No. 15 Ole Miss @ No. 13 Alabama
Saturday, Sept. 23 — Bryant-Denny Stadium — Tuscaloosa, Alabama
11 a.m. on CBS
Ole Miss, led by junior quarterback Jaxson Dart, holds a record of 3-0 and looks to keep on rolling. Alabama, with a record of 2-1, has no true QB1 and is still trying to find “the guy.” Despite coach Nick Saban’s excellent coaching, the poor play from under center will hold back the Crimson Tide. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin’s group of misfit toys have tons of momentum and are looking to carve a spot for themselves in the SEC. The Rebels will turn the Tide and leave Tuscaloosa, Alabama with a win.
Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Alabama 20
Arkansas @ No. 12 LSU
Saturday, Sept. 23 — Tiger Stadium — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
6 p.m. on ESPN
The LSU Tigers and coach Brian Kelly did not start the season how they had hoped, getting dominated by Florida State in Week 1, but are coming off a big win against Mississippi State. The Razorbacks wanted to make a statement this year led by senior quarterback KJ Jefferson, but there was no Woo Pig Sooie last week as it fell to the BYU Cougars. If senior LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels wants the Heisman, he has to dominate against the SEC foes. The Tigers will maul the Hogs and Daniels shows why he belongs in Heisman contention.
Prediction: LSU 38, Arkansas 27
Memphis vs. Missouri
Saturday, Sept. 23 — The Dome at America’s Center — St. Louis
6:30 p.m. on ESPNU
In the tale of two Tigers, Missouri is coming off of a walk-off field goal victory against Kansas State, while Memphis had a back-and-forth battle with Navy. Missouri will need to be able to outlast Memphis junior quarterback Seth Henigan, who scored the winning touchdown run against Navy. Missouri sophomore wide receiver Luther Burden III is proving why he was the No. 2 wide receiver in the country coming out of high school. Missouri’s stripes stand strong and it hands Memphis its first loss of the season.
Prediction: Missouri 27, Memphis 21
Mississippi State @ South Carolina
Saturday, Sept. 23 — Williams-Brice Stadium — Columbia, South Carolina
6:30 p.m. on SEC Network
Neither of these teams is starting the season how it had hoped, with both at the bottom of their respective divisions. Senior quarterback Spencer Rattler is not performing like Gamecock fans had hoped and South Carolina will need to find something to get its offense going. The Bulldogs and senior quarterback Will Rogers are still trying to find a new way of life after the air raid. It is a must win for both squads. Rogers rights the ship, and South Carolina coach Shane Beamer’s seat may begin to heat up.
Prediction: Mississippi State 24, South Carolina 10
Kentucky @ Vanderbilt
Saturday, Sept. 23 — FirstBank Stadium — Nashville, Tennessee
11 a.m. on SEC Network
Kentucky’s bourbon has not been the only smooth thing, as the Wildcats are off to a strong 3-0 start. Transfer senior quarterback Devin Leary has looked poised and confident through the first three weeks of this season. While the Commodores can only boast a record of 2-2, sophomore quarterback AJ Swann has thrown at least two touchdown passes in every game. Vanderbilt is looking for a statement win here as Kentucky comes to town. They won’t find it though, Leary proves why he left Wolfpack red for Wildcat Blue and derail the Commodores.
Prediction: Kentucky 45, Vanderbilt 42
UTSA @ No. 23 Tennessee
Saturday, Sept. 23 — Neyland Stadium — Knoxville, Tennessee
3 p.m. on SEC Network
Tennessee senior quarterback Joe Milton is looking to prove to fans and NFL scouts that he can produce the same level of magic as Hendon Hooker and this Volunteer offense did last year. They return to Rocky Top after losing a fight in the swamp. UTSA and coach Jeff Traylor or off to a slow start after losing so many of last years over achieving roadrunners to the NFL and the transfer portal. Smokey gets a bowl full, and the orange and white checkerboards fly high.
Prediction: Tennessee 56, UTSA 17