South Carolina at Oklahoma
Saturday, Oct. 12 — Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium — Norman, Oklahoma
11:45 a.m. on SEC Network
South Carolina is 3-3 on the season, but could easily be 5-1 after losing to LSU and Alabama by only three and two points, respectively. Meanwhile, Oklahoma got spanked by Texas in this year’s rendition of the Red River Rivalry, 34-3. The Sooners look pathetic on the offensive side of the ball, with the ninth-worst total offense in the country.
The Gamecocks’ defensive flock ranks 20th overall in total defense — which means they’re going to strut right into Norman, Oklahoma and feast on the Sooners. Oklahoma’s defense is nothing to brush aside, but this program offers nothing inspiring offensively. The Cocks are going to bring the Sooners to pound town.
Prediction: South Carolina 28, Oklahoma 7
No. 7 Alabama at No. 11 Tennessee
Saturday, Oct. 19 — Neyland Stadium — Knoxville, Tennessee
2:30 p.m. on ABC
This is by far the toughest matchup to predict in Week 8 SEC action — both of these programs had stellar starts to the season but have since been upset and failed to quickly rebound. Redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava struggled against Florida in Week 7, and Alabama’s defense allowed almost 400 yards to South Carolina.
This meeting of the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry has ginormous College Football Playoff implications, as the Volunteers and Crimson Tide both have their eyes set on the postseason. The last time the Tide came to Rocky Top in 2022, the Vols were victorious — but history won’t repeat itself.
Prediction: Alabama 17, Tennessee 10
No. 8 LSU at Arkansas
Saturday, Oct. 19 — Razorback Stadium — Fayetteville, Arkansas
6 p.m. on ESPN
The LSU Tigers defeated the then-No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels last week despite trailing the entire game — the Tigers scored the tying touchdown with 27 seconds left, then sent the Rebels home with their second loss of the season in overtime. After upsetting Tennessee in Week 6, Arkansas enjoyed a bye during Week 7, giving it extra time to prepare for this stout LSU offense.
The Bayou Bengals have won five straight behind the arm of redshirt junior QB Garrett Nussmeier, who has already thrown 18 touchdowns in 2024. The Razorbacks have been feisty all season, refusing to back down in close contests. These little piggies are gonna have their house blown down.
Prediction: LSU 35, Arkansas 21
No. 5 Georgia at No. 1 Texas
Saturday, Oct. 19 — Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium — Austin
6:30 p.m. on ABC
The Texas Longhorns are off to a stellar start in the program’s first year in the SEC. Redshirt junior QB Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns made an absolute mockery of the Oklahoma Sooners in Week 7. Meanwhile, Georgia only beat a pathetic 1-5 Mississippi State by 10 points.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has the Longhorns firing on all cylinders with a defense allowing the fewest points per game in the country. This is not the same Bulldogs who have feasted on the SEC in recent years, as Georgia has regressed from its previous unquestionable dominance. Keep Bevo away from Uga because things are going to get ugly in Austin.
Prediction: Texas 24, Georgia 17
