Last Week’s Record: 2-4 (33.3%)
Season’s Record: 75-18 (80.7%)
The Predictions Dept. always seems to have that one terrible week that threatens to wreck our season average. Hopefully, as Week 11 arrives, we won’t have two in a row. Alabama-LSU is the top matchup on the board, but a few of the others present themselves as Upset Special opportunities.
AUBURN at VANDERBILT
Road games being what they are in the SEC this year, Auburn already had a tall hill to climb long before Hugh Freeze got his walking papers from the Auburn athletic department. Vanderbilt very nearly came back to knock off Texas on the road last week. The Commodores’ playoff hopes are still alive, but they must now run the table to ensure themselves of a spot. Auburn comes into this one with interim head coach D.J. Durkin in an open audition for the permanent job for 2026 and beyond, but Durkin – whose defense has been the only thing to keep Auburn in it this year – can’t fix a broken offense overnight. Vandy has this game, Kentucky and Tennessee left to play and all three are gettable, but Auburn’s defensive front is as good as any and the Commodores must limit mistakes. If they can do that, there’s probably no way for Auburn to keep pace with the ‘Dores’ offense.
Vanderbilt 23
Auburn 14
LOUISIANA STATE at ALABAMA
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FLORIDA at KENTUCKY
Kentucky was an unlikely 10-3 winner last week at Auburn in one of those games that Big Ten sycophants cite as evidence that the SEC isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Florida played Georgia close for four quarters last week, but do the Gators have anything left in the emotional tank? The Kentucky offense is so bad that if Florida’s defense alone can just show up, it might be enough. Kentucky’s Mark Stoops may have gotten himself off the hot seat last week but a poor showing in this game could put him right back on it. Florida’s keys are the same as always: QB D.J. Lagway has to spark the Gator offense. Lagway’s career arc is starting to resemble that of former Alabama QB Jalen Milroe in that his most impactful plays come from the things that go the most off-script. Kentucky needs better, more consistent play at quarterback in order to pull this upset, even at home.
Florida 27
Kentucky 13
GEORGIA at MISSISSIPPI STATE
This is one of several potential upset games but only if Mississippi State can avoid choking late the way it did against both Texas and Tennessee. Arkansas returned the favor somewhat last week, but Arkansas isn’t Georgia. MSU won’t get a much tougher test from an opposing offense than the one it got from the Razorbacks, but Georgia’s defense, especially up front, is something Mississippi State might not be ready for. Georgia’s secondary, though, needs to kick it up a gear in order to keep MSU QB Blake Shapen out of the picture. The later State hangs around in this game, the upset chances obviously go up, and it just might be about time for Mississippi State to break through against an opponent that really matters.
Georgia 41
Mississippi St. 30
TEXAS A&M at MISSOURI
This was shaping up to be a potential trap game for Texas A&M, and then Missouri QB Beau Pribula found himself injured for probably the balance of the regular season. Texas A&M’s defense has some exploitable elements, but overall this is a very balanced team that can win in different ways depending on the week. The Aggies will need to lean hard on its defensive front, because Missouri would seem to have limited options and would figure to focus on its pounding ground game. But third-string QB Matt Zollers has some ability, even if he is a freshman. The game being in Columbia is a much-needed element for the Tigers, but even without having to face a hostile crowd, Missouri probably doesn’t have enough weapons to challenge a team like Texas A&M that is built for a long playoff run.
Texas A&M 30
Missouri 20
THE CITADEL at MISSISSIPPI
This thing somehow got stuck in the Week 11 basket; the Bulldogs aren’t even a good FCS team in 2025, so get ready to watch Lane Kiffin explore portions of the playbook that even he doesn’t get to visit very often. Anything other than a blowout should have Rebel fans concerned.
Ole Miss 55
The Citadel 7
IDLE: Arkansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas
Follow Jess Nicholas on X at @TideFansJessN