No. 1 Alabama at Vanderbilt: 3:15 p.m. CT, FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
On paper, the Crimson Tide should roll right through an inferior opponent in the Commodores. Still, head coach Kalen DeBoer’s team should be wary of “rat poison” this week, coming off an emotional home win against then-No. 2 Georgia. Signs are pointing to Alabama being up for the task, though, as mouse traps have been spotted all across the Crimson Tide practice facility to keep the team focused.
For the No. 1 Crimson Tide to have a successful road trip to Nashville, the team will need to do its best not to underestimate its opponent. Vanderbilt is much improved and has shown that it should no longer be treated as the SEC’s punching bag. The Commodores have an impressive win versus Virginia Tech and a close overtime loss to a top-10-ranked Missouri under their belt.
If Alabama can remain focused and not overlook the Commodores this week, it should be able to roll to an easy victory. With junior quarterback Jalen Milroe emerging as a Heisman Trophy contender and freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams putting up impressive numbers, the Crimson Tide is in a great position halfway through the season.
Prediction: Alabama 35, Vanderbilt 14
Where to watch: SEC Network
Auburn at No. 5 Georgia: 2:30 p.m. CT, Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia
The Tigers limp into this game after a loss at home to Oklahoma, in which quarterback Payton Thorne threw a 63-yard pick-6 late in a Sooner rally on the Plains. Georgia comes off of a similar result, losing what some are calling the game of the year versus Alabama on an interception thrown by Carson Beck.
The Bulldogs, however, looked excellent in the second half versus the Crimson Tide, somewhat putting to bed the panic that set in after going down 28-0 in the first half. This will be a bounce-back game for Georgia in a big way. The Bulldogs have the better roster and the better coaching staff.
Auburn made this a close game last season when the two teams squared off in a 27-20 loss. Unfortunately for the Tigers, this year they have to make the trip to Athens rather than playing at home, and they’re playing a frustrated version of Georgia that will in all likelihood be seeking to take out its anger over last week’s loss. The Bulldogs will return on the right track, taking the win over Auburn.
Prediction: Georgia 42, Auburn 10
Where to watch: ABC
No. 9 Missouri at No. 25 Texas A&M: 11 a.m. CT, Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
Fans are still not sold on Missouri after seeing the team driven to the brink of disaster in an overtime win versus Vanderbilt. This game against a gritty, well-coached Aggie team has “upset” written all over it.
Texas A&M pulled out a gutsy win versus Arkansas last week that proved that the team is well-poised and able to compete in the SEC.
The key for this game is the Aggies determining how they will handle star Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III. If they can reduce his impact and dictate the pace, they should be able to pull off the upset on their home field.
Prediction: Texas A&M 21, Missouri 17
Where to watch: ABC
