Bama in an epic in Baton Rouge, AU tries to keep on rolling in week 10

Coach O will have his charges jacked up to the max

Gus shooting for multiple 7's on Saturday on the Plains

Derek and his defense will try to neutralize that and get his offense to put points on the board themselves

Should be electric in Death Valley on Saturday Night at 7 PM Central. The LSU fans should be good and intoxicated by kickoff, and the atmosphere will be raucous. Can the No. 1 Crimson Tide clear this hurdle? 

AU takes on a resurgent Vanderbilt team in Auburn as the Tigers try to keep on grounding out 300 to 400 yard rushing games, make plays in the passing game with the constantly improving Sean White, and have their front four dominate. 

Some other key matchups in the SEC and nationally. Here's a look at this week's headliners.

Last week: 16-8

Overall: 142-64, 69%

Saturday

No. 1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) @ No. 13 LSU (5-2, 3-1)

Tiger Stadium, 102,321

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, CBS

Coach O will have his unit pumped up exponentially and the crowd will be rocking in Death Valley. Leonard Fournette wants to prove he is the big time running back he is portrayed to be, but this time against the best defense in the country that totally shut him down last year in Tuscaloosa.

 I like Big game Bama to get the job done and get out of Baaton Rouge, as Howard used to say, with a major SEC and national statement victory and keep matriculating towards the playoffs, yet with another roadblock ahead against the Auburn Tigers.

Crimson Tide 31, LSU 21

Vanderbilt (4-4, 1-3) @ No. 9 Auburn (6-1, 4-1)

11 AM CT/ Noon ET, ESPN

Not picking due to conflict of interest being a VU alum, but here are the keys to victory for both teams.

VU 

1.Somehow slow down the awesome Kam Pettway and Kerryon Johnson 1-2 punch. Pettway has been on fire, so that's a really tall order. When you have a 6'0", 240 pound Sherman Tank coming at you that's a heavy load to take on and bring down. The Commodores are going to have to stay in their gaps, contain well on the perimeter and really tackle well. Going low on Pettway and with some real force is the only way to get that hoss down.

2. Run the ball well and the offensive line has to impose its will somewhat on a superb front 4 for the Tigers. 

3. VU will have to be better in special teams, need a big play in the kick and punt return game, and the kicker, Tommy Openshaw, needs to convert field goals when he has the opportunity. 

4. Believe they can win in a challenging environment to do that.

AU

1. Pretty much the opposite of Vandy. Unleash Kam, Kerryon, and make plays in the play action passing game.

2. The front wall on both sides needs to be dominant.

3. Kicking game needs to be solid as usual. Daniel Carlson is the best kicker in the country.

Should be fun.

No. 11 Florida (6-1, 4-1) @ Arkansas (5-3, 1-3)

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, CBS

This is going to be another epic in my opinion. Still believe in Brett Bielema and his team. I'm going to go with the upset in Fayetteville on Saturday afternoon.

Hogs 31, Gators 28

No. 4 Texas A&M (7-1, 4-1) @ Mississippi State (3-5, 1-3)

11 AM CT/Noon ET, SEC Network

State is just not having their best year. I see Mullen getting them back next year to being a much better team, though I do think they'll give A&M some trouble in Davis-Wade Stadium. A&M was a surprise coming in at No.4 in the Playoff rankings, so we'll see what they're made of the rest of the way. Home games against Ole Miss and LSU coming up for the Aggies, too. I see them getting through this challenge, but not as easily as expected.

A&M 35, State 28

 

Missouri (2-6, 0-4) @ South Carolina (4-4, 2-4)

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, SEC Network

Really like the job that Will Muschamp has done in Columbia. Like the Gamecocks to get victory No.5 here.

South Carolina 31, Missouri 17

 

Georgia (4-4, 2-4) @ Kentucky 5-3, 4-2)

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, SEC Network

The Wildcats have been the surprise team in the SEC with an outstanding last second victory over State two weeks ago, and a blasting of Missouri last week on the road. But I'm putting my trust in Kirby this week. Still like his great players, Chubb, Michel and Isiah McKenzie. Really like freshman quarterback Jacob Eason already. He's going to be special in the upcoming years. Kirby and the Dawgs rebound from the Florida loss last week.

Dawgs 35, Wildcats 27

Other SEC scores

Ole Miss 45, Georgia Southern 28

11 AM CT/ Noon ET, ESPNU

 

Tennessee 48, Tennessee Tech 7

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, SEC Alternate Channel

 

Top 25

Tonight

No. 14 OU 42, Iowa State 35

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, ESPN

I see the Sooners having a tough time in Ames. Matt Campbell is a fine young football coach and OU's two running backs, Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, are both out with injury and suspension respectively. Baker Mayfield does enough to get the job done for the Sooners. 

No. 15 Colorado 45, UCLA 28

8 PM CT/9 PM ET, Fox Sports 1

Mike MacIntyre is doing a superb job in Boulder. They have a chance to be in the Pac-12 Championship game representing the South and make the Rose Bowl.

Saturday

No. 6 Washington 38, California 35

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET, ESPN

I really like Chris Peterson and the job he's doing in Seattle. Washington is a very solid team, but they've got a tough road ahead with a tricky one this Saturday in Berkeley, then a tough game at home against a resurgent USC team that has started to live up to its talent and is playing outstanding football. Then the Apple Cup against the Washington State Cougars on the road which will be highly demanding, Friday, Nov. 25th. The Huskies have a lot of work ahead of them if they want to get into the playoffs. 

No. 11 Louisville 42, Boston College 17

11 AM CT/ Noon ET, ESPN2

Still believe the Cardinals are a top four team in the country. Their close victories over Duke and Virginia just showed they have mental toughness and both of those teams have excellent coaches and hard working, ambitious players, who will fight you hard. Those are good victories and the demolition of Florida State and the razor thin loss at Clemson convinced me this is a team that is for real. Lamar Jackson sure is.

Northwestern 28, No. 8 Wisconsin 24

11 AM CT/ Noon ET, ABC

Like the Wildcats, a good, underrated football team, to upset the Badgers at home. 

No.3 Meechigan 42, Maryland 17

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ESPN

Like James and the Wolverines to keep getting it done, this week in the Big House.

No. 2 Clemson 42, Syracuse 21

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ABC or ESPN2

Dabo and the Tigers have been getting by this season, barely several times, but they're getting it done at the end and that's all that matters. They're a very good football team.

No. 6 Ohio State 41, Nebraska 28

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, ABC

Like Urb and his troops to snap back this week after a tough loss at Penn State two weeks ago, and a close win over a good Northwestern team, 24-20, at the Horseshoe last week.

No. 18 Oklahoma State 45, Kansas State 42

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ABC or ESPN2

Like the Cowboys, after their huge victory over previously unbeaten and top 10 West Virginia, to keep it going in the Little Apple, Manhattan, Kansas. 

 

No.25 Washington State 49, Arizona 31

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, Pac-12 Network

Love the job that Mike Leach does in Pullman. I'm expecting a colossal showdown with Washington @ Washington State on Friday, Nov. 25th @ 2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET ON Fox or Fox Sports 1. The Cougars are 5-0 in the Pac-12 and 6-2 overall. They're a very good team that has found a pretty good defense to go along with a prolific offense. 

Terrific Week 8 in College football

Some super games on tap in the SEC, particularly in Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Baton Rouge. Here's a look at this week's action along with predictions.

Last Week: 19-7

Overall: 108-47, 70%

No.6 Texas A&M @ No.1 Alabama

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, CBS

This Crimson Tide machine just keeps on rolling. Jalen Hurts is a phenom, the defense has eight touchdowns and special teams 3. I've never seen anything like that at any level. To me, at this point, it's the Crimson Tide and everybody else. There are a lot of good teams in the SEC and throughout the country, but only one great team. And it resides in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Alabama 38, A&M 17

 

No. 17 Arkansas @ No.21 Auburn

5 PM CT/6PM ET, ESPN

I really like Austin Allen at quarterback for the Razorbacks. And I'm major league bullish on play caller and offensive coordinator Dan Enos. He looks like a professor and he calls games like a genius. That victory over Ole Miss last week was highly impressive. Going to take the Hogs in an upset.

Arkansas 35, Auburn 34

No.23 Ole Miss @No. 25 LSU

8 PM CT/9PM ET, ESPN

I still trust Hugh Freeze and I really don't trust Coach O overall. He's a tremendous recruiter and a good defensive line coach, but as a head coach, I'm not sold. Leonard Fournette is playing out a soap opera this year. He's pulling a Jadeveon Clowney/Robert Nkemdiche and not playing hard or playing with any passion as he is only focused on the NFL draft. That could cost him down the road. Neither Clowney nor Nkemdiche have done much so far in the NFL. A lack of effort in college can carry over into the pros. LSU's best player is running back Derrius Guice. He's better than Fournette. I'm not sold on LSU's defensive coordinator. Chad Kelly just needs to get the ball in the air and close to those phenomenal receivers and they'll catch it and make explosive plays. Going with another upset at Tiger Stadium on a Mississippi Saturday Night. 

Ole Miss 31, LSU 28

Tonight

Miami @ Virginia Tech

6 PM ESPN

Like the Hokies to recover from a tough loss to Syracuse last week.

Va. Tech 34,  Miami 31

Troy @ South Alabama

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, Duh U, ESPNU

Troy has been playing well at 5-1, but Joey Jones has always been a clutch coach. Like the Jaguars at home.

South Alabama 34, Troy 30

BYU @ Boise State

9:15 PM CT/10:15 PM ET, ESPN

This is a super matchup. I love the way that BYU is not afraid to play anybody. The Big 12 is a joke for not letting BYU and Houston join their league. It's a clown show in the Big 12. They handled that whole situation so clown-like. I do like Boise to barely edge out a gritty, tough Cougar team on the annoying blue turf. Should be a good game.

Boise State 38, BYU 35

 

Friday

Oregon @ California

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET, ESPN 

Going with the Golden Bears to outscore the Ducks, who are pretty terrible on defense and not getting the job done under Mark Helfrich. Sonny Dykes is doing an excellent job in Berkeley.

Cal 45, Oregon 41

Saturday

Mississippi State @Kentucky

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, SEC Network

State is better than their record. They have talent, they just haven't gotten the stellar quarterback play that they had the last four years with Dak Prescott who is lighting it up with Dallas in the NFl. That's quite a story in itself. But I like Dan Mullen and his Bulldogs to get it done in the Bluegrass state.

State 31, Kentucky 28

Massachusetts @ South Carolina

11 AM CT/Noon ET, SEC Network

Like the Gamecocks to break out some on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium. Will Muschamp's  a good hire, and it's going to show in the coming years. They've been competitive. He just needs more playmakers on offense and to really recruit well overall. I expect him to do that going forward.

SC 42, UMass 14

Middle Tennessee @ Missouri

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, SEC Network

Like the Tigers to get on the winning side of the ledger this week.

Missouri 42, MTSU 28

No.2 Ohio State @ Penn State

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, ABC

It's going to be windy  @ 15-25 MPH and some rain, though it may stop at game time. This game should be more of a grind it out type of contest. Going with Urb and the Buckeyes to get the job done in Happy Valley, but it'll be tougher than expected..

The Ohio State 28, Penn State 24

Oregon State @ No.5 Washington 

5:30 PM CT/6:30 PM ET, PAC 12 Network

Bullish on this Huskies team. They're looking like a possible playoff team. I'm going with Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Louisville at this point, but Washington and Michigan are knocking on the door, though I have something to say about Jim and Michigan coming up. 

Washington 45, Oregon State 24

Illinois @ No. 3 Michigan

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network

When is Jim going to play anybody good? He played a pretty good Wisconsin team and a pretty decent Colorado team but both games were played before 107,000 fans at the Big House. He's had a cupcake schedule.  Michigan is good, but I'm not calling them great. Jim still has proving to do. The schedule is so easy, that it might not be till @ Ohio State before he's tested. No wonder he's out in California announcing the high school homecoming queen and holding the chains for a a prep game during an off week, because he sure doesn't have to worry much about Illinois and the rest of his cream puff schedule. Well done again, Jim.

Michigan 63, Illinois 7

NC State @ No.7 Louisville

11 AM CT/Noon ET, ABC

The Wolfpack played Clemson down to the wire and were a missed 30 yard field goal at the end of regulation from beating them. Clemson has really lived dangerously this season. I like Lamar Jackson and his Cardinals team to keep it going at home though. The Cardinals only loss is to Clemson on the road and they gave the Tigers everything they wanted in Death Valley. Louisville is a buy for me.

Louisville 48, NC State 24  

TCU @  No. 12 West Virginia

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ABC

Usually not a big buyer in Dana Holgerson at West Virginia, but this team seems different. TCU is down this season, so I'll take the Mountaineers at home. They're not elite, but they're pretty good and have a chance to win the Big 12.

West Va. 31, TCU 28

No. 10 Wisconsin @ Iowa

11 AM CT/Noon ET, ESPN

Like the Badgers to bounce back against the Hawkeyes.

Whisky 24, Iowa 21

Purdue @ No.8 Nebraska

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ABC

Not buying Nebraska as an elite team at all, but they'll get by Purdue with relative ease.

Nebraska 35, Purdue 24

No. 22 North Carolina @ Virginia 

2 PM CT/3 PM ET, ACC Network, Watch ESPN

I'm kind of liking  the Tar Heels. Still hesitant to really be bullish on them because Gene Chizik is their defensive coordinator. But they went to Miami last week and won, and they've been pretty impressive this year. Virginia is in a total rebuild mode right now.

UNC 34, UVA 30

Indiana @ Northwestern

11 AM/Noon ET, Big Ten Network

Still like the schools that still believe in the concept of "student" athlete and not just "NFL" athlete. Northwestern is also very competitive.

Northwestern 30, Indiana 28

Colorado @ Stanford

2 PM CT/3 PM ET, PAC-12 Network

Like this Buffaloes team. Stanford is not the Stanford we've seen the last several years. 

Colorado 31, Stanford 28

Texas @ Kansas State

11 AM CT/Noon ET, ESPN 2

I still believe in Charlie Strong. Texas needs to give him another year so he can have all his recruits in place and have his culture firmly instilled in the program. Mack Brown left him a mess that it's taken a while to clean up. He has had to get rid of smoothie bars at the practice field and buses from the locker room to the practice field. It's been a challenge, but I still am a buyer in Strong. 

Texas 38, Kansas State 34

No. 16 Oklahoma @ Texas Tech

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, FOX

OU seems to be getting it together. They should. Stoops has a lot of talent. He should be able to do something with it.

OU 48, Texas Tech 42

No. 19 Utah @ UCLA

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, FOX

Like the Bruins to get the job done at the Rose Bowl.

UCLA 31, Utah 28

Washington State @ Arizona State

9 PM CT/10 PM ET, PAC-12 Network

Really believe in Mike Leach and what he's doing in Pullman. His team finished 9-4 last year, they play better defense this year, and I trust Leach and his team. Looks like a shootout in the desert though.

Wash State 48, Zona State 45

No. 11 Houston @ SMU

6 PM CT/7 PM ET, ESPN 2

Like the Cougars to get the job done but their stock and Tom Herman's stock have both dropped somewhat.

Houston 45, SMU 28

Memphis @ No. 24 Navy

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET CBS Sports Network

If the Academy can knock off Houston at home they can do the same with Memphis. Like the slight upset here.

Midshipman 28, Memphis 24

Eastern Michigan @ No. 20 Western Michigan

Western Michigan is becoming quite a story in college football. P. J. Fleck is doing some super things in Kalamazoo.

Western Mich 38, Eastern Michigan 28

Off this week

SEC: No. 15 Florida, No. 18 Tennessee, Georgia

Off Nationally

No.4 Clemson, No.9 Baylor, No. 13 Florida State

 

 

Tide in Knoxvegas for week 7, some solid SEC matchups, decent national slate

No. 1 Alabama pretty much imposed their will on the Arkansas Razorbacks last Saturday Night in Fayetteville and quieted the Hogs faithful very quickly with what I'd call a blowout victory, 49-30.

Jalen Hurts continues to impress as he completed 13 of 17 passes for 253 yards and a pair of 7's, Damian Harris ran for 122 yards. The running game looked stellar. The defense may not have put on their best performance yardage wise, but they scored two touchdowns, one a Da'Shawn Hand sack and strip of Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen that Tim Williams picked up and ran in from 23 yards, the other a  Minkah Fitzpatrick interception in the Crimson Tide end zone which he returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. It was beautiful. Minkah had three interceptions for the game. Wow.

The defense gave up 473 total yards, 400 of them passing, but sacked Allen 6 times for a loss of 49 yards. Tim Williams had one, Ryan Anderson had one, Shaun Dion Hamilton had one, Hand had his, Da'Ron Payne had one, Rashaan Evans had a 1/2 sack and Christian Miller had a 1/2 sack.  The defense is epic. Any defense that goes against a good quarterback and a good offense is going to struggle a little bit. But if you can sack the quarterback, prevent the other team from running the ball, and get turnovers, turning two into touchdowns, that's outstanding defense. This is an impressive group.

Now it's onto Tennessee. Auburn is off this weekend after an impressive performance at State last Saturday, a 38-14 Tigers victory. Auburn has now gotten relevant in the SEC. Gus has turned the offensive play calling duties over to Rhett Lashlee and it's worked out tremendously. The defense has been excellent all season. Kamryn Pettway came in for an injured Kerryon Johnson last Saturday and rushed for 169 yards and three TDs. Impressive. He's an excellent running back, and if Johnson can get back from his ankle injury next week against Arkansas at home, the AU running game looks very formidable going forward with a real one-two punch. Sean White was 14 of 18 for 204 yards and a seven against State. Carl Lawson looks like he's back to his usual All American form as he had two sacks last Saturday. Marlon Davidson is already a star as a freshman. He had a sack last Saturday. It was complete domination by the Tigers. Both Lawson and Davidson forced fumbles and Montravius Adams recovered both of them. Montravius is stout again. Stephen Roberts had an interception. Auburn has become a good football team. Next Saturday, Arkansas comes to the Plains in what looks like a very winnable game, and then the Tigers travel to Ole Miss, Oct.22,  in what should be a classic. Expecting quite a game in two weeks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. 

Here's a look at week 7 action with the Tide traveling to Rocky Top, another key SEC matchup, and some other interesting conference games, along with some pretty good national tilts.

Last week: 13-5

Overall: 89-40, 69%

No.1 Alabama @ No.9 Tennessee

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, CBS

Bama by 13

The Tide looks almost unbeatable at this point, but Tennessee at Neyland Stadium and their 107,000 fans will present a  challenge. But I love the way Jalen Hurts is playing and the running game looks like it's getting cranking. Bo Scarbrough had a nice 21 yard TD run, so if he can get it going with Damian Harris, the Tide will have a really fine one-two punch, along with stellar freshman Josh Jacobs, who makes three. 

Joshua Dobbs is having a really good year, and former Alabama running back Alvin Kamara is a stud. Jalen Hurd will be back for this game after returning from injury, but I like Kamara better. He almost single handedly beat A&M last Saturday in College Station running for 127 yards and catching 8 passes for 161 yards. He looks unstoppable. Tennessee has some injuries on defense, but they've been better this year under first year coordinator Bob Shoop, who came down to Knoxville from Penn State, and is familiar with the SEC having been a defensive coordinator under James Franklin at Vanderbilt from 2011-14. 

But I don't see Tennessee as having enough to stop the Crimson Tide. Like the Tide to keep on rolling in Knoxville Saturday afternoon.

Bama 45, Tennessee 24

No.12 Ole Miss @ No. 22 Arkansas

6 PM CT/7 PM ET, ESPN

Ole Miss by 7 

Honestly, I don't know how Austin Allen kept getting back up last Saturday night after the beating he took. He's a tough one. I like this Ole Miss team. To me they're the closest team to Alabama in the SEC. They're not as good as the Crimson Tide, but they're close. Like the Rebs to get it done over the Hogs.

Ole Miss 42, Arkansas 34

 

Other SEC scores

LSU 51, Southern Miss 14

Coach O making an impact and turning this program around with the cupboard full of talent.

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, SEC Network

 

Georgia 38, Vanderbilt 14

Nick Chubb looked like the Nick Chubb from two years ago last Sunday in Columbia running for 124 yards and a pair of 7's. Sony Michel added 135 yards in a 28-14 Dawgs victory over South Carolina. Brian Herrien, a freshman, is a third option for the Dawgs and looks like the next great RB in Athens. He ran for 82 yards. This one-two punch of Chubb and Michel is the best in the country if they can both stay healthy. They'll have their way Saturday against the reeling Commodores.

11 AM CT/Noon ET, SEC Network

 

No.18 Florida 34, Missouri 17

The Gators welcome back quarterback Luke Del Rio, who has been out the last three weeks with a knee injury. He will make a huge difference for them in the Swamp. It's huge to have him back because if the Gators can take care of business Saturday, they'll be primed for a huge one in Jacksonville in two weeks against the Dawgs. The Gators are off next Saturday as are the Dawgs. One thing the Gators need to do is play LSU on Nov.19th, when both teams are scheduled to play out of conference games, the Gators hosting Presbyterian, and the Tigers hosting South Alabama. I believe in Joey Jones and what he's doing in Mobile, but this game needs to be played. LSU needs to toughen up and play this game. It's too important to the conference to play this game. The conference winner is determined by winning percentage, not by how many wins a team has. So if Florida finished 6-1 and Tennessee finished 6-2, Florida would get the nod for the SEC Championship Game even though UT had beaten them. Same with LSU if they won out and finished 6-1, but their road will be a lot tougher than Florida's with games against Ole Miss, Alabama and Arkansas still left. This game needs to be played.

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, SEC Network

Friday

BYU 31, Mississippi State 28

Like the Bulldogs to keep it close, but for BYU to get it done at the end.

9:15 PM CT/10:15 PM ET, ESPN

 

National scene

Saturday

Ohio State 35, Wisconsin 20

Like Urb, J.T. Barrett and the Buckeyes to keep their playoff hopes going with a victory over a pretty good Whisky team, that has beaten LSU in Green Bay, and Michigan State soundly on the road. The Badgers lost to Michigan two weeks ago, 14-7, at the Big House but gave Jim and the Wolverines everything they wanted. But Ohio State's more prolific on offense than Michigan. 

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, ABC

Stanford 30, Notre Dame 28

Going with the Cardinal in an upset here. Not liking this Notre Dame team at all. Brian Kelly is reeling as head coach of the Fighting Irish. See Christian McCaffrey having a big game against a swiss cheese Irish defense. 

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, NBC

 

No.3 Clemson 45, NC State 28

11 AM CT/Noon ET, ABC

Along with Alabama, Ohio State and Louisville, Clemson looks like a playoff team.

 

Friday

No.7 Louisville 56, Duke 20

6 PM CT/7PM ET, ESPN

 

Saturday

Troy 45, Georgia State 14

The Trojans are a really good football team. Love what second year coach Neil Brown is doing at Troy. Brown came to Troy from Kentucky where he was offensive coordinator. The Trojans are 4-1 with their only loss coming to Clemson 30-24, in which they gave Clemson everything they wanted at Death Valley on September 10th. See Troy having an excellent season and making a real solid bowl game.

2:30 PM CT, ESPN3

 

South Alabama 42, Arkansas State 35

Really like what Joey Jones is doing in Mobile. The Jags are 3-2 and claim victories over Mississippi State on the road to open the season, 21-20, and an upset at home over then 19th ranked San Diego State, 42-24. This is another team that has a bright future this season as far as postseason aspirations. The Jaguars are the underdog here, but I like them to pull off the upset on the road. 

6 PM CT, ESPN3

No. 14 Florida State 38, Wake Forest 21

After a hard fought victory over MIami at the Canes last Saturday, like the Noles to do well this week.

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ESPN

No.13 Houston 48, Tulsa 35

6 PM CT/7 PM ET, ESPN2

 

Upset central

Northwestern 28, Michigan State 27

Like the Wildcats to pull it off at East Lansing.

 

No. 16 Miami 38, North Carolina 30

Like the Canes to bounce back from their difficult loss to FSU last Saturday when they had their extra point blocked with 1:38 left in the game, after it looked like they had tied the game. They lost 21-20. Like them to bounce back this week against Gene Chizik's defense.

No. 11 Baylor 48, Kansas 10

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, Fox Sports 1

Virginia 31, Pittsburgh 30

 UVA pulls off the slight upset here.

11:30 AM CT/12:30 PM ET, ACC Network

 

Texas Tech 52, West Virginia 48

This should be a fun game to watch. A lot of fireworks on offense.

11 AM CT/Noon ET, Fox Sports 1

 

No. 19 Oklahoma 42, Kansas State 38

You never know what you're going to get with a Bob Stoops coached team week to week. Kansas State will give the Sooners everything they want, but I'll give Bob and his team the victory.

11 AM CT/Noon ET, ESPN

No. 24 Western Michigan 38, Akron 28

P. J. Fleck is doing a superb work for Western Michigan. They're like Troy and South Alabama. High bowl aspirations this season.

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, CBS Sports Network

 

No. 15 Boise State 45, Colorado State 21

Like the job Bryan Harson is doing at Boise. They're 5-0.

9:15 PM CT/10:15 PM ET, ESPN2

Colorado 48, Arizona State 35

Really like what Mike MacIntyre is doing in Boulder. He's got a bright future in coaching. They're 4-2 and beat Oregon three weeks ago on the road, 41-38. 

7 PM CT/8PM ET, PAC-12 Network

Washington State 45, UCLA 31

Mike Leach has really turned the Cougars program around this season, after going 9-4 last year. After losing their first two to Eastern Washington (inexplicable) and Boise State, they've crushed Oregon, 51-33, at home, and crushed Stanford, 42-16 on the road. On the other side, Jim Mora Jr, and his team are really struggling. 

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET, ESPN

 

Oregon State 31, Utah 28

Like the Beavers to get it done at home In an upset over duh Utes. They upset Cal last week, 47-44 in overtime, and I see them doing it again. 

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, PAC-12 Network

 

USC 38, Arizona 35

Trojans getting better. Not elite by any means, but getting pretty good with redshirt freshman Sam Darnold now entrenched at quarterback. Since getting the starting nod in game 4, Darnold has completed 80-of-118 passes, 68%, for 1,099 yards, 8 TDs and just two ints. He's made a difference for the men of Troy. 

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, FOX

 

Off this week in the SEC

Auburn, A&M, South Carolina and Kentucky 

Off nationally

No. 4 Michigan, Jim having a slumber party with various recruits

No.5 Washington

No. 25 Navy, after a colossal 46-40 upset of then No. 6 Houston, gets the week off as their game with East Carolina was postponed because of the effects of Hurricane Matthew in Greenville, N.C. 

Ninth ranked Spartans head to Vestavia Hills tonight for huge Region 3 clash

The Mountain Brook Spartans play the Rebels of Vestavia Hills tonight at 7 in a huge Class 7A, Region 3 battle. The Spartans, ranked ninth in the state, are 5-1 overall and 3-1 in Region 3, in second place behind Hoover who are 4-0.

Mountain Brook Coach Chris Yeager, now in his 11th year as head coach after serving 7 years as Joey Jones' offensive coordinator, said when the Spartans defeated the Rebels in 1996, his first year at Mountain Brook, it was the first time Mountain Brook had beaten Vestavia since '83-85', 11 years. Lately, the Spartans have held their own against the Rebels. Two years ago, the Spartans won at Vestavia and last year the Rebels came into Mountain Brook and won.

Yeager calls the Rebels, "a mirror image of our team.

"Their guys and our guys grew up playing basketball and baseball together and there are a lot of friends on each team. They do what we do. We have to win the turnover battle. It seems like in this game, the team that wins the turnover battle usually wins. We'll have to keep them from making big plays, and Hamp will need to play well, which he will."

Junior quarterback Hamp Sisson has accounted for 200 all purpose yards the last two weeks against Spain Park two weeks ago in a huge road victory over the Jags, and last week in a victory Tuscaloosa County at home. Sisson has completed 67% of his passes this season, 59-of-88, for 625 yards, four TDs and no interceptions. Yeager says Hamp's wheels have been huge as he's thrown for three touchdowns on the run. He's been superb.

The offensive line, led by senior Price Delk and the rest of the linemen, have done a terrific job. Junior Harold Joiner is a bit banged up but has been a major part of the offense this season rushing for 350 yards and four TDs. Junior A.J. Gates is emerging as a big time dual threat along with Joiner, and senior Sam Everette is another solid option.

And the defense has been a major reason for the Spartans success thus far this season. Yeager calls senior linebacker Will Wetzler, "the best linebacker in the region." Wetzler has recorded 66 tackles this season, and posted 22 two weeks ago at Spain Park. That's right, 22. Wow. Senior safety Tanner Dean has been a major part of the defense as well that features 9 senior starters. The Spartans have six interceptions on the season led by corner Reid Hogue, who has picked off three passes. 

It's been a tremendous start for the team, and tonight is another test for this veteran, clear eyes, full hearts team. It's a dedicated group. The Rebels are 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the region, not a typical record for Vestavia Hills, but they're always dangerous. 

Yeager said if the team can commit to getting better every day, "We can go deep in the playoffs. This can be a really special season "

Next up, tonight 7 PM Vestavia Hills. 

Week 6 predictions

Kerryon Johnson will need to keep up his tremendous work in a huge test for the Tigers in Starkvegas 

Last week: 18-4

Overall: 76-35, 68%

Blockbuster Saturday in the SEC including huge games for Alabama and Auburn. Here are the predictions for week 6:

Friday

No.3 Clemson 31, Boston College 13

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, ESPN

No. 24 Boise State 42, New Mexico 24

8 PM CT/9 PM ET, CBS Sports Network

Saturday

No.1 Alabama 28, No. 16 Arkansas 17

6 PM CT/7 PM ET, ESPN

Auburn 28, Mississippi State 24

11 AM CT/Noon ET, SEC Network

No. 8 Texas A&M 35, No.9 Tennessee 31

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, CBS

Georgia 28, South Carolina 20

Sunday 1:30 PM CT/2:30 PM ET, SEC Network

Kentucky 24, Vanderbilt 20

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, SEC Network

No.2 Ohio State 42, Indiana 31

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ESPN

No.4 Michigan 42, Rutgers 10

6 PM CT/7PM ET, ESPN2

No.6 Houston 42, Navy 24

2 PM CT/3 PM ET, CBS Sports Network

No.5 Washington 42, Oregon 31

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, FOX

No. 10 Miami 35, No. 23 Florida State 31

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, ABC, Could be a problem playing with the hurricane around, but  maybe not. May be past Miami by then.

No. 24 Utah 38, Arizona 24

9 PM CT/10 PM ET, Fox Sports 1

UCLA 45, Arizona State 35

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET, ESPN2

Upsets Central

Texas 45, Oklahoma 42

11 AM, Fox Sports 1

No. 25 Va Tech 31, No. 17 North Carolina 27

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ABC or ESPN2, Hurricane Matthew could be an issue

No. 21 Colorado 38, USC 35

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, PAC-12 Network

Washington State 42, No. 15 Stanford 38

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET, ESPN

Open Date in the SEC: OIe Miss, Missouri

What a drive, what a victory, super Bball news, NFL players, DP, guys in the majors

Very proud of Coach Mason and the players for getting it done late on the road at Western Kentucky as the Commodores scored on the last play of regulation on a clutch Ralph Webb 3 yard run/dive and some clutch play by the offensive line, and the team scored a 7 in overtime and prevented Western from converting a 2 point conversion after their TD in a tremendous 31-30 victory.

With the victory, the team moves to 2-2 on the season and head into this Saturday's matchup with the Florida Gators at 11 AM CT/ Noon ET on the SEC Network with tons of momentum. 

The final drive of regulation with 1:02 left in the game and the team down 24-17 was Elway-eske in a way. It was beautiful. With the ball on our own 25, Kyle connected with tight end Jared Pinkney for 22 yards. Then Kyle connected with stud freshman wide out Kalija Lipscomb for 12 yards to the WKU 39. Kyle then hit Trent Sherfield for 24 yards to get the ball to the Western 15. We had no timeouts left and Kyle and the receivers still showed so much poise. After 2 incompletions, Kyle threw it for Trent close to the goal line. It was incomplete but Western was flagged for a pass interference penalty, so the ball was placed at the 2 yard line, first and goal. But there were only :03 left.

Western called two timeouts on defense before we ran our last play of the game. Coach Mason said afterwards that Coach Ludwig asked him what he wanted to do run or pass. Coach Mason said to run it. We ran it over the right side of our line and Ralph leapt into the end zone for the six. Tommy Openshaw connected on the extra point and we were going into overtime tied at 24.

We got the ball first in the OT, and Kyle hit Jared, who was super down the stretch, for a 14 yard gain to the Western 11. Ralph rushed for 7 yards to the Western 4. Ralph then rushed for 3 more yards to get us to first and goal at the one. After a couple of loss of yardage plays, we had the ball  third and goal at the Western 5, Kyle rolled to his right and found tight end Nathan Marcus open in the end zone for the 7. Tommy connected. We were up 31-24.

Western scored on an 8 yard TD pass, and, somewhat surprisingly, Coach Jeff Brohm went for 2. Our line batted the pass in the air and our defensive backs knocked it down to secure the gigantic victory, that puts us at 2-2 overall as we head back into conference play. We are 0-2 in the SEC, but a victory over Florida could really jump start this football team for the rest of the season. Last Saturday was a huge momentum and confidence builder for the team.

Ralph ran for 95 yards and three 7's, Kyle was 18-of-29 for 279 yards a TD along with an int, but was super clutch when it counted the most. C.J. Duncan caught five passes for 66 yards, Kalija caught 3 passes for 56 yards, Jared caught 3 for 41 yards, and Trent caught 2 for 38 yards. Our offense looked tremendous on that last drive and in the overtime period. Tons of credit goes to Coach Ludwig, Coach Mason, of course, for making the courageous run call on the last play of the game. Kyle and his awesome receiving corps and the awesome play of our offensive line were huge keys to the victory. We just wore them down at the end. Center Barrett Gouger, right guard Bruno Reagan, right tackle Justin Skule, left guard Delando Crooks, and left tackle Will Holden got the job done and done extremely well in the clutch. Really proud of our offense.

The defense may not have had their best game against Western, but there were some super individual efforts and some really good turnovers. Cornerback Torren McGaster finished with 9 tackles and a fumble recovery. Linebacker Zach Cunningham, as usual, had 9 tackles. Zach is just all over the field every game. He gives it max effort every time out, and he is a superb football player. Linebacker Ja'karri Thomas also had 9 tackles. Star linebacker/safety Oren Burks had four tackles and a tackle for loss. Zach and Ja'karri also had a tackle for loss. Zach had 1 1/2 TFL's. Taurean Ferguson had 5 tackles and a forced fumble. Tre Herndon played a super game with five tackles, a fumble recovery, that was caused by Taurean's strip on the Western running back at the goal line that popped into Tre's arms and he ran if back for 27 yards, and Tre also added an interception. While we gave up 496 yards of total offense, which is too much for our defense, we made some big plays. I know we'll be better against Florida.

Huge victory for a team that has now realized they can win these toss up games. Now it's onto Florida. Huge test for the team on Saturday, but I see us playing well and we could very well pull this out. The Gators lost to Tennessee, 38-28, in Knoxville last Saturday after squandering a 21-3 halftime lead. Florida is playing their backup quarterback, Austin Appleby, and he was pretty good for a while against the Vols finishing 23-of-39 for 296 yards and 3 TDs, so he's very capable. They've got a pretty good running game and a good defense, so it's a major test for our football team. Florida's stud receiver Antonio Callaway caught 4 passes for 134 yards against UT, but was hobbled some, so he could be a little banged up heading into Saturday. Anyway, we've just got to believe we can get this done and we will. 

Tremendous victory for Coach Mason and the team. So proud of them.

Huge news on the Basketball front

Superb new basketball commit Ejike Obinna

Vanderbilt basketball Coach Bryce Drew landed his third commitment for the 2017 class. Six foot-nine, 220 pound, 4 star power forward Ejike Obinna from Ashburn, Virginia has committed to VU. Watched Ejike on film and he looks tough, talented offensively and athletically, an enforcer on the defensive end, a ferocious rebounder, and a shot blocker. Huge pickup for Coach Drew and the staff. Ejike chose us over Clemson and Florida, who were other final contenders. Ejike had offers from close to 30 programs including LSU, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Missouri, Seton Hall, Miami, Texas A&M, West Virginia and Xavier. So Ekije is a huge get for the program. Well done by Coach Drew and the staff. 

Ekije joins four star point guard Saben Lee out of Tempe, Arizona and 4 star combo guard Maxwell Evans out of Bellaire, Texas. Pumped about football, but also getting pumped about basketball. Not sure if Coach Drew is through yet. I believe he'll be looking for another power forward or a center before this recruiting period is over. The early signing period for basketball starts November 9th, that's a Wednesday. So, we'll get these three studs in the fold and maybe add another before then as well. Will keep you posted.

NFL guys

JMatt doin serious work for the Eagles

Jordan Matthews caught another touchdown on Sunday in a 34-3 Philadelphia Eagles victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. JMatt caught a 12 yard TD pass from super rookie quarterback Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State. Wentz has energized this football team, and they're playing superbly on both sides of the ball. JMatt already has 15 receptions for 204 yards and a pair of 7's. He's been terrific. The Eagles moved to 3-0 on the season and head into their bye week with major momentum. Love to see the man doing well once again. He's so consistent. Hoping JMatt will be at the game Saturday to help our emerging receiving corps like he did this past summer when he spent a major amount of time with them and told Coach Mason they were ready for SEC football. They look like it now. JMatt is a total stud and his presence on the sideline would mean a lot to our receivers and our entire football team. Love what the man is doing in Philly. The Eagles do, too.

 Casey Hayward doing a tremendous job at corner for the San Diego Chargers. Casey signed with the Chargers in the offseason and already has three interceptions this season. The Chargers are 1-2, but look pretty competitive and Casey is playing tremendous football.

Andre Hal is a staple in the Houston Texans secondary at safety. Andre has one interception this season, it was actually off Jay, and 10 tackles. They love Andre in Houston. He's a real pro just like JMatt and Casey.

Wesley Johnson has played center in all three games for the Jets. Wesley was one of the best linemen to ever come through VU, and I'm hopeful he'll be the Jets or somebody's starting center down the road. I know he can get the job done and done well.

Zac Stacy hasn't been picked up yet. He suffered a tough broken ankle last year and was waived by the Jets before the season started. But I believe Zac will land somewhere this season. Zac is a really good player, and with the injuries at running back in the National Football League, several teams will need a running back probably sooner rather than later. Will keep an eye on Zac's status.

Jay Cutler is having a tough year so far. His team is 0-3 and he struggled mightily last week against the Eagles at home before spraining his thumb. Hopeful Jay can come back and rally his team and get them back in the NFC North race. Jay is tough and comes back from injuries as quickly as possible, so he could be back this Sunday as the Bears host the Detroit Lions. The Bears are still playing hard, but they have five or six defensive starters who are out with injuries right now, and Jay is hurt, so it's been a struggle. They lost to the Cowboys Monday Night, 31-17. Brian Hoyer is doing a good job in relief of Jay. Hopefully Cut can come back on Sunday.

David, Pedro Dans, Tony, Sonny

DP, BoSox, stellar; Sonny (below) giving it one more go tomorrow night

David Price is 8-0 in his last 9 starts with a 2.91 ERA. David has been superb and so have the Red Sox. The Sox have won 11 in a row, and now, at 92-64, have the best record in the American League as Texas lost last night. With six games to go, if the Sox can hold off the Rangers, they would have the home field advantage throughout the AL playoffs and would get the home field in the World Series as the American League defeated the National League in the All-Star game and earned the home field due to that, if they can win the AL pennant. With Big Papi, Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez, Xander Bogaerts, Sandy Leon, and super rookie Andrew Benintendi, the Red Sox have some amazing lumber in their lineup. The Sox  are playing stellar defense and getting outstanding starting pitching. The bullpen has become very reliable. David earned the victory last Thursday over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, 5-3, going 7, giving up six hits, three runs, with 2 walks and 5 K's. David threw 99 pitches, 72 of them for strikes against 27 balls, an excellent strike-ball ratio. His fastball was hitting 92-93, but he did hit 95 in the bottom of the 5th. His change up and cutter were stellar, particularly his change up. It's a circle change, meaning there is movement as it moves into a right handed hitter and away from a left handed batter. It's a really awesome pitch. It's effectively a curve ball with more velocity, coming in at 85-86. Dave's cut fastball has good movement on it too. David moved to 17-8 with the victory and now has a 3.91 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP, getting closer to the walks and hits per innings pitched that he wants. His ERA keeps going down, too. The Sox are sizzling right now. Like where they're headed as we matriculate into the postseason which starts next Tuesday, Oct. 4th with the AL Wild Card game Tuesday Night and the NL wild card game next Wednesday Night, Oct.5th. TBS will televise the AL Wild Card game and ESPN will have the NL wild card game. I will have my predictions for the playoffs on Monday, Oct. 3rd on my all sports blog. I'll send out an email to you guys as well to alert you when it's up.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today has already coronated the Cubs the World Series champions, but I'm not buying the Cubs yet. They have to get through the Nationals and/or the Dodgers in the National League postseason, and face hopefully the Sox in the World Series if they get there. So there is plenty to be decided and nothing is given. I really like that Nationals squad too, and the Dodgers, and I'm still not discounting the Mets if they can make it in as a wild card. In the AL, the BoSox, the Rangers, the Indians and the Blue Jays look like the best teams, and the wild card is still wide open with the O's hanging on.

Pedro Alvarez is  playing some. Still want to see him get more of a shot, he's had a really good year with the bat and deserves more of a shot, but don't get me started. Pedro needs to be somewhere where he is valued as the stellar player that he is. Maybe the O's will give him more of a shot the rest of this season and in the postseason if they make it. Chris Davis is still striking out at a tremendous rate and he's a terrible first baseman. Seems like Showalter would give Pedro a look at first to see what he could do. Still unclear why Showalter continues to play Davis and not give Pedro an opportunity.  I'm still really ticked off about it. 

Dansby Swanson is doing a super job for the Braves at shortstop and hitting over .300. Like where Dans is. He's the shortstop of the future for a team that looks like they could break through as a playoff team, if not next year, in 2018.

Tony Kemp is playing left field for the Astros and doing well. Tony was 2 for 3 on Sunday, and the Astros are hanging on by a thread in the AL wild card race. They are 3.5 back of the second place O's with 5 games left. Tony looks like he'll have a good future in the majors, whether it's with the Astros or somebody else. Like Pedro, somebody needs to put Tony in the lineup and stick with him. They'll be happy they did.  

Sonny Gray is going to make one last start for the A's tomorrow night @ the Los Angeles Angels. Sonny has been out for a month and a half with a forearm injury, but wanted to pitch one more time this season for the A's. He'll probably go for a short period of time according to the San Francisco Examiner, anywhere from 2-3 innings, but it'll be good to see him out there competing, and hopefully have a good outing and get some momentum for next year. Sonny should be back with the A's next season. Not positive with the way they move players in Oakland, but just ready to see Sonny back out there full time in 2017.

David pitches tonight against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The next six games mean a lot to the BoSox for the division title and the home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Just need to start the week off right by taking  care of business tonight in the Bronx. David will face Luis Cessa, a right hander who is 4-3 with a 4.30 ERA. The Yankees have to win out and hope for help to make the playoffs, so they'll be locked in. Dave will have to pitch well. I expect him to. Will have a report tomorrow.

David lost a close friend to cancer a week and a half ago and he learned about it a couple of hours before his start against the Yankees. David's former roommate and close friend, Terry Wanthalangsy, lost his battle with cancer. David didn't have his best start against the Yankees which was understandable. He competed hard, but it's really tough when you lose somebody you care a lot about and try to do your job to the best of your ability. He's still been stellar. 

David's lost a couple of close friends in the past five years. That's tough, but David is  strong and resilient. I know he misses his great friend though. Rest in peace, Terry. 

Some super match ups in the SEC, Bama looking to progress, AU in a tough one, Fed Ex Winner, Spartans with clutch victory

Gus needs to get his offense on the right track in a hurry

These are what I would call the 5 elite teams in the SEC West as we head into week 4. Alabama is at the top of the heap and will be there unless somebody can do something about it. Ole Miss, Arkansas, A&M and LSU are close to Bama and one or two of them could be elite teams if they can navigate the brutal schedules of SEC West. Some superb match ups in the SEC this weekend, and some pretty decent national tilts. Here's a look at the action with predictions. 

Last week: 13-11, been in a bad mood all week

Overall: 39-22, 64%

Against the spread last week: 4-2

Overall: 11-7, 64%

Tonight

No.5 Clemson (3-0) @ Georgia Tech (3-0)

Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, 55,000

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

ESPN

Dave Flemming, Jess, Laura Rutledge

Weather: good

Clemson by 9 1/2

I'm pretty bullish on this Georgia Tech team. Believe in Paul Johnson and I believe in quarterback Justin Thomas from Prattville, AL. They blew the doors off Vanderbilt last week with a potent rushing and solid passing attack. Thomas is an underrated passer. He's a good passer and an excellent runner. They're better this year on defense. Clemson has been a little bit of an enigma this season. They got by Auburn in a hard fought contest, then barely got by Troy in week 2. That's taking nothing away from Troy, they're a solid football team and I like their new coach, Neal Brown, who at 36 years old, is starting to make a name for himself. Troy upset Southern Miss last week and they play solid football. Like the Troy's future under Brown. But Clemson was picked by many to win it all this year, and they're not living up to those expectations. They've underperformed, and at some point, talent is not going to get it done, if you're not performing well, especially if you go against a good team, which Georgia Tech is. Like the upset in Atlanta.

Georgia Tech 38, Clemson 35

Friday

Utah 31, USC 27

8 PM CT/9 PM ET, Fox Sports 1

Saturday

Kent State (1-2) @ No.1 Alabama (3-0)

Bryant-Denny Stadium, 101,821

SEC Network

Tom Hart, Andre, Cole Cubelic

Weather: Hot, mid 90's at kickoff, but sunny

Bama by 43

Bama is coming off a wild one in Oxford. S takes on his alma mater. There may be some burnout for the Crimson Tide from last week's war at Vaught-Hemingway, and with SEC games coming up. So the Tide will really need to keep their focus to take care of business. S doesn't take a week off, so his team should be prepared. Kent State is not too swift, so the Tide should be in good shape though this could be a little sluggish at times, since staying focused being the overwhelming favorite and with some intense heat there could be some slip ups in concentration.

Bama 48, Kent State 3 

 

No.18 LSU (2-1) @ Auburn (1-2)

Jordan Hare Stadium, 87,451

5 PM CT/6 PM ET

ESPN

Mark Jones, Rid Gilmore, Quint Kessenich

88 at kickoff, sunny

LSU by 3 1/2

Auburn's defense has played well, but the offense has been problematic to say the least. Not sure what Gus is doing right now. He's going with Sean White this week, which is a good move as far as the passing game goes, but John Franklin III will be available and will play extensively if White struggles. We'll see Franklin in there regardless. Auburn's defense will keep them in this and if they can generate some fluidity to their offense, they have a shot. But I'm going with Leonard Fournette and company. Quarterback Danny Elling has given the LSU offense some life and given Fournette and the running backs a chance to find some open spaces with the threat of a passing game. Going with the LSU Tigers in this one.

LSU 28, Auburn 24

No.17 Arkansas (3-0) vs. No. 10 Texas A&M (3-0)

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX. 80,000, but can get over 100

8 PM CT/9PM ET

ESPN

Tess, Todd, Holly

A&M by 6

Arkansas was really impressive two weeks ago in going into Fort Worth  and getting an overtime victory over TCU. I like their quarterback, Austin Allen, their running back, Rawleigh Williams III, and their playmakers on the perimeter, Drew Morgan, Keon Hatcher and tight end Jeremy Sprinkle. Brett Bielema knows how to coach the offensive line and he has a big, powerful group again that has the chemistry and manpower to overpower opposing defenses. A&M has a really good team, but I really like Arkansas offensive coordinator Dan Enos to get the job done here with his weaponry on offense and for Arkansas to be the more physical team and get by A&M in a classic at Jerry "Truckin Like the Do Dah Man" Jones Stadium.

Hogs 38, Aggies 35

No.12 Georgia (3-0) @ No.23 Ole Miss (1-2)

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, 60,580

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN

 Dave Pasch, Greg McElory, Luges

94, sunny

Ole Miss by 7

Like what Kirby's doing, but also have really liked what Hugh Freeze has done over the past four years. Those wide receivers for the Rebels seem next to impossible to cover. They're all 6'3" or taller and have super hands. Like the Rebels to emerge victorious at home.

Ole Miss 28, Georgia 24

No. 19 Florida (3-0) @ No. 14 Tennessee (3-0)

Neyland Stadium, Knoxvegas, 102, 455

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

CBS 

Verne, Gary, Allie

91, sunny, humid

UT by 6 1/2

Florida was my pick in the East this year. I picked Bama in the West. But there are a couple of things working against the Gators this week; their starting quarterback, Luke Del Rio, is hurt and out for this game and for the next two or three games with a sprained knee. Secondly, Florida players have been mouthing off to the Tennessee players about their 11 game winning streak over them. Gators cornerback Jalen Tabor and a couple of others have been saying the Gators own the Vols. They have for a while, but those comments are going to cost them this time.

Tennessee 28, Florida 24

South Carolina (2-1) @ Kentucky (1-2)

Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, KY. 67,606

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET

SEC Network

Brent, Jess, Kaylee Hartung

80, clear

Kentucky by 2 1/2

Really like what Will Muschamp is doing in Columbia. They beat Vandy on the road in week one, and defeated East Carolina last weekend in a game many expected them to lose even though they were the favorite. I have to admit, I was one of them. But I'm starting to believe in what Will is doing, and the future looks bright for Will and his Gamecocks. Kentucky's starting quarterback, Drew Barker, is out for this game. Like the upset here, too.

South Carolina 24, Kentucky 21

Other SEC games

Western Kentucky 35, Vanderbilt 24

3:30 PM CT/4:30 PM ET, CBS Sports Network

Mississippi State 42, UMass 14

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ESPN3

Missouri 45, Delaware State 10

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, SEC Network

National games

No.7 Stanford 34, UCLA 31

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, ABC

No.4 Michigan 45, Penn State 24

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ABC

No.8 Michigan State 28, No. 11 Wisconsin 24

11 AM CT/Noon ET, Big Ten Network

No.9 Washington 31, Arizona 27

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET, Pac-12 Network

No.5 Houston 52, Texas State 7

8 PM CT/9PM ET, ESPNU

No.20 Nebraska 31, Northwestern 28

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network

California 48, Arizona State 45

9 PM CT/10 PM ET, ESPN2

Notre Dame 35, Duke 31

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, NBC

No.3 Louisville 63, Marshall 14

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, CBS Sports Network

Florida State 34, South Florida 31

11 AM CT/Noon ET, ESPN 2

Troy 48, New Mexico State 21

6 PM CT/7PM ET, ESPN3

South Alabama 34, Nicholls 28

6 PM CT/7 PM ET, ESPN3

No. 16 Baylor 42, Oklahoma State 38

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, FOX

West Virginia 42, BYU 31

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ESPN2

Oregon 45, Colorado 28

4:30 PM CT/5:30 PM ET, Pac-12 Network

Boise State 42, Oregon State 28

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, Fox Sports 1

Western Michigan 35, Georgia Southern 27

6 PM CT/7PM ET, ESPN3

 

Tour Championship Prediction

East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta

Golf Channel, NBC will televise

 

Patrick Reed

Reed, No.2 in the Fed Ex rankings, wins the Tour Championship and the Fed Ex Cup and captures the $10 million dollar check plus the $1.485 million for winning the tournament. He won the Barclays and is behind Dustin Johnson in the rankings. Like Dustin for Player of the Year though, 3 wins, including the U.S. Open and 11 top 5's, and I like Emiliano Grillo to capture rookie of the year honors.

Like Reed because he's played a lot and he played in the Rio Games, which really helped him in my opinion. 

The Tour pays the winner the $1.485 million, and if he wins the Cup, which Reed will do by winning at East Lake, he will get $9 million up front, and the other $1 million in a retirement account. Not a bad weekend of work. 

Going with Patrick to capture the Tour Champ and the Fed Ex Cup

Mountain Brook with a gigantic victory

Mountain Brook High School played a super football game in upsetting Spain Park on the road, 23-21. It was Spain Park's homecoming and the Spartans were more than happy to ruin it. Junior quarterback Hamp Sisson played a superb game completing 12 of 21 passes for 103 yards and a 24 yard 7 to senior wide receiver Sims Herron. Hamp also ran for 108 yards and a 7. He was awesome.

The defense was stellar. Senior linebacker Will Wetzler led the team with 18 total tackles and sophomore linebacker Colton Yeager added 13. Senior cornerback Reid Hogue had an interception and 7 tackles, and senior linebacker Tanner Dean had 9 tackles and an interception. It was a tremendous effort by the Spartans. Mountain Brook is off this week. Next week they are at home versus Tuscaloosa County.

Super job by Coach Chris Yeager and his troops. 

Hamp Sisson was awesome at Spain Park last Friday Night

A Colossal Week 1 in College Football

White leads the Tigers into battle in a challenging opener

Kirby goes with 5th year senior Greyson Lambert against UNC

Wow, this is as epic a week one as I can ever remember. The electric first weekend begins tonight with Tennessee hosting App State at 6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET on the SEC Network, and, at 7 PM CT/8 PM ET, Vanderbilt plays host to Will Muschamp and the South Carolina Gamecocks on E-S-P-N.

The Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers are in action Saturday Night in a couple of superb openers against marquee programs Here's a look at the action with predictions.

2015 record: 227-83, 74%

Bowls: 23-18, 56%

This season: 1-0

Prediction last Friday: California 49, Hawaii 31

Final: Cal 51, Hawaii 31

 

No.1 Alabama vs No.20 USC 

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas (80,000, maximum capacity 105,000 with standing room)

7 PM CT/8 PM ET

ABC

Chris Fowler, Herbie, Samantha Ponder

Weather: No problem, pretty much indoors totally. But clear and no wind issue

Line: Bama by 11 1/2

S is mum on who his starter is going to be, but if it's Blake Barnett or Cooper Bateman, still like the weaponry around them. Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris should have good nights behind a reshuffled offensive line with some new players up front, but a ton of talent and power. Barnett or Bateman has a slew of receivers to throw to in the awesome Calvin Ridley, the electric ArDarius Stewart, a healthy stud in Robert Foster, and the awesome O.J. Howard at tight end. The defense will be tasked with stopping a good SC running game led by sophomore Ronald Jones II, who ran for over 987 yards and 8 sevens last year, and Justin Davis, who ran for 902 yards and 7, sevens a year ago. They're both excellent. JuJu Smith-Schuster will challenge Marlon Humphrey on the perimeter. Smith-Schuster caught 89 passes for 1,454 yards and 10, sevens last season. He's a 6'2", 220 pound wide out. Max Browne will get his first start at quarterback for the Trojans. He played in three games last year in mop up duty and completed 8 of 12 for 113 yards, 0 TDs, and 0 ints. He's untested, but was highly rated coming out of high school. He's a redshirt junior who is 6'5", 220 and has a cannon, so he'll be a good test for the Bama defense.

But Alabama has a stellar defense returning with defensive end Jonathan Allen, a total dominant player, powerful hitting middle linebacker Reuben Foster, sack master Tim Williams, and an excellent secondary led by corners Humphrey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and safety Eddie Jackson, who led the team with six ints last season. Jeremy Pruitt takes over the defense from Kirby Smart, and I see no drop off. Pruitt is an excellent coach. 

I don't see the SC defense stopping Scarbrough, Harris and the ultra talented receiving corps for the Crimson Tide, and I see the Bama defense having their way for the most part with the Trojans offense. Like the Tide to take care of business in week 1 at Jerry Jones, "billion dollar Play-pe'n" as Stephen A. Smith calls it. 

Alabama 31, USC 17

No.2 Clemson @ Auburn

Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)

8 PM CT/9 PM ET

ESPN

Brent, Jess, Kaylee Hartung

Weather on the Plains: 80 at kickoff, pretty good for the most part, possible t-storm, Wind 6 with gusts to 18

Line: Clemson by 7 1/2

Clemson proved they were for real last season giving the Crimson Tide everything they wanted before falling in the national championship game, 45-40. But Alabama's stellar defense couldn't stop Deshaun Watson. I don't see anybody being able to do that this year either. Deshaun has an outstanding receiving corps, and Wayne Gallman is one of the top backs in the country. Both Deshaun and Wayne will be playing on Sundays. There has been a lot of talk about how good Auburn's defense is this year. But I'm still not trusting Kevin Steele totally. Four years ago, when he was defensive coordinator at Clemson, West Virginia dropped 70 on the Tigers defense in a 70-26 Orange Bowl victory. Steele was defensive coordinator for LSU last season, and I wouldn't call that group last year lockdown by any means.

So while there is good talent on the defensive side of the football for the Auburn Tigers, led by superb defensive end Carl Lawson, linebacker is a bit of a question mark and I'm not sold on Steele. On the other side of the ball, Gus gives Sean White the keys to the offense, and White showed signs of being a pretty good quarterback at times last season before injuries derailed his year. Kerryon Johnson is going to be a good this season, but he'll have to be able to take the pounding of the SEC.  The offensive line is good, but the receivers have some inexperience, though I'm hearing these young guys are pretty special, and Marcus Davis has a chance to have a really good year. I like Jason Smith at wide receiver, too.

But I just see the talent edge on the Clemson side in this one. Clemson has had to reload on defense, and that unit might take a while to jell, but I see them getting there and they'll be good enough against the Auburn Tigers. Dabo has recruited spectacularly, so the defense will  keep getting better and should be a solid unit by the third game. Going with Deshaun and Dabo to get it done in Auburn Saturday Night. But I see AU scoring some points and making it  interesting. Being at home really helps. 

Clemson 31, Auburn, 28

No. 18 Georgia vs. No. 22 North Carolina

Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA.  (71,228)

4:30 PM CT/5:30 PM ET

ESPN

Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams

Weather: Dome

Line: Dawgs by 3

Nick Chubb is a go, Greyson Lambert gets the start as Kirby goes with the experienced hand over super freshman Jacob Eason. No word if Kirby is going to play Eason at all, but I see Lambert getting the majority duty in game one and Kirby will take it from there. If Chubb can return to his All-American form from two years ago after a near disastrous knee injury last season, the Dawgs should be very competitive in the East this season. Georgia is not where they want to be yet under Smart, but I see them getting there in the next year or two and competing for SEC championships and playoff berths in two years. I don't see them having enough this year to be a major contender in the SEC, but I do see them having a good, competitive season and having  a very bright future. Like the Dawgs to have a good start to 2016.

Georgia 31, North Carolina 27

Monday Night

No. 11 Ole Miss vs No.4 Florida State

Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL. (70,000)

7 PM CT/8 PM ET

ESPN

Chris, Herbie, Sam

FSU by 4 1/2

College football's version of Monday Night football gives us a classic. It's considered a neutral site, but it's not. Jimbo Fisher played his spring game at Orlando, so this will be a partisan FSU crowd. Still  there will be quite a few Ole Miss fans there. Hugh Freeze had a tough offseason with the NCAA allegations, but he's a really good football coach and his team is prepared. Chad Kelly is an experienced quarterback who had a very good year in 2015. He seems to have his act together and is ready for a standout senior year. On the other side, FSU is breaking in a new quarterback, as potential 2016 starter Sean Mcguire is out with a broken foot for this one. Redshirt freshman Deondre Francois will get the start under center for the Noles. He looked pretty good in the spring game, but that's totally different from being under the lights in a pressure packed first game against a talented, well-coached opponent. He does have star running back Dalvin Cook, who ran for 1,691 yards and 19 TDs last season, to ease the load. Cook will be right in the hunt for the Heisman Trophy this season along with Christian McCaffrey, Deshaun and Leonard Fournette, so he'll be a tough matchup for the Rebels' defense. 

But I'm going against the grain on this one. Like the quarterback experience advantage that Ole Miss has. The Rebels need to control Cook, but that's their defensive game plan. They want to make Francois throw the football and make him uncomfortable doing it. I like them to do that. 

Ole Miss 28, FSU 24 

No.5 LSU vs. Wisconson

Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Whisky (80,735)

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ABC

Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Todd McShay

Partly sunny, 76, wind 6-9 

LSU by 10

Like Leonard Fournette and company to have a pretty easy time on the road. Fournette is primed for a big year, but he'll have a lot of navigating to do, and he has to prove he can perform against elite defenses like Alabama's. But the talent on this team is through the roof good. They have a new defensive coordinator in Dave Aranda, and Les Miles and Cam Cameron have to figure out ways for quarterback Brandon Jennings to excel this season in order for LSU to get over the hump and win the SEC and make the playoff. LSU is stocked with weapons on offense with Fournette, some really excellent backup running backs, studs Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural at receivers, so if Jennings can play well, the Bengal Tigers have a chance to make it to the playoff. 

LSU 42, Wisconsin 24

No.16 UCLA @ Texas A&M

Kyle Field, College Station (102,733)

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

CBS

Verne, Gary, Allie

A&M by 3

Like new quarterback and Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight and his weapons led by Christian Kirk and a stable of receivers, and defensive ends Myles Garrett, who had 19.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss last year, and Daeshon Hall 14.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks last year, to lead Kevin Sumlin and his team to victory. I like this A&M team and see Knight as the answer at quarterback. I've always liked him, I've always liked Sumlin, and there are a ton of weapons on offense, and outstanding defensive players up front and on the back end for stellar defensive coordinator John "Chief" Chavis to work with. Kevin said at Media Days if his linebacking corps can step up, this defense can be really special. I'm bullish on A&M as a darkhorse team in the SEC. UCLA has a ton of talent, and their quarterback, sophomore Josh Rosen, put up some exceptional numbers as a freshman, but just like the SEC toughness to prevail here.

A&M 35, UCLA 31

 

Other SEC scores

Tonight

Vanderbilt 24, South Carolina 17

7 PM CT/8 PM ET, ESPN

Saturday

Mississippi State 35, South Alabama 17

11 AM CT/Noon ET, SEC Network

 

Tonight

No.9 Tennessee 38, Appalachian State 10

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, SEC Network

Saturday

Arkansas 42, Louisiana Tech 24

3 PM CT/4 PM ET, SEC Network

West Virginia 35, Missouri 31

11 AM CT/Noon ET, Fox Sports 1

No. 25 Florida 31, UMass 7

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, SEC Network

Kentucky 31, Southern Miss 28

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, ESPNU

National games

Sunday Night

No. 10 Notre Dame 31, Texas 27

6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET, ABC

Saturday

No.3 Oklahoma 35, No.15 Houston 31

11 AM CT/Noon ET, ABC

Friday

No.8 Stanford 41, Kansas State 27

8 PM CT/9 PM ET, Fox Sports 1

No.6 Ohio State 42, Bowling Green 14

11 AM CT/Noon ET, Big Ten Network

No.7 Michigan 42, Hawaii 10

11 AM CT/Noon ET, ESPN

 

Day 1: Malzahn, McElwain and Mason speak

Great start to the week with Gus, Coach Mac and Coach Mason talking about their respective teams and prospects for 2016. Here's a look at what each coach said.

Gus

Gus seems really excited about his football team. He's had quite a bit of turnover in his coaching staff with notable additions of Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator, Wesley McGriff as secondary coach, and Herb Hand as the offensive line coach. He's high on all three. Gus believes Steele brings passion to the defense, much like Will Muschamp did, but it seems like the players may be understanding and buying into more of what Steele is teaching and saying. Steele came over from LSU after working as an assistant at Alabama and the defensive coordinator at Clemson prior to that. He did get torched by West Virginia in the Orange Bowl four or five years ago to the tune of 70 points, and that cost him his job, so he has some work to do to prove himself as a defensive coordinator. But the players have worked hard for him and like him, and he's got good material this year with stud defensive end Carl Lawson leading the way. I watched an interview with Lawson on the SEC Network, and he's impressive. He's all business and while he was getting asked some stupid questions, not really interesting, he handled them very well and is highly focused. Love that guy. Gus not only said Carl is back, but also he's healthy, stronger, faster and more agile, and he makes everybody around him on the defense better.  Carl is 6'2", 253. With guys like stud Montravius Adams (6'4", 309) at defensive tackle, Devaroe Lawrence (6'2", 303) and Dontavious Russell (6'3", 308) at tackles also, and 6'3", 276 standout Byron Cowart at defensive end, the defensive front will be stout. Linebacker is a little bit of a question mark, but Tre Williams and some young guys will have to step it up this year. Tre is a talented player from Mobile, who is still trying to make his mark in the SEC. I expect him to do that this year and be a leader on defense along with Lawson and Adams. Carlton Davis is back for his sophomore campaign at cornerback after posting three interceptions last season and having a highly decorated freshman campaign. Carlton is outstanding. Tray Matthews is back at safety. Very good player. Josh Holsey could play the other corner, and Jonathan "Rudy" Ford will be at the other safety. Auburn has depth there and should be very good in the secondary with McGriff, who comes to the Tigers after three years coaching the New Orleans Saints and many stops before that, mentoring this talented group of players. The key to me for Auburn's defense as far as being good or great will be at linebacker. Will some of these young guys step up? If they do, the rest of the defense is loaded and it will be an excellent unit. 

On offense, Gus has three quarterbacks he's looking at to start against Clemson on September 3rd; Sean White, Jeremy Johnson and John Franklin III. Should be a super battle in the summer to see who gets the job. White brings the best downfield passing ability, Johnson has experience, and while he had a disappointing season last year, he has good talent and good leadership skills, and Franklin III is a junior college transfer from East Mississippi Community College who passed for 734 yards, completing 64 of 110 passes with seven TDs and 451 yards on the ground that included  nine TDs at East Mississippi CC. Gus wants to employ the uptempo style that was so effective for him with Nick Marshall, so Franklin fits that bill the most, but he wants to see the competition in the summer and make a decision based on that. He reminded the media that he didn't decide on NIck Marshall until two weeks before the 2013 season and that turned out pretty well as AU won the SEC Championship and just missed winning it all against Florida State in the national championship game.

Running back looks solid with Jovon Robinson, Kerryon Johnson and incoming freshman Malik Miller from Madison Academy, where Johnson played also. Robinson looks primed to have a huge year. He's ultra-talented and showed flashes of brilliance at times last year. Johnson played hurt a lot last year, but has a ton of talent and speed to burn. Great player. Miller is 5'11", 229, strong, fast, and talented, and can be a very good compliment to Robinson and Johnson. Those three and four star freshman all purpose back Kameron Martin should be a good stable of backs for Gus, co-offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Kodi Burns. Fullback Chandler Cox (6'1", 236) should be a Jay Prosch-type of player, great blocker, hard runner and good receiver out of the backfield. Could be a very important part of Gus's offense. The O line looks to be the strength of the Tigers' offense, possibly the team. Five starters return. Alex Kozan (6'4", 310), Braden Smith (6'6", 300), and Austin Golson (6'5", 314) lead the way. Should be an excellent group with a lot of experience, toughness and power. Tight end will be a young position, but promising. Four-star freshman Landon Rice is 6'5", 250, and Jalen Harris is a 6'4", 259 pound sophomore. There are a couple of others. Those guys will need to develop quickly in August. Wide receiver will be lead by senior Marcus Davis (5'9", 180), junior Jason Smith (6'1", 188), and senior Tony Stevens (6'4", 212). Some of the talented freshmen will have to learn quickly, which they can do. Nate Craig-Myers is a 98, four star freshman, Eli Stove is a 94, four-star freshman, and Kyle Davis (6'2", 218) is a 96 four star freshman. Also Marquis McClain is a 6'2", 209, 88, three star freshman. Craig-Myers is 6'2", 205 and Stove is 6'1", 178. Looks like a talented group. If they can pick up the system quickly, they'll be weapons. Kicking game looks solid with Daniel Carlson. Maybe Carlson will punt, too. Auburn is solid at kicker. Return guys could be Marcus Davis, Kerryon Johnson and maybe one or two of the freshman wide receivers. Rudy Ford is a former four star running back in high school, so he could very well return punts or kickoffs, most likely punts. 

So I like this football team. Do I think they can win double digit games? Possibly, but they open up with maybe the toughest stretch of first four games in college football with Clemson at home on September 3rd at 8 PM CT/9PM ET on ESPN, then Arkansas State comes to Auburn, and they're always pretty good, then A&M and LSU respectively come to Jordan-Hare. But the good news is all the games are at home. AU will play @ State, October 8th, @ Ole Miss, 10-29, @ Georgia, November 12th, and @ Bama, November 26th. They'll also host Arkansas, October 22nd, and Vandy, November 5th. They'll play La Monroe at home in September and Alabama A&M the week before the Iron Bowl, Nov. 19th. So it's a tough schedule, but that's life in the Southeastern Conference. I like Auburn's material and like their chances to get to 10 wins if they can keep players healthy, find a solid signal caller, grow up quickly at wide receiver and linebacker, and play better offense and defense as a whole. I see them doing that. Ten wins is possible.

Coach Mac 

Paul Finebaum talked to Florida Coach Jim McElwain after his remarks before the media yesterday and spent most of Mac's time talking about McElwain's daughter's upcoming wedding this weekend. McElwain had some really moving answers about being "dad of the year" and you could tell he was excited and would be emotional about giving his daughter away, but when the wedding planner finally got around to talking about football, Coach Mac said, "that's what we're here for." And that's what I'm here for. SEC Network analyst Greg McElroy is really bullish on Florida this season and I agree with Greg. They have four quarterbacks, two true freshmen and two transfers, redshirt sophomore Luke Del Rio (6'1", 213), who came to Gainesville via Alabama and Oregon State, and graduate transfer Austin Appleby (6'4", 235), who played 17 games at Purdue and threw for 2,777 yards and 19 touchdowns in his time with the Boilermakers. I like the competition there. Appleby has the most experience and some good numbers to back it up, but they'll compete this summer along with the two freshmen and they have three solid running backs led by 6'2", 242 talented juco transfer running back Mark Thompson. The line should be much improved with some returning talent and size, and wide receiver should be pretty solid though they are missing converted wide receiver Treon Harris, who was the starting quarterback last year, and Antonio Callaway, who both have academic problems, and may or may not play this year. But they have some young guys who can step up. They'll be fine at wide out.

Florida's defense looks really solid. Linebacker is talented with 6'2", 240 Jarrad Davis leading the way in the middle. Mac is high on Alex Anzalone (6'3", 237), Daniel McMillan (6'1", 227) and Rayshad Jackson (6'0", 220). Six foot one, 270 pound sophomore defensive end Cece Jefferson is set to have a big year, and the secondary is talented led by Jalen Tabor, who should have an All-American season. Kicking was a problem for the Gators last year, but Mac feels better about it. We'll see how that develops. Florida opens with UMass at home September 3rd at 6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET on the SEC Network, then host Kentucky Sept. 10th @2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET on CBS, host North Texas, September 17th, then play at Tennessee in a massive game on September 24th. Then they go to Vanderbilt, play LSU at home in another epic, host Missouri, play Georgia in that cocktail thing which will be a blockbuster, they're at Arkansas, they host South Carolina, host Presbyterian, then go to Florida State, Nov. 26th, a Saturday in another classic.

So, it's very tough. If Florida can get through the first three, UT will be a monumental game in the SEC and nationally on September 24th. I like Florida. Can they win the East? Yes. Will they win the East? Possibly. They have to knock off Tennessee at Knoxvegas, beat LSU at home, knock off Georgia, and beat Arkansas on the road among other things, but I like their team to have a really good season. And I really like Jim McElwain. Total class act.

Coach Mason

Derek Mason certainly feels like he's changed the culture at Vanderbilt, and many in Nashville are hoping he has. He's got his kids working very hard with a super strength coach James Dobson, who came from Nebraska two years ago, he has 42 returning juniors and seniors who have played significant football, he has a true sophomore signal caller who played a lot of meaningful football for the Commodores last year, and he's got good leadership on his team. Kyle Shurmur has been named the starting quarterback, and that was another good move by Mason, who has an almost completely new staff from when he came in two years ago. Kyle is a good football player, has an accurate arm, can throw the short, medium and deep balls, and is a leader. Coach Mason expects big things out of him. Running back looks solid with Ralph Webb returning from an 1,100 yard season a year ago and Josh Crawford and Dallas Rivers among others pushing Webb for time. Wide receiver has Trent Sherfield and C.J. Duncan as its leadership guys and playmakers. There are some other good players there who return and three talented freshmen. Mason has seven tight ends led by the awesome DeAndre Woods, who is returning from a knee injury after getting off to a superb start in 2015 before going out for the year in the third game of last season. The o line looks very solid with good experience. Left tackle Andrew Jelks, an excellent player and leader, is back after being out for the entire 2015 season with a knee injury. That's a big boost to the offense and the team. Center Barrett Gouger is a 315-320 pound 5th year senior, who's physical, tough and a leader, and Will Holden is a big, strong right tackle. They're the foundation of a solid offensive front. Coach Mason will once again coach a talented defense led by linebacker Zach Cunningham, who returns from a first team All-SEC season in which he posted 109 tackles,  forced 4 fumbles and recovered three fumbles. Oren Burks, a stud safety for the Dores, moves over to the star position, a combination linebacker-safety position. Oren is a ballhawk and had three interceptions last year, one for a pick six against Kentucky. Oren is a super athlete and tremendous character guy and leader for this football team. Torren McGaster is an outstanding cornerback. He'll be a leader also on the defense. Adam Butler will lead the defensive line. He's a heckuva good player. This defense should be stellar. The key for Vanderbilt is getting out of the gates. The Commodores open with South Carolina at home at 7 PM CT/8 PM ET, Thursday, September 1st, @ Vanderbilt Stadium. ESPN will televise it. Huge game for the Dores which will be trying to ruin Will Muschamp's first game as the Gamecocks head coach.  Should be a pretty classic game. If Vandy can defeat South Carolina, that would be a huge step in the right direction for a team trying to prove that they can not only compete, but win in the SEC. There will be home games against South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee, and a road game @ Auburn, so it's quite a gauntlet for a team playing with a chip on their shoulders, but I like the progress Coach Mason has made, and a bowl game is a real possibility for this team. The Dores also have to play @ Georgia Tech, September 17th, and @ Western Kentucky, September 24th, so that's tough also. Getting to six wins would be very good, anything better would be outstanding and a huge boost to recruiting. Coach Mason has picked up 10 solid commitments this summer for 2017, and he's building momentum. He just needs to win his share on Saturdays. It's possible for Coach Mason and the Dores to reach a bowl game. They just have to prove they can win the ones where they're in it in the fourth quarter. 

Today

Georgia, Kirby,

State, Mullen,

Tennessee, Butch,

A&M, Kevin Sumlin. 

Super Bowl 50 Prediction

Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California (68,500)

5:30 PM CT/6:30 PM ET

CBS

Jim, Phil, Trace, Evan Washburn

Carolina by 5 1/2

Would love to see Peyton go out, in what could very well be his last game, a winner for the Broncos. Cam and the Panthers are tough, though. The Denver defense should keep it close though because they're really good. If Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware can somehow get to Cam and get him on the ground and create turnovers for the Broncos defense, they might be able to pull this off. But, on the other side, the Panthers defense, led by the awesome Luke Kuechly, are extremely tough as well. Cam will do enough, he's outstanding, and the Carolina defense and Cam get the Panthers their first Super Bowl title in the history of their franchise. But I like this one close.

Panthers 24, Broncos 20

Brady-Manning version 17.0; will it be any good?

Last week: 3-1

Overall: 5-3

AFC Championship Game

New England Patriots (13-4) @ Denver Broncos (13-4)

Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, CO., 76,125

2:05 PM CT/3:05 PM ET

CBS

Jim, Phil, Trace

Refs: Ed Hochuli; likes to be the center of attention, might wear short sleeves, proud of his artillery, yellow will be flying. He's pretty annoying

Weather:Mostly cloudy, 46 degrees at kickoff, small chance of rain or snow in the second half; Wind: ESE 5 MPH

Line: Patriots by 3

Rob Gronkowski, New England's 6'6", 265 pound all world tight end, has 40 receptions for 516 yards and 6 TDs against Denver, dating back to 2011, including six catches for 88 yards and a seven when the teams played eight weeks ago before he left the game after taking a hit to his knee. He's pretty much healthy right now, though all the players are a little banged up presently, and he'll be the difference along with Tom Brady. who will move to 12-5 against Peyton Manning in their all time series, maybe their last one, and Brady moves on to his seventh Super Bowl appearance at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Cali, where he has won four. Brady will move to 23-8 in postseason play. That's stellar. Peyton, who will drop to 12-14 in postseason play, fails to get it done once again.

Patriots 31, Broncos 24

NFC Championship Game

Arizona Cardinals (14-3) @ Carolina Panthers (16-1)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC, 73,298

5:30 PM CT/6:30 PM ET

FOX

Joe, Troy, EA

Refs: Bill Vinovich

Weather: Clear, 0% rain, 33 degrees, Wind SW 4 MPH

Line: Panthers by 3

I like Cam and the Carolina defense. I trust Cam, he's won a national championship at Auburn, and I surely trust middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and the Carolina defense. They are superb. Kuechly is one of the best players in football at 24 years old. Of course, Cam will be the MVP of the league this season at 26 years old. Bank of America Stadium will be rocking. The Carolinians love their Panthers. On the flip side, I don't trust Zona QB Carson Palmer and Coach Bruce Arians. Palmer was lucky to get by the Packers last week in the divisional round when super wide out Larry Fitzgerald bailed him out with a phenomenal catch and 65 yard run in overtime that sealed the OT win for the Cardinals. But Palmer was not impressive. I don't think he can get it done on the big stage. And I don't trust Arians either. He's famous in Alabama, or infamous depending on what side of the ledger you're on in the Iron Bowl rivalry, for the terrible call as offensive coordinator under the "Great" Mike Dubose, in which he called for a pass with the Tide icing the game away. Alabama fumbled, Auburn recovered the ball, and took it in for the winning score. Arians gags. That's his identity. Trust Cam, Luke and the Panthers to advance to Super Bowl 50, February 7th, at 5:25 PM CT/6:25 PM ET, on CBS, and do NOT trust Palmer and Arians.

Carolina 28, Arizona 17

Round 2 in the National Football League

Another epic Saturday-Sunday in the NFL with four games pitting storied franchises, elite quarterbacks, elite players and elite coaches. I would be remiss not to mention the passing last Sunday of rock icon David Bowie after a battle with cancer. David's an American/British classic. He was 69. David will be missed.

Just wanted to add a couple of names to my top ten college coaches list. I wouldn't say these two coaches are 11 and 12 because they belong in the upper echelon of college football coaches. David Shaw of Stanford and Ken Niumatalolo of Navy are two of the best in the business. They are without a doubt elite coaches, who have led  their respective programs to tremendous heights. Stanford is now always in the national championship hunt and Navy is a highly competitive and I'd call it an elite program. It's amazing what both of these fine African American coaches have done in college football. Super men as well. Both are high character men.

Records:

Last week NFL playoffs: 2-2

Final College stats

Bowls: 23-18, 56%

Overall for college season: 237-82, 74%

Today:

Kansas City Chiefs (12-5) @ New England Patriots (12-4)

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts (68,756)

3:35 PM CT/4:35 PM ET

CBS

Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn

Refs: Craig Wrolstad, lead ref,  and other key guys from other crews, which is the case for all four games.

Weather: Cloudy, 30% rain, shouldn't be a factor, wind, West 5 MPH

Line: Patriots by 5

This is a really interesting game. The Chiefs have won 11 in a row, and are playing stellar football, while the Patriots kind of limped home in the regular season losing three of their last five, but they were very banged up. Rob Gronkowski has a knee issue, but he'll play. Wide receiver Julian Edelman is back to go along with Gronk and Danny Amendola, three stud targets for Tom Terrific. The Patriots are healthier on defense getting a week off and they are very good on defense as are the Chiefs. The Chiefs are going to give the Pats everything they want, but I still trust Brady, Belichick and Gronk to get it done when it matters most. This ought to be a classic.

Patriots 21, Chiefs 17

Green Bay Packers (11-6) @ Arizona Cardinals (13-3)

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona (72,200)

7:15 PM CT/8:15 PM ET

NBC

Al, Cris, Michelle

Refs: Clete Blakeman and crew

Weather: Indoors, no problem

Line: Cards by 7

I really trust ARodg and Mike McCarthy. They are proven winners. Both of them are Super Bowl Champions from the 2010 season and always get it done in the postseason, making it always and going distance. They got it done in a big way over the Redskins last week at DC, 35-18. ARodg was terrific in that  game, completing 21-of-36 for 210 and two TDs. He played a flawless game after a slow start. But I trust the Cardinals, too. Bruce Arians knows what he's doing as a football coach and Carson Palmer looks pretty elite at quarterback. They've got great weapons in the running game and passing game led by the great Larry Fitzgerald at wide receiver. This should be another tremendous contest though. Green Bay will give Arizona everything THEY want, but I like the Cardinals at home with Palmer and Fitzgerald and a pretty stellar defense to just get over the hump over a Packers team with an all time great quarterback and a pretty stout defense themselves led by the awesome Clay Matthews an outside backer.

Cardinals 30, Packers 27

Sunday

Seattle Seahawks (11-6) @ Carolina Panthers (15-1)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte NC (73,298)

12:05 PM CT/1:05 PM ET

FOX

Joe, Troy, EA, Chris Myers

Refs: Tony Corrente and crew

Weather: Sunny, 43, Wind, North 6 MPH

Line: Panthers by 2

This line got down to 1 1/2 last night, but has moved to 2 today. Cam has put together a super year and will more than likely win the MVP of the league, which he should. He and his team have been phenomenal. But I love what Russell Wilson has done this regular season and he did some great things last week in the Seahawks 10-9 victory over Minnesota at Minneapolis in zero degree weather. Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and this Seattle defense was No.1 in the league in points allowed, giving up only 17.3 points per game. The Carolina defense was almost as good led by the awesome Luke Kuechly at middle linebacker as the Panthers D gave up only 19.2 points per game, sixth in the league. But I'm going to go with the experienced hands here in Wilson, the amazing Doug Baldwin at wide receiver, of course, Marshawn Lynch at running back, though he's questionable with an abdomen injury, and Sherman and this defense. Pete Carroll is a big game coach. Should be a physical war in Charlotte.

Seahawks 20, Panthers 17

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-6) @ Denver Broncos (12-4)

Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, CO (76,125)

3:40 PM CT/4:40 PM ET

CBS

Jim, Phil, Trace

Refs: Terry McAuley and crew

Weather: 40 degrees, Mostly cloudy, 0% rain, Wind, WNW 9 MPH

Line: Broncos by 7 1/2

Big Ben Roethlisberger has an 11-5 record in the postseason and Super Bowl titles in 2005 and 2008. I trust him completely. Peyton is 11-13 in the postseason and 8-12 in weather 40 degrees or below. He is 0-5 in playoff games when the temperature is 40 or less. Pretty interesting there. It's going to be 40 at kickoff at Mile High and dropping throughout the afternoon. It leans towards the Steelers. But Big Ben has a sprain and ligament tears in his throwing shoulder, his right one, the best wide receiver in football, Antonio Brown, is out for the Steelers with a concussion he suffered last Saturday Night on an idiotic personal foul by Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict, that cost his team the game, and kept a great player from playing this week. So it's a tall order for the Steelers. The Steelers are tough against the run giving up only 91.2 yards per game, fifth in the league. But they're not very good against the pass, giving up 271.9 yards per game, 30th in the league. The Broncos are third in the league against the run, giving up only 83 yards per game, and first against the pass, giving up only 199.8 yards per game. So while I don't trust Peyton totally, he's got some good running in Ronnie Hillman, who ran for 893 yards and seven, 7's, and C.J. Anderson, who ran for 720 yards and five, 7's,and he also has some excellent weapons on the perimeter led by Demaryius Thomas, who caught 105 passes for 1,304 yards and six, 7's, and the awesome Emmanuel Sanders, who caught 76 passes for 1,135 yards and 6, 7's as well. As much as I trust Ben, he's hurt, it's in Denver, and the Broncos defense will be fierce. Peyton and the Broncos offense will do just enough to get it done. Ben will not go down without a fight though.

Broncos 24, Steelers 23

Preview-Prediction for the National Championship game

 

National Championship game

Alabama (13-1) vs. Clemson (14-0)

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona (72,200)

7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM ET

ESPN

Chris, Herbie, Heather, Tom.

Tom has S, Heather has Dabo

Coaches:

Alabama

Nicholas Lou Saban Jr.

64 years old, born in Fairmont, West Virginia.

190-60-1 in 20 years, 76%; 99-18 in nine years at Alabama, 85%; Bowls 9-8.

Four national championships: 2003 @ LSU, 2009, 2011, 2012 @ Alabama. 6 SEC titles: 2001, 2003, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015.

Clemson

William Christopher "Dabo" Swinney

46 years old, born in Birmingham, Alabama

75-26 in eight years at Clemson as head coach, 74%.

Two ACC titles (2011, 2015), 2 Orange Bowls. Lost to West Virginia, 70-33 in the 2011 Orange Bowl and defeated Ohio State in the 2013 Orange Bowl, 40-35. Also defeated LSU in the 2012 Chick Fil-A Bowl, 25-24. One of the bright, youthful stars in the college coaching profession.

Refs: Pac-12, Terry Leyden

Weather: Retractable roof, 54 degrees, clear, 0% rain, wind, minimal: WSW 4 MPH

Line: Bama by 7

Breakdown

The Alabama defense and big playmaking ability are the keys here. The Crimson Tide has the number one rushing defense in the country, allowing just 70.8 yards per game. Clemson is 18th in the nation giving up 124 yards per. The Crimson Tide has the number one scoring defense in the country giving up 13.4 points per game. Clemson is 18th at 20.1. Clemson is fifth in the country in tackles for loss with 100, while Alabama is 23rd with 85. Alabama is fourth in the country in pass efficiency defense while Clemson is sixth. Alabama leads the country in sacks with 50, while Clemson is eighth with 43. Alabama is 11th in the country in interceptions with 18, while Clemson is 21st with 16.

Alabama

Derrick Henry leads the Tide with 2,061 yards rushing and 25 TDs. Jake Coker has completed 67.1% of his passes, 247-of-368, for 2,775 yards, 19 TDs and eight ints, and has been at his best late in the season. Calvin Ridley is a deep ball scoring machine. Calvin has 83 receptions for 1,031 yards and seven TDs. ArDarius Stewart is pretty awesome as well with 61 receptions for 637 yards and four TDs. Richard Mullaney is an underrated player for the Tide at wide out as he has 37 receptions for 361 yards and five, 7's . O.J. Howard has 33 receptions for 394 yards. Expect him to be a bigger part of the offense tonight. Cyrus Jones has four punt returns for TDs.

On defense, stud linebacker and defensive leader Reggie Ragland leads the team in tackles with 97, with 6.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Reggie is all over the field. Linebacker Reuben Foster is second in tackles with 64, and Reuben is a phenomenal player also. The defensive ends are superb, dominant players with Jonathan Allen leading the way with 14.5 tackles for loss of 92 yards, and 12 sacks for -88 yards. Tim Williams is stellar with 12.5 tackles for loss of 92 yards, and 10.5 sacks for -78. Ryan Anderson is another dominant defensive end with 11.5 tackles for loss of -50 and 6 sacks for -41 yards. Then you have guys up front like the massive 6'4", 312 pound A'Shawn Robinson and 6'4", 313 pound Jarran Reed, who are major disrupters and run stoppers. This front line is loaded, massive and dominant. Safety Eddie Jackson leads the defense in interceptions  with 5 for 230 yards and he's taken 2 back to the house. Minkah Fitzpatrick has two interceptions, both of which he's taken back for house calls. Minkah also blocked a punt against Georgia on Georgia's four yard line which he took it in for another seven. This is an all world Crimson Tide team in all three facets of the game.

Clemson

Clemson has had a terrific season going 14-0 and just annihilated Oklahoma, 37-17, in the Orange Bowl semifinal game.

They are led by quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has completed 303-of-444 passes, 68%, for 3,699 yards, 31 TDs, against 12 interceptions. Wayne Gallman is one of the best, most underrated running backs in the country. Gallman has rushed for 1,482 yards and 12, 7's. Watson has added 1,032 yards and 12, 7's on the ground. Artavis Scott is Clemson's leading wide receiver with 89 receptions for 868 yards and five, 7's. Charone Peake is another explosive weapon on the perimeter with 44 catches for 617 yards and five TDs. Tight end Jordan Leggett has 35 receptions for 447 yards and 7 TDs, and Hunter Renfrow is an excellent, Mullaney-type receiver for the Tigers with 26 receptions for 404 yards and 3 TDs.

On defense, 6'3", 270 pound defensive end Shaq Lawson leads the team and the nation with 23.5 tackles for loss.  Lawson also posted 10.5 sacks for -79 yards. Lawson is battling a sprained MCL, but will most likely play. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't. Six-foot-five, 275 pound defensive end Kevin Dodd posted 18.5 tackles for loss of -73 yards and 9 sacks for -51 yards. Six-foot, 240 pound middle linebacker B.J. Goodson led the team in tackles with 98 and posted 14 tackles for loss of -70 yards and 5.5 sacks. Cornerback Cordrea Tankersly led the team in interceptions with five for 50 yards, one for a seven. Cornerback Mackensie Alexander is one of Clemson's most vocal players, but he doesn't have an interception on the season. Teams must throw away from him because you'd think by all the hype on him, he's lead the country in interceptions. He's questionable with a hamstring injury, so as Dabo says, it's next man up. Ridley, Stewart and Mullaney versus these cornerbacks could be game deciding  matchups.

Final Analysis

Not everybody prescribes to this thinking, but I'm going to in this case. Alabama defeated Michigan State a week and a half ago in the Cotton Bowl, 38-0. Michigan State defeated Ohio State, 17-14, on November 21st at Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Notre Dame, 44-28, in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day. Clemson just got by Notre Dame, 24-22, on October 3rd, at home.

Some people don't like to compare scores, but I think they're relevant in this case. Despite the fact that Clemson has good numbers on defense overall, they gave up 432 yards of total offense to Notre Dame and barely won when Notre Dame couldn't convert their two point attempt at the end of the game. They game up 402 yards of total offense to a South Carolina team that struggled to score points and generate any offense all year in a 37-32 victory at Columbia, SC on Nov. 28th.

In Alabama's biggest tests, despite the early season loss to a very good Ole Miss team in which Jake Coker hadn't figured it out yet, Alabama has gone to Georgia as an underdog and dominated the Bulldogs, 38-10. At Texas A&M, which appeared to be a tough game at the time, 'Bama blasted the Aggies, 41-23. Against the highly acclaimed Leonard Fournette, whom the media had coronated the Heisman Trophy winner at the time, the Crimson Tide defense held Fournette to 31 yards rushing on 19 carries for an average of 1.6 yards per carry as the Crimson Tide blasted LSU, 30-16. At Mississippi State the next week, Alabama won 31-6. Alabama took care of business at Auburn, 29-13, when Derrick Henry went off for 271 yards on 46 carries, and then Henry  ran for another 189 on 44 carries in a 29-15 defeat of Florida in the SEC title game that was not as close as the score indicated. In the semifinal Cotton Bowl, Jake and Calvin took over. Jake was 25-of-30 for 286 yards and two touchdowns with no ints. Calvin caught 8 passes for 138 yards and two TDs, and defense pitched a shutout holding Michigan State to 29 yards rushing, and forcing Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook to throw two ints. The Tide also sacked Cook four times.

Coker will need to be good against Clemson early because they'll probably load up the box to stop Henry. Kenyan Drake could really help which would be a huge boost for the offense, and while Bo Scarbrough has not been a major factor this season, he's a stud and could help. I'm not saying Scarbrough's going to get a lot of carries, but if Kiff gives him a chance, he will deliver. He's going to be awesome. Drake could really help with some explosive plays. Drake, Coker, Ridley, Stewart, Howard and Mullaney will have to be good to give Henry a chance to ground and pound the Tigers. The Tide offensive line will get the job done. Ryan Kelly and company are playing dominant football. For Clemson to win, Watson will have to play the game of his life, and Gallman will have to find a way to run the ball against this powerful front seven. Their defense will have to prevent explosive plays in the passing game and corral Henry and Drake.

That's not going to happen. The Tide just has too much weaponry on both sides of the ball for Clemson. Clemson's had a great season, but Alabama has been through the SEC gauntlet and come out once again on top. Clemson played a very good game against Oklahoma, but this is too much to ask of the Tigers. Like the Tide to win soundly and S to capture his fourth national championship in seven years. Then the question will be, can Alabama keep him from going to the National Football League.

Alabama 35, Clemson 17

Wildcard Playoffs Weekend in the National Football League

Today

Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) @ Houston Texans (9-7)

NRG Stadium, Houston, TX (71,500)

3:35 PM CT/4:35 PM ET

ESPN

Tirico, Gruden, Lisa Salters

Lead ref with mixed crews for all games: Ron Torbert; the laundry will be flyin'

Weather: Retractable roof, no issue

Line: KC by 3

I like J.J. Watt and his 17.5 regular season sacks and the Houston defense to get over the hump against a good KC defense. KC quarterback Alex Smith has thrown nine TDs and no ints in three playoff appearances, but like the Texans to play ball control and get passes downfield from Brian Hoyer to DeAndre "Newk" Hopkins from Clemson for some game changing plays. Hopkins has caught 111 passes for 1,521 yards and 11, sevens this season. Like Watt and Hopkins in the upset in the Rocket City. Kansas City, we have a problem.

Texans 24, Chiefs 21

Tonight

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)

Paul Brown Stadium, Cincy (65,535)

7:15 PM CT/8:15 PM ET

CBS

Jim, Phil, Trace

Lead ref: John Parry

Weather: Cloudy at times and rain 50% at times, 48 degrees, wind SE 7 MPH

Line: Steelers by 2 1/2

Like A.J. McCarron, A.J. Green (86 receptions, 1,297 yards, 10 TDs), and the hometown Bengals to pull off the upset in the Queen City. A.J. has played well in relief of Andy Dalton, who should be back next week if the Bengals advance. But if  McCarron has a good game and leads his team to victory, Dalton may stay on the bench next week either at either the Broncos or the Patriots. The Bengals get over the hump and win a playoff game under Coach Marvin Lewis, who's done an excellent job this season.

Bengals 31, Steelers 28

Tomorrow, Sunday

Seattle Seahawks (10-6) vs. Minnesota Vikings (11-5)

TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN (50,805)

12:05 PM CT/1:05 PM ET

NBC

Al, Cris, Michelle

Refs: Walt Coleman, lead ref

Weather: Might as well play this one in Moscow. ZERO at kickoff, and it'll feel like -4. Wind 7 MPH, but sunny and zero rain. I feel more sorry for the fans than the players because the players have heated benches and all kinds of ways to stay warm. Still the fans will be out in droves. It's the playoffs and they live in this stuff all the time.

Line: Seattle by 4 1/2

Like Russell Wilson, who's been the best quarterback in the league this season as he's completed 329-of-483 passes, 68%, for 4,024 yards, 34 TDs and just eight interceptions, and that still reliable Legion of Boom defense to get the job done on the road. Seattle is a dangerous team this postseason. They have hit their stride.

Seahawks 24, Vikings 17

Green Bay Packers (10-6) @ Washington Redskins (9-7)

FedExField, Washington, D.C. (79,000)

3:40 PM CT/4:40 PM ET

FOX

Joe, Troy, EA, Chris Myers

Refs: Gene Steratore, this usually means controversy during the game at some point

Weather: Partly sunny at kickoff, 52 degrees, wind throughout the game West @ 16-17 MPH, so a factor

Line: Redskins by 1

This is not a tough call in my opinion. Going with ARodg to get it done with his postseason experience. Kirk Cousins has no postseason experience at quarterback. Going with the veteran in these situations despite the fact that his offensive line is banged up. Like ARodg to get'er done in the nation's capital.

Packers 31, Redskins 28

Top 10 Coaches in College Football

Here is my list of the top 5 coaches in College Football and the next 5.

1. Nick Saban, Alabama

The 64 year old Fairmont, West Virginia native  has a 190-60-1 overall record in 20 years as a head coach, 76%.

He is 99-18 in nine years at Alabama, 85%.

Four National championships: 2003  at LSU; 2009, 2011 and 2012 at Alabama. Going for his fourth in seven years at Bama next Monday, Jan. 11th, @ 7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM ET on ESPN.

6 SEC titles. 2001, 2003, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015.

Can't argue with any of these results. Saban is the most powerful man in sports in my opinion. There have been overtures by the media that S will go to the NFL if he wins his fourth national championship at Alabama next Monday, but I'm not buying it. He has more money than he'll ever need as he makes $6.9 million a year and is signed for another six more years, to 2021. Endorsements, a Mercedes dealership. Finances are not an issue. He's had it going at Alabama for the last eight years and he's got it going for the future. Wins the national championship in recruiting every year. He's fourth this year so far, but he always closes with the best class, and that will be the case again this year with another national title. He has a granddaughter now in Birmingham by his son, Nick, and he and his wife Terry are dedicated to her. Terry travels five days a week to Birmingham to see her granddaughter. He's the most powerful man in the state. He has winning championships seemingly on autopilot, though of course it takes a massive amount of work to make that happen, and is absolutely never a given. It takes a massive amount of drive and intelligence to win like Saban has. He's got more energy than a lot of 20 year olds. He lost Kirby Smart to Georgia as Kirby was named head coach of the Bulldogs, but he replaced Kirby with Jeremy Pruitt, who coached for him for three years in Tuscaloosa before taking the Georgia defensive coordinator job this season. Now Pruitt is back and the program doesn't lose a step. Kirby is the best defensive coordinator in the country, but Pruitt is 1A. He's also a phenomenal recruiter. S should have Lane Kiffin back as offensive coordinator and a loaded roster again next year. Kiff and S will have to develop a quarterback but Kiff is a genius at doing that. 2015 five star Blake Barnett could be the guy or Cooper Bateman, or David Cornwell. People were worried about Jacob Coker this season like they were Blake Sims last season and Coker's been spectacular ever since the Georgia game. Sims was pretty darn good in 2014. Saban is the best coach and has the best program in the country. I don't know why he would want to leave it. Would he really want to go to an NFL team where he'd have to deal with the highly paid, massive egos of those guys? I've been reading the Saban book by Monte Burke, The Making of a Coach, and S got in all kinds of altercations with the NFL players he coached, some of which got physical. At 64, does he really want to go through that again? He's got an amazing situation at the University with people who consider him like deity. Why leave that?  I say S is in it for the long haul in Tuscaloosa and will go down by the time he's done as the greatest coach in college football history. And he's got the energy to go seven or eight more years, maybe 10.

2. Urban Meyer, The Ohio State

Three national championships, 2006 and 2008 at Florida, and 2014 at Ohio State for the 51 year old Toledo, Ohio native. He's 154-27, 85%, in his 14 years as a head coach. He's 50-4 at Ohio State, 93%. Meyer has two SEC titles and one Big Ten title on his resume and that will keep building. He's got it going and it will continue, though he has really good competition coming up on Ann Arbor and East Lansing. Has the second best recruiting class in the country by 247 sports and No.4 by Rivals and could win the recruiting national championship this season. Meyer recruits through the roof well. He may go down as one of the best ever in college football as well.

3. Dabo Swinney, Clemson

His resume isn't as long as S's or Urb's, but the 46 year old native of Birmingham, Al. has  become one of the premier coaches in game. He's 75-26 in eight years at Clemson, 74%. He's won two ACC titles, two Orange Bowls and has his team playing for the national championship against Alabama next Monday. Dabo has cemented his place as one of the top three coaches in the country.

4. Gary Patterson, TCU

In 16 years as head coach of the Horned Frogs, the 55 year old native of Rozel, Kansas is 143-47, 75%, and since 2005, he's gone 11-1 ('05), 11-2 ('06), 8-5 ('07), 11-2 ('08), 12-1 ('09), 13-0 ('10), 11-2 ('11), 7-6 ('12), 4-8 ('13), 12-1 ('14), and 11-2 ('15). I thought he had a top four team in the country at the end of last season (2014), but his team lost to Baylor at Baylor in the regular season after holding a 42-21 lead in the fourth quarter, and couldn't make the playoff as Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State were just too hard to argue with. But his team crushed Ole Miss, 31-3, in the Sugar Bowl, and had major aspirations to win it all this season. I had them in my preseason Final Four with Bama, Ohio State and Oregon. Bama is in, Ohio State had the talent, just had a few malfunctions on the team this season, Oregon got it going late, but TCU dealt with massive injuries throughout the season. This may have been Patterson's best coaching job at TCU. He was missing seven starters on defense entering the season and struggled in the first six games on defense due to injuries. He lost stud wide receiver Josh Doctson to injury later in the season and his quarterback, Trevone Boykin, was hurt some this year and was suspended for the Alamo Bowl. He still won 11 games, beat Baylor at home, took Oklahoma to the wire at OU almost winning if they had converted a two point conversion at the end of the game, and came back Saturday night from a 31-0 deficit to Oregon in the Alamo Bowl with their backup quarterback, Brian Kuhlhausen, a fifth year senior, playing lights out as he  completed 28-of-45 passes for 351 yards, two sevens, and ran for 45 yards and two more TDs including the game winner in a 47-41 triple overtime victory over Oregon. It was truly amazing. Patterson has it going in Fort Worth and his recruiting is getting better and better as high school seniors are wanting to go to a proven winner. He's 9-5 in bowl games and won the Rose Bowl in 2010 when his team completed a perfect 13-0 season with Andy Dalton as quarterback, the year Auburn won the national championship with Cam. Patterson is the real deal.

5. Art Briles, Baylor

Eight years as head man at Baylor (2008-present) for the 60 year old Rule, Texas native. He was at Houston five years prior to that (2003-2007). He's 99-65, 60%, but since 2011, he's gone 10-3, 8-5, 11-2, 11-2 and 10-3. Another amazing bowl game against North Carolina in this year's Russell Athletic Bowl. UNC was favored by 3 1/2, after Baylor had started as a 7 point favorite, because the Bears were without their starting quarterback, Seth Russell, who injured his neck pretty severely in November and he was out, and backup Jarrett Stidham, who showed a lot of promise as a freshman, but was hurt as well for the bowl game. Briles put in Chris Johnson, his third string quarterback. His top running back, Shock Linwood, who rushed for 1,329 yards and 10 TDs, was out with an injury, and his top receiver, Corey Coleman, who caught 74 passes for 1,363 yards and 20 TDs, was also out with an injury. But Briles and his staff figured out a way to come out with a 49-38 over the Tar Heels. Running back Johnny Jefferson rushed for 299 yards and three, 7's, and running back Devin Chafin ran for 156 yards and a seven. Briles has the 11th best recruiting class in the country this year. He's got it rolling in Waco. The future is bright at Baylor under Briles. It's already been terrific, and keeps getting better.

 Next five

6. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

The 52 year old Toledo, Ohio native took over the Michigan program this season after four mostly highly successful seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, and an outstanding four years at Stanford where he led the Cardinal to an Orange Bowl victory in 2010 and set the standard for excellence at Palo Alton that David Shaw has continued. Harbaugh was 10-3 in his first year in Ann Arbor in what was considered to be a rebuilding year. Michigan is No.5 in the recruiting rankings by 247 sports. and No.3 by Rivals. Jim will get Michigan back to elite status and playing for a national championship in the next three years.

7. Tom Herman, Houston

One of the brightest young coaches in college football. The 40-year old Cincinnati, Ohio native  just led the Houston Cougars to a 13-1 season in his first season at the helm and a New Year's Six 38-24 blasting of Florida State in the Peach Bowl. He was Ohio State's offensive coordinator in 2014 and helped lead them to a national title in which he took his third string quarterback, Cardale Jones, and made him elite against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game and Alabama in the Sugar Bowl semifinal playoff game. Houston inked him to a five year deal worth $3 million a year, but Herman will be the hottest commodity in college football if he duplicates this stuff. He has the 25th best class in the country including five star defensive tackle Ed Oliver. The competition for players in Texas is fierce with TCU, Baylor, Texas and now Houston competing for the top players. There is also Texas and SMU. Herman is an absolute stud coach.

8. Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss

The 46 year old Freeze, who was born in Oxford, MS., just finished a 10-3 season, capped off by 48-20 demolition of Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl. Freeze went 10-2 at Arkansas State in 2011, and left to go to Ole Miss before his team played in the GoDaddy Bowl. He went 7-6 his first year in Oxford in 2012 with a victory in the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham; he was 8-5 in 2013 with a Music City Bowl victory; he was 9-4 in 2014 but lost in the Peach Bowl to TCU, before going 10-3 this season with the Sugar Bowl victory. His recruiting classes have all been in the top 10 since he's been at Ole Miss, and this 2016 class is ranked 6th in the country, and he has two of the top five players in the country committed; five-star offensive tackle Gregory Little, the No.2 ranked player in the country by 247 sports, and five-star quarterback Shea Patterson, the No.5  ranked player in the country by 247. Freeze has Ole Miss set up to be an elite program both in the SEC and nationally. They already are.

9. Jimbo Fisher, Florida State

Still one of the top guys. He won the national championship in 2013, made the playoff in 2014, and took his team to the Sugar Bowl this year, though his team got embarrassed by Houston. The 50-year old native of Clarksburg, West Virginia is 68-14 at FSU, 83%, in six seasons in Tallahassee and should have an outstanding team next year with a lot of players coming back including superstar running back Dalvin Cook. He's had discipline issues, but he keeps producing excellent seasons. His team finished 10-3 this season and that is a down year at Florida State under Fisher. His recruiting class is ranked No.3 in the country by 247 sports rankings.

10. Mark Dantonio, Michigan State

The 59 year old El Paso, Texas native has taken the Spartans to an elite level nationally. They're not on Alabama's or Clemson's levels right now, or even some of the other IBM's of college football, but he did beat Michigan at the Big House and Ohio State at the Horseshoe in Columbus  this season, on his way to a 12-2 2015 campaign. He is 87-33 in nine years in East Lansing, 73%, and he defeated Stanford in the Rose Bowl in 2013. In 2013, Dantonio was 13-1; in 2014 he was  11-2 with a New Year's Six Cotton Bowl victory over Baylor as his team  came back from a 21 point deficit in the fourth quarter. The Spartans won the Big Ten title this season. Michigan State is 16th in the country in the recruiting rankings. The program is thriving under Dantonio and may reach the ultra elite level in college football in the next two or three years.

Another exciting day of college football; four games on the docket

The last four games of what has been a stellar bowl season. The SEC has two teams in action today with the Georgia Bulldogs, who are waiting for the arrival of Kirby Smart after the Crimson Tide plays Clemson in the national championship, squaring off with the Nittany Lions of Penn State. The Dawgs will try to ring in 2016 with a Taxslayer Bowl victory. The Arkansas Razorbacks aim to keep emerging under Bret Bielema as they play in the Liberty Bowl and get a head start on the 2016 season. What could have been an epic clash between Oregon and TCU has been diminished somewhat due to the arrest and suspension of TCU starting quarterback Trevone Boykin. Boykin got in an altercation at a bar on Wednesday night and hit a police officer, so he's off the team. But it should be an interesting  contest with the high flying Ducks of Oregon facing a pretty good Big 12 defense in TCU, while on the other side of the ball,  the Horned Frogs try to figure out a way to generate some points without their starting quarterback, but against a defense that has been gashed some this season.

The nightcap features West Virginia vs. Arizona State in the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl. They'll leave the lights on.

Here's a look at today's action. Still have a game called the national championship coming up next Monday, January 11th, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona @7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM ET on ESPN pitting the Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers.

Yesterday: 3-2;

Christian McCaffrey ran wild for Stanford in their 45-16 shellacking of Iowa in the Rose Bowl. Christian finished off the day at the Grandaddy of them all with 368 all purpose yards. Ohio State looked like the team people expected them to be this season as they cruised to victory over the Fighting Irish, 44-28, in the Fiesta Bowl, and with the recruiting Urb has done, they should be right in the middle of the playoff hunt in 2016. Michigan got 2016 kickstarted with a thrashing of Florida, 41-7, in the Citrus Bowl. Tennessee primed itself for a big 2016 with a demolition of Northwestern, 45-6 in the Outback Bowl, and Ole Miss looked lights out against Ok. State in a 48-20 victory in the Sugar Bowl. Hugh Freeze and his team will be a major factor in the SEC in 2016.

Overall Bowls: 20-16

Overall record for 2015-16: 234-80, 75%

Today

TaxSlayer Bowl

Georgia (9-3)  vs. Penn State (7-5)

EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL. (67,164)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN

Allen Bestick, Dan Hawkins, Tiffany Greene

Refs: Pac-12, Michael Mothershed

Line: Dawgs by 6 1/2

Georgia is pretty beaten up injury wise, but I like Sony Michel to have a big day running the football for the Dawgs, and for Michel and Nick Chubb to team up and have huge years in 2016 for the Dawgs. Georgia will need better quarterback play in 2016, but they will definitely have the running game. Today, Michel and the offense will do enough though even without stellar quarterback play. The Dawgs ring in 2016 with a victory.

Georgia 31, Penn State 21

Autozone Liberty Bowl

Arkansas (7-5) vs. Kansas State (6-6)

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN. (61,008)

2:20 PM CT/3:20 PM ET

ESPN

Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks, Dawn Davenport

Refs: Big Ten, Ron Snodgrass

Line: Hogs by 13

Alex Collins should have a big day running the football for the Hogs. Expect Arkansas to bring in 2016 in a big way and Bret Bielema to get 2016 kick started with a big victory in Memphis. Bielema is making Arkansas highly relevant in the SEC. Expect the Hogs to be contenders in the SEC West next season. The awesome Collins will be back and Bielema has recruited very well.

Arkansas 42, Kansas State 24

Valero Alamo Bowl

Oregon (9-3) vs. TCU (10-2)

Alamodome, San Antonio, TX (72,000)

5:45 PM CT/6:45 PM ET

ESPN

Dave Flemming, Mack, Allison

Refs: SEC, Marc Curles

Line: Oregon by 7

What was shaping up to be one of the best bowls of the bowl season could turn out to be a mismatch. The Ducks were one of the hottest teams in the country towards the end of the season, and come into the Alamo Bowl on a roll. Without his quarterback, Boykin, Gary Patterson and his team are going to have a tough time hanging with the Ducks. Oregon gets a big victory and sets their sights on a big 2016.

Oregon 45, TCU 31

Motel 6 Cactus Bowl

West Virginia (7-5)  vs. Arizona State (6-6)

Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona (49,033)

9:15 PM CT/10:15 PM ET

ESPN

Dave Neal, Stinch, Kayce Smith

Refs: Big Ten, Jeff Servinski

Line: West Virginia by 1

Todd Graham and his Sun Devils team pull off the slight upset in this one. Graham is getting closer to being highly relevant in the Pac-12. He's had some good wins, but needs to take it to the next level next season. This would be a good jump start to 2016.

'Zona State 35, West Virginia 31

That was spectacular, Clemson next, today's predictions

I said the same thing after the Crimson Tide dismantled Notre Dame to win the 2011 national title, but I have never seen more of a complete effort than I saw last night in Arlington.

There were so many spectacular plays last night in all three phases of the game. The first was Jake Coker's 50 yard pass to Calvin that was perfectly thrown and Calvin made a sensational  catch on to set the Tide up at the one where Derrick took it in with 5:36 left in the second quarter to put the Tide up 7-0. Adam Griffith's 47-yard field goal was right on the money right before half to put the Tide up 10-0 going into the break.  Griff has been brilliant since the middle of the season. Jake to Calvin for the six yard, seven in which Herbie and the officiating expert for ESPN went into all this conjecture about whether Cal was in or not on the catch. I told my wife Calvin had possession, got one foot down, seven. It wasn't complex. And it was a spectacular play by Calvin. Cyrus's 57 yard punt return for a seven was a thing of beauty. Wow, that Cyrus is something else. He also had an interception right before the first half ended right in front of the end zone that kept Michigan State from scoring. Then Coke's 50 yard bomb that was perfectly thrown to Calvin for another seven in the third quarter was tremendously thrown. Derrick capped it off with an 11 yard run after Kenyan had broken off a huge 58 yard run prior to that. It was great to see Kenyan pop one off like that. If Kenyan and/or the awesome Bo Scarbrough can give Derrick some help against Clemson, that would be huge. And finally, Dillon Lee's beautiful, athletic interception to close out the game for the Tide capped off a spectacular night for this football team. What an athletic play as Dillon reached over his right shoulder pulled the ball in and kept his feet inbounds to secure the pick as the Tide finished off business, 38-0, over the Spartans of Michigan State.

Kiff and Kirby are the best in the business. This is a all time good college football team. Clemson will be a challenge though. DeShaun Watson presents problems with his prolific running and passing and Wayne Gallman is the real deal running the football. Clemson plays good defense and have good lines on both side of the ball and playmakers on the perimeter in the passing game and linebackers and defensive backs who can make game changing plays. Dabo has done a superb job at Clemson. The Alabama secondary will be tested, and with DeShaun's wheels, that could cause problems for the Tide defense. The Tide opened as a seven point favorite in Vegas. Will have much more next week as the Tide prepares to battle the Clemson Tigers for the National Championship, a week from Monday, January 11, 2016 @ 7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM ET at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. ESPN will televise. Chris, Herbie, Heather and Tom on the call. The officiating crew will be from the Pac-12 and Terry Leyden will be the lead official. This should be a fun one.

One last thing on Jake Coker. I listened to Jake's postgame interview and I told my wife he's just a good country boy from Mobile, Alabama, salt of the Earth kind of guy. As they say in small towns in Alabama, Jake's just "good people." Love the guy. After the head coach of Alabama, being the quarterback at the University may be the toughest job in the state, and Jake has handled it with character, humility and poise. He drives a Chevy Silverado and his Christmas present from his family was a shotgun. Once his season is over, he's going hunting.

Jake was 25-of-30 last night for 286 yards and 2 TDs. He was spectacular. Calvin and Cyrus were too. Ryan Anderson, Jonathan Allen were amazing as well and Reggie Ragland was Reggie Ragland. He's the best linebacker in football and his future in the game looks extremely bright as a future All-Pro in the National Football League. I don't know any one of the top 28 or so players on defense who won't be in the top five rounds of the NFL draft in April for those who are going out. Reggie Ragland, Jonathan Allen and Cyrus Jones look like top 1o picks in April. The whole group. It's just an absolutely, historically great defense. There may have been a Miami defense in the early 2000's or the Nebraska defense in 1971 with Rich Glover and company that compared, but I don't know if there's been a better college defense in the history of the game. But they'll be tested next week against the Clemson Tigers. Another chance to leave a legacy that may have never been matched and might not be matched for a very long time in college football. Unless, of course, S does it again next year.

Today's games

Yesterday: 1-2

Overall bowls:17-14

Outback Bowl

No.23 Tennessee 42, No. 13 Northwestern 31

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN 2

UT by 10

Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl

No. 19 Florida 24, No. 14 Michigan 21

Noon CT/1 PM ET

ABC

Michigan by 4

Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl

No. 8 Notre Dame 31, No. 7 Ohio State 28

Noon CT/1 PM ET

ESPN

Ohio State by 6 1/2

Rose Bowl

No.6 Stanford 31, No. 5 Iowa 24

4 PM CT/5 PM ET

ESPN

Stanford by 6

AllState Sugar Bowl

No.12 Ole Miss 38, No. 16 Oklahoma State 28

7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM ET

ESPN

Ole Miss by 9

The College football Semifinals Playoff games; Peach Bowl

Yesterday: 2-2

Overall: 16-12

College Playoff  Semifinal

Goodyear Cotton Bowl

Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) vs. Michigan State

Spartans (12-1)

AT&T Stadium, Dallas (80,000 but expandable to 100,000)

7 PM CT/8PM ET

ESPN

Chris, Herbie, Heather

Referees: Big 12, Mike Defee

Coaches

Alabama:

Nick Saban: born Oct. 31, 1951, 64 years old, Fairmont, West Virginia. Twenty years as a college head coach: 189-60-1, 76%;  @ Alabama 8 years: 98-18, 84%; 6 SEC championships: 2001, 2003, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015;  Four National titles: 2003 @ LSU, 2009, 2011, 2012 @ Alabama. Bowls: 8-8

Michigan State:

Mark Dantonio: born, March 9, 1956, 59 years old, El Paso Texas. 11 years as a head coach; 105-49, 68%; 8 years at Michigan State, 87-32, 73%; 3 years prior at Cincinnati. 3 Big Ten titles, 2011, 2013, 2015. Bowls: 5-4.

Weather: Retractable roof, no issue

Key players:

Alabama:

Running back Derrick Henry: 339 carries for 1,986 yards, all time college rushing record. 23 TDs, led the country. 5.9 yards per carry. 152.8 per game. Heisman Trophy winner.  Quarterback Jake Coker: 222-of-338, 66%, 2,489 yards, 17 TDs, 8 Ints. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley: 75 receptions, 893 yards, 5 TDs;  wide receiver ArDarius Stewart: 54 receptions for 600 yards, 4 TDs; Richard Mullaney, 34-308, 5 TDs.

Defense: Middle linebacker Reggie Ragland: 90 tackles, 6.5 for loss of -23 yards, 2.5 sacks, heart and soul of the defense. Linebacker Reuben Foster: 60 tackles, 7 for loss of -19. Defensive end Jonathan Allen: 12.5 tackles for loss of -77 yards, 10 sacks for -73 yards. Defensive end Tim Williams: 11.5 tackles for loss of -82 yards, 9.5 sacks. Safety Eddie Jackson 5 interceptions for 230 yards, 2 TDs. Marlon Humphrey 3 ints. Minkah Fitzpatrick, 2 ints, 1 punt block return for a TD, 3 TDs total. Crimson Tide with 16 interceptions on the season. 46 sacks on the season leads the country.

Michigan State:

Quarterback Connor Cook: 210-of-389, 57%, 2,921 yards, 24 TDs, 5 interceptions; Running back L.J. Scott: 140 carries, 691 yards, 11 TDs; wide receiver Aaron Burbridge: 80 receptions, 1219 yards, 7 TDs. Wide receiver R.J. Shelton: 41-484, 4 TDs. Wide receiver Macgarrett Kings: 38-492, 5 TDs. Defense: linebacker Riley Bullough, leading tackler, 95 tackles, 7 for loss, 4 sacks, 2 ints; linebacker Darien Harris 82 tackles, 7 for loss. Defensive end Shilique Calhoun, 14.5 tackles for loss of -81 yards, 10.5 sacks for -74 yards. Safety Montae Nicholson, 3 interceptions, 60 yards.

Line: Alabama by 10

Analysis

Alabama's lines on both sides of the ball are big, powerful and dominant. A'Shawn Robinson (6'4", 312), Jarran Reed (6'4",313), Jonathan Allen (defensive end (6'3", 283) and company form the most formidable defensive front in college football AND in the NFL. I think this Alabama defense is not only historically good in terms of all time great defenses in college football, I see this group as better than any defense I've seen in the National Football League. The Broncos have a good defense, maybe they're as good. But that's it. Alabama could stop most NFL offenses. Then you have Derrick Henry, one of the most prolific backs in college football history. What a class act, too. Derrick's Heisman acceptance speech was memorably good. Class kid. Tremendous football player. I like what Jake Coker has done this season. He's been not only a good game manager, but he's been much more than that. He's been a playmaker. People said that about A.J. McCarron and I always thought he was a tremendous playmaker also and underrated in that regard. I see Coke in the same light. He'll be looking for big plays with Calvin and ArDarius in the passing game. Maybe Kenyan Drake can have a good night for the Tide. I know Alabama fans would like to see that as would his teammates and coaches.

Michigan State plays good defense and pretty good offense. It's almost seems impossible how they beat Michigan on the game ending botched punt that they returned for a six and the victory. Then they beat Ohio State on a late field goal, and Iowa with a 15 play, 98 yard drive and scored the game winning TD with time expiring. Connor Cook is a good quarterback, and L.J. Scott is a good running back. Their defense is solid as Mark Dantonio always has solid, physical defenses.

Final Analysis, Prediction

The Crimson Tide has the best coach and best coaching staff in the country. They also have the best players. Derrick Henry is going to pop some runs and grind out some runs, and the offensive line will take over in the fourth quarter. Coker will hit Ridley and Stewart for some explosive plays, quite possibly house calls, and the defense will be what they are; the best in the country and immovable and dominant. Alabama is just too good for Michigan State this time. No disrespect to Michigan State, but this Alabama defense is as good a unit as there has ever been in college football, and Derrick Henry and company churn out yards and make big plays when they need to. See the Crimson Tide moving on to the University of Phoenix Stadium next Monday night, 1-11-16, @ 7:30 PM CT/8:30 PM ET to play the Oklahoma-Clemson winner in the national championship game on ESPN.

Alabama 31, Michigan State 14

College football Semifinal

Capital One Orange Bowl

Clemson (13-0) vs. Oklahoma (11-1)

Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL. (76,100)

3 PM CT/4 PM ET

ESPN

Brad, Todd Holly

Refs: Big Ten, Mike Cannon

Weather: 81, partly cloudy, 0% rain, wind SE 9 MPH

Line: OU by 4

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers have had a magnificent year. DeShaun Watson was second in the Heisman voting and was a tremendous player and leader for his football team. DeShaun completed 287-of-413 passes, 70%, for 3,512 yards and 30 TDs against 11 ints and ran for 887 more yards and 11 more TDs. Wayne Gallman is a tremendous running back, who rushed for 1,332 yards and 10 TDs. Clemson averages 38 points per game on offense. But today, I like OU quarterback Baker Mayfield (243-of-354, 69%, 35 TDs, 5 ints) and running back Samaje Perine (1,291 yards and 15 TDs) to push the Sooners barely over the top of the Clemson Tigers in what should be a tremendous game. OU will move on to face the Crimson Tide in what should be an epic national championship game a week from Monday, January 11,2016.

Oklahoma 45, Clemson 42

Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

Houston (12-1) vs. Florida State (10-2)

Georgia Dome, Atlanta (71,228)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN

Dave Pasch, Brian Griese, Tom Luginbill

Refs: SEC, Tom Ritter

FSU by 7

Houston has had a super year under first year head coach Tom Herman, and quarterback Greg Ward Jr. has been awesome, completing 207-of-304 passes, 68%, for 2,590 yards, 16 TDs and five ints, and running for 1,041 yards and 19 more TDs. But I like superb FSU running back Dalvin Cook, who has rushed for 1,658 yards and 18 TDs, to be the story here for the Noles, as they take care of business and set their sights for a big 2016 season, though it should be a very good game. Houston is a good football team.

Florida State 35, Houston 31

Now it gets real serious

It's been a classic bowl season this December with some epics. And it gets even better now.

The buildup to the spectacles coming up started yesterday in the Russell Athletic Bowl when Baylor blasted North Carolina, 49-38, in Orlando, then Leonard Fournette ran all over Texas Tech's defense to the tune of 212 yards, four rushing TDs and one 44 yard receiving TD, as the LSU Bengal Tigers blasted the Red Raiders in the Advocare V100 Bowl in Houston, 56-27.

Now it gets even more interesting with four terrific bowl matchups today on the slate, including three with SEC teams involved, with one of them being the Auburn Tigers.

Here are my top five Power conferences in order heading into the final acts of what has been a riveting bowl season that is about to get more scintillating.

1. SEC: It starts with the Crimson Tide of Alabama and keeps on going. The SEC will prove it in this final four days of the bowl season.

2. Big 12: A really good conference. The Big 12 doesn't play defense like the SEC, but Oklahoma is a high quality team as are Baylor and TCU.

3. Pac-12: Stanford and the teams out on the left coast are excellent clubs. They've shown some metal in the postseason so far going 5-1. USC in action tonight, Stanford New Year's Day against Iowa in the Rose Bowl, Oregon in a terrific matchup with TCU in the Alamo Bowl Saturday, Jan. 2nd, and Arizona State finishing off the regular bowl season against West Virginia in the Cactus Bowl.

4. Big Ten: Somewhat of an overrated conference. Ohio State has been a disappointment even though they've gone 11-1. With the talent they had coming into this season they should have reached the playoff. But some lackluster performances and a loss to Michigan State at home knocked them out. The offensive play calling and some serious head cases on the team cost them the opportunity to be in the playoff. Michigan State is solid, but not great. Michigan is not there yet. Maybe at some point, but Jim Harbaugh has some work to do to get back into the elite company of college football. Iowa is a fine team. Far from great, but pretty good. But they're certainly not an elite team and were totally overrated this year.

5. ACC: They've been getting taken to the woodshed some; see Pittsburgh and North Carolina. This is the least impressive of the Power Five conferences. In the upcoming bowl games, it should show up even more.

Bowl Record: 14-10

Today's games

Birmingham Bowl

Auburn (6-6, 2-6 SEC) vs. Memphis (9-3, 5-2

American Athletic)

Legion Field, B'ham (71,594)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN

Talent: Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Paul Carcaterra

Whistles: ACC, Jeff Heaser

Weather: 56 at kickoff, rain, 90% and 100% at noon CT, but tapering off after that. Wind minimal NNW 2 MPH

Line: AU by 3

When you talk about Memphis, it all starts with quarterback Paxton Lynch. The 6'7", 245 redshirt junior has completed 69% of his passes, 280-of-406 for 3,670 yards, 28 TDs against only three interceptions. He's tough to stop. His receiving corps is led by Mose Frazier, who has caught 66 passes for 750 yards and four TDs, and Anthony Miller, who has hauled in 44 passes for 684 yards and five, 7's. Wide out Tevin Jones has 19 catches for 300 yards and four TDs on top of those other two. Frazier and Miller are 5'11, 190, but Jones is 6'2", 225. They have three other receivers with three TD catches. They like to throw it around with Lynch. The Memphis Tigers leading rusher is Doroland Dorceus, who has rushed for 613 yards on 144 carries, 4.3 average per carry, and eight TDs. Jarvis Cooper and Sam Craft have added five TDs on the ground.  Lynch is a pretty decent running quarterback, too. He's only rushed for 240 yards, but he can be difficult to bring down when he's scrambling.

On defense, they are aggressive and like to bring pressure on the quarterback. Mike linebacker Leonard Pegues, a 5'11", 240 pound senior, leads the Tigers in tackles with 65 and has 7 tackles for loss of 22 yards. Sophomore defensive end Christian Johnson, 6'5", 255,  has 6.5 tackles for loss of -25 yards. He also leads the team in sacks with 4.  Safety Reggie Ball leads the defense in interceptions with 3.

For AU, it'll be about the running game and play action passing. It appears Jeremy Johnson and Sean White will both play though Gus hasn't shown his hand on what he'll do. White sounds healthy, and Johnson actually played a good game in the Iron Bowl, but just didn't get a lot of help from his receivers except for Jason Smith's terrific catch and run for a seven against the Crimson Tide. But it'll be about the running game for the Auburn Tigers today. Peyton Barber rushed for 976 yards and 13 TDs this season. He'll be one of the workhorses. Jovon Robinson will be the other and he's shown signs of his excellent credentials coming out of high school and junior college. He had some really good games towards the end of the season. I expect Jovon to have a good day today on the ground. I look for Kerryon Johnson and Roc Thomas to play big roles and maybe get a house call or two in from distance. Johnson completed 94-of-156 passes, 60%, for 1,043 yards, nine TDs but seven ints. He looked out of sorts at times, but I still actually believe in him. He's a great kid and wants to do well. White completed 75-of-130, 58%, for 1,064 yards, 1 TD and two ints, but I believe in his talent also. Ricardo Louis, who caught 45 passes for 699 yards and three TDs, could help today. So could Marcus Davis, 28-174 1 TD, Melvin Ray, 18-229, 2 TDs, and Jason Smith, 12-192, 1, seven.

***Update*** Gus starting Sean White

On defense, Carl Lawson should be all systems go today, and that will help the defense. He, Montravius Adams and DeVonte Lambert need to get after Lynch and make him uncomfortable throwing the football. Safety Johnathan Ford led the team in tackles with 113 and intercepted two passes. Johnathan is a quality player. Casanova McKinzy, who led the team in tackles for loss with 10 for -45 yards and sacks with 5, needs to also get after Lynch from his defensive end spot. Carlton Davis, Ford and Blake Countess will need to try and turn Lynch over with interceptions.

Final Analysis

Auburn's game plan will be to ground and pound the Memphis defense and contain Lynch on defense. It might be wet for a while, so holding onto the football will be at a premium. The Auburn Tigers will be looking for a new defensive coordinator and could announce as early as Saturday, but today, Lance Thompson will call the defense. The Auburn running game and a recharged spirit in the AU Tiger camp gets it done.

Auburn 35, Memphis 31

Belk Bowl

Mississippi State (8-4, 4-4 SEC) vs. NC State (7-

5, 3-5 ACC)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. (73,298)

2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET

ESPN

Clay Matvick, John Congemi, Dawn Davenport

Stripes: Pac-12, Michael Batlin

Weather: 55% chance of scattered T-storms, dissipating through the game, 69 degrees, wind SW & MPH

Line: Mississippi State by 6

This game to me is all about Dak Prescott and his illustrious career in the SEC. It's his final game in college and he wants to go out on top. Dak has completed 67% of his passes this season, 291-of-435 for 3,413 yards, 25 TDs against only four ints. He's also run for 541 yards and 10, sevens. For his career, he's piled up over 9,000 passing yards, 2,500 yards rushing, and over 100 TDs. He's had a stellar career. His favorite targets are Fred Ross and De'Runnya Wilson. Ross is 6'2", 210 and Wilson is 6'5", 215. They are excellent targets. Ross has caught 81 passes for 933 yards and four TDs, and Wilson has added 55 catches for 822 yards and nine, 7's. State's running game is OK after Dak, as Brandon Holloway and Ashton Shumpert have rushed for 372 yards and 201 yards respectively. Holloway averages 4.7 yards per carry and can take it to the house, while Shumpert has more power, but averages only 3.7. Still he's capable of having a good game today.

On defense, the Bulldogs leader is middle linebacker Richie Brown, who is outstanding. The 6'2", 245 Brown has posted 101 tackles on the season with 12 for loss of 54 yards and a team leading 5.5 sacks on the season. He's also intercepted a pass. He's a game changer on defense for the Bullies. Defensive end A.J. Jefferson, 6'3", 277 pounds, leads the team in tackles for loss with 13.5 for -65 yards. Defensive backs Will Redmond, Tavez Calhoun and Brandon Bryant all have two interceptions to lead the Bulldogs, though Redmond is out for the season with injury

For N.C. State, it's also about their quarterback, Jacoby Brissett. Brissett, the transfer from Florida two years ago, has found a home at N.C. State and is making the most of it. He has completed 225-of-367 passes, 61%, for 2,448 yards, and 19 TDs against only four interceptions. Tight end Jaylen Samuels is Brissett's favorite target, as he has caught 64 passes for 599 yards and 7 TDs. They lost starting running back Matt Dayes to a broken toe later in the season and they had dismissed their other star running back Shadrach Thornton earlier in the season. So NC State will have to be creative running the ball. Reggie Gallaspy II rushed for 316 yards and four TDs this season, so he'll be counted on. On the other side of the ball, defensive end Mike Rose leads the team in tackles for loss with 15 for -72 yards, and also leads the team in sacks with 10.5 for -56 yards. Safety Hakim Jones leads the team in interceptions with 2.

Final Analysis

It could be a little sloppy out there and there will probably be some turnovers. The quarterback and skilled players who take care of the ball the best and are effective moving the football, and of course, getting it across the goal line, will win this game. May be more of a defensive game than some expected due to the weather. But I do like some offense too in this game with Dak and Brissett making plays both with their arms and their legs. Can't go against Dak in his last game though.

Mississippi State 31, NC State 24

Music City Bowl

Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4 SEC) vs. Louisville (7-5, 5-

3 ACC)

Nissan Stadium, Nashvegas (69,143)

6 PM CT/7PM ET

ESPN

Tom Hart, Andre, Laura Rutledge

Stripes: Big 12, Alan Eck

Weather: 47 degrees, 0% rain, wind NW 4 MPH

Line: Louisville by 4

Kevin Sumlin lost his two quarterbacks to transfers, Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray. Looks like Murray will go to Oklahoma, while Allen hasn't decided. It was rumored to be Texas, but nothing is definite. Sumlin also had to suspend wide receiver Speedy Noil for this game. Jake Hubenak will start for the Aggies at quarterback. Hubenak only threw 27 passes this season completing 12 for 92 yards, a touchdown and no ints. But he still has superstar wide receiver and punt returner Christain Kirk. The lightning fast Kirk caught 70 passes for 925 yards and six TDs. He's also got Ricky Seals-Jones who caught 42 passes for 542 yards and three, 7's, and Josh Reynolds, who caught 40 passes for 730 yards and five, 7's. Tra Carson is a highly capable running back who ran for 1,059 yards and six TDs. James White is a pretty decent backup. Safety Armani Watts led the team in tackles with 111. Stud defensive end Myles Garrett led the team in tackles for loss with 18.5 for -91 yards and sacks with 11.5 for -16 yards. He'll be a disruptor tonight. Nickelback Donovan Wilson led the team in interceptions this season with five.

Louisville will be led by dual threat quarterback Lamar Jackson, who completed 57% of his passes, 123-of-221 for 1,613 yards, 10 touchdowns but eight ints. He's a really good runner though as he rushed for 734 yards and nine TDs. Running back Brandon Radcliff rushed for 587 and seven TDs. The receiving corps is led by Jamari Staples, who caught 36 passes on the season for 610 yards and three, 7's, and James Quick who added 35 receptions for 551 yards and 5 TDs. Linebacker Keith Kelsey leads the team in tackles with 100, has 12 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Linebacker Devonte Fields leads the team in tackles for loss with 19 for -73 yards and sacks with 7.5. Cornerback Trumaine Washington leads the team in interceptions with four.

Final Analysis

The oddsmakers like Louisville here, but I like the wounded dog factor here with A&M. The Aggies are going to fight with a vengeance and they'll play inspired. I really like Sumlin as a person and firmly believe that he's also a very good football coach. The Aggies get it done in the Music City.

Texas A&M 38, Louisville 35

Holiday Bowl

USC (8-5, 6-3 Pac-12) vs. Wisconsin (9-3, 6-2

BigTen)

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Cali (71,294)

9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET

ESPN

Adam Amin, Kelly Stouffer, Olivia Harlan

Stripes: SEC,  John McDaid

Weather: 55 degrees, Clear, 0% rain, wind minimal: NNE 3 MPH

Line: USC by 3 1/2

Cody Kessler, who completed 280-of-414 passes, 68%, for 3315 yards, 28 TDs against only six ints, and running back Ronald Jones, who rushed for 940 yards and eight TDs, have their way with Whisky.

USC 42, Wisconsin 30

Tomorrow: Playoffs? You want to talk about the Playoffs?

It'll be time to.

Playoff Games

Cotton Bowl

Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) vs

Michigan State Spartans (12-1)

7 PM CT/8 PM ET

ESPN

Chris, Herbie, Heather

Crimson Tide by 10

Will have a lot to discuss on the Crimson Tide's matchup with the Spartans tomorrow morning.

Orange Bowl

Clemson (13-0) vs. Oklahoma (11-1)

3 PM CT/4 PM ET

ESPN

Brad, Todd, Holly

OU by 3 1/2

Will discuss this one in detail as well, maybe not as much as about S, Derrick and the Tide, but will certainly break this one down.

Also: one of the other New Year's Six Bowls

Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

Houston (12-1) vs. Florida State (10-2)

11 AM CT/Noon ET

ESPN

Dave Pasch, Grease, Luges

FSU by 7