#1 LSU (6-0) at #17 kentucky (5-1)
Saturday October 13th, 2:30PM CT, CBS
Line: LSU -9.5
Just a week ago LSU was able to avoid the upset bug that went around college football by containing star quarterback Tim Tebow and the Florida spread offense in Baton Rouge. Now, the test is to contain quarterback Andre’ Woodson in Lexington. Kentucky is coming off its first loss of the season against South Carolina, when two late fumbles were returned for touchdowns. So the Wildcats will be hungry. Last year Kentucky lost to LSU 49-0 on the road. The last time the Wildcats beat a top-ranked opponent was 1964. The chips are stacked against Kentucky, which is seeking its eighth consecutive home win. The Tigers defense, led by defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, will be ready to stop the streak. LSU 34, Kentucky 24.
#11 Missouri (5-0) at #6 Oklahoma (5-1)
Saturday October 13th, 5:30PM CT, FSN
Line: Oklahoma -10.5
Missouri junior quarterback Chase Daniel put on a show against Nebraska last week. Now, Daniel finds himself among the Heisman favorites, and will face his toughest test this season at Oklahoma, looking to propel his Tigers to the team’s first 6-0 start since 1973. Oklahoma rebounded from an upset loss two weeks ago by defeating Texas, but the Sooners haven’t looked sharp for three weeks. Missouri is the real deal. In a high-scoring affair, the Tigers will pull off the upset on an improbable last-minute drive. Missouri 38, Oklahoma 34.
#22 Auburn (4-2) at Arkansas (3-2)
Saturday October 13th, 6:45PM CT, ESPN
Line: Arkansas -3
While the Razorbacks looked shaky against Chattanooga, they will be hungry to topple the War Eagle for its first SEC win of the season. Junior running back Darren McFadden and backfield mate Felix Jones lead the second-best rushing attack in the country, which averages 338 yards per contest. If McFadden wants to stay in Heisman contention, let alone win the prestigious Trophy, he must perform well against the staunch Auburn defense. Formerly suspended running back Brad Lester returned to the lineup last week for Auburn in a win over Vanderbilt, and will need to stay hot for a win in Fayetteville. McFadden, though, will impress en route to breaking the school’s all-time rushing record, which is only 32 yards away. Arkansas 31, Auburn 24.
Texas A&M (5-1) at Texas Tech (5-1)
Saturday October 13th, 2:30PM CT
Line: Texas Tech -8.5
This Big 12 match-up features the nation’s seventh-ranked rushing attack of the Aggies and the first-ranked passing offense of the Red Raiders. Tech’s junior quarterback Graham Harrell has been ‘en fuego’ all season. His favorite target is redshirt freshman wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who is on pace for 2,148 yards and 34 touchdowns. A&M has looked good at times, especially defeating Oklahoma State, but its pass rush is sub-par. Not being able to disrupt Harrell means big problems for a team that hasn’t won in Lubbock in 15 years. Texas Tech 52, Texas A&M 45.
UCONN (5-0) at Virginia (5-1)
Saturday October 13th, 2:30PM CT, ESPNU
Line: Virginia -3.5
Before the season started neither team would have been favored to win six games. However, after the showdown in Charlottesville, one of these teams will be bowl eligible. Don’t expect the game to be a thing of beauty. Whichever team can run the ball and dominate in the trenches will emerge victorious. Virginia starting running back Cedric Peerman is out with a knee injury, so 240-pound redshirt freshman Keith Payne will literally carry the load for the ‘Hoo Crew. UCONN, ranked fourth in total defense, allows only 89 rushing yards per game while wreaking havoc and causing turnovers. The Huskies have a +9 turnover margin this season. UCONN 21, Virginia 20.
