This weeks’ analyses and predictions (overall record, 30-3)
Clemson @Auburn: 6 p.m. ESPN. Like Cam Newton, receivers and this week Michael Dyer to step up against the other Tigers. Clemson has a great quarterback in Kyle Parker and has some weapons in the running game with Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper and some pretty good wrs. Brandon Clear, one of their receivers, played at Hoover. He’s a good player. But Auburn will do enough defensively and put some points on the board. This is the week the AU offense really needs to step up. Need to get the running game going besides Newton and Newton needs to get the ball downfield to Darvin Adams, Terrell Zachery, Quidarious Carr, Emory Blake and Kodi Burns. Would like to see Auburn use Phillip LItzenkirchen, the talented tight end, some more. Looks like Ziemba and Fannin are back which is good and the defense appears to be healthy. Could be a battle of offensive firepower. Do like a shootout, but I liked a shootout last week against State which didn’t happen. There were too many mistakes. Like the Auburn Tigers this week.
AU 35, Clemson 28
Alabama @ Duke: 2:30 p.m. ABC. ‘Bama will name their score this week. Mark Ingram should play some to get ready for Arkansas next week. With Ingram healthy, it’s no telling what this offense can get accomplished this year. The defense may be tested a little in the air by Duke qb Sean Renfree; he’s thrown for 708 yards and six tds and completed 70 % of his throws, but don’t see him as a huge threat. Be a good test for the secondary as they get ready for Ryan Mallett. Robert Lester is becoming a superstar. Mark Barron already is and DeQuan Menzie and Dre Kirkpatrick may become stars themselves. This secondary is very talented and deeper than I thought at the beginning of the season. Jerrell Harris leading the Tide in tackles. Look for ‘Bama to be in good shape this week.
Alabama 48, Duke 14
Arkansas @ Georgia: 11 a.m. ESPN. I like the ‘Dogs to step up this week. This is a must game for them. Arkansas hasn’t played anybody, and even though they are talented offensively with Mallett and wrs, I think the Ga. defense can stop them enough and Ga.’s running game with Ealey and King will get it going. Arkansas defense still a question mark. QB Aaron Murray is going to have to make plays through the air as well. If Ga. doesn’t get it done this week, they’re 0-2 in the East and in a lot of trouble as far as their chances of winning the East.
Ga. 31, Ark 28
Miss State @ LSU: 6 p.m. ESPNU. Should be kind of an ugly game with LSU’s defense winning the game for them. Jordan Jefferson is not very good at qb for LSU. They have to find an answer there if they want to compete for the West title. Jarrett Lee may be the guy unless Jefferson can start throwing the ball down the field accurately. It doesn’t look good for him right now. State getting better under Dan Mullen, just not there yet.
LSU 24, MS. State 14
Vanderbilt @Ole Miss: 11:21 SEC Network. I have decided to recuse myself from picking Vandy games. Too much of a vested interest and too painful to watch if that tells you anything. I tivo games now and don’t watch them unless Vandy wins which hasn’t happened too much in the last two years. It’s tough in Nashville though there is some talent on the team that is still developing. Jeremiah Masoli will probably get it going this week. Brandon Bolden a tremendous running back.
Florida @Tennessee: 2:30 CBS. Not a great matchup here. Florida has talent and an unbelievable running back in Jeff Demps and plenty of weapons, but they don’t have the chemistry on offense. They really didn’t last year in Tebow’s senior year. I think they miss Mullen as their offensive coordinator. Just erratic on offense now. But they’re plenty good enough to beat the Vols.
Florida 35, UT 7
Akron @ Kentucky: 6 p.m ESPN Gameplan. Kentucky has one of the best weapons in the conference in Randall Cobb. Throw in Derrick Locke and Mike Hartline and you have a potent offense. Should be no contest.
Kentucky 52, Akron 14
Furman at South Carolina: A tune up game for Steve Spurrier and Gamecocks as they get ready for Auburn next week. They need to get a good lead and rest players. Stephen Garcia still needs to throw the ball better. Alshon Jeffrey is a game changer on the outside. Garcia just needs to get him the ball. We know how good Marcus Lattimore is. Steve Spurrier’s best team in Columbia. Has a chance to win East title if they keep it up.
South Carolina 42, Furman 7
Other games:
Georgia Tech 31, North Carolina 28
Troy 28, UAB 24
Oklahoma 35, Air Force 28
Nebraska 21, Washington 17
Texas 28, Texas Tech 21
Michigan State 31, Notre Dame 28
Iowa 24, Arizona 17
Stanford 42, Wake Forest 31
Florida State 42, BYU 31
(Cam Newton needs to get the ball to Darvin Adams (above) and receivers this week.)