Where: Starkville, Miss., Davis Wade Stadium
When: 12:21 p.m.
The blitz: After rumbling, bumbling and stumbling through the SEC West gauntlet — Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M — the Bulldogs finally get a reprieve against the sideshow that is the Arkansas Razorbacks' football program. However, that being said, this is a losable game for Dan Mullen's team, which is still looking for its eighth win after a 7-0 start. The Razorbacks can still move the ball through the air with quarterback Tyler Wilson (19th nationally in passing offense), a viable opponent for the celebrated Mississippi State secondary. In the end, Tyler Russell plays well and a few turnovers turn the tide for the home team.
Pick: Mississippi State, 24-16
Where: Tuscaloosa, Ala., Bryant-Denny Stadium
When: 12:21 p.m.
The blitz: No mercy. This game could have been a good learning experience one week ago for the Catamounts, but after the formerly top-ranked Crimson Tide will be looking for revenge after falling to Texas A&M in Bryant-Denny just one week ago. AJ McCarron may have thrown two interceptions against the Aggies — after setting an SEC record for attempts without a pick — but expect him to start up a new streak this week. T.J. Yeldon and Eddie Lacy will spearhead a running game that Western Carolina has no chance at stopping.
Pick: Alabama, 40-3
Where: Columbia, S.C., Williams-Brice Stadium
When: 1 p.m.
The blitz: This is shaping up to be the second straight season that the Gamecocks have won at least 10 games and been held out of the SEC Championship game. Of course, without Marcus Lattimore, the complexion of this season's team has changed — but that won't be of any help to Wofford. Connor Shaw has a big day (or first half) and the Gamecocks run away with this one.
Pick: South Carolina, 38-7
Where: Gainesville, Fla., Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
When: 1 p.m.
The blitz: Will Florida let another lesser team hang around? It's happened with Bowling Green, Missouri and Louisiana-Lafeyette, so if the Gators have learned any lessons then perhaps its worth demonstrating them against the (other) Gamecocks. After all, even though the Gators were held out of the SEC title game by virtue of Georgia's win over Auburn, the Gators just might still be in the running for a BCS bowl with a little help. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett gets the start for Jeff Driskel in this one, but don't expect much of a drop off.
Pick: Florida, 27-6
Where: Athens, Ga., Sanford Stadium
When: 1:30 p.m.
The blitz: Before declaring Georgia the winner (which it will be) remember this: Georgia Southern was the only team to score at least 21 points on Alabama last season. The Eagles rushing attack is viable, taking a triple-option approach the Bulldogs' defense will be asked to shutdown two weeks in a row. Rival Georgia Tech looms, so this is a strong precursor. Yes, Aaron Murray & Co. should put up big points. But if there's an FCS opponent that few national title contenders want to play in November, it's Georgia Southern.
Pick: Georgia, 33-17
Where: Auburn, Ala., Jordan-Hare Stadium
When: 2 p.m.
The blitz: It's possible Auburn could win this one. And that's not even a joke. With the 115th-ranked offense and the 90th-ranked defense, the Tigers have been less than overwhelming in 2012. Sure, they should win this one, but if Gene Chizik feels comfortable in his office then he might want to reconsider. He's done one of the worst jobs in the country.
Pick: Auburn, 23-10
Where: College Station, Texas, Kyle Field
When: 3:30 p.m.
The blitz: Johnny Manziel is playing, so (the powerhouse that is) Sam Houston State has no chance in this one. Mr. Football does not have another premier opponent to showcase his Heisman candidacy, which skyrocketed following his Alabama performance, so some stat-padding could take place here. Texas A&M wants to impress voters as much as possible to try and sneak into the BCS bowl conversation.
Pick: Texas A&M, 51-10
Where: Baton Rouge, La., Tiger Stadium
When: 3:30 p.m.
The blitz: The second of two Mississippi sacrificial lambs in the post-ONE DAY, ONE GAME melee (Alabama-LSU), Ole Miss visits Death Valley a week after Mississippi State lost 37-17. Hugh Freeze has done an excellent job in his first year, but LSU's third-ranked defense and improving offense will be too much. Zach Mettenberger keeps looking better and better — passing for 571 yards and three touchdowns in the past two games — so the Rebels might lose in similar fashion.
Pick: LSU, 37-16
Where: Columbia, Mo., Faurot Field
When: 7 p.m.
The blitz: Syracuse, with its high-flying offense led by quarterback Ryan Nassib, just ended Louisville's undefeated season. The Tigers are worse, and will reportedly be without one of their top defensive players, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. Expect plenty of points in this one — Missouri just scored 51 against Tennessee — but the Orange is riding a wave of momentum.
Pick: Syracuse, 35-31
Where: Nashville, Tenn., Vanderbilt Stadium
When: 7 p.m.
The blitz: Here's a matchup the state of Tennessee has been waiting for: One of the SEC's best coaches versus one of the, well, most underperforming. Can Derek Dooley survive another loss to the in-state Commodores? He's already on his last gasp by losing 13 of his last 14 conference games. While Tyler Bray and the offense have kept the Volunteers competitive, the defense is historically bad. Vanderbilt's balanced attack should find ways to score against Sal Sunseri's toothless 3-4 defense. It will be close thanks to Bray, but Vanderbilt coach James Franklin continues his Tennessee takeover.
Pick: Vanderbilt, 28-24
Where: Lexington, Kent., Commonwealth Stadium
When: 7:30 p.m.
The blitz: Joker Phillips is coaching a program that is no longer his, but this should be his second win of the season. The Wildcats have only taken down Kent State so far, but one of the worst offenses in the FBS gains some traction this Saturday.
Pick: Kentucky, 21-10
