Week 7 was terrific for football fans, but bmaybe not so much for Alabama fans. But if you didn’t have a stake in the Crimson Tide, that was one phenomenal football game in Knoxvegas. Hendon Hooker (21/30, 385 yards, 5 TDs/1 int), Bryce Young (35/52, 455 yards, 2 TDs/0 ints), Vols WR Jalin Hyatt (6 recepts/ 207 yards, 5 TDs!) and Bama running back Jahmyr Gibbs (24-103, 3 TDs) put on electric performances on the third Saturday in October before a berserk Neyland Stadium crowd.

I posed this question in a column 8 or so years ago, when I wrote, “In college football, does defense still win championships?” I wasn’t sure then, but I’m convinced now. Defense can create game changing turnovers, pick 6’s, scoops and scores, 4th and 1 stops, all good. But offense won that game last Saturday. In another electric, stellar game, TCU came back from a 14 point 4th quarter deficit and defeated then No.7 OK State in 2 OTs. Utah defeated No.6 USC Saturday Night with a TD and a 2 point conversion that was all about quarterback Cam Rising making the key play when it counted when he ran it in for the game winning two point conversion. Defense had nothing to do with those victories. I still respect the value of defense. But when even Nick Saban decides in 2018 he needs to spread out his offense and has record setting quarterbacks in Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and now Bryce Young, offense is the key to winning these days, most of the time. Defenses throughout the country still have elite, game changing players, but offense is now more important in winning football games.

Auburn showed some competitiveness last Saturday coming back from a big deficit to lose 48-34 to No.7 Ole Miss on the road. They showed some life and maybe there’s a little more hope for their football team. Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter are certainly talented running backs and Robbie Ashford did some really good things against Ole Miss. The Tigers are off this Saturday before hosting Arkansas a week from Saturday, 10/29, at 11 AM CT on the SEC Network. I haven’t been a huge fan of Bryan Harsin on this blog recently, but he was dealt a bad hand when the Auburn brass spread malicious and false gossip about him. He’s had to totally rebuild this program. At least Auburn hasn’t fired him yet. He needs to pull off a miraculous finish to save his job. It’ll be tough, but last Saturday the Tigers showed a lot of improvement with potential for better things ahead. Would like to see what transpires these remaining 5 games before passing complete judgment on Harsin and the program. There is hope.

There is a stellar slate of games once again this week. College football keeps delivering and gets better and better as it progresses in October and heads into November. Once we leave the politics aside, the games are spectacular. Here’s a look at this week’s slate.

Record

Last Week

Straight Up, 10-8, Overall, 95-27, 78%

ATS, 8-10, 66-55, 55%

No.24 Miss State (5-2, 2-2) @ No. 6 Alabama (6-1, 3-1)

Bryant-Denny Stadium

6 PM CT

ESPN

Chris, Kirk, Holly

Bama by 21

Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide are far from dead in the water. They still control their own destiny. They have obstacles ahead though. At LSU, 11/5, and @Ole Miss, 11/12 being two of those obstacles. Auburn is never an easy game. This Mississippi State team had me believing for a while, but last Saturday at Kentucky, they looked pretty pedestrian. Will Rogers can be good sometimes, but when he goes against elite competition, he can fall apart. I like Alabama to win comfortably at home. Jaymyr Gibbs has rushed for 635 yards on 88 carries, 7.2 yards per pop, with 5 TDs. He’s caught 27 passes for 268 yards and 3 more TDs.

Alabama 45, Mississippi State 21

UT Martin (4-2) @ No. 3 Tennessee (6-0)

Neyland Stadium

11 AM CT

SEC Network

Taylor, Matt, Alyssa

UT by 38

The Vols are riding high. They need to keep their emotions under control because there are a lot of big games left, and they’ve got a long way to go if they want to reach the SEC Championship Game. They can do it. But next Saturday, 10/29, is Kentucky at home and then the following Saturday, 11/5, they’re @ Georgia. It’s doable if they stay humble and hungry.

Tennessee 49, UT Martin 3

No.7 Ole Miss (7-0, 3-0) @ LSU (5-2, 3-1)

Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge

2:30 PM CT

CBS

Brad, Gary, Jenny

LSU by 2 1/2

LSU was really impressive last Saturday in defeating Florida on the road, 45-35. But I still like Lane and his Rebels to come out of Baton Rouge victorious.

Ole Miss 41, LSU 38

Texas A&M (3-3, 1-2) @South Carolina (4-2, 1-2)

Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia

6:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Tom, JRodg, Cole

A&M by 3

I don’t know what people are seeing in A&M. Give me the upset for the Gamecocks at home.

Gamecocks 21, Aggies 17

Vanderbilt (3-4, 0-3) @ Missouri (2-4, 0-3)

Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field, Columbia, MO.

3 PM CT

SEC Network

Dave, Deuce, Andraya

Mizzou by 14

I like the Dores to keep it competitive, but Clark Lea needs to keep it down low cuz with his arrogant comments and just put his head down and keep working. He’s got a long way to go. He just needs to try and get to a bowl game for right now. I don’t know if he’ll be able to do that this year, looks unlikely unless he can pull off some upsets in the SEC. But he needs to by next year for sure, or his seat gets hot.

Missouri 35, Vanderbilt 28

Off this week: No. 1 Georgia, Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, No.19 Kentucky

National games/predictions

No.11 Oklahoma State 38, No.20 Texas 35

Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater

2:30 PM CT

ABC

Dave, Dusty, Lugues

Hook’em Horns by 6 1/2

People are writing off Oklahoma State after last Saturday’s loss to TCU, but I’m not. They’re tough at home, and they’re still high quality to me. Quarterback Spencer Sanders is banged up and questionable, but I still like the Pokes. I’m still not on the Texas bandwagon. Not on the Sarkisian bandwagon either. Give me the Cowboys. Mike Gundy is a little quirky, but I think he’s a really good football coach.

No.10 Oregon 37, No.9 UCLA 30

Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR.

2:30 PM CT

FOX

Jason, Brock, Allison

Ducks by 6

Love the Autzen Stadium home field advantage for the Ducks. Not totally on board with Chip Kelly. If he pulls this off I will be. But like Bo Nix and his Ducks here.

No.5 Clemson 31, No.14 Syracuse 24

Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C.

11 AM CT

ABC

Sean, Todd, Molly

Clemson by 13 1/2

I expect a highly competitive contest in the other Death Valley. Cuse is playing well, and I’m still trying to figure out how good Clemson really is.

No.2 Ohio State 42, Iowa 10 (yawn)

Ohio Stadium, Columbus

11 AM CT

FOX

Gus, Joel, Jenny

Ohio State by 30

When is Ohio State going to play somebody? This schedule has been a joke so far. Everybody is saying how great they are, but how do you know? Versus Notre Dame, joke, versus Arkansas State, joke, vs Toledo, are you kiddin me?, versus Wisconsin, laughable, versus Rutgers, again, laughable, @ Michigan State? Mel Tucker looks like the biggest waste of money since the New Deal, and that at least gave people some value. Nine and a half million a year for that guy? Now Ohio State plays mighty Iowa. Iowa is 3-3 against a soft schedule and listening to Coach Kirk Ferentz talk and watching his offense play is as much fun as watching paint dry. I think I’d rather see the paint roller at work.He is the most boring coach in America and his offense reflects his Sominex personality. They average 14.7 points per game, 127th out of 131 in the country. They average 117 passing yards per game, 117th. They average 82 yards rushing per game, 126th! Come on, Ryan Day, C.J. Stroud and the “awesome” Buckeyes. Play somebody and we’ll try to figure out what kind of team you have.

No. 8 TCU 31, No.17 Kansas State 24

Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth

7 PM CT

Fox Sports 1

Timmy B, Spencer

Frogs by 3 1/2

ESPN writer Dave Wilson wrote a superb story last Friday on first year TCU Coach Sonny Dykes, who’s doing a beyond stellar job in Fort Worth. In it, Wilson wrote that Dykes was introduced as coach to the TCU faithful at Dutch’s, a burger joint across the street from campus. Dutch’s is a meat museum for TCU football named after Coach Dutch Meyer, a prolific coach for the Horned Frogs way back in the day. He coached the Horned Frogs from 1934-1952 and won three national championships. Meyer had one of the best college football quotes of all time. He said to his team one time, “Fight’em until hell freezes over. Then fight’em on the ice!” Gig’em Frogs.

Friday

Western Kentucky 31, UAB 28

Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Say what? Bowling Green, Kentucky

7 PM CT

CBS Sports Network

Alex Del Barrio (Cartel guy?), Donte Whitner

Western Ky by 1 1/2

Just don’t trust UAB on the road. Lost to Liberty and Rice both on the road, their only two road games this season.

Tonight

Troy 27, South Alabama 24

Hancock Whitney Stadium, goin Mobile

6:30 CT

Duh U

Wes Duraham, Roddy Jones, Taylor Davis

South AL by 3

My wife’s brother in law played football at Troy. That’s impressive. He’s not a big guy at all, just has a lot of heart and talent. Going with his Trojans. Forty year old, first year coach Jon Sumrall, a Huntsville native who coached inside linebackers at Kentucky in 2019-20 and was co- defensive coordinator for the Wildcats in 2021 among other stops, moves his team to 6-2 and 4-1 in the Sun Belt.

Saturday

Minnesota 28, No. 16 Penn State 24

Beaver Stadium, Penn State

6:30 PM CT

ABC

Tess, Gregory, Katie

Nittany Lions by 4

James Franklin totally threw his team under the bus after he and his team got shellacked last Saturday afternoon by Michigan. He said his players aren’t big enough, they aren’t strong enough. Who recruited these guys, Jimmy Frank? Come on man! His offenses are always average and he was a long time offensive coordinator before becoming a head coach at Vanderbilt. He wins games in gimmicky ways. His team could be taking a nosedive the rest of this season and people are going to start wondering about Franklin and his ability to lead a big time program.

Liberty 42, BYU 38

Wiliams Stadium, Lynchburg, VA.

2:30 PM CT

ESPNU

Kevin Brown, Hutson Mason

BYU by 7

Hugh Freeze may be a creep, but he’s a good football coach. Give me the Flames.

No. 25 Tulane 31, Memphis 27

Yulman Stadium, New Orleans

2:30 PM CT

ESPN2

Beth Mowins, Kirk Morrison, Stormy Buonantony, that’s a spell check special

Green Wave by 7

Tulane is 6-1 and have gone to Kansas State and won, 17-10. They also posted an electrically exciting victory at Houston with their third string quarterback leading them to victory. My wife’s nephew goes to Tulane, so she and I are big fans of the Green Wave. Give me the Green Wave in a close, hard fought contest. Love what Willie Fritz and his Green Wave are doing in the Crescent City.

No. 21 Cincinnati 34, SMU 30

Gerald R. Ford Stadium (A great American), Dallas

11 AM CT

ESPN

Mark, RGIII, Quint

Cincy by 3 1/2

Tough game for the Bearcats, but they move to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the American as they try to reach a New Year’s Six Bowl.

This Third Saturday in October always pits the Crimson Tide and the Vols. It has been a lopsided matchup for the last decade and a half with the Tide on a 15 game winning streak.

But the 2022 version is setting up differently. Tennessee is one of if not the best offenses in the country, and the Crimson Tide is unclear on whether starting quarterback Bryce Young will play. Young suffered a sprained right shoulder in the Arkansas victory 2 weeks ago. I expect Young to play. Can he play as effectively as he normally does, if he indeed plays, is the big question mark. If Jalen Milroe is the quarterback, Bill O’Brien will have to get real creative in the passing game, and in the running game with Milroe. Milroe and running back Jaymir Gibbs will have to step up. The Alabama defense will be tested severely by Hendon Hooker and the high flying Vols offense. Will dig into that more, below.

Auburn travels to Oxford to take on Lane and the Rebels. That looks tough for a, to say the least, struggling program. It’s unknown how long Bryan Harsin can last at Auburn if these dismal performances continue. Not looking too good for the second year coach. It could be curtains shortly, but Harsin will get the last hurrah if it’s soon because he has a $15 million buyout if Auburn were to fire him before December 31st of this year.

Mississippi State heads to Kentucky, LSU is @ Florida and there are more nice matchups with one key out of conference game for Arkansas and some extremely compelling national contests.

Here’s a look at the action along with predictions.

Record

SU, Last Week, 15-3, Overall, 85-19, 82%

ATS, 10-6, 58-44, 57%

No.3 Alabama (6-0, 3-0) @ No.6 Tennessee (5-0, 2-0)

Neyland Stadium, Knoxville

2:30 PM CT

CBS

Brad, Gary, Jenny

Crimson Tide by 7

This is a difficult one for Alabama. Hendon Hooker is an all world quarterback. The second year player at UT, he transferred from Virginia Tech after 3 years there, has thrown for 41 touchdowns against 3 ints in his two years for the Vols. He has completed 98 of 140 passes this season, 70%, for 1.432 yards, 10 Tds against 0 ints. He has also rushed for 231 yards and 3 TDs. The great Will Anderson Jr., Dallas Turner and the Crimson Tide defense will be sternly tested by this prolific quarterback and his offense. The Tide is strong on defense, though the cornerbacks can struggle. Pass rush and containing Hooker both in the passing and the running game will be critical. The Vols also have two stellar running backs also in Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright. The receivers are exceptional led by the great Cedric Tillman, who has been out the past 3 games, but has a good chance of playing. On the other side, Bryce Young’s availability is the $64,000 question. A lot more than that considering the NIL deals he has. I see Young playing. Can he be as effective as usual? He’s a strong minded young guy, so maybe he can. Young has completed 90 of 134 passes this season, 67%, for 1,202 yards, 14 TDs against 3 Ints. He’s got the wheels to go along with the arm, but Saban and O’Brien don’t want him running. And he’s got help running the football with the great Jahmyr Gibbs. Wide receivers are still developing and the offensive line will be tested by a strong Vols front. It struggled last week against Texas A&M. If Young can’t make it, Jalen Milroe will have to play above and beyond what he has for Alabama so far in order for them to have a shot. I like Young to play, do enough, and for the Crimson Tide defense to, as much as they can, slow down Hooker and company. Like the Tide to escape with a victory over a really strong team from Knoxvegas.

Alabama 34, Tennessee 31

Auburn (3-3, 1-2) @ No.9 Ole Miss (6-0, 2-0)

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford

11 AM CT

ESPN

Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky, Kris Budden

Rebels by 15

It seems like the Tigers haven’t won a game in forever. Poor guys. They need to retool their football program with a new coach, so we’ll see if things go South this Saturday, if they go ahead and make a change during the off week. It would be another expensive change.

Ole Miss 38, Auburn 14

Vanderbilt (3-3, 0-2) @ No.1 Georgia (6-0, 3-0)

Sanford Stadium, Athens

2:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Taylor, Matt, Alyssa

Dawgs by 38

Pretty much a blowout, but Georgia hasn’t been all that this season.

Georgia 42, Vanderbilt 14

Other SEC and National Tilts

No.16 Mississippi State 31, No.22 Kentucky 26

Kroger Field, Lexington

6:30 PM CT

SEC Nework

Tom, JRodg, Cole

MS. State by 4

Will Rogers leads the country in passing yards with 2,110 and passing TDs with 22. Wildcats QB Will Levis is highly questionable to play. Mike Leach is having a really nice season in Starkville. Like him and his team on the road to move to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. Mark Stoops is hamstrung without Levis, but he’s resilient. He still could salvage his team’s season after this game. The Wildcats are presently 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the SEC after losses to Ole Miss on the road and a tough one to South Carolina last Saturday. South Carolina was impressive.

Florida 30, LSU 24

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

6 PM CT

ESPN

Tess, Gregory, Katie

Gators by 2 1/2

Like the Gators in the Swamp. Brian Kelly is finding the SEC to be tough sledding.

Arkansas 28, BYU 24

LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT

2:30 PM CT

ESPN

Dave, Dusty, Lugues

Even

KJ Jefferson is back to quarterback the Hogs and that’s the difference maker in a much needed victory for Sam Pittman and his team. Pretty awesome midseason out of conference matchup.

Off this week, A&M. @ South Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 22nd.

South Carolina

Mizzou. vs. Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 22nd.

No.5 Michigan 21, No. 10 Penn State 17

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

11 AM CT

FOX

Gus, Joel, JT

Wolverines by 7

I like this to be a Big Ten slugfest with the Big House’s 107,000 faithful pushing the Wolverines over the top and keeping them in the playoff conversation with Penn State not out of it.

No.20 Utah 28, No. 7 USC 24

Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake

7 PM CT

FOX

Jason Benetti, Brock, Allison

Utes by 3 1/2

Utah has their collective backs against the wall in the PAC-12 after losing to UCLA on the road last Saturday. I like them to slow down Lincoln and his offense and their home crowd to push them over the top. Always a big home field advantage in Salt Lake for the Utes. They’ll get back in the PAC-12 championship hunt.

No.13 TCU 35, No.8 Oklahoma State 34

Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth

2:30 PM CT

ABC

Sean, Todd, Molly

Frogs by 4

I’m bullish on both these squads. I’ll be multitasking from 2:30-6 PM Saturday watching the Crimson Tide-UT, TCU-OK. State and others. That’s the case every week. The early and later games look to be multitask material as well. But I’ll be locked in on both of these games. Should be an epic contest in Fort Worth also.

No.4 Clemson 31, Florida State 24

Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee

6:30 PM CT

ABC

Fowler, Herbstreit, Rowe

Clemson by 3 1/2

Dabo and his Tigers will be tested. I like them to prevail at the Doak.

No. 18 Syracuse 21, No. 15 NC State 16

JMA Wireless Dome, Cuse

2:30 PM CT

ACC Network

Mike Manaco, Tim Hasselbeck, Kelsey Riggs

Cuse by 3 1/2

I would pick the Wolfpack, but their starting quarterback, Devin Leary, is out with an injury. I see a hard fought game that’ll be decided at the end, but I’ll take the Orange.

No.22 Texas 42, Iowa State 28

DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin

11 AM CT

ABC

Mark, RGIII, Quint

Texas by 16

The Horns looked stellar last Saturday in a 49-0 victory over Oklahoma. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is back from his sprained shoulder and he was phenomenal last Saturday. They’ve had trouble with Iowa State, so this will be a competitive game for a while.

No.19 Kansas 34, Oklahoma 31

Memorial Stadium, Norman

11 AM CT

ESPN2

Dave Rod, Tiffany Blackmon

OU by 9

I like an upset, but if you’ve watched these teams this season, it’s not a jaw dropping upset. Kansas is playing their second string quarterback, Jason Bean, but he threw 4 TD passes against TCU in relief of starter Jalen Daniels, who was hurt during the two teams’ stellar game last Saturday., a 38-31 TCU victory in Lawrence. Jayhawks Coach Lance Leipold is excellent.

Minnesota 28, No.24 Illinois 17

Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

11 AM CT

Big Ten Network

Brandon Gaudin, Jake Butt? Former Michigan Tight End, Rick Pizzo

Golden Gophers by 6 1/2

I like P.J. Fleck and his team to go to Champaign and rain on Bret Bielema and his 5-1 team’s parade. The Golden Gophers move to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten, while Illinois will drop to 2-2 in the conference, but having a solid season thus far.

Notre Dame 35, Stanford 21

Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN.

6:30 PM CT

NBC/Peacock

Jacob, Jason, Zora, Zora, Zora Stephenson

Irish by 17

The Fighting Irish were impressive in defeating BYU at the great Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last Saturday Night, 28-20. Michael “Halloween” Mayer, is the second best tight end in football after Brock Bowers of Georgia, and may put together an even better season than Bowers does this year. Mayer caught 11 passes for 118 yards and 2 TDs against BYU. Marcus Freeman and his Irish are picking it up, having won three in a row.

No.25 James Madison 28, Georgia Southern 21

Allen E. Paulson Stadium, Statesboro “Blues” GA.

3 PM CT

ESPN+

Danny Waugh, Cole Neely, Emily Grace McWhorter

Dukes by 11 1/2

The Dukes, under former Alabama assistant coach Curt Cignetti, (2007-10, wide receivers/recruiting coordinator) are one of the best stories in college football. I may not be able to watch them Saturday, but I plan to on Monday. This’ll be a test for a team that has gone to App State and won. This is their first year in the FBS and they are 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Fun Belt.

UAB 44, Charlotte 14

Protective Stadium, B’ham

2:30 PM CT

Stadium, an app on the TV and the computer

Blazers by 23 1/2

After an impressive 41-14 victory over Middle Tennessee last Saturday at Protective, the Blazers try to move to 4-2 and 2-1 in C-USA. Protective is becoming a real home field advantage for the Blazers. They’ve got a solid team. Just have to prove they can win on the road. They’ll be @ Western Kentucky next Saturday. The Hilltoppers are 3-3 and 1-1 in conference. They’ve lost @ Troy and @UTSA the last two weeks.

Coastal Carolina 31, Old Dominion 17

Brooks Stadium, Conway, S.C.

11 AM CT

ESPNU

Clay Matvick, Rocky Boiman, Dawn Davenport

CCU by 12

Coastal is 6-0 and 3-0 in the Sun Belt. They are putting their name back in the conversation for a New Year’s Six Bowl if they can keep it up. If Coastal and James Madison keep winning, a matchup at James Madison in Harrisonburg, VA. on November 26th will be electric.

Some very nice matchups in the SEC and nationally in another epic weekend of college football. The now No.1 Crimson Tide welcome? the Aggies of Texas A&M for a Saturday evening matchup on CBS. The Auburn Tigers face a nearly impossible challenge in Athens. And some super head to heads in the conference. Like these national tilts as well. Here’s a look at the action along with predictions.

Last Week 16-6, Overall, 70-16, 81%

ATS, 10-12, 48-38, 56%

Texas A&M (3-2, 1-0 SEC) @ No.1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0)

Bryant- Denny Stadium

7 PM CT

CBS

Brad, Gary, Jenny, be careful with quarterback questions, Jenny. May get an explosion

Bama by 24

Everybody wants to know where Bryce Young stands presently. He has a sprained shoulder, and, as a reference point, Quinn Ewers, the Texas quarterback, who was knocked out in the first quarter by Alabama outside linebacker Dallas Turner in the Texas-Crimson Tide game, suffered the same injury from Turner’s hit. He may be back for the Red River Showdown this Saturday and that would be 3 weeks. If that’s the case, Bryce would be back for the Mississippi State game October 22nd in Tuscaloosa. But Bryce’s tolerance for pain may be much higher than Ewers. He’s a resilient, strong minded young guy, who wants nothing more than to lead his team to a national championship in 2022. The accolades, another Heisman, a potential No.1 NFL draft pick could go with it, along with another slew of awards. I am predicting Bryce is doubtful this Saturday, but you never know. Saban’s players have always come back sooner from injuries than everyone expects. Assuming he’s out, and the sprain is on his throwing shoulder, Jalen Milroe will start. Jalen is a highly talented runner, as displayed last Saturday on his 77 yard scamper @Arkansas that could have very well been the play of the game along with Jahmyr Gibbs’ 70+ yard house calls. Can Jalen throw it well enough is the question mark. A&M will load the box if Bryce is not in and Jalen is. I think he’s a better passer than people give him credit for. I see him highly capable of leading his team to victory over an Aggies team that has been struggling this season. Starting to get bullish on this Crimson Tide team. The defense has imposed its will on opponents lately and Kool-Aid McKinstry is a massive weapon in the punt return game. When Jimbo signed this stellar 2022 No.1 recruiting class , I still thought they might be a year away, because, despite the fact they’re extremely highly rated players with 8, five stars, and multiple 4 stars, they are what they are, freshmen. It’s rare when freshmen really light up the SEC. Herschel, Bo, guys like that were unique, historic talents. But, it’s hard for young freshmen to come into this conference and excel right away. I’m giving Coach Fisher a bit of a pass this season, and consider next year, 2023, a make or break season for him.

S has also talked about using 5 star freshman Ty Simpson at quarterback, if necessary. Simpson has a stellar arm. I like the Tide here. They keep getting better and better and living up to their preseason billing as the best team in the country.

Alabama 42, Texas A&M 14

Auburn (3-2) @ No.2 Georgia (5-0, 2-0)

Sanford Stadium, Athens

2:30 PM CT

CBS

Tom McCarthy, Rick Neuheisel, Sherree Burruss

Georgia by 30

Bryan Harsin and the Tigers are desperate. Georgia has struggled a little recently, but I’m looking at a tough day for the Tigers between the hedges in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. This is the 127th meeting.

Georgia 45, Auburn 10

No.8 Tennesse @No. 25 LSU

Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge

11 AM CT

ESPN

Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky, McShay, Kris Budden

UT by 3

I love what quarterback Hendon Hooker and the Vols are doing. Give me the Volunteers on the road in a fortunate 11 AM kick for the Vols.

Vols 28, Tiguhs 24

No.9 Ole Miss @ Vanderbilt

FirstBank Stadium, Nashvegas

3 PM CT

SEC Network

Drew Carter, Stinch, Alyssa. Alyssa got wedding advice from Coach Leach last Saturday. He told her to elope.

Ole Miss by 17

Lane has it cookin’ in Oxford. He’s been rumored to be Auburn’s potential next coach when Bryan Harsin is most likely let go. But he’s got a pretty good gig going in Oxford. He’s making superb money, he has a shot to win big, and the boosters have stepped up and funded a major collective for NIL’s. A lot of cash being poured into the NIL pot for recruiting, which is a game changer.

Ole Miss 42, Vanderbilt 17

Arkansas @ No.23 Mississippi State

Davis Wade Stadium, Starkvegas

11 AM CT

SEC Network

Dave, Deuce, Tiffany Blackmon

Bullies by 9 1/2

I’m buying Coach Leach and his Bulldogs. They’re for real.

Mississippi State 34, Arkansas 24

South Carolina @ No.13 Kentucky

Kroger Field, Lexington

6:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Tom, Jrodg, Cole

Cats by 6

I still believe in this Wildcats football team. They played a pretty solid game overall @ a very good Ole Miss team last Saturday. Shane Beamer is making good progress in Columbia, but has some injuries that have held his team back. Don’t think Spencer Rattler is the answer at quarterback. Will Levis does some good things under center for the Cats. See him having a very good game this Saturday Night at home.

Kentucky 31, South Carolina 24

Missouri @ Florida

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

11 AM CT

ESPNU

John Schriffen, Dustin Fox, Lauren Sisler

FL by 11

Give me Billy Napier and his Gators. They’re going to keep getting better. Believer in Coach Napier. Missouri gave Georgia everything it wanted last Saturday Night in Columbia, but it’ll be tough for them in the Swamp.

Florida 35, Mizzou 21

National Slate

Texas 41, Oklahoma 31

Cotton Bowl, Dallas

11 AM CT

ABC

Tess, Gregory, Katie

Horns by 7

Will have a lot of electronic devices in play on Saturday at 11 AM. Like Sark and his crew to get the job done in the Red River Showdown. Quinn Ewers may be back at QB, but trust Hudson Card as well. It’s been a struggle for OU lately and Texas had a big victory over West Virginia last Saturday Night in Austin, 38-20.

No.5 Clemson 34, Boston College 17

Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MASS.

6:30 PM CT

ABC

Sean, Todd, Molly

Clemson by 20 1/2

Still trying to wrap my arms around this Clemson team. They were much better on defense last Saturday Night in their 30-20 victory over NC State @ Clemson, but just don’t see them as well oiled right now. Certainly a lot of talent. This Saturday could give us a better read on the Clemson Tigers.

No.3 Ohio State 42, Michigan State 14

Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MIch.

3 PM CT

ABC

Chris, Kirk, Holly

OSU by 27

Ohio State coach Ryan Day and Rutgers coach Greg Schiano almost came to blows last Saturday when Day’s punter faked a punt and ran for a first down with a 35 point lead in the fourth quarter. Nice job, Ryan. He’s got a lot of Urb in him and that’s never a good thing.

No.4 Michigan 34, Indiana 14

Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN.

11 AM CT

FOX

Gus, Joel, Jenny

Wolverines by 22 1/2

I like the Wolverines to win, but still not totally sold on them as a possible national championship contender. Maybe though. Need to see them against tougher competition.

No.6 USC 44, Washington State 34

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

6:30 PM CT

FOX

Noah Eagle, Mark Helfrich

SC by 12 1/2

I like Washington State, a pretty scrappy team that went to Wisconsin and won in week 2, 17-14, and is coming off a 28-9 victory over Cal last Saturday, to give Lincoln Riley and his Trojans a tough game. Washington State is 4-1 and the Trojans are 5-0 and have high aspirations.

No.7 Oklahoma State 35, Texas Tech 24

Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK.

2:30 PM CT

Fox Sports 1

Eric Collins, Devin Gardner

OK. State by 9 1/2

Really bullish on this Pokes team under Mike Gundy. Super offense and the defense under Derek Mason is stellar. Mason has picked up from what Jim Knowles did last year at OK. State and taken off with it. Knowles is not at Ohio State. Really like this team.

No.17 TCU 38, No. 19 Kansas 28

David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS.

11 AM CT

Fox Sports 1

Jason Benetti, Brock, Allison

Frogs by 7

These are two of the best stories in college football so far this season. First year coach Sonny Dykes and his Frogs hammered the Sooners last Saturday in Fort Worth, 55-24, and are 4-0 with their quarterback, Max Duggan, a total stud, who could put himself in the Heisman conversation very soon with more stellar performances. Meanwhile, second year coach Lance Leipold has his Jayhawks squad at 5-0. Give me my daughter, Fairbanks, and her Frogs on the road. She won’t be mad at me this week after my bust with picking OU over the Frogs last Saturday.

No.16 BYU 34, Notre Dame 31

Allegiant Stadium, Vegas

6:30 PM CT

NBC/Peacock

Jac Collinsworth, Jason Garrett, Zora Stephenson

Irish by 3 1/2

I like the Cougs to pull off the slight upset in this magnificent stadium.

Florida State 31, No. 14 NC State 28

Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC

7 PM CT

ACC Network

Mike Manoco, Tim Hasselbeck, Kelsey Riggs

Wolfpack by 3

Give me the Noles to pull off a huge ACC road upset victory. Really like FSU quarterback Jordan Travis. He’s a stud. The fact that the Noles defeated LSU in N’Awlins the first Sunday of the season makes my believe in them on the road in Raleigh.

No.20 Kansas State 24, Iowa State 21

Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA

6:30 PM CT

ESPNU

Clay Matvick, Rocky Boimam, Dawn Davenport

K State by 1

Believe in this Wildcats team as well. They handled Oklahoma on the road 2 weeks ago, 41-34, and while OU may not have its best team this year, going to Norman and winning is stellar. Like what Chris Klieman is doing in the Little Apple. They’ll have to pull it off on the road at a tough place to steal a victory. I DO like them to prevail in Ames.

No. 18 UCLA 35, No. 11 Utah 34

Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA.

2:30 PM CT

FOX

Timmy B, Spencer

Utes by 3 1/2

Give me quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, DTR, and the Bruins to pull off the slight upset at home at the Grandaddy of them all.

****A Special Message from Coach Saban****

Coach Saban will be delivering this message on the Jumbotron at Bryant-Denny this Saturday and before the remainder of the home games this season. It’s about the life changing O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center here in Birmingham at UAB, which is homed in on saving people from this insidious disease and helping them live vibrant lives afterwards. They’re also working hard to find a cure for this devastating sickness. It’s a special place for Birmingham, Alabama and the Southeast. The entire country for that matter. Here’s Coach Saban’s message.