The Tide should take care of business tomorrow. Auburn, on the other hand, has their work cut out for them. Other SEC action. Some key national games. Here we go.
Last week: 7-1; Overall: 49-18
Tennessee @ No.2 Alabama; 6:15, ESPN2
Tide will be focused for this one. S won’t have it any other way. He is tired of the LSU talk. He has emphasized the importance of this rivalry and says the team can’t afford to focus on anything other than Tennessee. That being said, Tide should handle business even without Anthony Steen (starting o guard) and kicker Cade Foster, who are both out with concussions most likely. Barrett Jones been a little bit hurt, but he should be OK. Trent tries to improve his Heisman numbers. UT without starting quarterback Tyler Bray will have a tough time scoring against Dont’a, Mark and Courtney. Tide should be fine in this one if they are ready to play.
Alabama 35, Tennessee 10
No.20 Auburn @ No.1 LSU; 2:30 PM, CBS
This is going to be tough for Chiz, Clint Moseley and AU even with LSU not having the services of their All American corner Tyrann Mathieu, star running back Spencer Ware and backup corner Tharold Simon. Just don’t think AU Tigers can generate much offense against the remaining guys on the stout LSU defense, and LSU can do enough on offense with the highly capable Michael Ford and Alfred Blue at running back and Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson at qb. It’s in Death Valley, also, which makes it even tougher for the AU Tigers. Turnovers would help a lot along with a heavy dose of Michael Dyer. Emory Blake would help also. I think AU should throw it to Lutz as much as possible and get it to Benton, Carr on the outside on some deeper patterns and work Tre Mason on some power sweeps. Moseley needs to play within himself and avoid mistakes and maybe get the ball downfield. Kiehl Frazier could help the cause as well with his running ability. Just don’t think the AU Tigers can get it done in this one. Might keep it close for a while, and if they do keep it close going into the fourth quarter, you never know. Just don’t believe they can pull this one off though.
LSU 28, Auburn 17
N0.9 Arkansas @ Ole Miss; 11:21 AM, SEC Network:
The Hogs should have their way with the Rebels. Ryan Wilson will have a field day and Jarius Wright and the wrs will annihilate the Ole Miss secondary. Hogs not mathematically out of it in West. A lot left to play for.
Hogs 42, Ole Miss 14
Jacksonville State @Kentucky; 11 AM, ESPNU
Jax State has a real shot in this one. Kentucky is reeling. I’m going to go with the upset as Washaun Ealey and Jax State get it done.
Jax State 31, Ky 28
Army @ Vandy; 6 PM, ESPNU
The ‘Dores going with Jordan Rodgers this week at quarterback. That’s a good move. Army the number one rushing team in the country averaging 361 yards per game. Their quarterback, Steelman, is a good runner. Vandy will have to be ready to play. Army beat the ‘Dores two years ago at West Point. Vandy needs this to keep their bowl hopes alive. As a matter of fact, they have to have this for their program to keep taking steps forward under James Franklin who is recruiting exceptionally. I think the Rodgers move will pay off for Vandy.
VU 28, Army 17
Off: Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi State
National look:
No.4 Oklahoma State @Missouri, 11 AM. FX
The Cowboys better be careful in this one. I haven’t seen Mo. play, but I’ve read and seen some highlights and they’re pretty decent. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon need to step up for their team. James Franklin a good quarterback for the Tigers. Mo. at home could cause Ok. State some problems, but the Cowboys will pull it out at the end behind their stellar qb and wr, Weeden and Blackmon, respectively.
Ok. State 42, Mo.35
USC @ Notre Dame; 6:30 PM, NBC
Not the national implication game that these two programs used to play in, but always a big rivalry. Notre Dame has the better team. Tommy Reas a solid quarterback. USC has been hampered by the NCAA penalties. Matt Barkely is a very good quarterback for the Trojans, but outstanding linebacker Manti Te’o and the Notre Dame defense will do enough to lead the Fighting Irish to victory. The ND offense should be pretty good, too, but expecting a fairly competitive game for a while at least.
ND 35, USC 24
No.6 Wisconsin @No.16 Michigan State; 7 PM, ESPN
Huge game for the Badgers as they try to stay in the national title hunt. MSU defensive end William Gholston is suspended for this game after punching a Michigan offensive lineman last week. That hurts the Spartans’ cause, though their defense is a top five defense and controlled Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson last week. Just think with the offensive weapons the Badgers have, qb Russell Wilson, running backs Montee Ball and James White and wr Nick Toon, and an offensive line that is stellar, will be too much for the Spartans. The Badgers keep moving forward in their quest for a possible BCS bowl berth and a chance at playing for the national title though they’ll need some help.
Wisconsin 35, MSU 28
No.25 Washington @ No.8 Stanford; 7 PM, ABC:
Another good matchup here. Huskies qb Keith Price is a player. Stanford’s defense is playing well, but hasn’t really been tested yet. Price and Huskies’ offense will do that. But like Andrew Luck to keep Stanford’s hopes of a Rose Bowl appearance, or even better, alive. Washington will give them a tough game, though. Luck will keep working on putting up Heisman numbers.
Stanford 42, Washington 38
Great win for the UAB Blazers last night. Get it done over a pretty good Central Florida team, 26-24. Congratulations to AD Brian Mackin and Coach Neal Callaway. Blazers play at Marshall at 11 AM central next week. (Tide needs Barrett Jones healthy for this week and in two weeks; Clint Moseley will have to give a herculean effort against Bengal Tigers.)