It's the third Saturday in October and that means it's Tennessee-Alabama week. It may not mean as it used to because the two programs have been headed in opposite directions. 'Bama is ranked number one in the country and is the defending national champion, plus the Crimson Tide has an eleven game win streak over the Volunteers. Alabama leads the series 55-38-7.
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas A&M are off this week.
Tulsa at Arkansas
The Razorbacks have lost six straight games following a season opening win.
Their most recent loss came at home last week to Ole Miss, 37-33 and their opponent this week has also not won since the opening week of the season. The Golden Hurricane is 1-5 on the year and Arkansas should be able to snap that six game skid. It's been a tough year so far for Coach Chad Morris and his Hogs. That will change at least for one week.
Arkansas 49 Tulsa 24
Auburn at Ole Miss
There is talk coming from south Alabama that Gus Malzahn's days are numbered. The Tigers who climbed as high as sixth in the polls after a great start to this season, now have lost three SEC games, including last week's upset loss to Tennessee. If the players have given up, it's useless to try and fix things. We've seen that time and time again. Malzahn doesn't seem to be in a panic yet. Of course with a buyout of his contract worth $17 million if he's fired, it may take a few more losses to affect him. Still, there is something dreadfully wrong on the plains. Auburn is not a very good football team right now. Ole Miss on the other hand is 5-2 and even though the Rebels are not eligible for the post season, they will be tough to beat in Oxford.
Ole Miss 38 Auburn 30
Memphis at Missouri
The Tigers of Missouri actually played pretty well in their 39-10 loss last week at Alabama. They have a good solid offense even though they scored a mere ten points against the Tide. Memphis lost a heartbreaker last week to 15th ranked UCF 31-30, so the Tigers of Memphis will provide some stiff competition in Columbia. This is a pivotal game for Mizzou because the Tigers are 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the SEC. Missouri has lost to Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama. They can make it to a bowl game but it's not likely if they lose this weekend to Memphis.
Missouri 38 Memphis 33
Mississippi State at LSU
The Bengal Tigers scored a tremendous upset last week 36-16 over the Georgia Bulldogs. This week another brand of Bulldogs will invade Baton Rouge. Mississippi State comes in with a #22 national ranking and a record of 4-2, 1-2 in the SEC. They were off last week after scoring a 23-9 win over Auburn two weeks ago. LSU is ranked fifth in the country and the Tigers are 6-1, 3-1 in league play. Barring a total letdown after the big win over Georgia, LSU should be 7-1 when the smoke clears, though MSU could make this one a lot closer than coach Ed Orgeron would like. Still looming for LSU is that super huge match up in two weeks with Alabama in Baton Rouge.
LSU 30 Mississippi State 17
Alabama at Tennessee
The top-ranked Crimson Tide may be a bit more concerned following the Volunteers upset win at Auburn last week. 'Bama is a 29.5 favorite over the Big Orange this week, and while the Vols' first SEC win in almost two years gives U.T. fans plenty of reasons to think they can compete with the Tide, the reality is this; Tennessee is not a 29.5 underdog for nothing. Alabama is good, very good and while things are most definitely looking up for the Volunteers it's not very likely they can defeat 'Bama. Believe me, I would love to see Tennessee get the win, but it will take a perfect game for the Vols and a not so perfect game for the Crimson Tide for an upset this weekend. Alabama has a few injuries and there is some question as to how healthy quarterback Tua Tagavailoa is. Even if Tua is unable to go, Jalen Hurts is more than adequate as a replacement. Before the 11 game Alabama winning streak started the series stood 44-38-7, which is very competitive. It may start evening up in the future but not this week.
Alabama 38 Tennessee 24
Last week: 4-2
Year to Date: 51-16
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