The biggest news from last weekend was the Crimson Tide losing their superb playmaker Jaylen Waddle for the season due to an ankle injury. It’s not totally catastrophic, but it hurts. Waddle is the most explosive, exciting and game-changing player in college football, so that’s a blow. It would be devastating for most teams, but Alabama has good depth even though there’s nobody like Waddle. He’s an unusually exceptional talent. But they have to move on without him. Devonta Smith and John Metchie are even more crucial to their team’s success as is Najee Harris. Slade Bolden looks like a pretty good player, not Waddle, but pretty solid. There are some younger guys who can help. The No.2 Crimson Tide is still a major contender to win it all along with Clemson and Ohio State as the three leaders in the clubhouse, but it’s going to be a little harder. They’ll see how they fare without Waddle Saturday with a 6 PM game versus Mississippi State at Bryant-Denny.

The Auburn Tigers are in a tremendously important tilt for their chances to have a solid season, go to a very good bowl game and even have a shot at getting back in the SEC West race, if that’s possible. They’ll host the Bengal Tigers of LSU, which are coming off a 52-24 blasting of South Carolina, which defeated Auburn in Columbia the Saturday before, 30-22. Freshman TJ Finley stepped in for the injured Myles Brennan and played well at quarterback for O and the Tiguhs. So the Auburn defense, which isn’t as prolific as usual, will be tested. LSU is playing running back by committee and they have good talent there. Terrance Marshall is a spectacular wide receiver. Their defense played better last Saturday as well.

A key national game features Ohio State @ Penn State. We’ll take a look at Bama, Auburn, the other SEC games on the slate and key national tilts.

Last Week: 17-5

Overall: 89-45, 66%

LSU (2-2) @ Auburn (3-2)

Jordan-Hare Stadium

2:30 PM CT

CBS

Brad, Gary, Jamie

LSU by 3

Auburn has playmakers in Tank Bigsby, Seth Williams, Anthony Schwartz and Shaun Shivers is a pretty tough and explosive running back. Bo Nix played very well last Saturday at Ole Miss. Auburn was fortunate the refs missed the Shivers touch of the kickoff that, if Ole Miss had recovered, would have sealed the victory for the Rebels. But Auburn got a lifeline and prevailed, 35-28. Auburn looks like they’re getting better and any game at Jordan-Hare is a big advantage for the home team. But I like the Bengal Tigers and their freshman quarterback Finley, along with a pass rush that sacked South Carolina 5 times last Saturday, to get to Nix and have him scrambling around. I’ll take the Tiguhs in a close one.

LSU 31, Auburn 27

Mississippi State (1-3) @ No. 2 Alabama (5-0)

Bryant-Denny Stadium

6 PM CT

ESPN

Sean, Todd, McShay, Molly

Bama by 30 1/2

The Crimson Tide still has a very fine team, and the defense is starting to pick it up. The offense may not be as prolific this Saturday, but the defense will do their part. Mac Jones, who’s undervalued nationally and is one heckuva QB, and his playmakers will be fine in this game. State does have a pretty decent defense, but not a enough to hold this arsenal down

Alabama 38, Mississippi State 10

No.5 Georgia (3-1) @Kentucky (2-3)

Kroger Field, Lexington

11 AM CT

SEC Network

Tom, JRodg, Cole

Dawgs by 16 1/2

Kentucky, like every other SEC team, has good talent. Even Vanderbilt has talent. But I like them Dawgs to do well, and get some momentum heading into the Cocktail Outing next Saturday against Florida.

Georgia 35, Kentucky 10

Arkansas (2-2) @ No. 8 Texas A&M (3-1)

Kyle Field, College Station, TX.

6:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Taylor Zarzour, Stinch, Lauren Sisler

A&M by 12 1/2

Arkansas is an awesome story. Sam Pittman, the former Georgia offensive line coach, has changed the culture in Fayetteville. Except for a robbery call at Auburn, that would have been a W if it had gone their way, the Hogs would be 3-1. A&M is getting it together and quarterback Kellen Mond is playing good football. I still like it pretty close. Arkansas plays some pretty solid defense.

A&M 30, Arkansas 24

Missouri (2-2) @ No.10 Florida (3-1)

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL.

6:30 PM CT

SEC Alternate Network, 611-1 on Directv, 820 on Charter Spectrum

Mike Morgan, Hutson Mason, Taylor Davis

Gators by 13

It seems like a year since Florida lost to A&M in what looked like a Covid Super Spreader in College Station as the stadium that seats 106,000, looked about 80% full. Consequentially, a lot of Gators contracted the virus. But they’re back and play a surprisingly good Missouri team with victories over LSU and Kentucky at home. Eli Drinkwitz is another coach that is changing the culture, his in Columbia. I do like the Gators to prevail, but it will be close for a good while in the Swamp.

Florida 34, Missouri 24

Ole Miss (1-4) @ Vanderbilt (0-3)

Vanderbilt Stadium

3 PM CT

SEC Network

Dave Neal, DJ Shockley, Dawn Davenport

Ole Miss by 16 1/2

The Commodores have had problems with Covid and are playing for the first time in a couple of weeks. I like Kiff and the Rebs to take care of business in Nashville.

Ole Miss 42, Vanderbilt 14

Off, South Carolina and Tennessee

Boston College (4-2) @ No.1 Clemson (6-0)

Memorial Stadium, Clemson

11 AM CT

ABC

Tess, Gregory, Holly

Clemson by 31

Clemson showed last Saturday against Syracuse that they’re not perfect. BC is a pretty solid team. I like Clemson, but they’ll need to play better going forward if they want to win it all.

Clemson 45, Boston College 10

No.3 Ohio State (1-0) @ No.18 Penn State (0-1)

Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA.

6:30 PM CT

ABC

Chris, Kirk, Maria

Ohio State by 12

I like quarterback Justin Fields and the Buckeyes to play well in Happy Valley. He’s phenomenal.

Ohio State 38, Penn State 24

Texas (3-2) @ No.6 Oklahoma State (4-0)

Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK.

3 PM CT

FOX

Joe Davis, Mark Helfrich

OK State by 3 1/2

I like Sam Ehlinger and the Texas offense to keep this very close with OK State just surviving.

OK State 35, Texas 34

More College Football Predictions

No. 24 Oklahoma 48, Texas Tech 30

Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX.

7 PM CT

FOX

Timmy B, Spencer

OU by 14

Like the way the Sooners are trending. Lincoln Riley really likes his team and his redshirt freshman quarterback, Spencer Rattler. I agree with him.

No.4 Notre Dame 42, Georgia Tech 21

Bobby Dodd Stadium, ATL

2:30 PM CT

ABC

Dave Pasch, Mike Golic Sr. Marty

Fighting Irish by 20

I want to see more from this Notre Dame team as I’m not a believer yet. I’ve never been sold on Brian Kelly as a coach. But I’ll take’em here.

No.7 Cincinnati 31, Memphis 14

Nippert Stadium, Cincy

11 AM CT

ESPN

Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek, Carc

Cincy by 6 1/2

After the Bearcats blasted SMU on the road last Saturday Night, 42-13, I’m a believer. This team plays excellent defense, and is pretty athletic and explosive on offense. New Year’s Six team for sure. I don’t see them as prolific enough to make the playoff, but we’ll see. Not out of the question.

No. 13 Michigan 42, Michigan State 16

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

11 AM CT

FOX

Gus, Joel, Jenny

Michigan by 24

This is a rivalry, but Michigan looks outstanding and “Sparty” lost to Rutgers last Saturday. Not disrespecting Rutgers, just impressed with the Wolverines after they blasted Minnesota on the road last Saturday Night, 49-24.

No.16 Kansas State 34, West Virginia 31

11 AM CT

ESPN2

West VA by 3 1/2

I like this Wildcats team. Taking them in the upset on the road in a tough place to win. They’ve already won at Oklahoma coming back from 21 down in the 4th quarter, so I see them pulling it off in Morgantown.

No.15 North Carolina 31, Virginia 23

7 PM CT

ACC Network

UNC by 7

Starting to believe in Mack Brown and his Heels.

No. 20 Coastal Carolina 21, Georgia State 17

11 AM CT

ESPNU

Coastal by 2 1/2

Like the Chants to survive and advance in the New Year’s Six sweepstakes.

No.22 SMU 38, Navy 35

6:30 PM CT

ESPN2

Ponies by 13 1/2

Like the Ponies to really get tested by the Midshipmen, but to barely squeak by.

No.11 BYU 52, Western Kentucky 10

9:15 PM CT

ESPN

BYU by 29

While quarterback Zach Wilson and the Cougars haven’t played the most prolific schedule, I’m still a believer in him and his team. He’s sensational.

No.25 Boise State 42, Air Force 27

5 PM CT

CBS Sports Network

Broncos by 14

Always like Boise State. Maybe not quite as much as when Chris Peterson was there, but Bryan Harson has another solid team that can make noise nationally.

No. 23 Iowa State 45, Kansas 14

11 AM CT

Fox Sports 1

Cyclones by 28 1/2

The Cyclones handle business on the road and stay in the hunt for a very good bowl game and maybe even an outside shot at playing in the Big 12 Championship though they’ll need some help.

No. 17 Indiana 31, Rutgers 27

2:30 PM CT

Big Ten Network

IU by 11 1/2

The Hoosiers have a fan base excited after upsetting Penn State at home last Saturday in the game of the weekend, 36-35 in overtime. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is stellar. I do see the Scarlet Knights giving them a tussle. Greg Schiano made Rutgers highly relevant in his first stint there. He’s going to do it again.

TCU 34, Baylor 30

2:30 PM CT

ESPN2

TCU by 2 1/2

The Frogs make my daughter happy this Saturday.

Northwestern 31, Iowa 28

2:30 PM CT

ESPN

Iowa by 2 1/2

The Wildcats get a huge upset victory in Iowa City.

Louisiana 45, Texas State 27

7 PM CT

ESPNU

Louisiana by 17

Billy Napier and his Ragin’ Cajuns keep building an impressive resume after their tremendous road victory at UAB last Friday Night.

Tonight in the National Football League

Carolina 27, Atlanta 24

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte

7:20 PM CT

FOX/NFL Network

Joe, Troy, Erin, Kristina Pink

Y-ello, Shawn Hochuli

Panthers by 2 1/2

The offseason can’t come soon enough for the Falcons. With the talent they have on offense, it’s inexplicable they’re 1-6. It’s been gag coaching all season. When you have Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Todd Gurley and another stellar receiver in Russell Gage, there’s no excuse for this record. Carolina evens their record at 4-4. They’re solid. Teddy Bridgewater is doing an excellent job under center for the Panthers.

Sunday, Rest of NFL Predictions