Randy Smith
It's hard to believe that we have just two weeks remaining in the 2019 college football regular season. There has been a lot of excitement and a lot of drama so far and I believe that trend will continue the next three weeks.
South Carolina, Ole Miss and Florida are off this week.
Western Carolina at Alabama
With the Iron Bowl looming next weekend, Alabama needs a game like this one to prepare. Even if the Crimson Tide wins out, the chances of getting in the College Football Playoffs are slim and none.
The tragic loss of Tua Tagavailoa last week has placed Mac Jones in the driver's seat once again and, while he is more than capable of helping the Tide get two more wins this season, it may not be enough for the playoff selection committee. To say that 'Bama needs help to get in the post season is a major understatement. They won't need help this week, however.
Alabama 54 Western Carolina 14
Samford at Auburn
The Tigers have had a great season so far with losses only to Florida and LSU. Both Auburn and Alabama face Southern Conference opponents in their prelude to next week's Iron Bowl and each team should win handily this week. The biggest problem for Auburn this season has been the immaturity of freshman quarterback Bo Nix who has looked brilliant at times and not so brilliant on other occasions. Nix can be a standout SEC quarterback but he's about a year away. He and his Tiger teammates will breeze through the Bulldogs this weekend.
Auburn 48 Samford 6
U.T. Martin at kentucky
The Wildcats are a win away from becoming bowl eligible and will get it this week when they beat up on U.T. Martin. Their regular season finale is next week when they host Louisville and unless they're looking ahead it should be an easy task this week. Mark Stoops has turned in another solid coaching job in the Bluegrass state and that's why his name is being mentioned for other potential jobs.
Kentucky 40 U.T. Martin 13
ETSU at Vanderbilt
The Buccaneers could give Vandy a really tough time this week. While the Bucs are only 3-8 overall in Coach Randy Sanders' second season Vanderbilt is even worse and the best news coming out of Nashville is that Coach Derek Mason will be back next year, despite a 2-8 record so far. Vandy is a bad football team and while ETSU may be looking for a monumental upset this weekend, I don't believe they will get it, unless the Commodores are looking ahead to their season finale at Tennessee next week.
Vanderbilt 34 ETSU 20
Arkansas at LSU
LSU is heavily favored this week over the Razorbacks who have already fired Coach Chad Morris. Morris didn't last two full seasons which shows you how bad the Arkansas program is right now. LSU on the other hand is on top of the college football world with a record of 10-0 with games remaining against the Hogs and Texas A&M next week, both at home. This has been a magical year so far for Coach Ed Orgeron and his Bengal Tigers. Unless they stub their toe against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, they are a lock for the playoffs. Even if Georgia wins the SEC, I think LSU still gets in.
LSU 63 Arkansas 24
Abilene Christian at Mississippi State
After falling behind 35-7 against Alabama in the first half last week, the Bulldogs played even with the Crimson Tide, even though when Tua Tagavailoa was injured, the Tide put their offense in lockdown. MSU is still two wins away from bowl eligibility which means they need a win this week, and next week in the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss. The Abilene Christian Wildcats are 5-6 on the year, playing out of the Southland Conference and they're not expected to give the Bulldogd much of a fight.
Mississippi State 42 Abilene Christian 12
Texas A&M at Georgia
The Aggies have played a very tough schedule with most of their losses coming to teams in the SEC. They have also lost to Clemson and will face LSU next week. If they win them both, they'll be 9-3, but they're the underdog in both games and will likely wind up 7-5. That is probably a disappointment for Coach Jimbo Fisher as there were more expectations in College Station when the season started. As far as Georgia is concerned, the path to the playoffs is very simple. Win the last two regular season games and the SEC Championship Game and you're in. Lose one of those three contests and you're out. Simple enough? The biggest thing in Georgia's favor is quarterback Jake Fromm.
Georgia 34 Texas A&M 21
Tennessee at Missouri
The Volunteers have more momentum than any other SEC team right now. Tennessee has won three in a row and four of their last five games. I don't think there is a single Vol fan out there who hasn't thought what would have happened if they hadn't lost their first two games to Georgia State and BYU. Well, they would be 7-3 right now and playing for a really good bowl game. Instead, they're 5-5 and need one more win just to get in a bowl. That's hindsight however and if Tennessee is to finish 6-6 or 7-5 they need to keep looking forward. Missouri is riding a four game losing streak and while Tennessee has plenty of momentum this game could go either way. Earlier this week, the Tigers were a six point favorite which should open the Volunteers eyes a bit. I will not be surprised in this one, despite any possible outcome.
Tennessee 27 Missouri 24
Last week: 5-1
Year to date: 76-17 (82%)
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Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com