Get ready for a weekend of college football that’s bound to shake things up—because this isn’t just any weekend; it’s the ‘Third Saturday in October,’ and you know what that means: Alabama vs. Tennessee. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can the Volunteers finally break their streak against the Crimson Tide, or will Alabama’s dominance continue? The stage is set at Bryant-Denny Stadium for this annual SEC showdown, but don’t sleep on the rest of the conference—Auburn faces Missouri, Georgia hosts Ole Miss, and Vanderbilt welcomes LSU in what could be a surprising upset. And this is the part most people miss: While the SEC steals the spotlight, the biggest non-conference game of the week is USC at Notre Dame, a rivalry that’s as intense as it gets.
In the Group of 5, UAB is looking to rebound under interim coach Alex Mortensen in the ‘Battle for the Bones’ against Memphis, while Troy faces a tough road test at Louisiana-Monroe. (South Alabama and Jax State already played earlier in the week, so they’re sitting this one out.)
Now, let’s talk predictions. In our ‘off-field’ standings, Andrew Hammond is still leading the pack, but Michael Casagrande is hot on his heels, just two games behind. Below, you’ll find how our AL.com sports staffers see this week’s matchups unfolding—and yes, these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means we’re not just saying who’ll win, but who’ll cover the points. Bold? Absolutely. Controversial? You bet. But that’s what makes it fun.
Here’s the full breakdown of this week’s picks (all games Saturday, Central Time):
LSU (+2.5) at Vanderbilt, 11 a.m., ABC
LSU’s talent might edge out Vanderbilt, but the Commodores are no pushovers at home. Will LSU’s offense show up, or will Vanderbilt pull off the surprise? What do you think—is this a trap game for LSU?Oklahoma (-4.5) at South Carolina, 11:45 a.m., SEC Network
Oklahoma is favored, but South Carolina’s defense could keep this closer than expected. Is Oklahoma overrated, or will they prove their worth?Ole Miss (+6.5) at Georgia, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Georgia’s a powerhouse, but Ole Miss has the firepower to keep it interesting. Can the Rebels hang with the Bulldogs, or is this a blowout waiting to happen?Mississippi State (+10) at Florida, 3:15 p.m., SEC Network
Mississippi State’s been inconsistent, but Florida’s defense isn’t what it used to be. Is this the week the Bulldogs pull off an upset?USC (+7.5) at Notre Dame, 6:30 p.m., NBC
A classic rivalry with USC as the underdog. Can they keep it close, or will Notre Dame run away with it?Utah (-3.5) at BYU, 7 p.m., Fox
Utah’s favored, but BYU’s home-field advantage could make this a nail-biter. Who’s your pick in this in-state showdown?Troy (-6) at Louisiana-Monroe, 2 p.m., ESPN+
Troy’s the favorite, but Louisiana-Monroe could play spoiler. Is this spread too generous, or will Troy dominate?Memphis (-21.5) at UAB, 3 p.m., ESPN2
Memphis is heavily favored, but UAB’s fighting for pride. Can they keep it within three touchdowns?Tennessee (+8.5) at Alabama, 6:30 p.m., ABC
The main event. Alabama’s favored, but Tennessee’s been improving. Is this the year the Volunteers finally close the gap? Our staffers predict Alabama wins, but scores range from 27-17 to 41-37. What’s your take—blowout or barnburner?Missouri (+1.5) at Auburn, 6:45 p.m., SEC Network
A toss-up game with Missouri slightly favored. Will Auburn’s home-field advantage be enough, or will Missouri steal the show?
Standings After Week 7:
Andrew Hammond leads with 39-31, but Michael Casagrande’s 37-33 isn’t far behind. Who’s your money on to take the top spot by season’s end?
Controversial Question of the Week: With so many close spreads and underdog opportunities, which game do you think will be the biggest upset? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
