BEAT BAMA WEEK

This most unusual of all seasons continues to march along, just like time keeps turning. By this time next week, we will know how another week of college football has played out. One thing is for sure, nothing ever stays the same. Not in sports, careers, family and life in general. I looked at several different articles from people who predict college football games, from local newspapers to Las Vegas. It is tough this year, folks. It has been so wacky.

It’s BEAT BAMA WEEK! Will we? Who knows! Can we? Yes, Virginia. Miracles still happen! However, sometimes we can’t see the actual miracle that happens because we are looking for it in terms of our expectations. Nothing will be the same tomorrow, so enjoy today and all it brings. Remember, the sun will come up tomorrow.

No. 5 Georgia @ Kentucky

Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs have had a week to lick their wounds and heal after being roughed up by Alabama. Smart has to get his pups loaded up and ready for another road adventure heading over to Lexington, Kentucky. It is safe to say that the Georgia Bulldogs recognize the importance of springing back after a disappointment. Smart has had his Bulldogs doing some specialized training for this one.

The Wildcats provided proof, once again, that things get flipped very quick this year. After feeling warm and fluffy during two weeks of winning, the Wildcats ran into a tougher breed of cat in Missouri. Mark Stoops’ smaller felines had their fur roughed up and yanked out in an unexpected whooping. When the Wildcats got back home, they learned that a pack of very irritated Bulldogs were on their way to visit. Look for the Bulldogs to break out their new pogo sticks while bouncing all over Stoops’ disheartened Wildcats.

T-Dawg’s Winner: Georgia 34-13

LSU @ Auburn

The Tigers shook off an embarrassing loss at Missouri in time to break out the welcome mat for Will Muschamp’s cock-a-doodle-doos.

Ed Orgeron’s Tigers had a chicken in every pot by the end of the night. They will need every ounce of the energy from their feast when they step out to play at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Just because they took apart the same Gamecocks that subdued Auburn doesn’t mean everything won’t flip on them this week.

Gus Malzahn didn’t get the deluxe tuneup he hoped for, but the bus was definitely running a little better when he left Oxford, Mississippi. The War Eagles used some of their famous pixie dust to stave off the Bear Sharks. With Orgeron and his Tigers coming to the plains this week, Aubie the Tiger knows he needs to have all his friends ready to stand and fight if they hope to roll Toomer’s Corner again. Which tiger breed shows up in earnest this week is anyone’s guess.

T-Dawg’s Winner: Auburn 34-31

Ole Miss @ Vanderbilt

Lane Kiffin was madder than a murder hornet at how the officials made so many bad calls last week. That was true enough, but some of those bad calls were in his favor as well. The Bear Sharks are heading for Music City to check on the Commodores after their COVID-19 outbreak. It isn’t that they are really concerned about making Derek Mason’s Commodores feel better because quite frankly, they’re not. Kiffin wants to workout three weeks of frustration at the Commodores’ expense.

Mason’s Commodores have had it rough this year. Mason struggles to just keep enough bodies active so he can call them a team. The Commodores don’t have a single ship battle-ready, but Mason’s boys always seem to have something for the Bear Sharks when they come to Nashville.

T-Dawg’s Winner: Vanderbilt 35-34

Arkansas @ No. 8 Texas A&M

The Razorbacks have had a week to rest and get their curly tails groomed after spanking the Bear Sharks. Coach Sam Pittman is taking his Razorbacks down to College Station, Texas, to see how badly they can root up the field. The Razorbacks have found a way to make everyone get down in the mud with them and fight. Expect nothing less Saturday.

Jimbo Fisher is happy that his brigade of cadets has hit their stride now that October is ending. It is November that has always given Reveille fits. When the Razorbacks hit town, Fisher will even have the 12th Man ready to stick a pig. It is Halloween, so the question is, will Pittman’s Razorbacks trick or treat Reveille?

T-Dawg’s Winner: Arkansas 35-27

Missouri @ No. 10 Florida

Eliah Drinkwitz has his Mizzou Tigers trending up after an 0-2 start. After a complete domination of the Wildcats at their home den, Drinkwitz takes his Tigers down to Gainesville, Florida, to see if the Gators have recovered from COVID-19 yet. Mizzou’s mascot, Truman, has been practicing quick-stepping in hopes that he can dash across The Swamp to safety.

The Gators look to get back on track after the wheels fell off in College Station, Texas, and then COVID-19 met them when they got back to The Swamp. Mascots Albert Gator and Alberta Gator have been giving daily doses of castor oil to rid the family of COVID-19 so that Dan Mullen can get them ready for the Tigers of Missouri. The Gators can score with anyone, but they must find a way to stop imitating the Florida defense. If Todd Grantham’s Gator defense can get their act together, Truman the Tiger will not be able to step fast enough.

T-Dawg’s Winner: Florida 42-27

Mississippi State @ No. 2 Alabama

The Air Raid has been fighting to work out the kinks, especially along the offensive line. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. The Dawgs take the 80-mile ride over to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, looking for answers that will not be easy to find in a hostile environment against arguably the best team in college football. If miracles happen for someone besides Aubie the Tiger, then the Dawgs will welcome a couple of them Saturday.

Nick Saban has managed to navigate the ups and downs of this crazy year with pretty much the same results as any other year. After clearing the cigar smoke from their lungs, Saban will try to get the Crimson Tide focused on the job at hand. Holding the attention of everyone may not be easy with a bye week looming and then the annual dual with the LSU Tigers at Death Valley. If the Dawgs want to keep from treating Saban and company, then they will need to perform several major tricks.

T-Dawg’s Winner: Miss. State 6-5

And with the Southeastern Conference games picked, I’m going to try something new.

Other Winners: UAB, No. 23 Iowa State, Baylor, Louisiana-Lafayette, Tulane, No. 24 Oklahoma, No. 6 Oklahoma State, Iowa, Purdue, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 17 Indiana, Duke, No. 4 Notre Dame, West Virginia, Minnesota, Wake Forest and No. 13 Michigan.

So, my picks are made, crazy as you may think they are. I just pick straight out to win, no consideration given to game spreads or over/under. I am 15–9 so far, and I’m OK with that. I’m having fun with it. Go see a game in person if you can, but always be thankful for what we have.

Hail State!!!