B&S week 8 game by game previews
Can LSU do it again? Does Tennessee have a chance against the Tide? Does A&M keep rolling? Let’s find out.
By: Bossman Slim, The Hammer, The Waco Kid
Watch The Hammer & Bossman Slim preview week 8 with Steven Willis, then read up on the rest of our previews.
We don’t have the gigantic matchups we’ve had the last few weeks, but we do have some intriguing matchups that are worth watching. Plus, it’s been the year of chaos, so will we see an upset come out of nowhere...perhaps from LSU again? It’s going to be fun to see.
A reminder on how the crew fared last week:
The Hammer: 4-3; 54-14 overall
The Waco Kid: 4-3; 54-14 overall
Bossman Slim: 6-1; 53-15 overall
Bossman closed the gap last week, let’s see what we’ve got this week.
Early Games
Arkansas vs Arkansas Pine-Bluff - 12:00 PM ET on SEC Network (X*)
Arkansas looks to get back on track as the Arkansas Fire Raisins come to town.
Bossman Slim: Time to take a breather, Hogs. The only reason I know that the AR-Pine Bluff logo looks like a fiery raisin is because I played an ungodly amount of EA Sports NCAA Football growing up (shout out “Al Groh” dynasty - 6 national titles at UVA and Florida). Arkansas has been sliding since conquering the state of Texas early in the year, so this reprieve against a cupcake will be nice before the storm returns with Mississippi State, LSU and Alabama in the next 3 weeks.
Arkansas 44 - AR Pine-Bluff 7
The Hammer: The early season shine has worn off in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks were riding high after starting the year 4-0 and rising to #8 in the AP Poll. That 4-0 start included big wins over Texas and Texas A&M, both of which were by double digits. But the SEC grind has proven to be too much for the Hogs, as they have dropped three straight games, fallen out of the rankings and currently sit at 4-3. This game against Arkansas Pine Bluff could not be coming at a better time. The Razorbacks are still a good team, they have just lost to other good teams, and one really, really good team in Georgia. This matchup is a much-needed respite from the SEC meat grinder that the Hogs fell victim to over the last few weeks. Easy win coming over the in-state Golden Lions of Pine Bluff, who are currently 1-5.
Arkansas 42 - AR Pine-Bluff 3
The Waco Kid: Since playing Texas A&M, Arkansas has looked like a team from yesteryear. They kept it close with Ole Miss but were handily beaten by Auburn and of course Georgia. This team has proven they have the talent to compete but a win at the right time could put them back on track to becoming a bowl-eligible team. Arkansas Pine Bluff should be a squad that the Hogs dominate in all facets of the game. If the Razorbacks come out and produce, this will be a blowout and a confidence boost that could leave their three-loss streak in the past. This won’t be a game to let the pedal off the gas, Sam Pittman should score and score and score until there is no will left in the opponent. That is the SEC way and that is the path to redemption. Good luck Pine Bluff, you’ll need it.
Arkansas 52 - AR Pine-Bluff 14
Midday Games
#12 Ole Miss vs LSU - 3:30 ET on CBS (Ole Miss -9)
Whoever trots out under center, take the Rebs. (Photo: Justin Ford, USA TODAY Sports)
Bossman Slim: LSU surprised the heck out of everyone last week as they ran all over the Florida Gators en route to an upset win. Do they have enough magic to pull it off two weeks straight? I don’t think so. Matt Corral is a game-time decision to play...but believe me, he’s playing. And if Matt Corral is playing, LSU ain’t winning, especially with a lame-duck coach leading the charge. Ole Miss still has big aspirations for this season and LSU is wounded. The Tigers got a nice win last week, but it might be the last nice thing they get this season.
#12 Ole Miss 38 - LSU 27
The Hammer: This is the most intriguing matchup of the weekend for many reasons. Obviously, Coach O and LSU reached a “separation agreement” this past week and Coach O will officially be gone after the season. Give the Tigers credit last weekend for getting up off the mat and beating Florida despite all the madness going on around them regarding their head coach. Could this LSU team continue the rally and reel off some more wins to send Orgeron off well? Possibly...but I don't see it. Not necessarily because they won't fight and play hard, but because this team has been ravaged by injuries and Ole Miss is just a better team right now. If Corral is out, which I don’t think will be the case, then all bets are off. But if Corral plays, Ole Miss should have no trouble here. In LSU’s win over Florida, the Gators threw 4 interceptions. Corral won’t do that, and without that kind of field position help, the Tigers offense won't be able to keep pace. If Corral is out, I’d throw John Rhys Plumlee back there and let him run wild. Give me Ole Miss here.
#12 Ole Miss 42 - LSU 28
The Waco Kid: Here is your game of the week. Coach O was just fired but allowed to stay the rest of the season. Lane Kiffin is riding high based off of a decent performance against Bama and no other losses but they have barely beat Arkansas and Tennessee in that run. The Tigers may be heading to the Grove but I am skeptical of what the Rebs can do to slow an LSU offense that is coming off of a stellar upset performance against a highly touted Florida team. I would expect a heavy dose of Tyrion followed by a consistent air attack from Max Johnson. As much as everyone has hated on Orgeron after the past week, there is one thing that stands true…. He is not leaving the Cajun swamplands without a fight and the knockout blow will be against Mississippi. The Bayou Bengals will take this one and leave no doubt that the spirit is still alive in Baton Rouge, with or without an unprecedented future. Geaux Tigers.
#12 Ole Miss 31 - LSU 41
Mississippi State vs Vanderbilt - 4:00 ET on SEC Network (Mississippi State -20.5)
Bossman Slim: Time to get up off the mat. After getting shelled by Alabama, the Bulldogs look to regroup with Vandy in Starkville. Mississippi State is a decent team, but for them to be favored by 20.5 points over an SEC opponent is embarrassing, and shows you just how bad the Commodores are right now. Cowboy Will Rogers gets back on track this week (if he plays) and Mississippi State gets a definitive win, but Hail State won’t cover (barely). Even if Rogers doesn’t play, give me State, big.
Mississippi State 34 - Vanderbilt 14
The Hammer: Anytime I see Vanderbilt in a conference matchup I gag a little. I know I shouldn’t be that mean, as the ‘Dores did fight hard last weekend against South Carolina and nearly pulled off the win, but this team is bad. Mississippi State has been very inconsistent with great wins over good teams like Texas A&M and NC State, along with some bad losses to Memphis and Alabama by 40 points. Will Rogers is a bit banged up but even without the Cowboy, Mississippi State should win this game. I don’t see Vandy being able to move the ball much and the Bulldogs should cruise to an easy win before pillaging Broadway in Nashville.
Mississippi State 31 - Vanderbilt 13
The Waco Kid: Mississippi State confuses me. Sometimes they show up, see the A&M game, and sometimes they look horrible. That is why I think this may be a trap game for Mike Leach. Vandy is no good but they played South Carolina a helluva game last weekend and will ride that momentum into Saturday. The fact of the matter is that the Commodores do not have the talent to compete on the field but a lot of the time talent does not decide wins or losses. This week it will. I think Will Rogers will probably sit this one out but lacking a leader and starting quarterback does not bode well for a team whose offense has been a little dry the past couple of weeks. Still, The Pirate will come with something up his sleeve and make sure Clark Lea leaves another SEC contest with a loss.
Mississippi State 28 - Vanderbilt 13
Late Games
Tennessee vs #4 Alabama 7:00 ET on ESPN (Alabama -25)
Hendon Hooker is expected to go for UT, giving the Vols a shred of hope. (Photo: Calvin Matthels, Knoxville News Sentinel)
Bossman Slim: Alabama owns Tennessee. This is a historic rivalry, but it hasn’t been a true rivalry game for 15 years. This is not the year that it becomes a rivalry again. Alabama is on a warpath after their loss to A&M, and last week’s game against Mississippi State showed that. Tennessee has to have Hendon Hooker play or this one will get ugly, fast. Tennessee is on the up and up, but this one will be a reminder of how far they have to go. Henry To’o To’o will be glad he became a turncoat for Alabama after this one.
#4 Alabama 42 - Tennessee 17
The Hammer: Tennessee has not scored more than 21 points in this rivalry since 2003, and they haven’t won the game since 2007, Nick Saban’s first season in Tuscaloosa. Alabama obliterated Mississippi State last weekend and seems to be on a mission to make it to Atlanta. If Hendon Hooker plays, the Vols might be able to put up a few points and keep it close, but if Joe Milton starts this game will be over by halftime. The Tide have too much talent on both sides of the ball in this one. I think Brian Robinson and Bryce Young will light it up and Will Anderson will be in the backfield all game. I know this game is in Tuscaloosa, but hopefully, no rogue Vols fan throws anything at Nick Saban unless it’s a Little Debbie oatmeal cream pie. Tide roll.
#4 Alabama 45 - Tennessee 21
The Waco Kid: I mean Tennessee has gotten better throughout the season, but c’mon they are playing Nick Saban. There is no hope for the checkered orange and white in this one. Heupel will need a defining win but this week they will find nothing near that. If Hendon Hooker and the offense can put up at least 21 against the Tide defense, then they should feel accomplished. Bama is too good and too well-coached to play down to the level of this Vols team. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for UT but going into this one, that light is an oncoming train not a beacon of hope. Bryce Young with 4 scores and add another 2 from Brian Robinson. RTR.
#4 Alabama 48 - Tennessee 20
#17 Texas A&M vs South Carolina 7:30 ET on SEC Network (Texas A&M -19.5)
Bossman Slim: Spurs up! Beamer got his first SEC win last week in a last-second stunner against Vanderbilt. I hope they enjoyed it all week because it’s going to be all Gig’em this week. South Carolina has never beaten A&M, and that streak won’t break this week. Texas A&M is superior in all three phases of the game, and they’ve got their mojo back after beating Alabama and handling Missouri last week. Without Luke Doty, South Carolina will struggle to find points against this defense, and the Aggie offense has too many weapons to lose this one. Aggies, big.
#17 Texas A&M 34 - South Carolina 13
The Hammer: Colonel Zebuliah Noland is back leading the Gamecocks and he better be prepared for a good old-fashioned humdinger in College Station, because the Aggies are playing their best football of the season. That bar isn’t very high considering how the Aggies started the year, but Texas A&M is playing well at the moment all things considered. While A&M took care of Mizzou on the road with ease, South Carolina needed a heroic last-minute touchdown to beat Vandy at home. Zach Calzada will need to be better than he was last weekend, but I’m not sure how much better because this Gamecock offense is bad. It’s just a bad matchup for Shane Beamer and co. because the Aggie defense is playing well and forcing turnovers as of late. I expect Noland to be under heavy fire all night and the A&M secondary to come up with at least one interception. I don’t think South Carolina will even find the end zone here and Colonel Zebuiliah will make the long journey back east beaten, battered, and down. The Bonham Trophy is staying in College Station!!
#17 Texas A&M 31 - South Carolina 9
The Waco Kid: I cannot believe I did not take into consideration the Zeb effect last week. I had Vandy winning, which they almost did, but that was because Luke Doty was playing. Now with Colonel Noland, the possibilities are endless. Except for this week, Texas A&M will dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides and welcome SC to their cross-conference rivalry with open arms and a huge loss. Zach Calzada has stepped up his game and even if he underperforms the backfield for the Ags have decided they are ready to carry the load. Expect a heavy dosage of Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane, sprinkle in some Wydermyer and Ainias Smith, and with the cherry on top, Demond Demas, you all of the sudden have a plethora of ingredients that will most likely be a part of Sundays, pun intended. Jimbo is flying high after that Bama win and will continue to soar throughout the season. This will be over by halftime, with the Aggies playing backups mid 4th quarter.
#17 Texas A&M 42 - South Carolina 10
X* = the outcome is already known and Vegas doesn’t care to set a line.