(KIrby Smart, C.J.Mosley and ‘Bama D will be tested)
‘Bama is a 24-point favorite over State. Wow, that’s a big line, but that’s how much respect the experts have for this football team and their coach. I don’t think I’d take the points though. This is going to be a competitive game; the toughest game to date for the Tide. If it was in Starkville it would be even more interesting. Tide just needs to keep proving it every week, and this should really give us a gauge of where this football team stands as far as being the best team in the country. They look like they are to me, without a doubt. Kansas State, Oregon, Florida and I think Oklahoma can make an argument for their respective teams. Notre Dame, I just don’t think they’re strong enough offensively though they have a pretty solid defense, which can win them a lot of games. But Notre Dame is not strong enough to knock off OU in Norman. Like the Sooners in that one; a huge national game.
This State team is for real. They can run it, they can throw it and they can play some defense. They’re solid in special teams as well. Jonathan Banks is a stud corner and a fantastic punt returner. He could be the best cornerback in the country, though Dee Milliner gives him a pretty good run for his money. On the other side, Darius Slay is excellent at corner as well. This will be interesting to see ‘Bama’s bevy of receivers led by the phenomenal Amari Cooper go against the State corners. State plays solid defense, LaDarius Perkins is an excellent running back (he’s quite a physical specimen and player), and Tyler Russell has found his rhythm at qb and is playing excellent football. The offensive line is big and can move. Should be an interesting matchup there with the ‘Bama dlinemen. Chad Bumphis is the key guy at wide out. He is highly dependable in catching the ball, has sprinter’s speed and can make a lot happen after the catch. State employs a posse like ‘Bama does at receiver. If Russell has time to throw, he’ll be dangerous. Should be a fun one in T-Town.
This week’s predictions:
Last week: 12-0; Overall: 78-23 (77 %)
All rankings are from the BCS Standings
No.11 Mississippi State @ No.1 Alabama
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium (capacity:101,821)
When: 7:30 PM CT
Network: ESPN; Brad Nessler and Todd Blackledge on the call. Holly Rowe sideline reporter
Line: ‘Bama by 24
This is a very good State team. Are they great? I don’t think they’re at that point yet. But they are very good. Excellent test for what I would consider the best team in the country. The usual things need to happen for the Tide: the oline needs to control the line of scrimmage for opening holes for Eddie and T.J., who don’t need much, and give A.J. time to throw and dissect the secondary. The line is very dependable in that area. That’s critical as usual. Key matchup is the Alabama receiving corps versus the State secondary. Can State hold the ‘Bama passing game in check? I think the State defense will do well, but I think the Tide will just be too strong at the end. Like State to score some points, but C.J. Mosley and defense will get it done when it counts. State will play well. They’re a very good football team that thinks they can win. They lead the country in turnover margin at +17; interesting stat there. Tide is third at +15. Tide is the best team in the country, so I don’t think State can get over the top in Tuscaloosa. Should be a tough game though.
‘Bama 31, State 21
No.20 Texas A&M @ Auburn
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Pat Dye Field (87,451)
When: 6 PM CT
Network: ESPNU
Line: A&M by 14 1/2
AU is still trying to figure out who their starting quarterback will be. That’s a tough one. Do you go with Clint Moseley, who hasn’t been terrible, but just can’t seem to get you in the end zone enough? Or Kiehl Frazier, who has the talent, but just can’t get this offense down and struggles throwing the ball? I’m at a loss here. Auburn needs to figure out something really quickly to get this offense going or there may be no wins in SEC play this year. I know the Tigers are going to run the ball a good bit with Tre Mason and Onterio McCalebb, but they’ve got to be able to throw it some as well. I guess Chiz will decide based on today’s practice; it may be tomorrow or a game day decision. Frazier, to me, can make some more plays than Moseley can with his legs and with his arm. So I’d choose Kiehl. We’ll see what Chizik does (note: Clint Moseley was chosen as the starter Thursday evening).
Meanwhile, the defense will be severely tested by an offense that lights it up led by redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel. They’ve got some playmakers in the backfield and on the perimeter as well. They’re decent on defense. Can Auburn find some way to turn this disastrous season around? I don’t think they can this Saturday. A&M’s got too much explosiveness on offense and the quarterbacks haven’t given us any evidence that they can get the job done and lead their team to victory. So I’m going to go with the visitor. AU has a shot in this one, but I just don’t know if there is much enthusiasm left on the Plains; particularly if they fall behind on Saturday. Another tough night for the Tigers unfortunately.
A&M 35, AU 24
No.2 Florida vs. No.10 Georgia
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fl. (84,000)
When: 2:30 PM CT
Network: CBS; Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, and, as usual, “The Wolf” on the sidelines
Line: Florida by 7
Georgia is 4-18 in this series since 1990 which has led Georgia football coach Mark Richt and others to call for the game to be played as a home and home series and alternately in Jacksonville and the Georgia Dome every four years. Jacksonville is located 342 miles from Athens and only 73 miles from Gainesville. But the ticket distribution is equal and the schools make $3.4 million every two years as opposed to making $2.2 million every two years if the game was played as a home and home series. But the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” is still in Jacksonville for now, and this game is a blockbuster as far as the SEC East race is determined this season. The winner of this game will more than likely win the East. If Florida wins they’ll clinch it, and if the ‘Dawgs win, they’ll have to win out in the SEC to claim the title. Georgia will still have a home game against Ole Miss and a road game at Auburn to finish off the SEC slate, but those two games are very winnable and if the Dawgs can somehow pull this out, they’ll be highly motivated to finish this thing out. But the Gators are playing some of the best defense in the country, led by linebacker and defensive leader Jon Bostic, defensive backs Matt Elam and Loucheiz Purifoy, and stellar defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd. This Gator defense is tough, rugged and very opportunistic. The offense is good enough. Running back Mike Gillislee has been held in check on the ground the past two weeks, but quarterback Jeff Driskel threw four touchdowns against South Carolina last week. Both Driskel and Gillislee can really run it. The Gators also have playmakers in Trey Burton, Jordan Reed, Quinton Dunbar and Omarius Hines among others on the perimeter. They’re very good in special teams as well. Georgia has a very good football team. The lopsided loss to South Carolina was an aberration. Aaron Murray can light up a defense if he’s given time, and the young backs, Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, are explosive even though Kentucky held them in check last week. That was a surprise. Wide receivers Malcolm Mitchell, Marlon Brown and particularly, Tavarres King, are game changers on the outside. The o line has been pretty good. The defense is a real mystery to me. There is so much talent over there with linebackers Jarvis Jones, Alex Ogletree, safety Bacarri Rambo and powerful nose guards Jon Jenkins and Kwame Geathers. There is talent all over that side of the ball for the ‘Dawgs. The Gamecocks torched them though. But that was three weeks ago. They’ll be better against the Gators this time. I like Murray and the offense to get it done and the talented Georgia defense to come through as the ‘Dawgs get back on track with a huge one over the Gators. Just don’t trust the Gators totally. Think the ‘Dawgs are better.
‘Dawgs 27, Gators 24
Other games:
South Carolina 28, Tennessee 27
Missouri 31, Kentucky 24
Arkansas 28, Ole Miss 21
Kansas State 35, Texas Tech 24
UAB 38, Tulane 21
Vanderbilt 45, UMass 7
Oklahoma 31, Notre Dame 24
Ohio State 24, Penn State 20