Alabama and Auburn both had excellent opening weekend victories. The Crimson Tide looks like a juggernaut again. Auburn, if they can play better on offense, could be one as well. I liked what I saw from Georgia. They look elite. Ole Miss over Texas Tech and LSU over Miami were key SEC victories. The conference finished 13-1 last weekend, quite a record. I believe in the teams in this conference this season. Alabama and Georgia look like the best, Auburn is close, LSU has a quarterback who is better than what they’ve had recently and they have talent all over the field, and South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi State and A&M look ready to step it up a level this year and challenge in the conference and on the national radar. There are some major matchups in the SEC this week and a couple of interesting SEC, non-conference matchups. Nationally, there are several interesting games that will have an impact on the season this week. Here’s a look at this week’s slate.

Last week: 29-6 (83%)

All games Saturday unless otherwise noted

Arkansas State @ No.1 Alabama

2:30 PM CT

ESPN 2

Bama by 36 1/2

The Crimson Tide looked stellar once again against Louisville. Tua clearly asserted himself as the guy this season under center. He was terrific. The Crimson Tide was clicking in all facets of the game. Josh Jacobs returned a kickoff 77 yards for a TD, Tua threw for 2 TDs completing 12-of-16 passes for 227 yards, Jerry Jeudy caught 4 passes for 62 yards and a pair of TDs, DeVonta Smith pulled in 4 passes for 99 yards and freshman Jaylen Waddle caught 3 passes for 66 yards and returned a punt for a TD that was called back by a penatly. The secondary, which looked to be a concern before the season started, acquitted itself very well. Delonte Thompson notched an interception in the end zone, and  Shyheim Carter posted a 45 yard interception return for a TD. Arkansas State has been pretty good in the past. But with Tua calling the shots, I like the Tide to dominate here.

Alabama 49, Arkansas State 3

 

Alabama State at No. 7 Auburn

6:30 PM CT

SEC Alternate Network, Watch ESPN app

No Line

The Tigers, after winning a key matchup against Washington last week, 21-16, are in no danger here. Auburn prepares for a major test next Saturday against LSU at Jordan Hare at 2:30 PM CT on CBS, by getting good reps against the Hornets. 

Auburn 59, Alabama State 0

 

No. 3 Georgia @ No.24 South Carolina

2:30 PM CT

CBS 

Dawgs by 10

South Carolina is close to being an elite team in the SEC East. But they’re playing an already elite team. Like them Dawgs to prevail in Columbia. Kirby Smart has another terrific team. I look for a really competitive, exciting game though.

Georgia 31, South Carolina 27

 

No.2 Clemson @ Texas A&M

6 PM CT

ESPN

Clemson by 12

A&M looked good last Thursday Night vs Northwestern State, winning 59-7. But this is Clemson. 

Clemson 42, A&M 28

 

Kentucky @ No. 25 Florida

6:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Gators by 14

Dan Mullen has already instilled a positive culture into the Gators’ program. They look pretty good this season. I’m not sure if they’re on Georgia’s caliber, but them and South Carolina could be. The Gators have defeated the Wildcats for 31 years in a row. Make it 32, resoundingly.

Florida 45, Kentucky 24

 

No. 18 Mississippi State at Kansas State

11 AM CT

ESPN

State by 9

Nick Fitzgerald is back under center this week after serving a 1 game suspension last week for some indiscretion in the spring.  State looks talented and strong in the trenches. Like the Bullies to roll in the Little Apple, Manhattan, KS.

State 38, Kansas State 28

 

Southeastern Louisiana @ No.11 LSU

6 PM CT

ESPN2 

No Line

After an impressive victory over Miami last Sunday Night, the Bengal Tigers get a break this weekend. Ohio State transfer quarterback Joe Burrow looks to have potential. If LSU can get good quarterback play out of Burrow, they’ve got a shot to be pretty successful this season. Big game on the Plains next Saturday.

LSU 49, SELA 3

 

Wyoming @ Missouri

6 PM CT

ESPNU

Mizzou by 18 1/2

 

These Tigers look highly potent offensively with quarterback Drew Lock having a lot of weapons along with an excellent running game. Defense will be the key to Missouri’s success this season as they’ll be able to put points on the board.

Missouri 45, Wyoming 28

 

Arkansas @ Colorado State

6:30 PM CT

CBS Sports Network

Hogs by 13 1/2

The Hogs looked strong on offense last week in defeating Eastern Illinois, 55-20. Quarterback Ty Story was 12 of 17 for 261 yards and 3 TDs coming in for starter Cole Kelly. It looks like it’s Story’s job now, and he looks up to the task. Chad Morris has already instilled enthusiasm and passion back into his football program.

Arkansas 42, Colorado State 31

 

Southern Illinois @ Ole Miss

3 PM CT

SEC Network

No LIne

After an impressive 47-37 victory over Texas Tech last week, the Ole Miss offense looks poised to be spectacular most of the time this season. Running back Scottie Phillips ran for 204 yards and 2 TDs, and quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completed 22 of 32 passes for 336 yards, 2 TDs and 0 interceptions. Wide receivers DeMarkus Lodge ( 6, 96 yards), the great A.J. Brown (7-93, 1 TD) and D.K. Metcalf (4-81, 1 TD) look like a force on the perimeter. Ole MIss keeps the momentum going and then awaits a visit from the Crimson Tide next Saturday Night at 6 CT on ESPN.

Ole Miss 52, Southern Illinois 3

Nevada @ Vanderbilt

11 AM CT

SEC Network

Vandy by 9 1/2

The Wolf Pack, which dropped 72 on Portland State last week winning 72- 19, will challenge the Commodores, which posted an impressive 35-7 victory over Middle Tennessee last Saturday Night. I’ll take the Commodores, but they’ll be challenged. 

Vandy 41, Nevada 34

 

East Tennessee @ Tennessee

3 PM CT

SEC Alternate Network, Watch ESPN

No Line

Jeremy Pruitt may have a tough time of it this year as he’s trying to establish a winning culture in Knoxville but was left with a disaster by Butch Jones. The Vols got blasted by No.14 West Virginia last Saturday, 40-14, so Pruitt has his work cut out this season. This Saturday should help the cause some.

UT 45, East Tennessee State 10

 

National Games

Stanford 28, USC 24

7:30 PM CT

FOX

Should be a heckuva game in the PAC 12. Bryce Love, after having a tough game last Friday Night in a victory over San Diego State, gets going against the Trojans and pushes the Cardinal over the top. 

 

No. 15 Michigan State 35, Arizona State 31

9:45 PM CT

ESPN

The Spartans survive in Tempe.

 

No.6 Oklahoma 49, UCLA 21

12 PM CT

FOX

The Sooners look stellar on offense once again this season. Kyler Murray didn’t miss a beat at quarterback. Defense will be the key to the Sonners’ ultimate success this season. If they want to be in the playoff, they’ll have to be good on defense. 

 

Duke 34, Northwestern 31

11 AM 

ESPNU

I like David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils to pull off the upset in Evanston, Ill. in a super ACC-Big Ten showdown. 

 

No. 13 Penn State 38, Pittsburgh 31

7 PM CT

ABC

James Franklin’s team got a major scare from Appalachian State last Saturday, winning 45-38 in overtime in Happy Valley. I expect them to get another scare from Pitt this week, but I see Trace McSorley and the Nittany Lions prevailing.

 

No.4 Ohio State 48, Rutgers 24

2:30 PM CT

Big Ten Network

The Buckeyes are another team that looks stellar on offense, so their defense will determine what kind of success they have this season. Loaded with talent, defense will determine their postseason hopes. 

 

Friday

No. 16 TCU 52, SMU 17

My daughter is a freshman at TCU so she’s pumped up for Friday Night. I’m bullish on the Horned Frogs. They have a shot to win the Big 12 and be a darkhorse for the playoff.

 

BYU 35, CAL 31

9:15 PM CT

ESPN 2

I like the way BYU went into Tuscon and upset Arizona last Saturday Night. I like’em at home this Saturday Night.

 

UAB 45, Coastal Carolina 27

6 PM CT

ESPN+

The Blazers go into Coastal and keep their momentum going. A. J. Erdely is an excellent quarterback.

 

Colorado 42, Nebraska 38

2:30 PM CT

ABC

I like an upset here in Lincoln. See the Buffaloes going into Lincoln and winning for the PAC-12.

 

Houston 42, Arizona 38

11 AM CT

ESPN2

I see the Cougars barely getting over the top against the Wildcats. Kevin Sumlin gets close this Saturday but just misses out to stellar defensive tackle Ed Oliver and the Cougs. The Cougars defense will give up points to the Zona offense, but Oliver will make some game changing plays to assure the victory.  

 

NFL predictions

Week 1 in the National Football League opens up tonight on NBC at 7:20 PM CT with the Falcons heading into Philadelphia for a Thursday Night matchup against the defending Super Bowl champions. I’ll take the Falcons, 35-31.

NFC Championship Game

I like the Saints a lot. I see Drew Brees having an excellent season and moving his team on to Atlanta for Super Bowl 53.

Saints 35, Falcons 31

 

AFC Championship

How do you ever go against Tom Brady and the Patriots. It’s almost impossible if he’s playing. 

Patriots 34, Ravens 28

 

Super Bowl LIII

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Sunday, February 3rd, 5:30 PM CT kickoff

CBS

Atlanta, GA.

I’m going to take a shot with Drew Brees and the Saints over Brady and the Pats this season. It’s tough to pick against Brady and Belichick, but I see the Saints having the team to win it all this season.

Saints 38, Patriots 35

 

Saints Super Bowl Champions