watch:

When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014

Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET (Game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS)

Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi

Watch: ESPN (CBS for game)

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

What's at Stake for Bama

USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, the Crimson Tide are undefeated, so there's the perfect record at stake first and foremost. Beyond that, a loss to Ole Miss would be a division defeat in the treacherous SEC West. 

With so many quality teams in the division, an early loss will add significant pressure on the loser to be flawless against division opponents moving forward.

Bama still has dates with Texas A&M, Auburn, LSU and Mississippi State on its schedule. It seems unlikely the Tide emerges unscathed from this murderer's row, but head coach Nick Saban would probably prefer to hold strong for as long as possible.

In many ways, a head-to-head loss to a team ranked so close could be worse than a massive upset. If Bama and Ole Miss are up for the final spot in the first College Football Playoff, the winner of Saturday's matchup will obviously have the upper hand with voters.

What's at Stake for Ole Miss

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

All of the aforementioned details are also in place for Ole Miss, but there's another dynamic for the Rebels going into this humongous game.

Ole Miss is still fighting to obtain legitimacy in the SEC. It wants to be considered one of the premier programs in the nation. The seeds were planted when the program successfully recruited the likes of defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, among others.

Now it's time for those young prospects to prove themselves against the bully of the conference.

Winning on Saturday would mean staying undefeated, remaining tied for the best record in the nation's toughest conference and a higher ranking, but most of all, it would mean respect for the Rebels.

Prediction

The game figures to be a low-scoring contest. Ole Miss is ranked fourth in the nation in total defense, while Alabama is fifth. Possessions will be critical; thus, running the ball effectively and protecting it will be paramount.

Neither Bama nor Ole Miss has lit teams up with its rushing attack. Bama is usually one of the top rushing teams in the nation, but as part of the modernization of its offense, it has leaned toward an aerial attack this season.

That explains why the team is just 19th in the nation in rushing yards per game. Ole Miss is even further down the list at 76th. Lane Kiffin has brought a more wide-open style to Bama's attack, but against Ole Miss, a smash-mouth approach is recommended and likely.

The Rebels have been one of the best in the nation against the pass. They rank sixth in passing yards allowed per game. Nkemdiche and Co. have eight sacks and a whopping nine interceptions on the season. 

Neither Blake Sims nor Jacob Coker seem equipped to handle the pressure and ball hawks the Rebels have. Bama must protect the ball to win and keep from falling behind early. If it commits either of the two gridiron sins, the home crowd will make it difficult. An early deficit could force Bama to pass more, and that plays right into the Rebels' hands. 

Expect Bama to play a throwback game, leaning heavily on its rushing attack. The defense will force Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace into two turnovers. He has six interceptions already this season.

In the end, Bama will win a close one, 17-13.

All stats per CFBStats.com