Predicting This Weekend’s Games

by Chris Paschal

There are some crucial matchups in the SEC and throughout the country this Saturday. Here are my thoughts on some of these games and how they will end up. This is legitimately what I think. Which means I may be wrong. It’s easy to just pick the safe winner and then act surprised on Monday. That’s a loser approach. In the words of Derek Mason, “let’s ride.”

Southeastern Conference

Mississippi State @ Texas A&M

Kellen Mond has not matured in Jimbo’s system in year two as much as I thought he would. Part of that is due to the fact that he is running for his life every game. He’s been sacked 16 times in the last four games. And Ole Miss and Arkansas were two of those opponents. A&M’s defense has not impressed me either with inconsistent performances throughout the season. On the other hand, Mississippi State is riding one helluva emotional rollercoaster. Coaching hot seat, fans booing, losing to Tennessee, putting it all on the line against LSU – all of that plus going on the road into Kyle Field against a team that knows if they lose this game, they may not make a bowl game… I think A&M pulls this out in the fourth quarter and Mond flashes in front of the 12th Man. Mississippi State’s pass defense and lack of pass rush lose them this game. Final Score: MSU 14 A&M 30

South Carolina @ Tennessee

Both teams are coming off tough losses in games where they hung around for a while against highly ranked opponents. Both are playing great football along the line of scrimmage. Both have had inconsistent play at quarterback. And that’s where the game will be decided. Who’s quarterback plays better? In my mind, that answer is very easy – South Carolina’s Ryan Hilinski. From everything I have heard, Hilinski is healthy and has practiced at full strength all week. Something he hasn’t been able to do since Alabama (his best game). Tennessee isn’t Alabama, but they have some good players throughout their secondary. Since 2011, this series has been decided by one score each and every game. That’s wild to think about. South Carolina has only won in Neyland Stadium three times in series history. Also wild to think about. Whichever defensive line can reek more havoc and whichever offensive line can establish a run game (supposed to rain in Knoxville) will play a major role in this game, but it’s going to come down to Hilinski and Guarantano. I trust Hilinski more. Final Score: South Carolina 27 Tennessee 21

Missouri @ Kentucky

No way Missouri loses again after that wakeup call in Nashville, right? Wrong. This is going to be another big upset, in my opinion. Missouri has benefitted from playing at home for most of this season. In fact, the Tigers trip to Vanderbilt last Saturday was their first away game since August. And they looked bad. Meanwhile, Kentucky is coming off a road loss, as well, after falling to Georgia in a wet, messy, tough football game. I smell an upset brewing. This feels like the type of game Mark Stoops looks at his players and says “we are going to run the ball every dang play, our defense is going to hit Bryant every time he drops back, and we are going to win a hard-nosed football game.” When I think about who has warriors on their roster, I look at Kentucky’s Lynn Bowden on offense and Kash Daniel on defense and I think those two lead Kentucky to a big win. Final Score: Missouri 17 Kentucky 20

Auburn @ LSU

This is the kind of game that Gus Malzhan relishes. Everybody is counting them out. He heads into Tiger Stadium with a salty defensive line and a freshman quarterback. What’s Gus got up his sleeve in this game? I think he empties the playbook. Jet sweeps, trick plays, the whole nine yards. Will it be enough to beat LSU? No. Joe Burrow is a veteran who won’t lose LSU this game and LSU Defensive Coordinator, Dave Aranda, is going to harass and confuse Bo Nix enough in the second half to force a mistake or two. But don’t count out Auburn just yet. I think they keep it close before LSU pulls away in the fourth. Final Score: Auburn 27 LSU 35

Outside the SEC

Wisconsin @ Ohio State

By now you can tell I’m a little crazy. Well it’s about to get a whole lot weirder. Wisconsin has a noon kickoff following a horrific loss against Illinois. This is a tough, disciplined football team, and this matchup has bounce-back game written all over it. Ohio State hasn’t faced a rushing attack like this all year, and I think a slow start to the game is going to frustrate the Buckeye offense. Wisconsin is going to slow the game down, minimize Justin Fields’s possessions, and grow in confidence as this game wears on. You don’t think I’ll do it, do you? Final Score: Wisconsin 31 Ohio State 27.

Other Scores:

Michigan State 13 Penn State 31

Texas 30 TCU 34 (Why am I like this?)

Boston College 10 Clemson 38

Notre Dame 28 Michigan 17

Wofford 41 Chattanooga 10