The Alabama football team will be battling through a tragedy as former running back Altee Tenpenny lost his life two days ago in a single car, car accident in Glen Allan, Mississippi where he en route to his home town of Little Rock, Ark. It's tough on the players to lose a good friend. They're like family. They're doing something hard together and to lose a teammate, whom everybody on the team liked, is difficult to handle. Altee had some personal battles obviously and it's tough to see a young guy lose his life, but the team will have to block it out and bear down for 60 minutes against Tennessee and then they can get a day off or two to attend Tenpenny's funeral.
****Tenpenny's funeral is Saturday at 11 AM in Little Rock, so no Alabama players there.****
Auburn will be in Fayetteville to play the Arkansas Razorbacks for an 11 AM CT kickoff. That's an early one, and there are AM thunderstorms which could be over with by game time. But it's an excellent matchup of two teams that can really run it and pass it pretty well. The Tigers will try to build on their momentum from a 30-27 victory over Kentucky in Lexington a week ago. Sean White played well and the running game did well. Should be a good battle.
My playoff rankings
1. Alabama
The Tide looks like the best team in the country. The Tide will be challenged by the Tennessee offense, which is pretty good. But their resounding 41-23 victory over A&M last Saturday in College Station proved to me that this is the best team in the country.
2. Ohio State
Played like people were expecting them to all season by blasting Penn State 38-10 last week at the Horseshoe in Columbus. J.T. Barrett looks like he's taken over at quarterback, but Urb seems to be worried about Cardale Jones' feelings for some reason, and keeps putting him in though Barrett is the better quarterback. Still, they're loaded. Have Rutgers this weekend, and close with Michigan State at home, Nov. 21st, and Michigan on the road, Nov. 28th.
3. Baylor
The Bears just keep piling up the points. They'll have their own track meet again this weekend when they play Iowa State at home. I keep saying this, but it's always the defense with Baylor. Are they good enough on defense to win it all? Still not convinced of that.
4. LSU
Leonard Fournette has rushed for 1,202 yards and 14 TDs. He's leading the country in rushing yards. He ran for a buck 80 against and two TDs in a 35-28 hard fought victory over the Florida Gators last Saturday Night. I want to see him run against the most lock down run defense in football, the Alabama Crimson Tide, which LSU will visit Saturday, Nov. 7th. I see LSU like I see Baylor. Do they play good enough defense to be able to win a national championship? I'm not seeing it right now. Another question: Can Brandon Harris throw it well enough when the run is not working? I don't think Harris has answered that question yet. He's said he can, but I'm not a believer yet. He has the targets in wide receivers Malachi Dupree and Travin Dural, but Harris's accuracy is questionable. But LSU has a good team undoubtedly. Defense and Harris remain their question marks though. We should find out who the Bengal Tigers really are when they visit Tuscaloosa. They will be tested defensively this weekend with the high scoring Western Kentucky Hilltoppers coming to Baton Rouge. Will be interesting to see how they fare on defense in this upcoming game.
Teams that are also right there:
5. Stanford
Playing extremely well right now. Christian McCaffrey is a stud running back, quarterback Kevin Hogan is playing well, and the defense is physical and opportunistic.
6. Clemson
Playing really well right now. The defense is good, and DeShaun Watson and the offense are clicking. Wayne Gallman is an outstanding running back.
7. TCU
No.'s 5, 6 and 7 are really interchangeable. TCU has been in some tight ones, but they're still playing very good offense. Their defense has been banged up, but they're getting it done nonetheless. Quarterback Trevone Boykin is good though he can have some issues with accuracy sometimes. Overall, he's an explosive dual threat QB. Josh Doctson is one of the best wide receivers in the country. Their defense will keep getting better and they will certainly be in the mix in November. They have to go to Oklahoma State November 7th, which is far from guaranteed, then they go to OU on November 21st, before finishing out the season in what should be a blockbuster against Baylor at home on Friday, Nov.27th at 6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
8. Utah
Still right there. The Utes have struggled the last couple of weeks, but keep getting it done. They're a fact0r. They do have to go to USC this Saturday though, so that's a major challenge.
9. Michigan State
A good football team, but not great. The Michigan punter, who is an Australian part time male model (are you kiddin me!), bobbled the snap at the end of the game and Michigan State scooped it up and ran it into the end zone for an improbable 27-23 victory on the final play of the game. Michigan should have won the game. I studied the game and Jim Harbaugh had 10 seconds left in the game and no alternative but to punt the ball. The model couldn't get it done. The Spartans are still undefeated at 7-0. They will have to go to Ohio State, November 21st, so that will tell us how good this team really is. Like Ohio State to burst Michigan State's bubble unless Urb keeps playing musical chairs with his quarterbacks and totally ruins the chemistry of his team.
Here's a look at this week's action.
Last week: 13-4; Overall: 98-26 (79%)
All games are Saturday unless otherwise listed
Tennesse (3-3, 1-2 SEC ) @ No. 8 Alabama (6-1, 3-1)
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa (101,821)
2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET
CBS
Verne, Gary, Allie LaForce
Bama by 15
This isn't a complete kick-in for the Tide with the players trying to get ready despite a tragedy which has affected some of the players. The UT offense is pretty good led by running back Jalen Hurd and quarterback Joshua Dobbs. But Alabama should be able to score some points on a shaky UT defense. The secondary, led by junior Eddie Jackson (two ints for TDs) and true freshman Minkah Fitzpatrick (int for TD and blocked punt for TD), is has jelled terrifically. They have now returned three interceptions for TDs. Like the Tide to get it done, get a week off, and then get ready to rumble with LSU.
Alabama 42, Tennessee 24
Auburn (4-2, 1-2) @ Arkansas (2-4, 1-2)
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark. (72,000)
11 AM CT/ Noon ET
SEC Network
Tom Hart, Andre, Kevin Weidl
Arkansas by 6
Should be a game that's won in the trenches. Like Arkansas' offensive line, which is the biggest line in football, college or the NFL, to get the job done and Alex Collins to have a big game on the ground.
Arkansas 28, Auburn 24
Western Kentucky (6-1) @ No. 5 LSU (6-0)
Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge (102,321)
6 PM CT/7 PM ET
Duh U (ESPNU)
Allen Bestwick, Dan Hawkins
LSU by 16 1/2
The LSU defense will be tested by a pretty good offense, but Leonard Fournette should explode in this one. They play some offense at Western Kentucky, but not much defense. Like the Bengal Tigers, which, right now, are in the drivers seat in the SEC West at 4-0, to take care of business over an inferior opponent. They will be really tested in two weeks in Tuscaloosa. We'll see how good Leonard Fournette really is in Bryant-Denny.
LSU 49, Western Kentucky 31
No. 15 Texas A&M (5-1, 2-1 SEC) @ No. 24 Ole Miss (5-2,2-1)
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford (60,580)
6 PM CT/7 PM ET
ESPN
Brad, Todd, Holly
Ole Miss by 5 1/2
Ole Miss has been reeling lately after a 38-10 loss at Florida three weeks ago and a 37-24 L at Memphis last Saturday. Star defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche is questionable for A&M with a possible concussion he suffered while running the ball in a short yardage power run. Hugh Freeze may want to rethink putting Nkemdiche on offense now. Stud left tackle Laremy Tunsil is back though after having to sit out due to an NCAA violation. That will really help the offense. And the Rebels still have a shot at the West with a game at Auburn next Saturday, Arkansas at home Nov.7th, LSU at home Nov. 21st, and at Mississippi State on Nov. 28th. But at the same time, that's tough and this is going to be a tough game Saturday. A&M is explosive despite the fact that Alabama really shut them down last Saturday. I like the Rebels to keep their SEC championship games hopes alive winning in an entertaining shootout on Saturday Night.
Ole Miss 38, A&M 35
Kentucky (5-2, 2-2) @ Mississippi State (5-2, 1-2)
Davis Wade Stadium Starkvegas (55, 082)
6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET
SEC Network
Brent, Jess, Maria
State by 11
Like Dak Prescott and State to get it done at home. State has a pretty good football team and will cause some SEC teams problems when they play them.
State 42, Kentucky 24
Missouri (4-3, 1-3 ) @ Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-3)
Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tn. (39,790)
3 PM CT/ 4 PM ET
SEC Network
Dave, Stinch, Kayce Smith
Missouri by 3
This should be a defensive game because both teams have pretty good defenses and terrible offenses. Like Missouri to get it done in an ugly one. The natives are getting restless in Nashville.
Missouri 17, Vanderbilt 13
Off: Georgia, Florida, South Carolina
National games
No. 3 Utah @ USC
6:30 PM CT/7: 30 PM ET
FOX
Gus, Joel Klatt, Molly McGrath
USC by 3 1/2
USC 34, Utah 31
Upset advisory
Tonight (Thursday)
No. 20 California 38, UCLA 35
8 PM CT/ 9 PM ET
ESPN
Tess, Jess, Dave, Kaylee
UCLA by 3 1/2
Upset Central 2 (Saturday)
No. 23 Duke 31, Virginia Tech 30
2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET
ESPNU
Clay Matvick, John Congemi
Va Tech by 3
No.9 Florida State 34, Georgia Tech 30
6 PM CT/ 7 PM ET
ESPN 2
Mark Jones, Rod Gilmore, Quint
FSU by 6
No.6 Clemson 35, Miami 27
11 AM CT/Noon ET
ABC
Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman, Todd McShay
Clemson by 7
No.1 Ohio State 45, Rutgers 28
7 PM CT/ 8 PM ET
ABC
Chris, Herbie, Heather
Ohio State by 21
No. 2 Baylor 70, Iowa State 31
11 AM CT/ Noon ET
ESPN
Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Shannon Spake
Baylor by 37
No. 10 Stanford 31, Washington 28
9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET
ESPN
Pasch, Greese, Luges
No line
No. 7 Michigan State 34, Indiana 31
2:30 PM CT/ 3:30 PM ET
ABC or ESPN2
Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham, Laura Rutledge
Michigan State by 16
Texas 34, Kansas State 30
11 AM CT/ Noon ET
Fox Sports 1
Joe Davis, Brady Quinn, Kris Budden
Texas by 6 1/2
No. 14 Oklahoma State 56, Kansas 17
3:30 PM CT/4:30 PM ET
Fox Sports 1
Tim, Spencer
Oklahoma State by 35
No. 17 Oklahoma 49, Texas Tech 38
2:30 PM CT/ 3:30 PM ET
ABC or ESPN 2
Adam Amin, Kelly Stouffer, Olivia Harlan
OU by 14
North Carolina 38, Virginia 20
2:30 PM CT/ 3:30 PM ET
ESPN3
Wes Durham, James Bates, Rayven Tirado
UNC by 17 1/2
Tonight
Slight upset
No.22 Temple 34, East Carolina 31
6 PM CT/7 PM ET
ESPN2
Mark Neely, Ray Bentley, Quint Kessenich
East Carolina by 3
Friday
No. 18 Memphis 34, Tulsa 31
7 PM CT/ 8 PM ET
ESPN
Dave Flemming, Mack, Allison Williams
Memphis by 10 1/2
No. 21 Houston 49, Central Florida 21
11 AM CT/Noon ET
ESPN News
Mike Corey, Rene Ingoglia
Houston by 22
No. 19 Toledo 48, UMass 20
2 PM CT/3 PM ET
ESPN3
Bob Picozzi, Matt Chatham
Toledo by 14