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After having mistaken both Toledo and Florida for competent football teams last week, my record fell to 18-3 on the season. I fully intend on running the table this week, regaining the trust and respect of everyone who reads this column (hi, Grandma!). As always, games are listed in order of general watchability and all game times listed are Central.
Alabama @ Texas A&M: 2:30 p.m., CBS
Everyone and their wife/cousin/wife-cousin seems to be completely writing off Johnny Manziel and his supporting cast of Aggies this weekend against 'Bama ... and I just don't get it. 1.) Manziel has shown absolutely no regression on the field. 2.) He has a year under his belt 3.) The Tide -- though clearly talented -- are ripe for testing on both sides of the ball. And 4.) Bama has to go to Kyle Field this time around. What am I missing? The revenge factor? Spare me -- you don't think the Crimson Tide was already giving their maximum effort against A&M last year? You think they only play at 80 percent when they're not angry? I'll take Johnny Hancock and the Aggies at home in a close one.
The pick:
Ole Miss @ Texas: 7 p.m., Longhorn Network
Two weeks into this young season, the Longhorns have appeared to be a runaway train of football mediocrity. Ole Miss, however, has also looked a little rough around the edges while winning its first two games. Despite his shortcomings, Mack Brown's players still love him and will fight hard for him at home. I like Texas to defend its home field.
The pick:
Tennessee @ Oregon: 2:30 p.m., ABC
Oregon continues to avenge its BCS loss to Auburn by destroying the hopes and dreams of as many Southerners as possible, General Sherman-style. Tennessee has a better chance of leading the nation in shark attacks than it does of knocking off the Ducks in Eugene.
The pick
Vanderbilt @ South Carolina: 6 p.m., ESPN
South Carolina should win this game pretty easily on paper, but for some reason it just feels like it could be one of those SEC East games where the underdog plays better than expected. South Carolina is coming off a loss to Georgia, while Vanderbilt rebounded from a close loss to Ole Miss by clobbering Austin Peay. Still, I like Spurrier and Clowney at home ... in a close one.
The pick:
Louisville @ Kentucky: 11 a.m., ESPN
Louisville vs. Kentucky: The Yin and Yang of football in the Bluegrass State. Teddy Bridgewater has been damn near perfect so far and is a trendy pick to be the top overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft. If Kentucky can't beat Western Kentucky, it won't even be competitive against Coach Charlie Strong and his Cardinals.
The pick:
Kent State @ LSU: 6pm, ESPNU
Kent State, Nick Saban's alma mater, travels to Death Valley for a nationally televised night game. Unless we see some MACtion MAgiC from the Golden Flashes, this game will be over by halftime. LSU, by the number of grass clippings in a typical Les Miles Sunday morning bowel movement.
The pick:
Southern Miss @ Arkansas: 11:21 a.m., ESPN3
Southern Miss has already lost games to Nebraska and perennial BCS contender Texas State. Arkansas may be down, but it's not quite this down. Last week's shaky showing against Samford will motivate the Hogs to more effectively take care of business this week against the Golden Eagles.
The pick:
Bye week viewing options
Florida: "What Not to Wear," TLC
Georgia: "Cops," Local FOX affiliates
Missouri: Crop reports or something, I guess.