With only three weeks left until the end of the college football regular season, games each week are becoming more and more critical. This weekend Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt are idle. Last week, I picked four of six SEC games correctly, giving me a season long worksheet of 76-17, (82%)
Mercer at Alabama
The Crimson Tide seems to have turned the tables on pundits who were relegating them to 9-3 or even 8-4 status. Following 'Bama's loss at Tennessee almost three weeks ago ,the Tide played perhaps its most complete game of the season in demolishing LSU.
Alabama is now 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the league. And with three games left and 'Bama favored to win all three, don't be surprised if the Crimson Tide is right in the mix for an SEC Championship Game bid and a trip to he playoffs. Alabama is a huge favorite to beat the Bears this week, with their toughest test remaining at Oklahoma on November 23.
Alabama 52 Mercer 14
Texas at Arkansas
The Longhorns are 8-1 overall and if they take care of business they'll play in the Title game in early December. Texas totally dismantled Florida last week in Austin and they're big favorites to beat the Hogs this weekend. Arkansas can be world beaters one week, (19-14 over Tennessee, then a 63-21 loss to Ole Miss.) Is Arkansas capable of pulling the upset? Yes, but it's likely not going to happen. Texas is a team on a mission and this battle between a pair of old Southwest Conference does will be a big step in the right direction.
Texas 37 Arkansas 13
Louisiana-Monroe at Auburn
This has been a disappointing season for Coach Hugh Freeze and his Tigers. They're 3-6 and 1-5 in the SEC and they're a 24 point favorite over the Warhawks on Saturday. As he stands on the sidelines, you can see the utter frustration on his face. This game is the last one the Tigers will be favored to win as their two remaining games are at home with Texas A&M and at Alabama. This week should be no problem.
Auburn 38 UL Monroe 20
LSU at Florida
You have to feel at least a little bit sorry for Gator's coach Billy Napier. He's been on the hot seat all season long and he's lost his two best quarterbacks to injuries. Former back up D.J. Lagway had to be carted off the field after suffering a hamstring injury two weeks ago against Georgia. He missed the entire game in the loss at Texas last week but he could be ready to go this week against LSU. On the other hand, LSU was completely dismantled by Alabama last week and the Tigers could either come out like gangbusters and win big.....or they can fold like an old table and allow Florida to beat them. I'm picking the upset if Lagway plays. If he doesn't play, LSU wins.
Florida 24 LSU 21
Murray State at Kentucky
The Wildcats were off last week, and Coach Mark Stoops is hoping his team can win out the rest of the way, pick up six wins and become bowl eligible. That's not going to happen but at least Kentucky fans will have something to pin their hopes on. The 'Cats defense has played pretty well but the offense has been horrible almost the entire season. To put things into perspective....Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson has scored more touchdowns by himself (20) than Kentucky's entire offensive unit has scored. (17). They will win this week but check with me later about the final two games of the year.
Kentucky 34 Murray State 17
Missouri at South Carolina
Both teams are ranked in the top-25 but Mizzou has lost two of their last five games while the Gamecocks have won three in a row and are currently bowl eligible at 6-3. USC is favored by 13.5 points so the oddsmakers are taking the momentum trends seriously. A lot depends on the playing status of injured quarterback Brady Cook, who is listed as doubtful this week. Cook's back up Drew Pyne will start according to Coach Eli Drinkwitz. However, the Tigers will need more than a healthy Brady Cook to beat the Gamecocks.
South Carolina 27 Missouri 13
New Mexico State at Texas A&M
It's been three weeks since A&M has won a game, though they're 7-2 and 5-1 in the SEC. On November 2nd, the Aggies were blasted 44-20 at South Carolina. They were off last week so they've had a week to think about what's ahead. This week's opponent won't be a problem but it gets a lot tougher in the final two weeks....at Auburn and then at home against Texas, which could go a long way toward setting the match up for the SEC Championship Game.
Texas A&M 48 New Mexico State 14
Tennessee at Georgia
Fans from both schools had this game circled on their calendars even before the season began. Tennessee started out ranked #15 while the Bulldogs were tabbed number one. Since the season began, Georgia has dropped 11 spots while the Vols have climbed 9 positions up to number six. Yet, Georgia is favored by 9.5 points. Go figure. I agree that the Bulldogs should be favored but only by a couple of points. They are however, coming off a 28-10 upset loss at Ole Miss....a loss that exposed a lot of weaknesses in the Georgia attack. The biggest problem is on offense. Quarterback Carson Beck has thrown a ton of interceptions over the last few weeks and the rushing game has been all but non-existent. As for Tennessee the Vols' defense has been outstanding all season long but the offense has struggled. The Vols may still be looking for that "peak" game....one where everything comes together at once. If that happens, Georgia is in trouble. The 'Dawgs will still likely win but they won't cover.
Georgia 26 Tennessee 24
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