With now No.10 Alabama and Auburn looking at lay-ups this Saturday, the Blog will be a little more brief, I think. The Playoff Selection Show Tuesday Night, between the two games of the State Farm Classic in college basketball in which Michigan State and Duke were terrific in respective victories over Kentucky and Kansas, was only 30 minutes, and I found it more pleasant to watch. So, I’ll keep the column more concise today, but cover what you need to know.
The Crimson Tide suffered a tough loss against the now No.8 Oklahoma Sooners, 23-21. The turnover battle was won by OU to the tune of 3-0, and Brent Venables defense, even though the Crimson Tide doubled the total yards that the Oklahoma offense produced, was stifling at times and created the turnovers that led to the Sooners’ victory. Alabama gets to regroup this Saturday with Eastern Illinois at Bryant-Denny. The Tide will get the reps in, get some younger players in, they’re hoping, and prep themselves for a trip to Jordan-Hare next Saturday, November 29th, at 6:30 P.M. on ABC.
Meanwhile, the Tigers face a 9-1 Mercer team that can light up the scoreboard and a quarterback, Braden Atkinson, who’s thrown for 33 TDs against only 5 ints and for over 3,200 yards. The other and more interesting factor in this game for Tiger fans is; who will get the start at quarterback, as interim Coach DJ Durkin is going to sit Ashton Daniels, who was tremendous against Vanderbilt in a 45-38 overtime defeat, so he can redshirt and come back for another season. Ninety six, 4-star freshman (247 Sports Rankings) Deuce Knight, or starter for most of the year, and former 5-star, Jackson Arnold, will get the start for the Tigers. Knight has been getting first team reps this week in practice, so it could very well be him. I know he wants to prove he’s capable of leading this team in this game and in 2026. Arnold just never made any headway under Hugh Freeze and is kind of just floating along. Of course, the coaching speculation is still at full throttle. There are sources saying Auburn will hire Tulane coach Jon Sumrall, keep Durkin as defensive coordinator, and bring in Neal Brown, the former Troy and West Virginia coach, as offensive coordinator. There are others thinking if Durkin can conquer the Crimson Tide a week from Saturday in Jordan-Hare, he’ll get the job. Other potential candidates are Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea. I think the Sumrall or Durkin hires would be much better fits. I’m not convinced that Drinkwitz would do well at Auburn. Maybe Mizzou, but I don’t see him as a good coach at Auburn. I just don’t see him working for the Tigers.
As for Coach Lea, he seems more in tune with the Vanderbilt culture than the Auburn culture. He’s got the academics along with athletics, and not to say that Auburn doesn’t have some good players who are also good students, but Vanderbilt really emphasizes that, as everyone knows. They do make exceptions for football, for sure, but academics are a critical piece at Vandy. He might be a better fit at Penn State, but I know Vanderbilt fans are hopeful that Athletics Director Candice Storey Lee can sign Coach Lea to an extension and keep him at Vanderbilt for the long haul. He has had good assistance from New Mexico State with special assistant to the head coach Jerry Kill and offensive coordinator Tim Beck coming from New Mexico State two years ago, along with none other than quarterback Diego Pavia and stellar tight end Eli Stowers, both former New Mexico State players. So, Coach Lea has had plenty of help and major financial support from the Vanderbilt community that others coaches before him did not get. But he’s done a super job, and has the Dores with a possible shot at a playoff spot. They’ll need to win out at home versus Kentucky this Saturday and @ Tennessee next Saturday, which are both tall orders. But if they do, and Utah and BYU fall out of the top 12, they may could get in. If Texas defeats A&M at Austin next Friday, 11/28, at 6:30 P.M. on ABC, that could really hinder Vanderbilt’s chances of getting in because Texas owns the head to head tiebreaker over Vanderbilt by virtue of its 34-31 victory over the Commodores in Austin on Saturday, 11/1. So, they’ll need some help and have to take care of business themselves if they want to make it in. Lea has certainly done a nice job in Nashville.
Big game on the left coast for playoff purposes as No. 7 Oregon hosts No. 15 USC Saturday at 2:30 P.M. on CBS. USC still has hopes of making it, though they’ll need to win at Autzen Stadium and win again the following Saturday versus UCLA at home and get a lot of help. But a victory at Oregon would be a huge step in the right direction for the Trojans. Oregon wants to keep its first round home field playoff game intact, so they have a lot to play for as well. It’s not a guarantee that No.1 Ohio State and No.2 Indiana will be in the Big Ten Championship because the Buckeyes have to travel to Ann Arbor to face No.18 Michigan on Saturday, 11/30, at 11 A.M. on FOX, and the Wolverines have defeated Ryan Day’s Buckeyes four straight times, including an improbable victory over then No.2 Ohio State at “The Horseshoe” last season when Michigan came into the game with a record of 6-5. The Buckeyes went on to win it all, but their faithful are ready to defeat that team from the North. And the team from the North is definitely ready to once again own that team from the South. Michigan is not out of the playoff picture either, so if they can win at Maryland and defeat Ohio State, they can make it to the Big Ten Championship Game and, if they win that against in all likelihood Indiana, have a very realistic shot at the Playoff.
So, there are details to be addressed this Saturday and definitely next Friday and Saturday in Rivalry Week. Here’s a look at the Week 13 action along with Predictions.
Record: Last Week: Straight Up: 12-2, Overall:125-40, 76%; ATS: 6-8, 78-87, 47%; Over/Under: 6-8, 85-80, 52%.
All times Central; All games Saturday.
Eastern Illinois (3-8) @ No. 10 Alabama (8-2)
Bryant-Denny Stadium
1 P.M.
SEC Network+
Bama by 49, 57 1/2
Ty Simpson is trying to regain his form from before the LSU game. I know Crimson Tide fans are ready to see the “good Ty” once again. The Tide plays well and tunes up for the Tigers.
Alabama 56, Eastern Illinois 3
Mercer (9-1) @ Auburn (4-6)
Jordan-Hare Stadium
1 P.M.
SEC Network+
Auburn by 27 1/2, 50 1/2
The Tigers are chomping at the bit to get to the Alabama game, but they’ll need to lock in this Saturday because this team they’re playing is not bad. With Deuce and Arnold at quarterback, respectively, the Tigers might not be as prolific as expected. But they’ll come away with what they’re looking for and then home in on the Crimson Tide.
Auburn 35, Mercer 7
Charlotte (1-9) @ No.4 Georgia (9-1)
Sanford Stadium, Athens
11:45 A.M.
SEC Network
Taylor, Matt, Alyssa
Dawgs by 43 ½,53 1/2
Georgia might be able to sleep walk through this one. They are playing at an extremely high level after demolishing Texas last Saturday Night at Sanford Stadium, 35-10. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has definitely come into his own. He’s playing elite football and he’s a superb decision maker. He’s doing it all. The Dawgs will head into Hotlanta next Friday at 2:30 P.M. to face the No.16 ‘Ramblin Wreck of Georgia Tech on ABC at 10-1 and with a real shot at a first round bye if that’s what they want. They need help getting in the SEC Championship game from Auburn or Texas. After last year’s 44-42, 8-overtime victory in Athens, the Tech game will be prolifically important for both teams. Tech, which has a tough game this Saturday versus Pitt, is fighting for its playoff life, so they will be totally stoked for their hated rival in Clean Old-Fashioned Hate.
Georgia 49, Charlotte 3
Samford (1-9) @ No.3 Texas A&M (10-0)
Kyle Field, College Station
11 A.M.
SEC Network+
A&M by 54 1/2, 59 1/2
I didn’t know if I totally trusted Mike Elko before the season started, but he’s come through with flying colors. The Aggies almost blew it against South Carolina last Saturday at home, but made a dramatic comeback from a 30-3 deficit winning 31-30. They’ve got a massive challenge @Texas next Friday at 6:30 P.M. on ABC, but, right now, they look clearly capable of handling that challenge too.
A&M 42, Samford 3
No. 22 Missouri (7-3, 3-3) @ No.8 Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2)
Memorial Stadium, Norman
11 A.M.
ABC
Sean, Greg, Molly
OU by 7 ½, 42 1/2
The Sooners have a ton to play for and the Drinkwitz rumors have got to be a little distracting for the Missouri players. Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy rushed for 300 yards last Saturday versus Mississippi State in a convincing 49-27 Mizzou victory. I don’t see Hardy having close to that kind of success against the Oklahoma defense.
Sooners 27, Missouri Tigers 14
Kentucky (5-5, 2-5) @ No. 14 Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-2)
FirstBank Stadium, Nashville
2:30 P.M.
ESPN
Mark, Roddy, Quint
VU by 8 ½, 53 1/2
Both teams are playing for a lot. The Wildcats have won three in a row and are playing for a bowl game, which still matters to a lot of players and teams. The Dores are playing for a playoff spot if they can win out and get by with a little help from their friends in the SEC and Big 12. I do see a close game here with the Commodores prevailing.
Vanderbilt 28, Kentucky 24
Arkansas (2-8, 0-6) @ No.17 Texas (7-3, 4-2)
DKR Memorial Stadium, Austin
2:30 P.M.
ABC
Tess, Jess, Katie
Horns by 8 ½, 57 1/2
I see Coach Petrino and the Razorbacks giving Texas a tough game.
Texas 31, Arkansas 28
No. 20 Tennessee (7-3, 3-3) @ Florida (3-7, 2-5)
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
6:30 P.M.
ABC
Chris, Kirk, Holly
Vols by 4 ½, 57 ½
Excellent rivalry, though not as meaningful this season for playoff purposes. But still a fun regular season matchup. The Vols will need to defeat Florida and Vandy and Have to get a ton of help. It’s a real longshot, but they’ll no doubt be keyed up for their next two games starting Saturday.
Tennessee 27, Florida 21
Western Kentucky (8-2) @ LSU (6-4)
Tiger Stadium
6:45 P.M.
SEC Network
Tom, Jordan, Cole
LSU by 21 1/2, 50 ½
I like the Bengal Tigers to have a strong game as the Lane sweepstakes heat up in Baaton Rouge and Gainesville.
LSU 35, Western KY. 10
Coastal Carolina (6-4) @ South Carolina (3-7)
Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia S.C.
3:15 P.M.
SEC Network
Dave, Fozzy, Morgan
Gamecocks by 24 ½, 49 ½
The heat is cranking up on Shane Beamer. He needs to be sure he defeats an in-state team and finds a way to defeat Clemson at Williams-Brice next Saturday at 11 A.M. on the SEC Network. I like Coach Beamer, but he’s got to achieve better results. As Kirby Smart says of the pressure of the job, “This is what you sign up for.”
South Carolina 34, Coastal Carolina 10
Off this Saturday in the SEC:
No. 6 Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Both teams crank up for the Egg Bowl in Starkville with the Kiffin saga very much in the news. Ole Miss needs an answer soon with signing day on Wednesday, 12/3, and the very good possibility of hosting a first round Playoff game. It’s a tough call for Kiff, but he Does have a nice situation in Oxford. The main question that he’s asking himself is: Can I win a national championship here? He’d most definitely have the high school talent in Louisiana or Florida, that’s for sure. I’d rate the states with the best high school football talent in this order: 1. Texas, 2. Florida, 3. California, 4. Georgia, and 5. Louisiana.
It’s tough. Ole Miss will come close or completely match the financial component that the other two schools will offer. It’s just if Kiff feels like he can win it all at Ole Miss. He can bring in stellar transfers, and he has excellent support from the Ole Miss boosters and alums with NIL and revenue sharing, but can he get enough top level talent at Ole Miss like he could at LSU or Florida? I think probably not. I certainly like loyalty, but you can’t fault a coach for wanting to win it all. That’s the goal of every college coach when they get into the game. I’m leaning towards him taking the LSU job right now. If he does, Ole Miss would be in trouble for the Playoff. Maybe even in making it. This is very disconcerting for his players. Would be a cluster in Oxford if that happens.
Also off: this week on the National scene:
No.2 Indiana-sitting pretty with a game versus Purdue next Friday, 1128, the only road block from getting into the Big Ten Championship Game and earning a bye to the quarters of the Playoff. No.5 Texas Tech is off as well. They’ve been phenomenal, and look very good for the postseason playoff, with a potential shot at a bye and certainly hosting a first round game, which worked better last year for the teams that played in the first round. Notre Dame and Ohio State played first round games in the 2024-25 Playoff and they played in the National Championship Game with Ohio State claiming the title. So that could work well for the Red Raiders. They have two of the best defensive players in the country in linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (97 tackles, 4 ints, 7 forced fumbles, and 2 fumbles recovered. He also had an offensive TD run last Saturday versus Central Florida in a 48-9 victory). Defensive end David Bailey has posted 12 ½ sacks for a loss of 114 yards. Major disruptors.
National Landscape
No.1 Ohio State 49, Rutgers 7
Ohio Stadium, Columbus
11 A.M.
FOX
Gus, Joel, Jenny
Buckeyes by 32 ½, 55 ½
The Buckeyes are really cruising into their game with Michigan. But The Big House will be very, very interesting.
No. 7 Oregon 38, No. 15 USC 27
Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR.
2:30 P.M.
CBS
Brad, Gary, Jenny
Oregon by 10 ½, 59 ½
I like the Ducks to “matriculate” onward.
No.9 Notre Dame 48, Syracuse 10
Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend
2:30 P.M.
NBC/Peacock
Noah, Todd, Kathryn
Irish by 35 ½, 50 ½
I don’t care what anybody says about Notre Dame; I’m a believer in Marcus Freeman’s team and their sensational running back, Jeremiyah Love, who has rushed for 1,135 yards and 14 TDs. Their defense has come around, too. I see them as a playoff team if they win out. They would need help to host a first-round game.
No. 16 Georgia Tech 34, Pitt 31
Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta
6 P.M.
ESPN
Dave, Dusty, Taylor
‘Ramblin Wreck by 2 ½, 62 ½
This is a tough game for Tech, but I’ll take them to prevail and prepare for an Ali-Fraziuh heavyweight championship fight with Georgia next Saturday. Just need Cosell to call that one. Miss Howard.
No. 13 Miami 45, Virginia Tech 10
Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA.
11 A.M.
ESPN
Bob, Louis, Kris
Canes by 17 ½, 48 ½
The Canes still have a lot to play for. They’re on the outside looking in for the Playoff right now, so they’ll need a good bit of help. They aren’t going to make the ACC Championship Game, most likely, unless Georgia Tech loses and Virginia loses, and they win out, which could happen. There might be a path for them that way. They really have to play well against VA Tech and @ Pitt to close out the season Virginia Tech is amped now that James Franklin is their new head coach. The interesting thing about that is Franklin took a $40 million cut in his buyout from Penn State. He was set to get $49 million from Penn State, but he took only $9 Million. That’s still a lot of money, but it’s baffling that he would agree to a $40 million discount for Penn State, nonetheless. Something is amiss there. If I was in my investigative reporting days, I’d look into this closely. I’ll see what I can come up with.
Cincinnati 35, No. 11 BYU 31
Nippert Stadium, Cincy
7 P.M.
FOX
BYU by 2 ½, 54 ½
I like the upset here. BYU’s playoff hopes get dashed at Nippert Stadium, though the Cougars have put together a stellar season. Cincy is 7-3, and 5-2 in the Big 12, and they’re formidable at home.
No. 12 Utah 28, Kansas State 24
Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake
3 P.M.
ESPN2
Utah by 17 ½, 51 ½
I don’t see Utah as that good. They’re pretty good, but not the 12th best team in the country. They got blasted by Texas Tech at home, and lost to BYU on the road. Both those teams are good, especially Texas Tech, who is awesome But Utah really isn’t all that.
No.18 Michigan 24, Maryland 20
SECU Stadium, College Park, MD.
3 P.M.
Big Ten Network
Michigan by 13 ½, 47 ½
The Wolverines survive Mike Locksely and his Terrapins in a nice effort by the Terps. Lox got another year with Maryland, so I like him and his charges to be revved up at home and give Michigan all they want.
No. 24 Tulane 31, Temple 27
Lincoln Financial Field, Philly. Better known as “The Linc,”home to Eagles’ greats Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith.
2:45 P.M.
ESPNU
Green Wave by 9 ½, 55 ½
Tulane and Coach Sumrall keep their playoff hopes alive. However, that could implode if he gets the Auburn job before the Playoff.
Colorado 31, Arizona State 30
Folsom Field, Boulder
7 P.M.
ESPN2
Mike, Kirk, Dawn
Sun Devils by 7 ½, 48 ½
Give me Coach Prime and his Buffaloes to pull off the upset.
11 Responses
Thanks for the previews DW. I like all of your picks especially Ga Tech and I certainly like Tennessee.
Thanks a ton, JD.
Thanks for the previews and analysis, DW! Like your picks!
Thanks for the previews and analysis, DW! Like your picks! It will be interesting to see who Auburn hires for their new head coach.
Thanks, Bill! Sure will on Auburn, Jeff!
Thanks for another great week of picks and analysis!
Lea is so impressive and hope y’all are able to keep him.
I’m with Bama Golf in liking Georgia Tech the most.
Great week of picks. War Eagle take care of business and get ready to host da Tide.
Go Gata in an upset at The Swamp. Then on to hosting the Noles with another win at home. Oklahoma certainly looked strong last week. Still some good games on a “quiet” football weekend. Thx.
Thanks a ton, D! Coming over to D’s 280 on Monday to take out some salads! Thanks, D.
Great stuff, ’80! Thanks a million!
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