Here is a guess on how some of the better games in the SEC and ACC will turn out this Saturday.
ALABAMA 28 TEXAS A&M 17: This might be the biggest game in Aggie history. Alabama has played about 10 of these games since Nick Saban has been head coach. The Tide has the better roster especially since the Aggies lost several key members on the line of scrimmage last season. Still, Alabama has to shore up its offensive line. Make no mistake the Tide staff has been preparing for this game since January. Despite his antics, Aggie quarterback Johnny Manziel is capable of beating Alabama again. But Saban has never lost to the same quarterback twice since he has been at Alabama.
OLE MISS 31 TEXAS 28: The soap opera in Texas overshadows this game. Coach Mack Brown fired Manny Diaz last weekend after the devastating loss to BYU. He has hired Greg Robinson, who is not much of an improvement, to replace Diaz. Ole Miss has averaged 476 total yards in its last six games dating back to last season. The Longhorns are going to struggle trying to contain Rebel quarterback Bo Wallace and receivers Donte Moncrief and Laquon Treadwell. Texas quarterback David Ash is out with a concussion. Ole Miss defensive back Charles Sawyer did not make the trip following a DUI.
SOUTH CAROLINA 21 VANDERBILT 20: South Carolina has won four straight in this series. This matchup is key because the loser falls to 0-2 in SEC play and to the bottom of the SEC East standings. It would be hard to imagine the Gamecocks losing two straight, but it has been a tough week in Columbia — with both coach Steve Spurrier and star end Jadeveon Clowney questioning the creativity of defense coordinator Lorenzo Ward.
AUBURN 20 MISSISSIPPI STATE 14: Tigers, 2-0, are averaging 298 yards rushing per game. Quarterback Nick Marshall is evolving slowly. He has yet to throw an interception in 36 attempts. Mississippi State expects quarterback Tyler Russell to return from a concussion. Dak Prescott, who played last week, might be the better quarterback. A State loss could mean a long season in Starkville.
OREGON 45 TENNESSEE 30: Oregon has averaged 664.5 yards in its first two games over Nicholls State and at Virginia. The Ducks have eight plays of 40-plus yards. They are averaging three points per minute. Tennessee is improving,
particularly on defense, but they don’t have the roster to win this game yet.
BOSTON COLLEGE 17 USC 13: This is easily the best game in the ACC this week. Boston College is 2-0 under coach Steve Addazio. USC is especially struggling on offense. Cody Kessler was named the starter for this week’s game, but the Trojan sophomore is averaging just 4.3 yards per attempt. USC’s offensive line has already allowed four sacks this year .The Trojans lead the nation in rush defense, allowing just 15 yards per game. The Trojan defense did not allow an offensive touchdown against Washington State and only one against Hawaii. Boston College has the better offense with quarterback Chase Rettig, receiver Alex Amidon and tailback Andre Williams, who is averaging 159 yards per game.