Auburn welcomes the Ole Miss Rebels to Jordan-Hare Stadium for an 11 AM CT/ Noon ET kickoff on ESPN. Auburn is aiming to get a signature win to re-energize their season. The Rebels get Robert Nkemdiche back from a head injury he suffered two weeks ago carrying the ball on offense against Memphis. That’s very good for them. Carl Lawson has started practicing with the Tigers this week and could possibly play. Gus is not letting on what he will do with Lawson. Will have more below. The cocktail hour starts at 3:30 PM ET/2:30 PM CT as the Dawgs and the Gators square off in what should be a really good football game. Both teams need this one badly for their respective SEC East title aspirations.

The Crimson Tide is off after overcoming a hard fought Tennessee effort, as the Tide pulled it out 19-14 behind the passing of Jacob Coker, the pass receiving of Ardarius Stewart and Calvin Ridley, and the running of the awesome Derrick Henry. It was a solid, hard fought victory for the Tide as they finally get a week off after eight straight games and prepare to take on LSU next Saturday night at 7 PM CT/8 PM ET on CBS. Should be an epic.

Here’s a look at my playoff predictions. The committee will release their first set of rankings next Tuesday, November 3rd, @ 6 PM CT/7 PM ET on ESPN. Should be fun. Here’s how I see it heading into week 9.

1. Alabama

Still really like this Crimson Tide team because they have it all. The defense is impenetrable particularly against the run, and the secondary is terrific also right now. Jake Coker is doing a very good job completing 64% of his passes (121-of-213) for 1,623 yards and 11 TDs. He also has thrown seven ints, but he’s been better lately. Henry is having an All-American, Heisman-like season rushing for 1,044 yards and 14 TDs. Leonard Fournette is the only player ahead of him in the conference at 1,352 yards and 15 TDs, and Fournette is leading the country in rushing and rushing touchdowns. Derrick is fifth nationally in rushing yards and tied for third nationally in rushing TDs. The receivers are playing good football. Special teams is getting better. I expect Cyrus Jones to take one to the house before the season is over.  This team, to me, is the most complete team in the country. Tennessee is a good football team despite their 3-4 record. They beat Georgia at home and took Florida to the brink in the Swamp. They’ll probably finish strong and it’s always an intense rivalry game, so I still like the Tide at the top this week. Next week will tell us a lot against Leonard Fournette and the Bengal Tigers of LSU. Mississippi State and Auburn on the road are not easy either.

2. Ohio State

Urb finally figured out that J.T. Barrett is his best option at quarterback and that was a good decision. The Buckeyes are loaded with talent, though kind of doing a similar act to what Florida State did last year; playing a pretty easy schedule and getting by. Maybe not as close as FSU’s games were last year, but some of them have been very close. Still have to play Michigan State at home, November 21st, and go to the Big House, Nov. 28th, to face Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines, so they have their work cut out for them. Michigan State seems to keep getting stronger by the week, so they’ll be a challenge. Not sure where Michigan’s heads are right now after the debacle two weeks ago against Michigan State. We’ll see if Harbaugh can straighten them out going forward. So the Buckeyes have work to do, just like everybody else.

3. Clemson

Dabo Swinney has a really fine football team, one that can definitely contend for the national championship. The Tigers of Clemson crushed Miami last Saturday, 58-0, and cost Al Golden his job. They do have to go to NC State this Saturday in what could be a dangerous game for them as FSU comes to Death Valley a week from Saturday, Nov. 7th. So the Tigers better be ready this Saturday. NC State is a pretty good football team at 5-2, so Clemson will have to play well to win. Right now though, they are definitely a playoff team.

4. LSU

Leonard Fournette has run wild this season running for 1,352 yards on 176 carries for a 7.7 yards per carry average and 15 TDs. Pretty awesome stuff. Quarterback Brandon Harris threw three touchdowns last week and has a stellar receiving corps working with him. Travin Dural (24-426,2 TDs), and Malachi Dupre (21-397, 5 TDs) are as good as it gets in college football. LSU’s defense is good, but not sure it’s great like Alabama’s. We’ll find out how great Fournette and the Bengal Tigers are when they head to Tuscaloosa next Saturday Night, November 7th.

Other teams receiving votes

5. Stanford

Playing power football and have a running back in Christian McCaffrey who is one of the best in the country. Quarterback Kevin Hogan is playing well and the defense is pretty lock down. Excellent football team. Do have a tough one at Washington State this Saturday. Mike Leach and the Cougars have beaten Oregon at Oregon, 45-38, and won last week at Arizona, 45-42. Leach’s team is 5-2 and will pose a big challenge for the Stanford defense.

6. Baylor

Art Briles and his Bears lost starting quarterback Seth Russell for the season to a broken bone in his neck. That’s serious. True freshman Jarrett Stidham takes over. He was the top quarterback prospect in the country by 247 sports in 2015 and he’s completed 24-of-28 passes for 331 yards and six TDs against no interceptions in limited play. So Baylor might be OK. They still have running back Shock Linwood, who has rushed for 974 yards and nine TDs, and super wide receiver Corey Coleman who has caught 47 passes for 962 yards and 18 TDs. Wow. Their defense is better, so they’ve still got a shot. The Bears are off this Saturday before playing Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas (the Little Apple) next Thursday night, November 5th,  at 6:30 CT/7:30 ET on Fox Sports 1.

7. Michigan State

Just keep getting it done. They’ll have to go to Ohio State so that could very well determine whether they make the Big Ten Championship game. But you gotta respect these guys and especially Coach Mark Dantonio. He does a super job in East Lansing.

8. TCU

Still getting it done, too. Trevone Boykin is a stellar player at quarterback and Josh Doctson is an awesome receiver. Have weapons all over the place on offense. Playing better defense. Certainly will be right there and will have Baylor coming to Fort Worth on Nov. 27th at 6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET on ESPN. That could be a colossal one in the national picture.

This week’s previews and predictions

Last week: 20-3

Overall: 118-29 (80%)

 

No. 19 Ole Miss @ Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN

Dave Pasch, Brian Griese, Tom “Loogs” Luginbill

Line: Ole Miss by 7

For Auburn to win, they’ll really have to both run it and pass it well. The Ole Miss front seven is tough and with Nkemdiche back they’re even more stout. AU will have to play better defense. Laquon Treadwell and the receiving corps for Ole Miss is superb, so the secondary of the Tigers will be tested. Auburn played a courageous game last week against Arkansas, but just couldn’t get the stop when they needed it. Sean White is really emerging as an excellent quarterback, and running back Peyton Barber has been stellar while stellar freshman running back Kerryon Johnson looks like he’s going to be a stud. Would love to see the Tigers pull it off, but I don’t see it happening. Should be a really good football game though.

Ole Miss 35, Auburn 31

 

No.11 Florida @ Georgia

EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fl.

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

CBS

Verne, Gary, Allie

Gators by 2 1/2

I just have a feeling the Dawgs are going to be ready for this one. The SEC East title is still in the balance for them, as it is for the Gators. Junior Faton Bauta being reported to get the start at quarterback for the Dawgs. Watched him the last two spring games. Like him. Brings more of a running threat to the Dawgs offense, and a pretty solid passer. I’m going with the Dawgs in a mild upset.

Georgia 31, Florida 28

 

Tennessee @ Kentucky

Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Ky.

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

SEC Network

Brent, Jess, Maria

UT by 8 1/2

The Vols have too much offense for the Wildcats to keep up with. Like Joshua Dobbs and Jalen Hurd to have big days and for UT to stay alive in the SEC East.

Tennessee 38, Kentucky 31

 

South Carolina @ Texas A&M

Kyle Field, College Station, Texas

11 AM CT/Noon ET

SEC Network

Tom Hart, Andre Ware, Laura Rutledge

A&M by 16

Like quarterback Kyle Allen and the A&M offense to get it back together this weekend against the Gamecocks, which are in the market for a new coach after the season. This might be a tough one for interim coach Shawn Elliott and his team.

A&M 42, South Carolina 24

 

Vanderbilt @ No. 18 Houston

TDECU Stadium, Houston

6 PM CT/ 7 PM ET

ESPN2

Mark Jones, Rod Gilmore, Quint Kessenich

Houston by 12

The Dores got their first SEC victory under Derek Mason last week over Missouri, 10-3, and it was huge for both Coach Mason and the team. Their defense will keep them in this, but Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. is a tough one to stop. He’s completed 132-of-185 passes (71.4 %) for 1,733 yards, 10 TDs and just two ints. He’s also rushed for 677 yards and 15 TDs. He’s a stud. But I see the Dores shutting him down somewhat. Vandy is still trying to get good  offense though  that can score more points, and I don’t think they’ll be able to score enough to beat the Cougars this Saturday. But their defense will give ’em a shot.

Houston 27, Vandy 24

 

UT Martin @ Arkansas

Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

3 PM CT/4 PM ET

SEC Network

Dave, Stinch, Kayce Smith

Hogs by 38

See the Hogs keeping it rolling after a huge home victory over Auburn last Saturday. They’ll do it both on the ground and through the air.

Arkansas 48, UT Martin 7

 

Off: Bama, State, LSU, Missouri

Off Nationally: Ohio State, Baylor, Michigan State

 

National games

No.9 Notre Dame @ No. 21 Temple

7 PM CT/ 8 PM ET

ABC

Chris, Herbie, Heather

Notre Dame by 10 1/2

Temple’s been a real good story this season as they are 7-0, but I don’t see them beating the Irish.

Notre Dame 35, Temple 24

 

No.3 Clemson @ NC State

Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ABC

MIke Patrick, Ed Cunningham, Jerry Punch

Clemson by 10

This is a dangerous game for the Tigers, but Dabo and company will take care of business and get ready for a visit next Saturday from the Florida State Seminoles. Gotta take care of this one first though.

Clemson 42, NC State 28

No.8 Stanford @ Washington State

Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET

ESPN

Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Shannon Spake

Stanford by 11 1/2

This is a dangerous game for the Cardinal which are squarely in the playoff hunt. Like Stanford to get it done, but to get a scare.

Stanford 38, Washington State 35

 

Thursday Night

West Virginia @ No.5 TCU

Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

Fox Sports 1

Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, Molly McGrath

TCU by 14

Could be interesting for a while. West Virginia is pretty decent. Like the Horned Frogs to pull away at the end though.

TCU 48, West Virginia 35

 

Other national games

No. 12 Oklahoma State 49, Texas Tech 45

Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock Texas, Clifford B and Audrey, not Jear

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ESPN

Dave Lamont, Ray Bentley, Dawn Davenport

Oklahoma State by 3

 

No. 14 Oklahoma 52, Kansas 14

Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

Fox Sports 1

Joe Davis, Brady Quinn, Kris Budden

OU by 39

 

No. 15 Michigan 35, Minnesota 20

TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Mn.

6 PM CT/7 PM ET

ESPN

Brad, Todd, Holly

Michigan by 14

 

No.17 Florida State 42, Syracuse 31

Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ABC

Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman, Todd McShay

FSU by 20

 

No. 22 Duke 45, Miami 10

Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC

6 PM CT/7 PM ET

ESPNU

Allen Bestwick, Dan Hawkins

Duke by 10

 

Texas 31, Iowa State 24

Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa

6 PM CT/7PM ET

Fox Sports 1

Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman

Texas by 6 1/2

 

Georgia Tech 42, Virginia 34

Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, Va.

2 PM CT/ 3 PM ET

ESPN3

Wes Durham, James Bates, Niki Noto

Tech by 5 1/2

 

USC 41, California 31

Memorial Stadium, Berkley, California

2 PM CT/3 PM ET

FOX

Gus, Joel, Roddy Jones

USC by 6

Upset Advisory

Washington 31, Arizona 28

10 PM CT/ 11 PM ET

Fox Sports 1

Jon Anik, Petros Papadakis

Zona by 4 1/2

 

Thursday Night

North Carolina 34, Pittsburgh 30

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.

6 PM CT/7 PM ET

ESPN

Adam Amin, Kelly Stoufer, Marty Smith

UNC by 3