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Odds are Razorbacks can't keep up with Tide

Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry is interfered with by Alabama defender Reggie Ragland during a game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014 at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry is interfered with by Alabama defender Reggie Ragland during a game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014 at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

Interesting is the word that comes to mind while looking at Saturday's SEC games.

There are only four conference games, a pair of buy-a-victory games, and four teams are enjoying the first open date on the SEC schedule.

Last week's record was 8-2 to bring the season total to 40-12. Here are this week's picks:

ARKANSAS AT ALABAMA

To begin with, forget last season. Trey Flowers, Darius Philon, Martrell Spaight, Alan Turner and all those other defensive players who left won't be dressing out.

For the Razorbacks, the key matchup Saturday will be at every position. The most important snap will be the next one. Odds makers love Alabama in this game, and even though Nick Saban doesn't usually run it up on a team, he may go for a few extra points if given the chance.

The Razorbacks will be ready for the Tide's outstanding running back, Derrick Henry. Heck, they practice against a similar offense every day. Expect Lane Kiffin to try and get speedster Kenyan Drake more involved in the offense, especially as a receiver. Drake has been a bit tentative this season after breaking his leg last season, but he has the speed to burn the Hogs.

Alabama chose Arkansas to be its homecoming game for a reason. The Hogs have to find a way to get receivers JoJo Robinson and Dominique Reed involved in the offense. They have sprinter's speed. Alabama 24-14

FLORIDA AT MISSOURI

This is the game of the week in the SEC.

The Gators are all alone atop the SEC East at 3-0 in SEC play and 5-0 overall. They are coming off a huge victory over Ole Miss, which briefly seemed to be the best team in the league. The Gators' strength has been their defense, which is allowing just 16.6 points per game. If they have a weakness, it is against the pass. Unfortunately for Missouri, that hasn't been its offensive strength. The Tigers rank 10th in the SEC.

Missouri's defense is allowing just 12 points per game, so expect this one to be low-scoring. For the first time in awhile Gator Nation is smiling again. Florida cannot afford to look ahead to next week's game with LSU. Florida 21-16

GEORGIA AT TENNESSEE

All sorts of stats are being quoted about Tennessee, but the fact is the Volunteers have lost three games in which they had leads of at least 13 points. Being at home didn't help the Vols much against the Razorbacks. Georgia will run Nick Chubb until he can't run any more. The Bulldogs need a victory after getting walloped by Alabama at home last week. Mark Richt is back in a familiar place, on the hot seat, but this game could help a little. Georgia 31-17

SOUTH CAROLINA VS. LSU

What Steve Spurrier needs to do is go to Mike Anderson's Seafood restaurant Friday night, have a bowl of the great gumbo and realize the next time he does that he'll be paying for it himself.

There is a lack of police officers available in Columbia to provide security for Saturday's game following the heavy flooding in South Carolina, so this game has been moved to Baton Rouge. The Gamecocks are still the home team and will receive the gate, but that's about all they will get. LSU 35-10

NEW MEXICO STATE AT OLE MISS

It is hard not to feel a little sorry for the Aggies. The check won't be big enough. Ole Miss needs style points after losing to Florida, and the Aggies haven't won a game this season. They lost 61-3 to Florida in their season opener. The Rebels will want to score more than that. Ole Miss 72-0

TROY AT MISSISSIPPI STATE

The Bulldogs start a three-game winning streak and will be bowl eligible. MSU 28-7

Sports on 10/09/2015

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