We are on the verge of an epic Week five in the SEC highlighted of course by the battle of college football heavyweights on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa. Nothing really else to say but let us get these predictions rolling.
Kentucky @ Ole Miss: This is an interesting game because it is the first true "competition" game for the Rebels. They have been wrecking teams left and right, but the question is can they do the same against SEC teams. The Wildcats coming off a bye week after giving Georgia a scare is heading on the road for the first time this year, and I just don't think they have the offensive fire power to hang with Jaxson Dart and his high powered offense.
Kentucky needs this game to be sloppy and low scoring to have a change at the big upset. I don't see this as a good matchup for Mark Stoops team and it may get ugly in the second half. The spread is sitting around 18 point as of now and I wouldn't be shocked if the Rebels cover that. Ole Miss 49 Kentucky 21
Oklahoma @ Auburn: I don't think anyone expected that these teams would come into this game in such bad shape. OU's record doesn't look bad but we know bad things were against Tennessee, they've already moved on from Jackson Arnold and they are looking for their offense to finally show up. This is not exactly how the expected their welcome to the SEC would start.
Auburn has been a dumpster fire all season. They don't have a quarterback have already lost two games at home, and their schedule only will get harder starting this week. This is a must win for both teams because starting 0-2 in SEC play is a very bad look considering the expectations of both programs going into the season.
It will be very interesting to see if the Sooner freshman Michael Hawkins can be the catalyst at Quarterback to get the offense rolling and if whoever is under center for the Tigers can stop throwing picks. This looks like we are on the path for an ugly close game, but still have more faith in the Sooners. OU 24 Auburn 20
Arkansas vs Texas A&M @ Jerry World: Historically this game has been a very competitive game with crazy endings but a series that the Aggies have dominated in the wins category. Arkansas enters the game this year in a much better spot than expected and it is looking like Sam Pittman's hot seat as considerably cooled off. If he can get a second SEC win in a row it would be huge for his future in Fayetteville.
The Aggies got off to a rough start week one as we all know but bounced back with a trouncing of the Gators on the road and held on last week against a tough BGSU quad last week. If you don't believe that ask Penn St about the Falcons as well. The Aggies offense has been much better under Marcel Reed and it will be interesting to see if that continues against an opportunistic Hogs' defense. It should be another fun one in Arlington, but have to think again the Aggies win close in a another late game classic. Texas A&M 27 Arkansas 23
Mississippi State @ Texas: The Longhorns have been on a different level all season and Saturday will give another opportunity for everyone to see Arch Manning at QB as Quinn Ewers is still listed as questionable. There is no reason to risk Ewers against this Bulldogs team as Arch should be able to have a big day under center.
This game should be ugly and continue the long, long first year for new Coach Jeff Lebby in Starkville as he has already lost Blake Shapen for the season and will be depending on freshman Michael Van Buren Jr under center. The first SEC game for Texas should be over by halftime and no telling how bad things might get in Austin. Texas 63 Mississippi State 10
South Alabama @ LSU: A second cake game in a row for LSU in Baton Rouge before the bye week. UCLA gave a better fight than I expected last week, and it will be interesting to see if the Jaguars can make it somewhat interesting Saturday night. LSU defense is still looking for consistency and not having Harold Perkins for the rest of the season doesn't help at all.
LSU should be able to put up points as they have a prolific offense led by Garrett Nussmeier. It may be a little closer than expected and there might be some offensive fireworks considering South Alabama has put up 135 points in their last two games. This may be a fun one to check in on, but LSU just a little too talented for it to get dangerously close. LSU 49 South Alabama 28
Georgia @ Alabama: Finally, we are here for the biggest game of the college football weekend. The atmosphere will be electric, College GameDay will be there, and this is a game that always lives up to the hype. We all know the back story and it will be interesting to see the first Kalen vs Kirby matchup Saturday and another matchup between star quarterbacks, Jalen Milroe and Carson Beck.
We will learn about both teams Saturday night, and don't be surprised if we see this somewhere down the road again this season. Though a big game for both teams, I get the feeling there is more pressure for the Dawgs to win considering the Tide dominance in the series as of late, as well as how it will look if they lose again despite Saban no longer being there. Despite Georgia being the slight favorite it's hard to go against the home team who has plenty to prove themselves. Should be another classic in this series. Bama 27 Georgia 24