Last week: 7-2; overall: 46-15 (75%)

Saturday’s games

No.1 Alabama @ Kentucky

6 PM CT

ESPN 2

Bama by 27 1/2

Shouldn’t be too much of a problem here for the Crimson Tide. Kentucky gave South Carolina a good game last week and Mark Stoops has them playing better. But I see A.J. and the receivers, and T.J. and the running backs having their way. It’s another good game to see the defense develop more. As S always says, “It’s not who you play, it’s how you play.” So that’s the important thing for the Tide as they progress on into the second half of the season.

Alabama 38, Kentucky 10

Western Carolina @ Auburn

1 PM CT

ESPN 3 and Game Plan

AU by 43.5

There’s a question of whether Nick Marshall is going to  play this week as he has a sore knee. Gus may hold him out for next week’s big game @ A&M. If Marshall doesn’t play, look for Jonathan Wallace to start and there to be  a heavy dose of Tre Mason, Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant. Should be a good day for the running backs. This is  a development game. Probably would be good to get Wallace some playing time just in case Marshall is struggling with the knee.

AU 45, Western Carolina 7

Missouri @ No.6 Georgia

11 AM CT

ESPN

Georgia by 8.5

First Malcolm Mitchell goes out for the season in game one, then Todd Gurley sprains his ankle against LSU and he’s doubtful this week. Keith Marshall is out for the season with a knee injury sustained last week against UT. Justin Scott-Wesley is out for the year with a knee injury last week. And Michael Bennett is on the shelf with a knee for about three weeks at a minimum. This is a perfect storm brewing against Georgia this week with an explosive, hungry Mizzou team coming to Athens. James Franklin has quieted his critics with an exceptional year this year and his offensive weaponry around him is outstanding. His defense is tied for second in the country in interceptions with 11 and the defensive line is physical and talented. And the Mizzou offensive line is one of the top ones in the SEC and could be up there with four or five of the best in the country. This offense is going to test a Georgia defense that just hasn’t been that good this year. Another factor is Georgia has been in two major wars the past two weeks at home in a huge win over LSU two weeks ago and a battle in Knoxville last week which they pulled out in overtime. I think Georgia’s tired. This game reminds me of the Alabama-A&M game last year. I really like what Georgia has done this year, and I love the way Aaron Murray has played. He’s right there in the Heisman race with A.J., Tajh Boyd, Jameis Winston and Teddy Bridgewater. If he gets out of this game with another stellar performance and a victory, he’s my leader in the Heisman race. But I just don’t know if Murray is enough against this talented, explosive, underrated team. I like Missouri to pull off the upset between the hedges.

Missouri 35, Georgia 31

No.18 Florida @ No.10 LSU

2:30 PM CT

CBS

LSU by 7

This is going to be a pretty good game as it turns out. Florida plays some of the best defense in the country. I’d say Florida and Alabama are the two best defenses in the country. So LSU will have some problems getting the big play. Tyler Murphy has done a nice job replacing the injured Jeff Driskel at quarterback, Driskel, who is out for the season with a broken ankle, hadn’t gotten it together yet; but Murphy has been serviceable if not pretty good. LSU still has the weapons and they’re in Death Valley so I like them to prevail, but this should be a pretty good game that LSU just gets by in.

LSU 28, Gators 24

No.9 A&M @ Ole Miss

7 :30 PM CT

ESPN

A&M by 6

Ole Miss is reeling somewhat after being dominated by Alabama and losing a tough one to AU. A&M could be the second best team in the west and a top five or six team in the country. Johnny Manziel should have his way with the Ole Miss defense. Bo Wallace has been a disaster the last two weeks and he’s been a coach’s nightmare. He’s a serious head case. Manziel and company get it done in Oxford.

A&M 42, Ole Miss 31

No.13 South Carolina @ Arkansas

11:21 AM CT

SEC Network

SC by 6

Talk about a head case, Jadeveon Clowney has been a total disaster this year and is wearing Ball Coach out. Ball Coach is trying to be reasonable with the guy, but his NFL stock is plummeting every game that he keeps up this act. Clowney needs to get it together or he’s looking at a third round pick if he doesn’t get any better and show a lot  more character. Meanwhile, SC is still in the hunt for the East title. With Georgia really struggling with injuries, the Gamecocks could get back in the East if they keep winning and Georgia stumbles twice. Arkansas is OK. Not good, not bad. South Carolina needs to have a good game and get themselves going for the rest of the season. They’ve still got a shot at the East title and an appearance in the SEC Championship game.

South Carolina 31, Arkansas 21

Other scores:

Oklahoma 42, Texas 28

State 38, Bowling Green 24

Oregon 49, Washington 35***

***Revised pick