Week of Oct 3 Preview

What a Saturday we had last week! Two of the top 10 teams lost to unranked opponents, Arkansas, of all teams, was leading fourth ranked Georgia until midway through the third quarter, and Texas needed a big comeback and OT to beat Texas Tech. It is nice to have the SEC back.

My Record: 3-3 last week, 11-7 overall

Personal note: We are going to a game this week! The husband and I are going to be in attendance for the WKU at MTSU game tonight! We will be all masked up and distanced, but we will be there. I honestly can’t remember a season I haven’t been to a live college football game, so I am more than giddy to continue the streak.

Notable Games
13Texas A&M at 2Alabama
Texas A&M did not play well against Vanderbilt last week. I’m sure a lot of that was not taking the ‘Dores seriously and it being the first game of the season. Lots of people are saying they will look much better this weekend, but I just don’t think so. Alabama is just too good on defense. Kellen Mond and the Aggie offense should look more organized, but I do not see them beating this Alabama team. I expect Jimbo to show, once again, that he is very overpaid. Though, in my opinion, he’d be overpaid even if he won every game. $75 million is way, way too much for any football coach.
I am picking Alabama

7Auburn at 4Georgia
Georgia struggled in the first half of their game against Arkansas last week, but they were able to get their offense figured out in the second half. We don’t know who will be starting at QB for the Dawgs, but transfer JT Daniels has been cleared medically. I expect Georgia to play much better in this rivalry game. Auburn looked good against Kentucky last week, but they just didn’t score like I expected. I think this game will be a tight one, but Georgia will pull away. I don’t see Auburn and Bo Nix scoring enough points to beat Georgia in Athens.
I am picking Georgia

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Oklahoma lost to Kansas State last weekend (KSU lost to Arkansas State earlier this season). The Sooners couldn’t close out the game and new QB, Spencer Rattler, threw an INT with 49 seconds left that sealed the loss. Oklahoma has rebounded well after losses under Lincoln Riley and I expect them to do that again this season. Iowa State beat TCU last week in a close game and I think they will fight and play tough in this game. There should be tons of points scored in this game and we will learn what OU is made of.
I am picking Oklahoma

25Memphis at SMU
This is an interesting game. Memphis has only played one game this season and that was way back on September 5th in a win against Arkansas State. SMU is 3-0 and has been a scoring machine. They have yet to play a strong team, but they can score on anyone. Memphis might come out a little unorganized, and that could give SMU some early points that might be the difference in the game. This should be a fun and high-scoring game, but I think SMU just has more fire power.
I am picking SMU

Texas Tech at Kansas State
Another interesting Big 12 game. Kansas State is coming off a huge win over Oklahoma and Texas Tech very nearly upset Texas last week. I am worried that KSU has a bit of a hangover from the win. Texas Tech was in control of this game, up 15 with just over 3 minutes left, but Texas came back, forced OT and left Lubbock with a win. The Red Raiders scored 56 points in the loss. I think this game will be a typical Big 12 game with tons of offense and I think that favors Texas Tech. This game should be extremely close and a really fun one to watch.
I am picking Texas Tech

Navy at Air Force
This was supposed to be the first of only two games for Air Force, but the Mountain West will play this season. The Falcons will get a couple week head start. Navy hasn’t looked great this season, but two weeks ago they pulled off an amazing comeback against Tulane. The Midshipmen scored 27 unanswered points in the second half after being down 24-0 at halftime. Air Force currently holds the nation’s longest winning streak (8 games), but they have been hit by turn backs. We don’t really know who all is going to be playing for Air Force and that is concerning. I think Navy will get this win in a very close game.
I am picking Navy

Arkansas at 16Mississippi State
I could not be more proud of how Arkansas played last weekend. The players came to play and play they did. They led Georgia 7-5 at halftime and led 10-5 until midway through the 3rd quarter. Georgia ended up winning by 27 (they didn’t cover!) after pulling away in the 4th. The Arkansas offense needs to step up in this game against Mississippi State, but they should be more productive because it’s not Georgia’s defense. Mississippi State was able to take down LSU last week and they looked good doing it. KJ Costello threw for 8 million yards (623 yards) and threw 5TDs. I don’t see Arkansas being able to match the Bulldogs in scoring, but I think they will show improvement on that side of the ball. The Hogs might be facing Bulldogs for the second week in a row, but the two opponents could not be more different. I hope our secondary is ready for the Air Raid.

Top 25
Virginia at 1Clemson
13Texas A&M at 2Alabama
South Carolina at 3Florida
7Auburn at 4Georgia
5Notre Dame BYE
6Ohio State OFF
8Miami BYE
TCU at 9Texas
10Penn State OFF
Tulsa at 11UCF
12North Carolina at Boston College
14Oregon OFF
South Florida at 15Cincinnati
Arkansas at 16Mississippi State
17Oklahoma State at Kansas
18Oklahoma at Iowa State
19Wisconsin OFF
20LSU at Vanderbilt
Missouri at 21Tennessee
22BYU 45 Louisiana Tech 14 (Friday)
23Michigan OFF
NC State at 24Pittsburgh
25Memphis at SMU

Other Games
WKU at Middle Tennessee
Baylor at West Virginia
UTSA at UAB
Ole Miss at Kentucky