Hogs may have a surprise for Gamecocks

The schedule is starting to get a little tougher in the SEC, and there are only two nonconference games Saturday.

Obviously, Florida at LSU has national interest, but Missouri at Georgia and South Carolina at Arkansas are big in the SEC race.

I went 6-1 last week, and the overall record is 48-9.

S. CAROLINA AT ARKANSAS

No matter who plays or doesn’t play, the Razorbacks have a shot to beat the Gamecocks and it wouldn’t be an upset. The Razorbacks are improving each week, but it certainly isn’t by leaps and bounds. If they can play with the same effort they gave against Florida, they have a chance. Obviously, they need to cut down on penalties, have no turnovers and the defense needs to seal off the corners to keep South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw from scrambling for first downs. In the preseason, this was a loss for the Hogs, but I’ve changed my mind. Arkansas, 31-28

IDAHO AT ARKANSAS STATE

Red Wolves Coach Bryan Harsin and Vandals Coach Paul Petrino like to air it out,but both teams are struggling to get the ball in the end zone by passing. The Vandals have thrown six touchdown passes and five interceptions, while the Red Wolves have four touchdowns through the air with two interceptions. The Vandals have struggled under Petrino so far, going 1-5, and it shouldn’t get any better this week. ASU, 31-17

ALABAMA AT KENTUCKY

The Tide roll again. Alabama, 45-10

W. CAROLINA AT AUBURN

They are probably dancing in the streets down on The Plains. The Tigers are two games away from being bowl eligible, and besides Western Carolina, they have Florida Atlantic. The Gus Bus picks up more steam. Auburn, 35-0

MISSOURI AT GEORGIA

This is the Tigers’ chance to prove they are contenders, not pretenders, against a banged-up Bulldogs squad. James Franklin is making big plays for the Tigers, but Aaron Murray is making bigger plays against tougher opponents for the Bulldogs. Georgia, 31-21

FLORIDA AT LSU

This has the look of an SEC Classic. The Gators feature a stingy defense, No. 2 in the country and allowing 203.8 yards per game, while the Tigers have a potent offense that is ranked No. 23 and averages 488 yards per game. Uncharacteristically, LSU’s defense is 44th nationally, allowing an average of 367 yards. The Gators’ biggest challenge is trying to stop LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger’s passing and running back Jeremy Hill. LSU, 31-14

TEXAS A&M AT OLE MISS

So far no one has stopped A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, but despite all the high salaries and reputations among college football coaches, Rebels defensive coordinator Dave Womack is as good as anyone at scheming for a big game. The Black Bear Rebels are riding a two-game losing streak and need a victory to make certain the wheels don’t come off when they host LSU next week. The Aggies’ defense isn’t very good, so this might be a high-scoring affair. Ole Miss, 42-35

BOWLING GREEN AT MISSISSIPPI STATE

A few weeks ago, some knucklehead (me) picked Troy in an upset over the Bulldogs. The Falcons are 4-1, but they haven’t won a game outside the state of Ohio. The Bulldogs might be reeling early from an LSU hangover, but they will be soothed by the ringing of cowbells and should even their record at 3-3. If they stumble, they probably won’t be bowl eligible. Mississippi State, 28-21