By: Matthew Weatherby
The way that my ranking system will work is based on the way my roommate and I watch College football games on any given Saturday. We have 3 TVs that share one audio output, and they all vary in size. If it is a must watch game then it’s TV 1 material, a step down from that will be TV 2 still a good game we want to pay attention to just doesn’t have enough appeal to be on TV one, lastly we have TV 3 this game falls into one of two categories a close game that doesn’t have the same brand value as TV 1 or 2 or someone has a bet on the game. So, let’s rank ‘em
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TV 1 Games:
#8 Ole Miss @ #13 Oklahoma
Time: 12:00
Where to Watch: ABC
Breakdown: You know it, you love it, they say it wins you championships, that’s right, it’s defense. This one feels really simple from an outside perspective: Oklahoma has a defense, and Ole Miss seemingly does not. Now, Oklahoma has one big issue coming into this game, and it’s the health of John Mateer. He didn’t look right against Texas or South Carolina, and if that same guy shows up Saturday, it may not matter that Ole Miss doesn’t have a defense.
Prediction: Oklahoma
#15 Mizzou @ #10 Vanderbilt
Time: 3:30
Where to Watch: ESPN
Breakdown: Vandy is the feel-good story of the year aside from Indiana, and people have bet it as such. According to BetMGM, 93% of the money is on Vanderbilt -2.5. The people in Vegas typically are not too keen on losing money. Mizzou has been very good and has the kind of run game that can control this football game. All eyes are on Vandy, and poor ole Mizzou has to go to Nashville.
Prediction: Mizzou
#3 Texas A&M @ #20 LSU
Time: 7:30
Where to Watch: ABC
Breakdown: LSU is 5-2 and somehow people are throwing it around as a potential head coach opening come this offseason. So, with a chance to turn things around against a team that is apparently on upset alert week in and week out this is a chance for Brian Kelley to calm the masses that want him gone. Texas A&M on the other hand has a chance to improve to 8-0 and be in great position in the race to Atlanta. That LSU defense looked gettable against Vanderbilt giving up 31 in the loss to the commodores last week. If A&M can get Craver and Concepcion going, then it may be tough for LSU to keep up. But LSU is a good team and I have a hard time picking against LSU and Death Valley at night.
Prediction: LSU
TV 2 Games:
Auburn @ Arkansas
Time: 12:45
Where to Watch: SEC Network
Breakdown: UGLY. The only way to describe this game. Aside from the matchup on the field, the weather will match with consistent rain and winds of 10-20 mph in the forecast. I picked Arkansas because I like the makeup of their team better; they’ve lost by 3 two weeks in a row to teams they seemingly had no business competing with after firing their head coach. On the other side of this, I’ve seen a team embody their head coach in Auburn. When things haven’t gone their way, they pouted and gave up. On multiple occasions, why would I pick them when this is a game, they’ll probably need to grind out to win.
Prediction: Arkansas
#4 Alabama @ South Carolina
Time: 3:30
Where to Watch: ABC
Breakdown: Although it may not seem like it, this is a big game for Kalen DeBoer in terms of how the program has progressed under him. They haven’t struggled in ranked games on the road or at home. That typically means you’re doing a great job, and DeBoer has done a great job. His Kryptonite, however? Unranked Road games. Vandy and Oklahoma last year, plus Florida State this year. Don’t let the record of South Carolina fool you; anything can happen if LaNorris Sellers gets hot. But the Tide Roll.
Prediction: Alabama
Texas @ Mississippi State
Time: 4:15
Where to Watch: SEC Network
Breakdown: I know that Texas is favored by 6.5 points on the road. But why? Every road test that Arch Manning and this Texas offense have had to face thus far, they have failed. It’s not like they’ve lost some really good games against a bunch of ranked teams. I mean, my god, their only scoring drive at Kentucky last week was 3 plays, 5 yards and 0:46 off the clock. That was it. Arch Manning was 12/27 with 132 yards. I mean, I am really curious as to why I should pick Texas. So, in the words of Christopher Walken, MORE COWBELL.
Prediction: Mississippi State
#17 Tennessee @ Kentucky
Time: 7:45
Where to Watch: SEC Network
Breakdown: Kentucky has the blueprint on how to make better teams earn it when they come to Lexington. I just happen to think that Joey Aguilar and Tennessee are immune to it. They can score in an instant, and although they have not been bulletproof this year, I expect the Vols offense to handle their business Saturday night. Because everyone knows that Kentucky cannot score.
Prediction: Tennessee
