B&S week 11 game by game preview
Hard to be believe we are in week 11 already. Soak it all in, we are in the home stretch!
By: Bossman Slim, The Hammer, The Waco Kid
The site of the biggest game of the weekend in college football: Vaught Hemingway. This place will be rockin’ come game time. Photo via @OleMissFB
We’re back, baby. It’s getting late in the season now, and we pretty much know what these teams look like. Now it’s just about executing every single Saturday to make sure your spot in the CFP, a big bowl game, or your conference is secured. Georgia still looks head and shoulders above everyone, but they can’t afford to get complacent. Alabama looks mortal. Ohio State already has a loss. How will this season shake out? It’s that time of the year to put up or shut up. I can’t wait to see where we are come selection Sunday.
Here’s how the crew fared last week:
The Hammer: 5-2; 68-16 overall
Bossman Slim: 6-1; 66-18 overall
The Waco Kid: 3-4; 64-20 overall
Just as the race for the crown will be tight in CFB this year, it will also be tight in the B&S clubhouse. Will The Waco Kid keep picking preposterous upsets to try and get back in the thick of things? Tune in and find out.
Let’s hit the previews.
Early Games
#2 Alabama vs. New Mexico State 12:00 pm ET on SEC Network (Alabama -51.5)
Bossman Slim: “Alabama is struggling” say the haters. Yeah, they are based on the impossible standards set by the Tide during the Saban era. Yet they’re still #2 in the country and winning ball games. New Mexico State is absolutely terrible. I won’t waste any more time on this one. Bama by a light year.
#2 Alabama 52 - New Mexico State 14
The Hammer: The Aggies of New Mexico State are rolling into Tuscaloosa at just the right time. Alabama needs a breather before the home stretch consisting of Arkansas, Auburn and potentially an SEC Championship game against Georgia, if they can take care of business. Easy win coming for the Tide, and I expect this group to be sharp.
#2 Alabama 48 - New Mexico State 10
The Waco Kid: I would say this is a great bounce back game for the Tide but if I did I feel Nick Saban may haunt my dreams with visions of rat poison and ass chewings. So all I have to say is that the Tide is the #2 team in the nation playing a cupcake team. No team is underestimated by the Alabama coaching staff and this game will be treated no differently. That being said, this is a no contest. Alabama will score at will and most likely highlight a defensive effort that results in at least two scores. Fun way to start out the day with some SEC football but a trash game rankings wise.
#2 Alabama 58 - New Mexico State 12
#17 Auburn vs. Mississippi State 12:00 pm ET on ESPN (Auburn -5.5)
Bossman Slim: Both teams find themselves coming off difficult losses. Auburn had a winnable game against Texas A&M, but couldn’t muster any offense to get things going. Mississippi State had multiple chances to beat Arkansas, but missed three field goals, resulting in Mike Leach holding kicker tryouts this week. Two big questions to me in this game: can Bo Nix get back on track against a middling Bulldogs pass defense, and vice versa for Cowboy Will Rogers. Auburn has more talent, but I like the Bulldogs to get back on track in this one. I think Rogers can do some work against this Auburn secondary, and Auburn won’t be able to get enough going on offense to keep up in the end.
Mississippi State 33 - #17 Auburn 28
The Hammer: Mississippi State is such a weird team. I can’t get a read on them at all. I know they’re a good team, but they show something new every week it seems. Sometimes they pull out a surprising win, and other times they find new, heartbreaking ways to lose. Part of me wants to pick them in this spot just for the hell of it, but I’m leaning Auburn here. Will Rogers is playing great ball and I expect a good game from him, but Auburn is a very good defense. Their secondary is good and their front seven is physical. Look for Auburn to limit the Bulldogs more than most have been able to. Plus, since this game is at Jordan Hare, we should see good Bo Nix. He needs to rebound after a bad week against A&M, but he’s mentally tough enough to get off the mat. Look for Auburn to find a way to win a competitive game late.
Mississippi State 24 - #17 Auburn 28
The Waco Kid: Oh boy here we go again; MSU playing a team that they are more than capable of beating but execution kills them in the end. After the past few weeks I cannot choose the Bulldogs for an upset win. They continue to let me down and are travelling to Jordan Hare against a ticked off team that just got their bell rung by the Texas A&M defense. Bo Nix is always at his best at home and I expect nothing less in this competition. Leach will have to pull out all of the stops if he wants to head back to Starkville with a bowl berth win. I can see this going either way but with Bigsby leading the ground attack and Nix playing in his comfort zone the edge has to go to the Tigers.
Mississippi State 15 - #17 Auburn 34
Samford at Florida 12:00 pm ET on SEC Network +/ESPN +
Bossman Slim: See above for my rant about Alabama’s cupcake game, because the same applies here. Florida finally gets a breather after it’s been let down city for the past few weeks. Samford poses no threat to the Gators. I expect the Gators to struggle a little, maybe hear a few boos early on, but eventually turn on the jets and soundly beat Samford.
Florida 41 - Samford 10
The Hammer: If Florida doesn’t absolutely steamroll Samford, Dan Mullen could be gone. The situation in Gainesville has soured at seemingly light speed, and this game is coming at the perfect time. Even if this team has given up, they’ll be able to take care of Samford with ease.
Samford 14 - Florida 49
The Waco Kid: Thank goodness for Florida and Dan Mullen. They need a break after consistently falling to quality opponents in the SEC. This will be a game you might tune into during the commercials of the Mississippi State vs Auburn game but outside of that no one will be watching. I would be incredibly surprised if the Gator faithful tuned into this contest. They will be too busy drinking off the embarrassing South Carolina loss to watch their team play a Samford squad that is most likely getting paid over $1 Mil to show up. Florida in this one, but the real question remains, “Is Dan Mullen the answer?” I am not so sure anymore but the rest of the season will tell us what the Gainesville gang thinks.
Samford 10 - Florida 42
Midday Games
#1 Georgia at Tennessee - 3:30 pm ET on CBS (Georgia -20.5)
Bossman Slim: I don’t think anyone at the beginning of the year had this one slated as an interesting game, but the Vols have played above their weight. Georgia is a juggernaut, which is why Vegas expects them to win but more than 20 points. Sadly for Tennessee, I think that’s right. Tennessee can score with the best of them, but this isn’t Kentucky’s defense. The Wildcats gave up 45 to the Vols...who won’t sniff that against Georgia. It’s the Dawgs year, and that doesn’t end on Saturday night.
#1 Georgia 38 - Tennessee 16
The Hammer: I’m very excited for this one. Another bigtime game at Rocky Top, hopefully without the golf balls and mustard bottles this game. All jokes aside, I love Neyland and seeing it packed gets me pumped up. Josh Heupel and Hendon Hooker have given these fans something they haven’t had in quite a while: hope. Unfortunately, hope doesn’t win football games, players and coaches do. And right now, Georgia has a distinct personnel advantage over Tennessee. The key matchup here is the Vol skill positions players against the Georgia secondary. We haven't really seen a team be able to stretch Georgia vertically through the air because no QB has had enough time to throw the ball downfield. With this Vols tempo and passing game, I do think the Vols can score a little more than most against the Dawgs defense, just not enough to win, especially after seeing the Tennessee defense against Kentucky last weekend. Stetson Bennett and the Dawgs offense should have a good day and pull away in the second half.
#1 Georgia 38 - Tennessee 21
The Waco Kid: All week I have seen Vol fans talking about how this may be their greatest season because they are going to beat the best team in the nation at home. Reality check: you are 5-4 and playing a defense that shows no mercy every weekend. Still it is intriguing that both Hendon Hooker and Stetson Bennett, both back ups to start the season, are in the Davey O’Brien semifinalist race for best quarterback. I expect the lady of the night, Hooker, to put up some decent offensive numbers, say 250 and a TD but that will not compare to what the defensive unit from the Dawgs will unleash in Knoxville. Turnovers will be inevitable and the Dawgs will capitalize, sending this game into a downward spiral that even Peyton Manning would flip two birds to on national television. Kirby Smart’s team shows no signs of slowing down and will take care of business at Neyland. While it may be a Rocky Top game, by the end of this one you can go ahead and call it a Rocky Flop.
#1 Georgia 53 - Tennessee 24
South Carolina at Missouri 3:00 pm ET on SEC Network (Missouri -1)
Bossman Slim: STOP THE PRESSES! This one is going to be a barnburner. No offense to Mizzou and Carolina fans, but this is the perfect game for the afternoon snooze before the primetime matchup on ESPN. Credit to South Carolina, they showed some life against Florida and got a win that can help them in recruiting. Mizzou on the other hand is on the ropes having lost 4/6. They can’t afford to lose this game and go down in the pecking order in the SEC East. Vegas has Mizzou by 1, which tells you they have absolutely no idea who to pick to win in this one. And neither do I. Based solely on last week and Mizzou sliding, give me the Gamecocks by a hair.
South Carolina 38 - Missouri 35
The Hammer: The fact that I’m interested in this game just shows how big of a college football sicko I am. These teams are bad, yet I’m fascinated by this matchup. Bowl eligibility on the line here, folks! Mizzou sits at 4-5 and desperately needs this win if they have any hope of making a bowl, and South Carolina is at 5-4 and would become bowl eligible with a victory. I honestly have no idea what is going to happen in this game. South Carolina seems to have some juice ever since Jason “waterboy” Brown took over at QB, and maybe the resurgence of Kevin Harris will continue for another week. For Mizzou, Bazelak should return to action for the Tigers and you can count on Tyler Badie to have another big game. I’ll go with the Gamecocks here in a nail biter.
South Carolina 34 - Missouri 31
The Waco Kid: Pregame for the early games, continue to drink through Georgia and Tennessee and then nap time during the SC and Mizzou game. This is a recovery game, no one cares who wins because it means nothing to the SEC besides maybe what the fan bases of each squad think. I want to pick the Tigers so badly in this one because of Badie and Bazelek but the fact of the matter is SC just whooped Florida. If you can put the Gators in their place then you can take Columbia by storm and leave with another victory. Shane Beamer is riding a high while Eli Drinkwitz is wondering why he agreed to coach the black and gold. Take the Gamecocks.
South Carolina 34 - Missouri 28
Late Games
#11 Texas A&M at #15 Ole Miss - 7:00 pm ET on ESPN (Texas A&M - 2.5)
Bossman Slim: This is the game I can’t wait for. The Aggies are rolling since their win over #1 Alabama, and Ole Miss are trying to keep their ascension in the West going. This one will come down to the Matt Corral vs. the A&M defense. The Ole Miss defense is not good enough to stop A&M, who should be able to run against the Rebels and put up enough points to win. So can Corral step up and play a helluva game to beat this A&M defense that elicits the Wrecking Crew’s of old? I don’t think he can. Spiller and Achane run wild while the A&M defense continues to put a stranglehold on opposing offenses.
#11 Texas A&M 35 - #15 Ole Miss 24
The Hammer: College Gameday is headed to Oxford for a top 15 showdown between the Ole Miss Rebels and Texas A&M Aggies. It’s SEC football in prime time baby! Great offense up against great defense, we should have a close matchup on our hands. I like the Aggies in this spot though. Ole Miss is really beaten up on offense at offensive line, wide receiver and we know Corral is not 100%. Unless all those guys are somehow back at full strength, I think the Rebels could have trouble moving the ball against this Aggie defense. On the other side of the ball, look for A&M’s run game to lead the way. Ole Miss is not good at stopping the run, allowing over 194 yards per game which ranks them 107th nationally. Spiller and Achane should both have good games, and as long as Calzada doesn’t turn the ball over and get rattled by a hostile crowd, the Aggies will take care of business.
#11 Texas A&M 34 - #15 Ole Miss 21
The Waco Kid: Gotta love it, that Big 12 offensive mindset versus that SEC defensive way of life. The problem is, how has that worked out for the Aggies’ former conference in the past few years. Heisman winners, Yes, undefeated seasons, absolutely, playoff wins None. We know how this story plays out… Lane Kiffin tries to outscore the opponent and falls short in doing so. To outscore a competitive team you have to hope their defense makes mistakes. This may be the best defense that the Rebs have faced all year. I realize they have played Alabama but have you seen the Aggies? Defensive line = Monsters, Backers = Beasts, Secondary= Ballhawks flying to the tackle any chance they get. Ole Miss’s best shot is to score early and score fast. And to continue to score and not let Texas A&M drain the clock with their outstanding rush attack. I expect this to be a great one but at the end of the day defense wins championships. One team has a title type squad the other doesn’t. That is what the game will come down to, who makes the most significant stops. Kiffin will be throwing his clipboard in the air but this week it will be out of frustration.
#11 Texas A&M 34 - #15 Ole Miss 18
Kentucky at Vanderbilt 7:00 pm ET on ESPN 2 (Kentucky -21.5)
Bossman Slim: Kentucky’s dream season is over, but there is still much to play for. Poor Vanderbilt is now in the way of an angry Wildcats team who feels they got jipped against Tennessee. Not much to say about Vanderbilt, the beatings will continue until morale improves.
Kentucky 40 - Vanderbilt 17
The Hammer: Kentucky needs a get right game. The Wildcats were riding high just a few weeks ago sitting at 6-0. Well, now they are 6-3 after dropping three in a row. Thankfully, Vandy is next on the schedule so the Cats can beat up on someone to get their anger out.
Kentucky 42 - Vanderbilt 13
The Waco Kid: We are really doing this? Kentucky. No doubt this should not even be close. Vandy is still finding its identity while the Wildcats have thrived under Mark Stoops. Plue an embarrassing loss at home to Tennessee will only propel UK to make an example out of their opponent this week.
Kentucky 35 - Vanderbilt 13
#25 Arkansas at LSU 7:30 pm ET on SEC Network (Arkansas -2.5)
Bossman Slim: This one is intriguing. Even with a lameduck coach, the Tigers are still dangerous, as they showed last Saturday against Alabama. On the other side of the ball, Arkansas is also still dangerous, as evidenced by their W against Mississippi State. I think Arkansas is the better coached football team, and I think that’s why they win this game. LSU’s offense is more miss than hit, and I think Arkansas is able to stop the LSU attack while KJ Jefferson and the boys put up enough to win.
#25 Arkansas 31 - LSU 21
The Hammer: Give LSU a ton of credit for what they did a week ago against Alabama. They went toe to toe with Tide and probably should have won that game. But, I think that was their final stand. They are devastated with injuries, Ed O is already fired, and morale has to be at a serious low right now. I’m not saying they aren’t going to try, but if Arkansas can get any kind of an early lead, I think we could see the Tigers pack it in. I like the matchup of KJ Jefferson and this Razorback offense against the LSU defense, especially with Kendal Briles calling plays instead of Bill O’Brien. And if Arkansas can stop Ty Davis-Price, I don’t see Max Johnson and/or Garrett Nussmeier beating them through the air.
#25 Arkansas 31 - LSU 17
The Waco Kid: This is a great one. After you wake up from your mid day nap with nightmares of the South Carolina vs Mizzou and Kentucky vs Vanderbilt games, there will be one more thing that could bring excitement to the college football world. That game is the matchup between LSU and Arkansas. The Razorbacks have not won against the Tigers since 2015 but I think a five year drought is long enough. The Hogs have the edge in this one as they are facing a Baton Rouge squad that is on the ropes in the corner just waiting for the knockout blow. This will serve as that knockout blow. I love Coach O, love what he brings to the SEC, to the South, and to Louisiana but sometimes you have to call a spade a spade. Outside of the 2019 season he has coached, a historic powerhouse, to mediocre seasons. If I were Orgeron I would leave with my national championship, head held high and be content. But that’s why I do not get paid to be a college football coach. That will not happen, he will fight tooth and nail for every win this year regardless of the overall outcome and that is something to be admired. On the opposite side of the field, Sam Pittman is quickly learning that mentality playing in the West. This will be no easy feat but Pittman has his program on the rise and one more signature win could launch Fayetteville into a new atmosphere. They take that step on Saturday night and KJ Jefferson leads AU out of conference irrelevance into future year contenders.
#25 Arkansas 24 - LSU 10