The Weekend That Will Be: Week 11

Noon

Arkansas at No. 8 South Carolina (CBS)- As the world, or at least about a 100 people in the Columbia area know, I have no faith in the Hogs this week. The Gamecocks defensive line is too much for a Razorback O-line that was challenged by Tulsa and beaten by ULM. Interesting stat that sums up this game and season for Arkansas: The three times Arkansas has not made it to a bowl game in the last 10 years were all years the Hogs lost to the Fightin' Chickens.

Army at No. 23 Rutgers (ESPNU)- The game will not be all that impressive. The Scarlet Knights will win, as Hog fans unfortunately know. I am not a fan of all uniform changes. I understand their necessity in the realm of recruiting, but Rutgers helmets this week for their 'battle' with the Armed Forces. America!

Tennessee at Missouri (12:21 p.m., SEC Network)- In order to keep his job for another week, UT coach Derek Dooley surely has to win this weekend. Even Missouri has a conference win, albeit a 33-10 victory over Kentucky. Dooley can closes out the season with three winable games: Mizzou, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. It is conceivable the Vols can save Dooley's job with 'W's in all three and a bowl game. They start that process on the road in the SEC's second best Columbia.

Mid-Day

No. 11 Oregon State at No. 14 Stanford (3 p.m., FOX)- Both of these schools have a shot at the Rose Bowl and a shot at beating Oregon. First, they must get a win this weekend. The Cardinal are going with a new quarterback, Kevin Hogan, this week. It turns out that Josh Nunes is no Andrew Luck. After a coming in a few weeks ago in backup duty, Josh Vaz was named the starter for the Beavers. Two new starters that were not in play at the beginning of the season. If you thought a 11 a.m. kickoff was bad for a 4-5 Arkansas team? Imagine if you had to play your biggest game of the season with an noon-thirry. kickoff. Go Pacific time zone. Cardinal win.

No. 15 Texas A&M at No. 1 Alabama (3:30 p.m., CBS)- To those of you going with the trendy "Johnny Football over the Tide because Alabama is overlooking them" pick, when did Nick Saban quit coaching in Tuscaloosa? This is not a how a Saban team responds to big wins in the SEC. I bet they watched game film on the flight home. Not because they were scared, but because that's how obsessive Saban is. That's why the Tide rolls this weekend and into the SEC Championship, covering all the way.

Speaking of covering: With the recent shutting down of Arkansas360, our editor, Doc Harper, has started sharing his Saturday Roulette column on this site. It's a good read with accurate picks.

Night

No. 2 Kansas State at TCU (7 p.m., FOX)- Even if Collin Klein plays, the Horned Frogs could win this game. TCU plays some funny sets on defense while Gary Patterson coaches up his boys like the best in the country. TCU has a better conference record than West Virginia in the Horned Frogs first season in the BIg 12 if you want some perspective. Patterson is not leaving Fort Worth, but he sure would be a good get for Jeff Long and all of us in Fayetteville.

No. 5 Georgia at Auburn (7 p.m., ESPN2)- It is completely possible for the Bulldogs to be up four touchdowns, maybe more, by halftime. If this is the case, Gene Chizik may be removed from the field and not allowed back in the "Loveliest Village on the Plains." I was at the Auburn-Georgia game a couple of years ago when Auburn's Brandon Cox threw more interceptions than completions in the first half. Look for a repeat performance.

No. 21 Mississippi State at No. 7 LSU (7 p.m., ESPN)- LSU did go through a loss they could have won last week, but they have their swagger back. They know they can play with the best teams in the nation and the Bulldogs are going to feel their wrath tomorrow night. Sure they may only score 20 points, but it will feel like a blowout as the Tigers will dominate the Bulldogs' offense.

No. 4 Notre Dame at Boston College (8 p.m., ABC)- Watch the last eight minutes of this game. You'll not miss anything for the first three and a half quarters. The Irish will win, but per typical of their season this year, it will be much close than it should be. Word is Doug Flutie is playing for BC because that program needs a boost in the worst way.

Late Night

No. 3 Oregon at California (10:30 p.m., ESPN)- In 2010 Oregon barely escaped the Bears with a 15-13 win. It was one of two times in the past three years, the Ducks have been held under 20 points. Add in the fact that style points are starting to mean something to BCS voters and Duck coach Chip Kelly may score 100 points by halftime just because he can. Kenjon Barner goes for 400 yards as the Ducks win.

Other picks

Upset special- Clemson has had a tough week. They lost the nation's No. 1 recruit and with Florida State's win last night over Virginia Tech, it looks like the Tigers will be on the outside looking in of the ACC Championship. Now only imagine if they lost to Marylands 5th string quarterback, who was a linebacker two weeks ago. Not going to happen, but this would be a huge upset.

Best game without ranked teams- Wisconsin at Indiana: Indiana can win out their schedule and go to the Rose Bowl. This alone should let you know that the Mayans are right and you should live it up for the next month.

Atmosphere where I would most like to be- To watch A&M fans have their eyes opened in Tuscaloosa or watch the Bayou Bengals in a night game. I'll take TCU. They've made some tremendous improvements to their stadium and I can only imagine the party afterwards if they upset the Wildcats.

Season Record- 70-22