The No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide hosts No.16 Vanderbilt Saturday at 2:30 P.M. on ABC in a blockbuster game, which might be surprising to some to hear the Commodores in a blockbuster, but this team sure looks for real to me. In other action, the No.18 Florida State Seminoles host No.3 Miami on Saturday Night football at 6:30 on ABC. Texas @ Florida, Kentucky @ Georgia and Mississippi State at A&M are key matchups in the conference. Also, Oklahoma hosts Kent State with a new quarterback under center, Michael Hawkins Jr., as their star QB, John Mateer, was injured in the Auburn game, and is out for a while with a wrist injury that required surgery. He had the surgery on Friday, September 26th, and it was reported that the recovery is three weeks, which would be Friday, 10/16, but he’s amped to get out there and play. The Red River Rivalry (OUvs. Texas) is next Saturday, 10/11, at 2:30 P.M. at the Cotton Bowl and will be broadcast by ABC, and while Mateer is doubtful for that game, there is a remote chance. He wants to play, but the doctors may not let him. Hawkins Jr. could do a nice job, also, then Mateer could really heal up the wrist for the rest of the SEC gauntlet. So, interesting stuff in the conference this Saturday, and, nationally, key teams are in action. No.2 Oregon is off this Saturday after its prolific victory over Penn State at Happy Valley last Saturday Night. Off in the SEC are Auburn, which plays at Jordan-Hare next Saturday in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry versus Georgia, No.4 Ole Miss, coming off a major victory over LSU at the Grove and moving on up in the polls. Also off are No.13 LSU and Brian Kelly, who are recovering from their wounds inflicted last Saturday afternoon in Oxford. Trinidad Chambliss is a terrific quarterback for the Rebs. No.19 Missouri is also off as they await the Crimson Tide next Saturday, 10/11, with an 11 A.M. kickoff on ABC. No.15 Tennessee is off as well after surviving at Starkville last Saturday, 41-34, in overtime. South Carolina, off an impressive 35-13 victory over Kentucky, gets a bye along with Arkansas, which fired Sam Pittman on Sunday and elevated their old friend/Achilles Heel? Bobby Petrino as interim head coach. So there are 9 SEC teams playing this Saturday, along with some key national contenders. Will get back on the Playoff Predictions next Thursday. Ohio State, Oregon, Ole Miss and Texas Tech are shoe-ins right now, with the Crimson Tide climbing the ladder, Georgia still there, and Miami is a done deal, as of now, but have a tough assignment in Tallahassee on Saturday against a team that still thinks they belong in the bracket. Tennessee is still right there. Texas and Oklahoma are also, of course. And Indiana is definitely a factor. You can’t count out Penn State and Michigan, either. Memphis is my personal favorite within the Group of Five teams, at present, but South Florida and Tulane are still contenduhs. There’s a lot to be decided in the upcoming weeks. I’ll be back with more Playoff Predictions next Thursday. For now, here’s a look at this Saturday’s slate along with predictions.

Record:

Last Saturday: SU: 8-4, Overall, 67-17, 80%; ATS: 7-5, 42-42, 50%; O/U: 9-3, 45-39, 53%.

All times Central.

No.16 Vanderbilt (5-0, 1-0) @ Alabama (3-1, 1-0)

Bryant-Denny Stadium

2:30 P.M.

ABC

Sean, Gregory, Molly

Alabama by 10 1/2, O/U, 55 1/2

Though I strongly disagree with his infidelity, Tiger Woods is, at least, loyal to his kids and his college. Doesn’t make up for that, but I’ll give him those two things. When he was at a Stanford-Cal game some years ago, he was asked by an ESPN reporter if USC had a chance of winning the PAC-12. He responded, “I like Stanford.” When pressed again by the reporter to answer the USC question, he said once again, “I like Stanford.” I feel the same way. I’m locked in and dedicated to my wife, my kids, my friends and my college. Give me Diego, wide receiver Junior Sherrill, tight end Eli Stowers, running back Sedrick “Seddy” Alexander, center Jordan White, defensive ends Miles Capers and Khordae Sydnor, safety/linebacker/ STAR Randon Fontenette and corner/punt returner and sometimes wide receiver Martel Hight and Vanderbilt University.

Vanderbilt 31, Alabama 28

No.3 Miami (4-0, 0-0 ACC) @ No.18 Florida State (3-1, 0-1)

Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee

6:30 P.M.

ABC

Chris, Kirk, Holly

‘Canes by 3 1/2, 54 1/2

I like the ‘Noles to redeem themselves after a tough 46-38 double OT loss in C’ville last Friday Night to a pretty strong Virginia team and pull off the upset at home.

FSU 27, Miami 24

No. 9 Texas (3-1, 0-0) @ Florida (1-3, 0-1)

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

2:30 P.M.

ESPN

Bob, Louis, Kris

Longhorns by 6 1/2, 42 1/2

I like the Gators to give the Horns everything they want.

Texas 21, Florida 17

Kentucky (2-2, 0-2) @ No. 12 Georgia (3-1, 1-1)

Sanford Stadium, Athens

11 A.M.

ABC

Tess, Jess, Katie

Dawgs by 20 1/2, 48 1/2

This was an extremely close and ugly game last year at Lexington with the Dawgs prevailing, 13-12. Kirby Smart said Kentucky is always one of the most physical teams they play. But I like Georgia to run it back a little this Saturday and secure a convincing victory.

Georgia 42, Kentucky 10

Mississippi State (4-1,0-1) @ No.6 Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0)

Kyle Field, College Station

6:30 P.M.

S-E-C Network

Tom, Jordan, Cole

Aggies by 16 1/2, 55 1/2

I’ll take the Aggies, coming off their defensive gem against Auburn-though Auburn has major issues on offense-but I like the Bullies to keep it close.

A&M 31, Mississippi State 24

Kent State (1-3) @ Oklahoma (4-0)

Memorial Stadium, Norman

3 P.M.

SEC Network

Dave, Fozzy, Morgan

OU by 44 1/2, 53 1/2

With a new quarterback in there, Michael Hawkins Jr., I like the Sooners to do well, but to not beat the spread.

Oklahoma 42, Kent State 3

National Scores

No.1 Ohio State 35, Minnesota 10

Ohio Stadium, Columbus

6:30 P.M.

NBC/Peacock

Noah, Todd, Kathryn

Buckeyes by 23 1/2, 44 1/2

Like the Buckeyes’ “matriculation” to continue.

No.7 Penn State 42, UCLA 10

Rose Bowl, Pasadena

2:30 P.M.

CBS

Brad, Gary, Jenny

Nittany Lions by 24 1/2, 48 1/2

James Franklin and his team rebound from another disappointing performance against a top 10 team. Franklin is now 4-21 in his career at Penn State versus top 10 teams, 1-18 against top-10 Big Ten opponents and 1-15 against top 5 teams.

No. 11 Texas Tech 31, Houston 27

TDECU Stadium, Houston

6 P.M.

ESPN

Dave, Dusty, Taylor

Red Raiders by 11 1/2, 51 1/2

I like former highly successful Tulane Coach Willie Fritz and his Cougars squad to give Texas Tech a very serious game.

No. 20 Michigan 34, Wisconsin 14

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

11 A.M.

FOX

Gus, Joel, Jenny

Wolverines by 17 1/2, 43 1/2

The Wolverines have a ways to go to get into the playoff discussion, but hope springs eternal.