Well we are steamrolling through the season. Hard to believe how fast this thing is flying by. The first playoff poll came out and two clubs from the SEC are in the top four with Bama residing atop the list and Kevin Sumlin's Texas A&M Aggies filling out the top four. I was visiting with Ken Thompson on his show in Vegas and we both were a little startled to see Texas A&M perched in the group. Personally I do not think they will be there will all is said and done. A lot of people of course are freaking out but it's meaningless. This is the first poll. Relax, There is a lot of ball to be played. Some will play in and some will play themselves out. Anyway, as I do each week I will offer up some thoughts on the league and some random (very) observations. I have no agenda, just call things the way I see it. I am a Missouri guy so clearly I am in no position to throw stones at any program. This week I am going to look briefly at each of the relevant games.
Alabama vs LSU: Oh brother this has all the makings of an instant classic. Like I told Ken the other night there might not be a tougher venue in the nation to go play than Baton Rouge on a saturday night. This is college football at it's best. Even those who like to make disparaging remarks about the SEC will be watching this game, trust me. Everything else saturday morning and afternoon is just the under card for the heavyweights. Here comes the Tide into town with a true freshman QB at the helm. The upside for Jalen Hurts is hard to even measure. Yes, LSU will be jacked up and ready to give Bama their best shot. I have zero doubt. None. And the crowd will be worked into full lather by kick off. Here is an important thing to keep in mind. Bama won't blink at the bright lights. This team is used to getting everyones best shot. What might rattle most teams Alabama shakes off like a flea. One thing Ed Orgeron might want to put a lid on from this point forward to the game is any further mouthing from his players. The Tide don't exactly need bulletin board material to get themselves motivated. Believe me, I don't want to sell the Tigers short here or their chances. If Bama is going to get tripped up along the path to the title this is obviously the most glaring road block. LSU is good and getting better week by week. They are no longer shackled by Les Miles and his conservative offense. This game could easily be decided by special teams after both teams basically battle to a draw. Nobody else would be favored by more than a touchdown saturday night in Baton Rouge. That speaks volumes for the respect Nick Saban's Tide gets. And have earned. LSU has clamored they want a piece of Alabama. Well, no problem because the Tide will be there at the appointed time ready to rumble. Some Tiger players have been talking the talk and we will see if they are all hat and no cattle. Personally I cannot wait for this battle.
TEXAS A&M vs Mississippi State:I think the Bulldogs lost some swagger in that heartbreaking loss at BYU a few weeks ago. They played well enough to win the thing but ended up dropping a tough one in overtime. Then they turned around and lost one to Kentucky. Now they welcome the Aggies to Starkville and this presents a chance to redeem some self esteem. Nothing they would like more than to sidetrack this Aggies team that will be bursting with confidence with the playoff poll just being published. I see Sumlon's club is laying 13.5 points on the road here. Wow! My clients know I love playing the dogs, particularly home dogs but I keep seeing visions of that leaky Bulldog defense and it gives me pause. Frankly I don't like this game much from a wagering standpoint. Assault rifle inserted into my throat I would likely lay the wood here. But with zero enthusiasm.
Florida vs Arkansas: The Gators are playing towards the east title, somebodys got to win the thing. My thinking is this will be a much tighter game than most of the Gator faithful are bargaining for. Austin Allen is going to have to have a huge day for the Hogs here. I have a tough time seeing success coming very easily against this elite Gators defense. I honestly expected better this season from the Hogs offensive line than what they have produced and they need to tighten things up at home saturday afternoon. My Mizzou contacts that know tell me the Gators defense is no joke. They are athletic and fast to the ball. Arkansas will have to bring their A game here and with all that said I believe that will likely be the case. I fully expect this to be one helluva football game when the dust settles.
Georgia vs Kentucky: Oh how things change as seasons unfold before us. As I type this up the Bulldogs are laying 2.5 points to the Wildcats. Kentucky has a shot to win the east. Can you imagine for a moment Kentucky playing Alabama in the conference title game? Good grief. Hey, more power to Kentucky. They are doing what they need to do. They were certainly more engaged last week in Columbia when they smacked Mizzou in the mouth right on their own turf. Kentucky is a salty, scrappy club. Trust me they are more than capable here of knocking off Kirby Smart's club. Georgia has now lost four of their last five games and these are clearly two clubs with different outlooks going into this game. It's been some time since the Wildcats had a big, jacked up home crowd at this late stage of the season. I look for a close game and it's hard to pass on the home dog here.
Vanderbilt vs Auburn: Not a bright outlook here for Vandy. Auburn is starting to hit on all cylinders. They are steamrolling toward a season regular season finale against you know who. Now, with that being said, respect must be given to the Commodores defense. That unit plays hard and well. They are the shining light of Vandy football. Normally I would likely leap at the visitors and the points here but Gus will have his club pushing hard to keep their own playoffs hopes somewhat alive. You just know how badly the Tigers would like to have that opener against Clemson back. I wonder what the outcome would be if those two hooked up again this weekend?
Missouri vs South Carolina: I will fulfill my obligations and address this game as well. There was guarded optimism going into this season for the Missouri Tigers. That has been imploded. Honestly guys I could spend the rest of the afternoon going on and on about the Mizzou program. Not just this week or even just this season. I am talking about lots of issues going back some time now. I still have to live here among friends and neighbors. Saying what one thinks is fine and dandy, to a point. At some point you are only throwing some more hot torches on an already burning carcass. What is the point, I mean really. Hey, the beautiful thing about sports is they have to play the game. Sometimes a team can muster up an us against the world mentality and do good things. South Carolina has been playing better and making strides. They seem to have found their QB. But let's not fool ourselves here, they are not Bama. We have all seen stranger things happen. Sad thing around here is we have little to look forward to on the basketball court. Not the best of times at Ol Mizzou.
Okay, that is it for this week. On the business end of things I went a solid 9-1 last week with my college football releases. Had a lot of dogs that came though for us with flying colors. Also hit another Triple Star rabid dog with Iowa State getting the cash at home. This saturday I have my top college football release of the regular season loaded. Yes, I liked all those games last week. None approach this one. I also have my NFL Triple Star game of the week loaded and ready. I have had a very strong NFL season to date and have also cashed on 70% of the NFL Triples.
The football featured releases have cashed now 13 of the last 15. I am supremely confident they will stay hot this weekend. This is a great time of year guys. We all know pretty much what each of these teams have under the hood. Time to take advantage. Good luck this weekend.