While Auburn takes a week off, your fearless pickers remain on the job, predicting the outcomes of yet another weekend of Southeastern Conference football.
Tennessee coach Derek Dooley
There are some interesting games this week, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of drama, nothing to match the breathless anticipation of the next bizarre words that will come out of Arkansas coach John L. Smith's mouth.
And then there is the fired coach walking watch. That Smith will be one-and-done at Arkansas is as certain as the sunrise. Kentucky's Joker Phillips isn't just on thin ice. He's under water. Tennessee coach Derek Dooley could join him if the Vols are overmatched by Georgia.
Senior Writer Bryan Matthew continued his domination in Week 4, going 16-4 for an overall record of 67-19. Senior Editor Phillip Marshall continued to embarrass himself, going 14-6 for a 58-28 overall record, nine games behind.
SEC GAMES
Arkansas at Texas A&M
Phillip's take: Neither of the SECs new members has won a conference game, but this could be the week. Texas A&M loves to pass. Arkansas can't stop the pass. Texas A&M leads the SEC in sacks. That's bad news for Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson. Arkansas appears to be a program in disarray. Hard to see a team that can't beat ULM or Rutgers at home beating Texas A&M on the road.
Texas A&M 38, Arkansas 28
Bryan's take: Texas A&M leads the SEC with 16 sacks in three games. Arkansas' offensive line has been average at best. Will Tyler Wilson survive to play against Auburn next week?
Texas A&M 34, Arkansas 21
Missouri at Central Florida
Bryan's take: A second-straight road game for Missouri could result in a second-straight loss if the Tigers don't play well against a UCF team that will be hungry to beat an SEC team. I'll give Missouri a slight edge.
Missouri 23, Central Florida 20
Phillip's take: Who was the Missouri player who said the SEC plays "old man football?" Haven't heard much from him after blowout losses to Georgia at South Carolina. The Tigers ought to have enough to beat Central Florida, barely.
Missouri 28, Central Florida 27
Tennessee at No. 5 Georgia
Phillip's take: After watching Tennessee beat North Carolina State, I thought the Vols were much better than last season. After watching Tennessee fold like a cheap cardboard box against Florida in the second half, I decided North Carolina State just wasn't any good. Georgia is good. Real good.
Georgia 31, Tennessee 13
Bryan's take: Tennessee was blown out by Florida in the second half two weeks ago and struggled early against Akron last week. I don't get the warm fuzzies from the program right now. Georgia, on the other hand, is rolling with its freshmen running backs and perhaps the nation's top defensive player, linebacker Jarvis Jones.
Georgia 35, Tennessee 17
Towson at No. 3 LSU
Bryan's take: LSU has played a pretty crappy home schedule so far. Towson will join North Texas, Washington and Idaho as blowout victims.
LSU 52, Towson 0
Phillip's take: I hope Towson is getting a nice check.
LSU 63, Towson 0
No. 6 South Carolina at Kentucky
Phillip's take: As South Carolina head coach, Steve Spurrier has had some struggled with Kentucky. But that was when Rich Brooks was the Kentucky coach and the Wildcats had some SEC caliber players. Times have changed.
South Carolina 45, Kentucky 14
Bryan's take: Will Joker Phillips make it to the end of the season? I doubt it.
South Carolina 27, Kentucky 13
Ole Miss at No. 1 Alabama
Bryan's take: If you saw what Texas did to Ole Miss, it will be worse against Alabama.
Alabama 45, Ole Miss 3
Phillip's take: If you look at Ole Miss' record, you might think first-year coach Hugh Freeze is on the verge of getting things turned around. If you look at who the Rebels have beaten, you know that records can be misleading.
Alabama 35, Ole Miss 7
OTHER GAMES
Phillip's take: West Virginia 45, Baylor 31; Penn State 16, Illinois 3; Miami 31, North Carolina State 23; Wake Forest 37, Duke 34; Michigan State 21, Ohio State 20; Clemson 45, Boston College 20; Troy 38, South Alabama 13; Texas Tech 24, Iowa State 22; Texas 41, Oklahoma State 38; Arizona 31, Oregon State 27.
Bryan's take: West Virginia 56, Baylor 42; Penn State 19, Illinois 18; Miami 23, North Carolina State 20; Wake Forest 38, Duke 28; Ohio State 20, Michigan State 16; Clemson 34, Boston College 17; Troy 30, South Alabama 21; Iowa State 21, Texas Tech 19; Texas 35, Oklahoma State 31; Arizona 24, Oregon State 21.
