Like It Is

Time to start narrowing down bowl eligibles

Arkansas coach Chad Morris talks with the officials after a penalty in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Little Rock, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas coach Chad Morris talks with the officials after a penalty in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Little Rock, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

It is that time of the season when teams -- at least most of the SEC teams -- start to think bowl games. Already four SEC teams have the mandatory six wins but three, Alabama, LSU and Georgia, aren't dreaming of the Peach Bowl or even a trip to Florida.

Those schools are thinking the College Football Playoff, although it is going to be very hard for the Bulldogs to make it to the Finest Four after losing to LSU.

The University of Arkansas would have to win out to become eligible for a minor bowl, and since they haven't won a game since Sept. 1, the odds are long. Ole Miss isn't eligible. The NCAA must have been really mad at someone to give the Rebels a second season without a bowl, which is being appealed.

Last week was a personal record in picking games, a personal worst. Went 3-3 and am now 52-18 on the season. Here's this week's guesses:

Tulsa at Arkansas

If the Razorbacks don't win this game they will not be picked again this season because this appears to be the most winnable game left on their schedule. The Golden Hurricane have a decent defense and a balanced offense, but they too haven't won since opening day. Getting Ty Storey and Kareem Boyd back is big for the Hogs. Back in the summer it was mentioned Boyd wasn't in game shape, he is now and has back-to-back 100-plus yard rushing games. Defense needs depth, which is why Chad Morris has recruited eight defensive linemen. Arkansas 35-24

Alabama at Tennessee

The Vols are riding high after knocking off Auburn down on The Plains. Auburn isn't Alabama, at least not this season. The most talked about thing in Alabama since the Tigers' loss is Gus Malzahn's buyout ($38 million). There is no such thing as a home-field advantage when you are playing the Tide. On the road Bama has beaten Louisville (in Orlando, Fla.,) 51-14, Ole Miss 62-7 and Arkansas 65-31. Rocky Top won't scare the Tide. Alabama 49-21

Auburn at Ole Miss

The Tigers are favored, but the Rebels have only one home loss and that was to Alabama (see paragraph above). Malzahn ignores questions about feeling pressure, but he's an eternal optimist. Matt Luke is doing a very nice job at his alma mater, Ole Miss. Expect this one to come down to the final possession and the Tigers won't have an answer for Jordan Ta'amu. Ole Miss 31-28

Mississippi State at LSU

Before the season it was thought that this game might determine Ed Orgeron's future with the Tigers, but State hasn't played like the team that was expected and the Tigers are 6-1 and staring at a shot at the SEC West when they face Alabama in Death Valley in two weeks. Bulldogs Coach Joe Moorhead has never traveled through Death Valley at night. Incidentally, Orgeron is 8-0 as the Tigers' head coach after a loss. LSU 34-28

Memphis at Missouri

It might be a little hard for the Tigers of Memphis to get up after being beaten by Central Florida last week. The Tigers led 30-17 at the half, were shut out in the second half and lost 31-30. The Tigers of Missouri expect to be in a bowl and they are only half way there. The SEC East is not a pushover. Missouri 35-24

Vanderbilt at Kentucky

It is hard not to like Commodores football and respect for head coach Derek Mason soared last week when he refused to back down from Florida's Dan Mullen in a shouting match. Because of the Dores strong APR they may just need two wins in final five games to get to a bowl. The Wildcats are the surprise team of the SEC this season and will be bowl eligible with a home victory Saturday. Kentucky 35-24

Sports on 10/19/2018

*CORRECTION: There are four bowl-eligible teams from the SEC entering this weekend. A previous version of this column left out Florida.

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