Welp, last week showed us that playing Arkansas during overtime is not a wise decision. After the 4th and 25 play that has gotten about as much attention in Oxford as the Zapruder film, the Hogs were able to pull off an overtime win on the road to get to 5-4. Ole Miss dropped to 7-3, and now in a complete twist of irony, will be cheering for the Mississippi State Bulldogs to upset the Crimson Tide, to keep their hopes of getting to Atlanta alive.
In the rest of the SEC, Leonard Fournette found kryptonite in the name of the Alabama defense, as the Tigers lost to the Tide 30-16. The real star of the show was Derrick Henry, who rushed for 210 yards and 3 Touchdowns. He may have jumped Fournette as the front runner for the Heisman with that performance. Auburn got back on track as they jumped up to 5-4 with a win over Texas A&M. On the other side of the conference in the SEC East, Florida clinched a trip to Atlanta, after sleepwalking through 3 1/2 quarters against Vandy, but the Gators just aren't the same without Will Grier. No matter who they face out of the West, they'll likely be an underdog. To close out the rest of the SEC, Georgia took care of business against a Kentucky team that needs to win 2 of its last 3 to get to a bowl, and Tennessee outlasted South Carolina 27-24 in Knoxville.
This week sees a rematch of the Prayer at Jordan-Hare, with Georgia headed to Auburn. Bama heads to Starkvegas in a game that could decide who goes to Atlanta, and Arkansas heads to Baton Rouge in the Battle for the Golden Boot. So, let's get to some games!
Georgia
at Auburn Even
The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry kicks off at noon today on CBS. It's likely that both Malzahn and Richt will play multiple QBs in this game, so that makes it even less predictable. If this game was in Athens I'd go with Georgia, but being that it's on The Plains, I'm going with the Tigers to win a close game. Jeremy Johnson looked a lot better against Texas A&M, and Georgia has struggled against almost every SEC team not named Kentucky this year. Auburn pulls out a close victory 27-24.
Florida -7.5
at South Carolina
The Battle for Steve Spurrier's Heart takes place in Columbia today. Florida clinched the SEC East last week, despite a weak performance against Vandy, while South Carolina gave Tennessee a scare in Knoxville. If Florida wants to go to more than just the Sugar Bowl they're going to have to keep winning and I think they'll continue that today in Columbia. This game will ultimately come down to talent and Florida has more of it than the Gamecocks. They'll play conservative and rely on running the ball and their defense, but that should be enough to get the win as the Gamecocks see their postseason hopes come to an end, dropping to 3-7. Florida 24 South Carolina 16.
North Texas
at Tennessee -41
41 POINTS! Normally, I'd say go with North Texas, but after looking a little closer at North Texas, I saw they are 1-8, and they lost 66-7 to Portland State....at Home! Go with the Vols, to get an easy win in a game that should be over as soon as Tennessee scores the first touchdown. The Vols get bowl eligible today in a blowout. Tennessee 55 North Texas 10.
Alabama -8
at Mississippi State
Alabama took care of business against LSU last week, and they'll head to Starkvegas this week in The Battle of Highway 82. This is probably one of the quietest rivalries in the SEC, but both teams have some of the most passionate fans in college football, and you can guarantee that the cowbells will be ringing today. If State hopes to have any chance, they are going to have to throw the ball down the field with accuracy. Alabama will stack the box and make Dak beat them with his arm. I think he'll have a good game, but I question whether that Mississippi State defense can stop Henry and the Tide. Alabama has a 2 score lead late in this game, but State scores a late touchdown to cover the spread. Alabama 30 Mississippi State 24.
Kentucky
at Vanderbilt -3
3-6 Vandy hosts a 4-5 Kentucky team, that has lost 4 in a row after starting out 4-1. The biggest challenge for Kentucky is going to be scoring against that Vandy defense. With the exception of the Houston game, Vanderbilt hasn't given up 20 points in a game since September. The problem is Vandy has only scored 20 points in a game once all year. This game has low scoring defensive struggle written all over it. Being that it's in Nashville, I'll go with Vandy to get the win. Vandy 16 Kentucky 13.
Western Carolina
at Texas A&M -36
The Aggies get back to winning this week against the boys from Cullowhee. They should dominate the Catamounts in College Station in route to getting to 7-3, but that defense will still give up some points. Texas A&M wins 48-17.
Arkansas
at LSU -7
One team is coming off an exhilarating overtime win, while the other is coming off a crushing loss to their rival. The Battle for the Golden Boot is the 7PM ESPN game live from Death Valley. Fully understanding this is a Les Miles cliche, but LSU at night in Death Valley...it's where dreams go to die. Believe me, I saw it last year, first hand. Fournette was shut down last week against Bama, but he should have a better performance against an Arkansas team that gave up 52 points in Oxford. The Tigers edge the Hogs to go to 8-1, and Arkansas has to wait another week to get bowl eligible. LSU 31 Arkansas 24.
BYU -4.5
at Missouri
Normally, I'd go with BYU, as Mizzou hasn't given any reason for anyone to show faith in them this year. But this week has seen all eyes on the campus of the University of Missouri. After a boycott by the Mizzou football team, and with news coming out yesterday that Gary Pinkel will retire after this year due to health issues, I think this is a game that rests solely on emotion. The game will be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, and I think the "Win this one for Gary" effect gives Mizzou an upset win. Mizzou 20 BYU 17.
After the horrible events in Paris last night, we could all use a little something to celebrate and make us remember what's fun about life. Here's to what's hopefully an enjoyable Saturday. Cheers!
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