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The bye week.
With this schedule, it could not have come at a better time. Not only the football schedule Bert is coaching his way through, but the viewing schedule for us mere mortals who watch the game from the sidelines or through a television set. The schedule is quite delightful with more intriguing games than any other Saturday thus far. Five. Count them FIVE matchups between ranked teams.
It's the sort of schedule that normally makes me debate leaving my place to even pick up wings on the chance that I miss something. And what do I go and do? Commit to going to the Georgia game, which begins at the most inopportune time because the other games kicking off/ending around it. The pressure comes because one of my best friends is getting married in January. Other than the bachelor party (which could ruin -- er, affect -- another weekend of football watching), this is one of our last chances to do it big while he's single. An offer I couldn't refuse.
Nevertheless, here's what you can watch and how to bet the games. I'll be in Sanford Stadium rooting for a blowout (Vandy over UGA because why not?) so that we can return to the tailgate more quickly.
Noon
No. 6 Texas A&M at No. 12 Mississippi State, ESPN (-2 MSU)- This is stupid for a noon kickoff so get your chores done early. The Bulldogs remained unchallenged for the first quarter of the season until two weeks ago in a dismantling of LSU in Death Valley at night. Something rarely done as of late. Don't be surprised if the Bulldogs run the ball early regardless of the fact they have the most talented arm in the league at their disposal. I'm still timid to bet State at home in this spot because of history.
Florida at Tennessee, SEC Network (-2.5 UT)- The Gators are going for a decade of consecutive wins over the Vols. Unless their is a well kept secret about Justin Worley elbow, UT coach Butch Jones gets another brick for building with a victory over Florida, and Worley is the first Vol quarterback since Brent "Ashley" Schaffer (BMW) to beat the team from the Sunshine State.
Afternoon
No. 3 Alabama at No. 11 Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m., CBS (-4.5 BAMA)- There are things in life that don't make sense to me and maybe never will. Why humans haven't figured out flying, how Dr. Phil still has a TV show, the Pelphrey hire, and how Alabama is only a five-point favorite over the Fightin' Black Bears. Bet the paycheck, the mortgage, all of it on Nick Saban this weekend.
No. 14 Stanford at No. 9 Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., NBC (-2.5 Stanford)- The Cardinal has allowed 26 points all season through four games. When everyone is scoring at will, holding your opponents to less than seven points a game, it's impressive. It's not that I love this Stanford team as I have others in the past, but in a low-scoring affair, take the better-coached team. For you newbies, that's Stanford (by a field goal).
No. 4 Oklahoma at No. 25 TCU, 3:30 p.m., FOX (-5 OU)- Back to loving favorites, the Sooners have proved me wrong on the road once before when I took the Moutaineers (side note: my mother, despite on separate occasions me and my dad telling her the contrary, doesn't believe they burn couches.) in Morgantown. Oklahoma is on to bigger things like facing Baylor and a shot at the Final Four. Sooners big in what doubles as a recruiting visit to Dallas for Bob Stoops.
Night
No. 15 LSU at No. 5 Auburn, 7 p.m., ESPN (-8 AU)- The Tigers have won all 47 matchups, which would be a talking point. But considering the two teams playing it's not all that impressive. The purple and yellow Tigers will have a freshman quarterback at the helm, and I don't want anything to do with that. Give me Gus and a victory more than eight points.
No. 19 Nebraska at No. 10 Michigan State, ABC (-6.5 MSU)- The Spartans, since losing in primetime to Oregon, have looked nothing less than a team deserving of a spot in the Final Four. Nebraska is the lone unbeaten in the beaten-up Big 10 won last time they played in East Lansing. The winner here is the best team in a weak conference. Michigan State kisses its sister less and earns a touchdown-plus victory.
Other picks
Miami at Georgia Tech (-2)
Baylor (-14.5) at Texas
South Carolina (-4) at Kentucky
Last week: 6-5
Season record: 22-28-2 (45%)
Razorbloggers: 6-13-1 (32%) through last week
Here are Walking on Sunshine's picks.
