The Predictions Dept. doesn’t mind catching a loss on its record when that loss is a mis-picked Alabama defeat. With the Crimson Tide pulling the upset in Athens, we will gladly take a non-perfect record in Week 5 games. This week, Alabama is again playing in the conference’s premier game – against, no joke, Vanderbilt. The Commodores are playing well above their program’s reputation at this point. Other games on note include Texas at Florida and Texas A&M facing a suddenly resurgent Mississippi State team, but almost half the conference is idle.

Last Week’s Record: 7-1 (87.5%)
Season’s Record: 51-9 (85.0%)

TEXAS at FLORIDA
Arkansas’ Sam Pittman became the first SEC coach to find himself on the chopping block in 2025 and Florida’s Billy Napier might join him this week if the Longhorns can, as expected, win on the road in Gainesville. This isn’t a sure thing by any means; the Texas offense needs work, and Florida’s defense can get the job done. If Florida QB D.J. Lagway gets hot, anything can happen, because Texas doesn’t look able to match score-for-score. Florida really doesn’t gain anything at this point by cutting Napier loose early, and if anything, the Gators would invite sit-outs and other transfer portal-related weirdness. But if the loss is a blowout …
Texas 27
Florida 17

VANDERBILT at ALABAMA
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KENTUCKY at GEORGIA
The Bulldogs will be looking to get back on track and continue to state their case for playoff inclusion, and what better way to get that started than by hosting arguably the SEC’s worst team. Kentucky’s defense isn’t the worst, but the offense doesn’t scare legitimate teams and there’s not a lot of confidence surrounding the Wildcat program in general right now. Some are even beginning to talk about cutting ties with head coach Mark Stoops, but Stoops’ long-term resume in Lexington is strong by UK standards. Georgia needs to work on its passing game and improving up front on defense. This game provides a perfect opportunity to do both.
Georgia 38
Kentucky 14

MISSISSIPPI STATE at TEXAS A&M
If the Bulldogs could have found a way to secure the upset over Tennessee last week, it would have set up a circus atmosphere in College Station this week with all-offense MSU taking on all-defense Texas A&M in what would have amounted to an early playoff eliminator game. As it is, we can’t help but feeling that the Bulldogs got the air taken from their sails a bit with the home loss to Tennessee, while Texas A&M maintains its undefeated status while it makes a case for being the SEC’s top seed in the CFP. Is it better to be a strong offensive or defensive team in the modern game? This matchup will try to answer the question.
Texas A&M 30
Mississippi St. 24

KENT STATE at OKLAHOMA
We’re not sure what this game is doing here at this point in the Oklahoma schedule, but the Sooners welcome it while they await the return of QB John Mateer. Kent State opened the season by scratching out a 21-17 win over an outfit called Merrimack, then lost the next three games by a collective score of 52-159. Most recently, it was the Golden Flashes who found themselves getting run out of the building by Florida State, 66-10. This is one of the worst teams in FBS.
Oklahoma 52
Kent State 0

IDLE: Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee

Follow Jess Nicholas on X at @TideFansJessN