All 14 SEC teams will be in action on Saturday with the No. 8 Auburn Tigers squaring off with the No.23 Kentucky Wildcats at 11 AM CT on the SEC Network. The No.2 Crimson Tide kicks off at 6 PM CT on ESPN @ Missouri. Missouri had 12 cases of COVID reported earlier this week, but 5 players off that list are now eligible, so they’ll be somewhat close to full strength. Some other key matchups feature No. 5 Florida @ Ole Miss at 11 AM CT on ESPN, No.4 Georgia @ Arkansas at 3 PM CT on the SEC Network, No.6 LSU hosting Mississippi State and Mike Leach at 2:30 PM CT on CBS, No.16 Tennessee @ South Carolina at 6:30 PM CT on the SEC Network, and Vanderbilt @ No. 10 Texas A&M at 6:30 PM CT on the SEC Alternate Channel, which is 611-1 on DirecTV, 820 on Charter, and 1608-1610 on AT&T U-verse. So a spectacular lineup awaits on Saturday. Some other solid games on the ledger starting tonight that I’ll discern below. Here’s a look at this week’s contests and which teams I see prevailing.

Last week: 10-4

Overall: 26-10, 72%

No.2 Alabama @ Missouri

Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

6 PM CT

ESPN

Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Todd McShay, Allison Williams

Bama by 27

Missouri has had to deal with Covid, but seem to be in pretty good shape heading into the game Saturday Night. However, they’re facing another juggernaut out of Tuscaloosa. Mac Jones takes over under center full time for the Crimson Tide and I highly anticipate a very successful season for the offense with Jones calling the signals. Jones completed 97 of 141 passes last season in the last 4 games, 69% for 1,503 yards, 14 TDs against 3 ints. He looked like a very good quarterback to me closing out the season. In the Citrus Bowl victory over Michigan, 35-16, Jones was 16 of 25 for 327 yards, 3 TDs and 0 ints. He was phenomenal. I see that carrying over to 2020. Najee Harris was tremendous last season rushing for 1,224 yards, 13 TDs and catching 27 passes for 304 yards and 7 TDs. He’s got power and speed and tremendous pass catching ability. Najee is an early Heisman Trophy favorite, one of them. Then on the perimeter, DeVonta Smith, 68 receptions for 1,256 yards and 14 TDs, and the dynamic Jaylen Waddle, 33-560, 6 TDs are stellar. In the return game, Waddle averaged 24 yards per punt return with a TD, and he averaged 35 yards in kickoff returns with a 7. It’s hard to forget his performance against the Auburn Tigers in which he caught 3 TD passes and took a kick back to the house 98 yards in an amazing game that the Tigers pulled out, 48-45. Wow, that game always delivers. John Metchie looks like a receiver who can take the next step this season and become another option in the passing attack. On the offensive front, the great Alex Leatherwood, one of my favorite names in football, returns for his senior season at left tackle. Leatherwood is 6’6”312. He was voted along with Najee, DeVonta and Waddle as a first team All-SEC pick by the SEC Sportswriters. Beside him on the front wall are left guard Deonte Brown, 6’4”, 350, that’s a Mack Truck coming at you, center Landon Dickerson, another All-SEC first teamer. Dickerson is 6’6”, 325. Right guard is Emil Ekiyor Jr., 6’3” 324, and at right tackle is 6’7” pound Evan Neal. Quite a Sherman Tank Infantry for the Tide up front. The depth looks solid.

On defense, first team All-SEC linebacker Dylan Moses returns from injury and the Crimson Tide is ecstatic to have him back. Defensive end LeBryan Ray is an SEC first teamer as is cornerback Patrick Surtain II. These guys are all All-American candidates as well. The secondary has some new faces with Josh Jobe at the other corner position, Daniel Wright at free safety, and Jordan Battle at strong safety along with Malachi Moore at the Star position, the fifth defensive back. Christian Harris is back for his sophomore season at outside backer, and he’s expected to do big things this season for S and defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who hopes to have a healthy defense this season so he can prove himself to be worthy of a defensive coordinator job at Alabama. D.J. Dale is back at defensive tackle at 6’3”, 307. Christian Barmore is a little banged up and is doubtful for the game.

But the team is loaded and looks phenomenal. 11-2 is a super season for a lot of teams, but with the bar so high in Tuscaloosa, the coaches, players and fans consider that unacceptable, which is unusual to say the least. But this team had taken annual trips to the Playoff, so it was a surprise they didn’t make it in 2019. A lot of injuries on defense led to some not so typical defense from the Crimson Tide. But there is a lot of outstanding talent returning and the team will most likely be on a mission to redeem themselves. Larry Roundtree III is a solid running back for Missouri as he gained 829 yards and scored 9 TDs last season. Shawn Robinson transferred from TCU and will be the signal caller for the Tigers. He’s a talented dual threat QB. I still think it’s going to be difficult for the Tigers to score points. Eli Drinkwitz came over from App State to try to turn the program around. He could. He’s a very promising 37 year old coach. But it’s going to be tough against this football juggernaut that will settle for nothing less than winning it all this season. Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Ohio State and maybe Oklahoma and Texas will have something to say about it. Auburn has a very good team, and so does Texas A&M. Tennessee has had a resurgence under Jeremy Pruitt. Penn State should be a good team in the Big Ten when they start back playing October 24th. So plenty of time to decide that. For the Tide, it’s take care of business in Columbia as their first priority.

Alabama 42, Missouri 14

No. 23 Kentucky @ No. 8 Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium

11 AM CT

SEC Network

Tom Hart, JRodg, Cole

Tigers by 7

I see this as a tough game for the Tigers. Bo Nix should be an even better quarterback his sophomore season, but Kentucky has a pretty solid defense. I’m looking forward to seeing the skilled players the Tigers put on the field in receivers Seth Williams, Anthony Schwartz, and Eli Stove and running backs D.J. Williams, Shaun Shivers, along with high 4 star true freshman Tank Bigsby, another all world name, and redshirt freshman Mark-Anthony Richards, who also is a highly promising back. The offensive line is new but I’ve heard good things about O line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. and the size is 315, 324, 299, 325 and 330, so good size. Center Nick Brahms is a little smaller at 299. Defense should be strong under Kevin Steele once again. BIg Kat Bryant is poised for a big year at defensive end. KJ Britt and Owen Pappoe return at linebacker, while Christian Tutt will lead the secondary at the Star position. Another classic name is Smoke Monday, a safety for the Tigers. Very good player too. I like this Tigers team. These all SEC schedules are brutal and Auburn has a tough one as usual. Kentucky returns an excellent offensive line with 321, 300, 292, 300 and 345 across the front. Terry Wilson could be good, that’s to be determined. Saturday is a good litmus test on how Wilson will fare under center this season. He was out all last season with a knee injury, so we’ll see how he performs this season starting Saturday against a tough defense. Asim Rose rushed for 826 yards and 6 TDs last season and Kavosley Smoke rushed for 616 yards and 6 TDs. Both are back. Mark Stoops always has good defenses.

So I see this as a challenging first game for the Tigers. I like them to prevail, but I see this close for most of the game. But all you have to do this season is survive a conference game and advance.

Auburn 28, Kentucky 20

Mississippi State @ No.6 LSU

Tiguh Stadium, Baton Rouge

2:30 PM CT

CBS

Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, Jamie Ehrdahl

LSU by 16 1/2

Wow, O lost a lot off of last year’s team in an epic National Championship season in Baton Rouge. Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow is the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Myles Brennan takes over under center. I like Brennan, I see him as having a successful season, While the Tigers lost a lot, the cupboard isn’t bare. O has recruited phenomenally well. He lost both his defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda, who took the head job at Baylor, and his offensive guru, Joe Brady, who took over as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers under former Baylor coach Matt Rhule. But O hired some good coaches to replace them and brought in another young stud to help “Steve Enminger.” Russ Calloway will be an offensive analyst and O expects him to help Ensminger create another explosive offense.Calloway, former Alabama assistant and UAB head coach Neil Calloway’s son, has done good things at Samford. O expects nothing less from the 32 year old down on his Bayou. Mississippi State has the interesting, to say the least, Mike Leach as its head coach now. Leach and Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss make the SEC that much more interesting. Not only are they good coaches, they are greatt personalities. Leach will have dynamic offenses. I like the Bengal Tigers in Death Valley, but I like it close for a while.

LSU 34, Mississippi State 24

No.4 Georgia @ Arkansas

Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR.

3 PM CT

SEC Network

Dave Neal, D. J. Shockley, Tera Talmadge

Dawgs by 28

The interesting thing for Georgia is who will be at quarterback, USC transfer JT Daniels or redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis. They should both play most likely until Kirby Smart can figure out who his number one guy is. He’ll need to figure it out pretty quickly as the Auburn Tigers come to Sanford Stadium next Saturday, October 3rd. I see Georgia handling Arkansas pretty easily as Coach Sam Pittman, the former Georgia offensive line coach, is having to recuperate a dysfunctional program from the last several years.

Georgia 45, Arkansas 14

No.5 Florida @ Ole Miss

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford

11 AM CT

ESPN

Tess, Greg, Marty Smith

Gatuhs by 13 1/2

Kyle Trask was selected first team All-SEC. He should have a terrific season if he stays upright and healthy. The Gators are expecting a big season in year 3 under Dan Mullen with high hopes to win the SEC East and make it to the playoff. They’ve got to get by Georgia again, and Tennessee is no slouch this season, but the material is there. Lane Kiffin will give Ole Miss fans an exciting brand of football. He’s the other part of the dynamic duo in the state of Mississippi. I like Florida to win, but I like it closer than anticipated. John Rhys-Plumlee is a spectacular talent at quarterback for the Rebels, but I’m hearing that Matt Corrall could get the start instead. That’s not confirmed though..

Florida 38, Ole Miss 27

No. 16 Tennessee @ South Carolina

Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia

6:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Taylor Zarzour, Stinch, Alyssa Lang

UT by 3 1/2

I like a close game here, but believe in Jeremy Pruitt and what he’s doing in Knoxville. The Vols go to Columbia and snag a road victory.

Tennessee 28, South Carolina 24

Vanderbilt @ No.10 A&M

Kyle Field, College Station

6:30 PM CT

SEC Alternate Network

Mike Morgan, Andre Ware, Taylor Davis

A&M by 31

This should be called the “Opt Out Game.” Vanderbilt lost 4 offensive linemen who decided not to play this season along with a kicker. A&M lost 4 or 5 players including their best wide receiver and their best defensive player. I think Kellen Mond will be pretty good, not entirely sold on him. The Commodores return 10 of 11 starters on defense. True freshman Ken Seals will be the starting quarterback for the Dores. The offensive line is better than it looked a month ago, but there is some youth there. I like the Commodores to do better than expected and their defense to keep’em in it for a while.

A&M 34, Vanderbilt 14

Other games

No.3 Oklahoma 45, Kansas State 21

11 AM CT

FOX

OU by 27 1/2

Spencer Rattler looks like a good replacement for Jalen Hurts, but the defense has got to prove they can be an equal to the great teams if OU wants to win it all one year. That’s always the question in Norman.

No. 8 Texas 38, Texas Tech 17

2:30 PM CT

FOX

Texas by 17 1/2

Texas wants to prove they can defeat OU and win the Big 12 and be a playoff team. They have their work cut out for them, but quarterback Sam Ehlinger gives them a lot to be optimistic about in Austin.

Tonight

UAB (1-1) @ South Alabama (1-1)

Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile

6:30 PM CT

ESPN

Matt Barrie, Mike Golic Jr. Lauren Sisler

UAB by 7

I like a close game here. Both teams are starting new quarterbacks tonight as UAB’s Tyler Johnston III is hurt and South wants to shake it up a little. I’ll take the Blazers in a battle.

UAB 24, South Alabama 21

Saturday

No. 14 Cincinnati 38, No. 22 Army 20

Nippert Stadium, Queen City

2:30 PM CT

ESPN

Cincy by 13 1/2

Army’s got a really good team but this is a tall order on the road.

No.18 BYU 45, Troy 17

LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah

9:15 PM CT

ESPN

BYU by 14

BYU looked like a top 10 team in dismantling Navy on Labor Day Night. They’re for real.

West Virginia 33, Oklahoma State 30

Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK.

2:30 PM CT

ABC

OK State by 7

I’ll take Coach Neal Brown, in his second season after a highly successful stint at Troy, and the Mountaineers to pull off the upset.

No.13 UCF 45, East Carolina 17

Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, N.C.

11 AM CT

ESPN+

UCF by 27

I like UCF to roll in and out of Greenville, North Carolina with a convincing victory after their impressive victory last Saturday at Georgia Tech.

No. 12 Miami 41, Florida State 20

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

6:30 PM CT

ABC

Chris, Kirk, Molly McGrath

Miami by 11

Like quarterback D’Eriq King to keep the Hurricanes’ train cookin. They can play offense with anybody with King under center. Just an explosive playmaker.

TCU 33, Iowa State 30

Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX

12:30 PM CT

FOX Sports 1

Iowa State by 2 1/2

Give me the Frogs in a slight upset.

No. 19 Louisiana 34, Georgia Southern 20

Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA.

11 AM CT

ESPN2

Ragin Cajuns by 11 1/2

I’m bullish on the Ragin Cajuns.

No. 24 Louisville 27, Pittsburgh 24

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

11 AM CT

ACC Network, 612 on DirecTV 336 on Charter

Pitt by 3

I’ll take the Cardinals in an upset on the road.

N.C. State 34, Virginia Tech 31

Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA.

7 PM CT

ACC Network

VA Tech by 7

I like the Wolfpack to go to Blacksburg and come out with an upset victory.

Virginia 27, Duke 24

Scott Stadium, C-VILLE

3 PM CT

ACC Network

UVA by 5

Like the Hoos to finally play their first game and earn a hard fought victory over the Blue Devils. Virginia looks very promising under Coach Bronco Mendenhall after playing in the Orange Bowl last season and making Florida work for a victory, as they just fell short, 36-28. Virginia is trending well.

Syracuse 31, Georgia Tech 28

Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.

11 AM CT

ESPN3

Tech by 8

Give me the ‘Cuse in an upset at home.

Baylor 31, Kansas 24

McLane Stadium, Waco, TX

6:30 PM CT

ESPNU

Bears by 17 1/2

I’ll take Baylor, but I like Les and his Jayhawks to keep it close.

***Some more good news to report***

From a report by ESPN reporters Heather Dinich and Kyle Bonagura, the PAC-12 has announced that it will commence a 7 game conference schedule beginning Friday, November 6th. The PAC-12 Championship game will take place on Friday, December 18th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, which has a capacity of 65,000, but it will be interesting to see if there are some fans at the game or any for that matter.

Nonetheless, more excellent news for college football. More teams competing for bowl games, elite bowl games, and the College Football Playoff.