Just a quick note on the World Series before I get into AU and the rest of the key SEC and national games tomorrow. Wow, what a game last night.  Cards win it in 11th, 10-9,  to force a  game 7 tonight in St. Louis at 7 PM on Fox. The Cards just never gave in. Showed a lot of character in coming back from a 7-5 deficit in the bottom of the eighth and 9-7 in the 10th. David Freese’s long ball won it in the 11th. Frese had dropped a pop fly earlier in the game that led to a Rangers’ run. Terrific series. Tonight almost a must see if you’re a sports fan and definitely a must see if you’re a baseball fan. Matt Harrison, who got hit pretty hard in his last outing in Series, goes tonight for the Rangers, while Chris Carpenter, one of the best pitchers in baseball, goes for the Cards. This series has been tough to predict. Two outstanding teams going at it. I’m going with the Rangers to get it done tonight and capture their first World Series in franchise history. Had them in seven to begin with so I’m sticking with it.
On to predictions.

Last week: 6-3; Overall: 55-21

Ole Miss (2-5) @Auburn (5-3); 6 PM, ESPNU: AU really needs to get back on track in this one. Ole Miss is not a bad team. They have some good players, and I really think Houston Nutt is a pretty good coach, though the record doesn’t show it this season. AU has some great athletes just needs better play from QB, offensive line, wrs and defense. I know that’s a lot of areas, but there is good talent that just hasn’t found their way yet. Clint Moseley should play better this week and Kiehl Frazier should get even more reps as those guys try to get the offense going. Not sure if Emory Blake will play. Another 50-50 shot for Emory. Dyer and McCalebb should have good days against a vulnerable Ole Miss defense. Ole Miss was better last week against Arkansas almost pulling off the upset, but I like AU at home to bounce back and move to 6-3 and try to make this a respectable, solid season and get ready for a lot better 2012 if Kiehl Frazier can develop his skills.

AU 28, Ole Miss 20

No.10 Arkansas  (6-1) @ Vanderbilt (4-3); 11:21 AM, SEC Network: Vandy playing inspired football under first year coach James Franklin. Franklin has his team believing they can win every game they play. He believes that and so do his players. That said, this is a huge challenge for VU. Arkansas is going to throw the ball all over the field and they’re now running it effectively with Dennis Johnson. The Vandy secondary will be under the gun to neutralize Tyler Wilson, Jarius Wright, Joe Adams and Greg Childs, the qb and three standout receivers for the Hogs. There are some more wrs the Hogs throw at you, too. Vandy needs to get a good push from their defensive line and apply good pressure on Wilson to help their dbs out. Vandy’s safeties have struggled lately, so they need to step up their play. The ‘Dores have found some offense with Jordan Rodgers under center. He makes some mistakes in the passing game at times, but he’s a pretty good quarterback and he’s getting better every week. Vandy’s receivers are getting better. They’re solid three star players. Young, but they have speed and pretty good hands. They need to run better routes though to help Rodgers out. Zac Stacy is on a roll for the ‘Dores after running for 198 yards and three TDs last Saturday against Army. He’s the total package. The Arkansas defense will be tested. I’m not going to make a prediction due to a vested interest in the game. I can’t be objective in this one. Vandy trying to go to a bowl game after back to back 2-10 seasons. This would be a huge step for the team and the program to get a victory. Arkansas trying to keep their SEC West title hopes alive along with a possible spot in a BCS bowl. Big game for both teams.

Georgia (5-2) @ Florida (4-3); Jacksonville, Fl., 2:30 PM, CBS: John Brantley is probable for Gators so that will really help them. Georgia trying to make its way to Atlanta, but so is Florida for that matter. A win here by the Gators would put them back in the hunt as South Carolina may have some issues now that Marcus Lattimore is out for the season with a devastating knee injury, especially for him, but also his team. Aaron Murray played very well against Vandy two weeks ago and running back Isaiah Crowell could be a big factor here. Georgia playing solid football, but the Gators are a lot more dangerous with Brantley. If Brantley plays, which it looks like he will, Florida has a good shot. And I’ll go with the Gators to knock off the ‘Dogs in an upset.

Gators 24, ‘Dogs 21

Mississippi State (3-4) @ Kentucky (3-4); 6 PM, ESPN Game Plan: State now just playing for pride and a possible bowl as are the Wildcats. Wildcats had a nice win over Jax State last week. State off last week after a tough loss to South Carolina two weeks ago. Think State will do enough to win this one, though Ky looks better.

State 31, Ky 27

No.13 South Carolina (6-1) @ Tennessee (3-4); 6: 15 PM, ESPN2: SC has a lot to play for even without the stellar Lattimore. They will miss him and it’s a tragedy for him personally. Hopefully, Marcus can recover and get back to his exceptional form next season. SC will have to run the ball by committee and Connor Shaw will have to play well. He needs to get that ball to Alshon Jeffery as much as possible. The SC defense will really have to raise their level of play in these last five games for the Gamecocks to get to Atlanta. UT still building under Derek Dooley. I think Derek will be a good coach for Tennessee. He’s just playing a lot of freshmen and sophomores right now and there are growing pains. Freshman Justin Worley will get the start at qb for the Vols. He threw for over 13,000 yards and 157 touchdowns in his high school career so he has a lot of talent. He will rely on receiver Da’Rick Rogers quite a bit and tight end Mychal Rivera. Running game with Tauren Poole and Marlin Lane needs to help. South Carolina defense playing well. Melvin Ingram is an All-American defensive end. He makes a lot of big plays. Should be a good battle, but think the Gamecocks will pull it out as they try to capture an SEC East title shorthanded.

SC 24, UT 20

UAB (1-6) @ Marshall (3-5); noon, CSS: After a huge victory over Central Florida last week, the Blazers try to keep it going. This is another one they can win as they try to rebound from a tough start. Jonathan Perry is the starter for the rest of the season at quarterback after an undisclosed injury to Bryan Ellis has knocked him out for the rest of the year. Perry is a quality player and can do a lot of good things both passing and running the football. Blazers without running back Pat Shed but Greg Franklin and a couple of others have played well. Neil Calloway needs every victory he can get. This one would help. Blazers a better team than they have been under the four previous seasons under Calloway despite their record. Need this one badly.

UAB 27, Marshall 24

National games:

Baylor (4-2) @ No.3 Oklahoma State (7-0); 2:30 PM, ABC : Oklahoma State is in another stratosphere offensively with Clemson. Just a very exciting team. Baylor is as well with the awesome Robert Griffin, III. Should be a wide open, exciting game to watch. Like the Cowboys to keep it going and keep their BCS title hopes alive. Brandon Weeden having an exceptional year. Not sure about Justin Blackmon’s status for the game. May be out. Still like OK State, but in a very good shootout.

OK State  45, Baylor 40

N0.5 Clemson (8-0) @ Georgia Tech (6-2); 7 PM, ABC: Clemson, like OK State, is a juggernaut offensively. Tajh Boyd is a terrific quarterback and has flourished under first year offensive coordinator Chad Morris. Boyd is in my top three for the Heisman, and, in my opinion, could win it if he keeps this up and Clemson wins out in the regular season and the ACC Championship game. Sammy Watkins is an electric player at wide receiver; just a thrill to watch. Tech has struggled offensively the last couple of weeks in losses to Virginia and Miami. Still believe Paul Johnson will right the ship. He’s too good of a coach. But like the Tigers to keep their majestic season going. Dabo doing a stellar job. This Clemson team reminds me of Auburn last year. Very explosive offensively and play enough defense. Not great defense, but enough. Tech should give the Tigers a pretty good battle though. Tech needs to get that running game going and not have to rely on Tevin Washington through the air. He’s a great runner, but he struggles passing at times. Clemson should prevail, but I think this game will be closer than some people think.

Clemson 38, Tech 35

No. 6 Stanford (7-0) @ USC (6-1); 7 PM, ABC: Andrew Luck is exceptional (145-202, 72%, 1,888 yards, 20 TDs, 3 ints). Can throw it in the pocket, off play action and run well also. Just an amazing player. USC has a pretty outstanding qb of their own in Matt Barkley (176-258- 68 %,2,006 yards, 19 TDs, four ints). This should be an epic game. Stanford runs the ball well led by Stepfan Taylor, who has rushed for 697 and six TDs. USC is led by running backs Marc Tyler (435 yards, two TDS) and Curtis McNeal (407, 3 TDs). USC pretty impressive against Notre Dame last week. They would like nothing better than to knock off their rival from the north. Should be terrific. Really looking forward to this one.

Stanford 41, USC 34

(Clint Moseley needs to be solid for AU tomorrow).