This year’s SEC ”Game of the Century” has little chance of ending 9-6.
No. 1 Alabama faces Johnny Manziel and No. 6 Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, on Saturday. The last time there was this much hype and anticipation for a regular-season Southeastern Conference Game, it was No. 1 vs. No. 2 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Even with overtime, there were no touchdowns in top-ranked LSU’s victory against the No. 2 Tide.
That game featured 23 defensive players currently on NFL rosters (12 from LSU, 11 from Alabama). It also featured a first-year starting quarterback for Alabama, sophomore AJ McCarron, and a pair of LSU quarterbacks, Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson, who were, well, let’s just say they were not Heisman Trophy winners.
This time around, McCarron is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and Texas A&M has Johnny Football.
Tide coach Nick Saban on Wednesday called A&M ”one of the great offensive teams, maybe in the history of college football.”
The teams combined for 849 yards in A&M’s 29-24 upset in Tuscaloosa last November fans, and it seems as if we have been talking about the rematch ever since.
As big as Alabama-A&M feels, it’s almost too early to bill this as the Game of the Year. Back in 2011, it was clear the winner of ‘Bama-LSU was on the fast track toward the BCS championship game. As it turns out, a loss was only a detour for the loser, but that’s another story.
By November, both Alabama and the A&M could be out of the national championship chase. It doesn’t seem likely, but you never know?
Game of the Year? Game of the Century? How about just game of the week? That we know for sure.
The picks:
MAIN EVENT
No. 1 Alabama (minus 7 1/2) at No. 6 Texas A&M
Tide won’t stop Johnny Football, but A&M won’t stop Tide … ALABAMA 42-31.
MARQUEE MATCHUPS
No. 24 TCU (minus 3) at Texas Tech, Thursday night
Tech freshman QB Baker Mayfield has yet to throw interception in 90 attempts … TCU 28-27.
Vanderbilt (plus 13 1/2) at No. 13 South Carolina
Jadeveon Clowney won’t win the Heisman, but he can still wreck a game … SOUTH CAROLINA 28-13.
No. 16 UCLA (plus 4 1/2) at No. 23 Nebraska
Huskers looking for revenge after last year’s loss at Rose Bowl … NEBRASKA 38-31.
No. 19 Washington (minus 9 1/2) vs. Illinois at Chicago
Two rejuvenated offenses … WASHINGTON 31-24.
No. 25 Mississippi (plus 3 1/2) at Texas
Desperate times in Austin … TEXAS 35-24.
BEST BET
No. 7 Louisville (minus 14) at Kentucky
Teddy Bridgewater and Co. pour it on against rival Wildcats … 45-17.
UPSET SPECIAL
No. 20 Wisconsin (plus 5 1/2) at Arizona State
Badgers power through heat and fast-paced Sun Devils … WISCONSIN 31-28.
PLUCKY UNDERDOGS
Tennessee (plus 27 1/2) at No. 2 Oregon … OREGON 48-17.
No. 4 Ohio State (off) at California … OHIO STATE 42-28.
Continue Reading: Expect plenty of TD in this SEC heavyweight match
