Alabama and Auburn, particularly, AU, have breathers this week. Kentucky won last week, and it’s an SEC game, so it’s important for the Crimson Tide to play well, particularly with a trip to Arkansas on the horizon next Saturday. The transfer of Blake Barnett means that Jalen Hurts and Cooper Bateman are the only quarterbacks on the roster. Bateman has not been great when he’s played, but he was highly rated out of high school, so he could possibly give Hurts some help if Hurts needs it. Hurts has been super. It’s pretty amazing what he’s done so far as a true freshman quarterback. Jalen has a very bright future in Tuscaloosa. The future is here.. He’s been an amazing player. The Tide needs to get the job done Saturday and then get ready for a tough road test @ Arkansas the next Saturday, Oct.8th. 

For Auburn, that was an interesting game last Saturday on the Plains to say the least. The AU defense has been stellar this season and they got the W again for the team last Saturday Night. A last second play that LSU thought they scored a touchdown on was nullified because the Bengal Tigers didn’t snap the ball before the clock hit zero. There was an illegal motion penalty on LSU and the clock stopped with one second left, but, by rule, starts back once the referee signals for it to start. It was exciting, though not great offense. Kerryon Johnson is playing really well. Just need to get Kamryn Pettway more involved in the running game and get the passing game going. This Saturday it’s La Monroe, so it’s a good time for Gus to hone up the offense. Kevin Steele has done an excellent job with the defense, so if the offense can get their act together, AU can possibly win quite a few games. 

Here’s a look at the key games this week. Some classics nationally, highlighted by a clash in Death Valley. And a marquee game in the SEC.

Last week: 19-9

Overall: 58-31, 65%

 

Tonight

Connecticut @ No.6 Houston

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, ESPN

Like the Cougars to keep on rolling. If the media would leave Tom Herman and the Cougars alone so they can concentrate on this season and not worry about where Herman will be going next season, Houston can have a special season. Herman may want to stay at Houston. If they get in the Big 12, he will get a huge raise, and it’ll be a huge boon for his recruiting. I really like this team. 

Houston 48, UConn 10

Friday Night

No.7 Stanford @ No. 10 Washington

8 PM CT/9 PM ET, ESPN

The Cardinal have some injury issues, and I like the Huskies at home. Chris Peterson is building an elite program in Seattle.

Washington 28, Stanford 24

Saturday

No.3 Louisville @ No. 5 Clemson

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, ABC

I really like the way Clemson played last Thursday Night at Georgia Tech, who thought they might pull off the upset going in. Clemson played like the Clemson people thought they were. I like Deshaun, Dabo and the Clemson Tigers to pull off the slight upset in Death Valley over the awesome Lamar Jackson in this blockbuster matchup of quarterbacks, coaches and teams. 

Clemson 38, Louisville 35

 

No. 11 Tennessee @ No.25 Georgia

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, CBS

Tennessee grabbed a major victory over Florida at home last Saturday afternoon snapping an 11 game losing streak to the Gators, and vaulting themselves back into serious national discussions. Kirby and his team got clobbered last Saturday at Oxford, but I like them to bounce back this week and get it done between the hedges over the Vols.

Them Dawgs 28, Vols 27

 

Kentucky @ No. 1 Alabama

6 PM CT/7PM ET, ESPN

Like the Crimson Tide to keep it cookin against an overmatched Kentucky team. S and Kiff just need to keep Jalen Hurts healthy.

Bama 48, Kentucky 7

 

Louisiana Monroe @ Auburn

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, SEC Network

Looking for the Tigers to get it going on offense this week. They need to with a game @ Mississippi State next Saturday. The defense has been super though and will help them win a lot of  games if the offense can do their part.

Auburn 52, La Monroe 10

 

No.9 Texas A&M 31, South Carolina 10

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, SEC Network, either Auburn or A&M will be on the SEC alternate channel

 

No.16 Ole Miss 48, Memphis 24

6 PM, schedule says ESPN2, duh U or SEC Alternate channel

 

Missouri @ LSU 

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, SEC Network

Les was a disaster this year and the Bengal Tigers’ faithful and leadership had seen enough. I don’t blame LSU at all for getting rid of Miles. He just couldn’t get it done with superb talent. His offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron, was let go too. Coach O gets a well deserved shot. He brought in all this talent for Les the last two years and Les couldn’t do anything with it. Coach O is a phenomenal recruiter and he was 6-2 as interim coach three years ago at USC. Glad he’s getting a shot. Maybe he can get the permanent job if he can turn it around. Like Coach O to get the Tigers back on track and bring some spirit back to Baton Rouge.

LSU 28, Missouri 24

 

No.8 Wisconsin @ No.4 Michigan

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ABC

The Badgers earned a major victory at Michigan State last Saturday and come into the Big House with a lot of momentum. But this is a lot tougher assignment. Like Jim and the Wolverines to keep it going in Ann Arbor as they position themselves for a possible playoff berth, but they still have to go to East Lansing and face Michigan State, which is always dangerous, and then go to Horseshoe and face the Buckeyes, so a lot of work left for Harbaugh and his troops.

Meechigan 34, Wisconsin 24

 

No.2 Ohio State 52, Rutgers 7

11 AM CT/ Noon ET, Big Ten Network

 

No.21 TCU 42, Oklahoma 38

4 PM CT/5 PM ET, FOX

 

No.12 Florida State 45, North Carolina 31

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ESPN

 

California 35, Utah 31

5 PM CT/6 PM ET, PAC-12 Network

 

Washington State 45, Oregon 42

8:30 PM CT/9:30 PM ET, PAC-12

 

No.24 Boise State 42, Utah State 10

9:15 PM CT/10:15 PM ET, ESPN2

 

Baylor 45, Iowa State 21

11 AM CT/Noon ET, Fox Sports 1

 

Oklahoma State 38, Texas 35

11 AM CT/Noon ET, ABC

 

USC 35, Arizona State 31

7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM ET, FOX

 

UCLA 38, Arizona 35

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET, ESPN

 

Colorado 48, Oregon State 28

1:30 PM CT/2:30 PM ET, PAC-12 Network

 

No. 19 San Diego State 42, South Alabama 35

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, ESPN News

 

Troy 48, Idaho 10

4 PM CT/5 PM ET, ESPN3