2 Alabama at 20 Arkansas
Fayetteville was a shaded field target when it hosted College Gameday for the first time since 2006. Instead, the Razorbacks lost a heart to the Aggies and had just one week left in the SEC for the Crimson Tide. However, the last time we saw Bryce Young and Bama play this evenly, they needed a fourth round to beat Texas.
If Young’s receiver has trouble opening and playing this week, Tuscaloosa will panic like a spoiled dog that has been abandoned to eat human food. Sorry, tailor-made dog biscuits and wet food will have to suffice. Before Quinn Ewers crossed down for the Longhorns, they were moving the ball. Heo Sooie QB KJ Jefferson will have to be sharp, as well as careful with the rock, to bring Nick Saban one last aneurysm. Arkansas re-run Rocket Sanders and a good action game could help ease the pressure on Jefferson, and maybe last week’s loss will come as well.
With a difference of 17 points for visitors, it looks like Vegas is trying to tell us it’s not going to end a game like I thought it would. I also think the 21 point spread in the Bama-Texas game is too low, so it’s possible that the oddsmakers are still giving Tide the benefit of the doubt.
Number 9 Oklahoma State No. 16 Baylor
Experts will say that the rematch of last season’s Big 12 championship will also have a serious distinction as to who will win at this year’s convention. While that may be true, the title race is as open as any year’s power conference. The means for the playoffs probably won’t be relevant, though. Baylor, Kansas State and Oklahoma already have Ls and it looks like Okie State could be arrested any week.
They have extra motivation for this game, and they should do the same. If they can make a game of indecisiveness, the Cowboys have the potential to take Cincinnati’s spot in the playoffs and become the Big 12’s first non-Earlier entrant. Mike Gundy has a strike. strong, and Dave Aranda’s defense is perfecting. I’m not completely sold on Bear QB Blake Shapen or his partner Spencer Sanders, and that’s why I’m so interested in the impact this game could have on CFP.
It will be material and a lot of fun. If one of these signal callers pops up, then we’ll have a chat.
