Like It Is

Plenty to play for on Rivalry Weekend

Arkansas cooach Bret Bielema, left, has a word with an official during the first half against LSU in an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/David Quinn)
Arkansas cooach Bret Bielema, left, has a word with an official during the first half against LSU in an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/David Quinn)

Almost every SEC game this weekend is a rivalry game with great names like the Iron Bowl or the Egg Bowl, and then there is the Arkansas-Missouri game, which someday will be a great rivalry that far exceeds the first try at a no-so-catchy name, the Battle Line Rivalry.

Someone should come up with a few thousand dollars and hire David Bazzel to figure out the right name for this game. Maybe he would throw in a trophy, too.

Every game is important this weekend.

I went 7-0 last week to run the tally to 82-20.

Here's a look at this week's predictions:

ARKANSAS AT MISSOURI (TODAY)

Obviously there is more on the line for the Tigers, who are one victory from a return to Atlanta and the SEC Championship Game. The Razorbacks are bowl eligible and a victory won't change their bowl situation, but finishing a tough season on a winning streak could pay dividends in recruiting and in confidence for next season. Missouri yielded more than 200 yards in its losses to Indiana and Georgia. Arkansas, 28-27

NEW MEXICO STATE AT ASU

A victory should guarantee the Red Wolves no worse than a tie for third in the Sun Belt, which has three bowl tie-ins. It would be difficult to leave ASU out of the bowl picture at 7-5. ASU, 38-14

AUBURN AT ALABAMA

Millions will view the Iron Bowl, the game of the weekend, as No. 1 Alabama tries to redeem itself after last year's loss. A victory leaves Alabama one SEC Championship Game victory away from being the No. 1 seed in the first College Football Playoff, something the Crimson Tide deserve after their success the past five years. Never count out Gus Malzahn and Auburn, but this one is in Tuscaloosa. Alabama, 31-24

FLORIDA AT FLORIDA STATE

Will Muschamp's final game should fuel the Gators with plenty of emotion, but are they good enough to beat the Seminoles, which no other team has done in two seasons? No. What to watch: How fast Jameis Winston gets ejected if he decides to put his hands on an SEC official. Heartbreak for the Gators. Florida State, 31-28

GEORGIA TECH AT GEORGIA

The Rambling Wreck would like to head into the ACC Championship Game with a victory over an SEC team. The Bulldogs will know by game time if the Hogs beat Mizzou, which would put the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game. This great rivalry should be a great game. Georgia Tech and Georgia love a ground game. The Bulldogs were the best team I covered this season, but they can sure have letdowns. Georgia, 35-28

KENTUCKY AT LOUISVILLE

Bobby Petrino will run it up as much as he can after being snubbed by the Wildcats when he needed a job. Kentucky is better than a year ago, but this would be a big upset. Louisville, 35-17

Miss. STATE AT MISSISSIPPI

All the cliches apply. Start with throw out the records. This one would be intense if they were both winless. But with the Bulldogs looking to make the College Football Playoff, the Rebels will be focused on playing the spoiler. The Bulldogs have the better offense; the Rebs have the better defense and must stop Dak Prescott. State has proven what fifth-year seniors can do. Mississippi State, 28-24

S. CAROLINA AT CLEMSON

Another great rivalry, but mostly celebrated within the state of South Carolina. A difficult, disappointing year for the Gamecocks could be washed away with a victory. Clemson, 35-24

TENNESSEE AT VANDERBILT

The Vols get bowl eligible. The Commodores get to rest -- for a long time. Tennessee, 35-13

Sports on 11/28/2014

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