Just a quick note on Iron Bowl. I didn’t mention the first half suspensions of Michael Goggins and Mike Blanc after their parts in the scrums with Georgia two weeks ago. That could be significant for the Auburn defensive line that is not that deep. Defensive end Jeffrey Whitaker and defensive tackle Corey Lemonier will have to play bigger roles and Zac Clayton and Nick Fairley can’t get hurt. Alabama could take advantage of that with some more uptempo offensive plays, more pounding with the running game and maybe a faster approach between plays to try and wear AU’s defensive linemen down. Could be a factor.
Will have Saturday’s predictions up on Friday.

Here is what’s ahead Thursday and Friday in games that have a national impact besides the Iron Bowl.

Thursday

No. 17 Texas A&M (8-3)  @ Texas (5-6), 7 p.m., ESPN : I want to pick A&M after they beat Nebraska last week in a game where Bo Pelini lost it with his outrage against the refs. Texas still has the better defense; they are eighth in total defense and A&M is 51st. Garrett Gilbert has been pretty bad for the ‘Horns this year throwing 15 picks to nine tds, but he had a good game against Florida International last week with three tds. Ryan Tannehill has taken over at qb for A&M and thrown for 10 tds and 3 ints. He’s done a good job in place of Jarrett Jackson. But I got to go with the Longhorns who want to get bowl eligible at least and salvage something of this season.

Texas 24, Texas A&M 21

Friday

No.21 Arizona (7-3) @ No.1 Oregon (10-0) 6 p.m., ESPN:

The defenses are a wash with Oregon allowing only 11 points per game and Arizona 12. Oregon is leading the nation in scoring offense averaging 50 per game while ‘Zona is 49th at 30 a game. The key stat to me is how the teams’ played against Stanford, which is a very good football team. Oregon beat Stanford 52-31 and Stanford whipped ‘Zona 42-17. LaMichael James and Darron Thomas have big games and Oregon will face one more hurdle to getting to Glendale for the National Championship game on Jan. 10. That’ll be at Oregon State, which should be tough.

Oregon 42, ‘Zona 21

No.4 Boise State (10-0) @ No.19 Nevada (10-1), 9:15 p.m., ESPN: This could be a classic shootout. Boise second in the country in scoring offense averaging 47 per game while Nevada is fourth at 44 per game. But Boise is second in the country at scoring defense at 11. 5 per game. Nevada is not bad either at 38th in the country at 21 per game. But in total defense Boise is second and Nevada is 67th. Kellen Moore (28 tds, 5 ints, 2,921 yards passing), Doug Martin (938 rushing yards, 9 tds), Titus Young (55 catches-988, 8 tds) and Austin Pettis (50-688 8tds) keep it rolling for the Broncos. They’re right in the thick of the national championship hunt. If Auburn or Oregon stumbles I think Boise will pass TCU and get to Glendale if they win out their last two. Boise plays at home against Utah State next week. This is an outstanding football team.

Boise State 49, Nevada 21

(Kellen Moore tries to keep his team rolling towards Glendale)