Like It Is

It's time for Razorbacks, others to get serious

Arkansas center Mitch Smothers (65) lines up in front of quarterback Brandon Allen during a game against Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Arkansas center Mitch Smothers (65) lines up in front of quarterback Brandon Allen during a game against Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

This is Serious Saturday in the SEC with four conference games, and two of them could be SEC West elimination games.

Ole Miss is at Alabama, and Auburn travels to LSU. All four of those teams are undefeated, and most of the nation will be watching those games.

Went 7-3 last week, bringing the two-week total to 18-4.

Here are this week's predictions:

TEXAS TECH AT ARKANSAS

All the discussions -- who, what, where, why and how -- about last Saturday's loss should be over. The coaches are coaching. The players have practiced and should be ready for the Red Raiders, and now it's time for the fans to unite and support their team. Expectations were too high and not just from the fans. Some national media claimed the Razorbacks were a dark horse for the College Football Playoffs. Just let the kids play. The preseason pick of 49-7 is being adjusted. Arkansas 42-31

MISSOURI STATE AT ASU

Back-to-back games against teams from the Power 5 conferences left the Red Wolves with some serious injuries, including quarterback Freddie Knighten, who is out for this game. The Bears are fresh off a 21-13 victory over Chadron State, a school of about 3,000 students somewhere in Nebraska. ASU 28-14

OLE MISS AT ALABAMA

In two games the Rebels have scored a total of 149 points and allowed 24. They have 676 yards passing and 685 yards rushing. None of it has come against an SEC opponent. While their offense -- which leads the nation in scoring -- has been all the talk, their front seven on defense are outstanding. Meanwhile a "down" Alabama team has beaten Wisconsin 35-17 and Middle Tennessee 37-10, which means almost nothing since Coach Nick Saban won't run up the score. This one will be well worth the admission. Alabama 28-24

AUBURN AT LSU

Auburn survived a huge scare last week in overtime at home against Jacksonville State, a good football team but it's not LSU. Auburn always has a chance with Gus Malzahn, but LSU has running back Leonard Fournette. Even though an Auburn defensive back doesn't think Fournette is a problem, he is. Plus, Death Valley will be rocking by 2:30 p.m. Saturday. LSU 28-17

FLORIDA AT KENTUCKY

Pretenders or contenders? One of these gets exposed this week. The Gators haven't been challenged, while the Wildcats earned a quality road victory last week against South Carolina. The Gators are favored by a field goal. A mild upset here. Kentucky 31-24

SOUTH CAROLINA AT GEORGIA

Steve Spurrier appears to have Social Security breathing down his neck, and a visit to Athens, Ga., is not what he needs to get off the hot seat. The Bulldogs have to get better, and this could be the game that gives them more confidence. Georgia 35-20

NORTHWESTERN (LA.) STATE AT MSU

If this isn't the Bulldogs' homecoming game, it should be. MSU 42-7.

UCONN AT MISSOURI

Both of the Huskies' victories were by five points. The Tigers have to get their head out of the clouds and bounce back from a great effort by Arkansas State last week. Missouri 24-17

W. CAROLINA AT TENNESSEE

A dose of the Catamounts is exactly what the Vols need after blowing a 17-point lead against Oklahoma. The Vols will get well Saturday. Tennessee 42-13

NEVADA AT TEXAS A&M

This is toughest game on the Wolf Pack's schedule. The Aggies are proving to be better than expected on offense, and the defense was going to be improved under coordinator John Chavez. Texas A&M 42-20

AUSTIN PEAY AT VANDERBILT

Going back to last season, the Governors are riding a 0-7 streak, and the Commodores are 0-6. There are no ties in college football, so someone has to win. Vanderbilt 6-0

Sports on 09/18/2015

Upcoming Events