The final weekend of the SEC regular season’s upon and a likely suspect, preseason favorite Alabama, needs one more win to assure itself a spot in the league championship game. Keep an eye on that game in Oxford as well. Mississippi State’s dream season would end in disappointment prior to a bowl berth with a loss to the hated Rebels.

Week 13 Results

  • Brad Crawford — 3-5 (against the spread); 6-2 (straight up)
  • Christopher Smith — 6-2 (ATS); 7-1 (straight up)

Season totals

  • Brad (@BCrawfordSDS) — 44-47 (against the spread); 70-21 (straight up)
  • Christopher (@csmithSDS) — 55-36 (ATS); 75-16 (straight up)

RELATED: SEC Power Rankings

As for this week’s games …

IRON BOWL: Auburn at Alabama (-9.5)

Brad: The one we’ve all been waiting for … until Auburn dropped back-to-back SEC games coming in. All will be right with the Tigers this week if they can beat the Crimson Tide for a second consecutive season, this time ending Alabama’s run to the SEC Championship Game and perhaps a College Football Playoff berth. But don’t get carried away. Alabama’s the better team and will prove it in Tuscaloosa. There’s too much riding on this one to allow a letdown against a hated rival. This game exemplifies SEC football, so enjoy it. Alabama 27, Auburn 17.

Christopher: The Tigers have allowed more than 30 points in five consecutive SEC games. This may be Nick Saban’s most explosive offense since he got to Alabama in 2007. Watching the Tide closely the last several seasons, it seems the players get truly exited to play about two or three games a year. The rest is just business. This is one of those games. (Remember Kick Six?) Gus Malzahn is no Saban, but he’s one of the better coaches in the SEC. Auburn will come up with a game plan to score at least a little and attempt to control the ball. But I don’t think the Tigers can keep pace. The startling lack of a pass rush and Nick Marshall’s inability to execute downfield with consistency costs AU here. Alabama 35, Auburn 24.

EGG BOWL: Mississippi State (-2) at Ole Miss

Brad: Another rivalry game that’s lost some of its luster thanks to the Rebels’ recent fall, the Egg Bowl means everything to Mississippi State,  a team in need of a statement during what’s likely their last time on stage for the selection committee. Kirk Herbstreit has said all week that the Bulldogs won’t likely reach the final four if Ohio State wins the Big Ten and TCU/Baylor the Big XII. A blowout in Oxford not only leaves a lasting impression for the CFP, but puts pressure on Alabama to beat Auburn for the West crown a few hours later. Mississippi State 34, Ole Miss 20

Christopher: Mississippi State’s running game against the Ole Miss defense is the matchup that should determine this game. Ole Miss isn’t going to explode on offense. There’s just not enough ability for the Rebels on that side of the ball given the lack of a running game and Laquon Treadwell’s absence due to injury. But the Bulldogs offense looks more pedestrian of late, Vanderbilt game aside. I’d trust the Ole Miss secondary to at least compete evenly with Dak Prescott, Jameon Lewis and De’Runnya Wilson. If it’s a low-scoring game, the Rebels have a chance, but coach Hugh Freeze can’t keep up in a shootout. Teams have run the ball better than you’d expect against Ole Miss, though, and I think this is the game Josh Robinson returns to form. Mississippi State 28, Ole Miss 13.

LSU (-3) at Texas A&M

Brad: Hard to believe LSU is in danger of finishing last in the West if the Tigers fall on Thursday night and Arkansas takes out Mizzou on Friday, but it’s possible. Inexperience aside, the Tigers have done a few things well, but nothing great this season and that’s led to a disappointing 7-4 record. Texas A&M’s hoping to establish a strong finish with Kyle Allen at quarterback and erase the remnants of consecutive losses to the Tigers. Both teams have had an extra week to prepare and I’d give the slight coaching edge in that regard to Les Miles. LSU 27, Texas A&M 24

Christopher: I expect the Tigers to run all over the Aggies and let out some of the team’s pent-up frustration. No need to rely on a languishing Anthony Jennings in this one. And is anyone scared of Texas A&M’s offense any more? Least of all a cocky LSU defense that has more swag than Swaggy P. LSU 27, Texas A&M 20.

Final: LSU 23, Texas A&M 17

Arkansas (-2) at Missouri

Brad: Mizzou’s been in this situation before, last year in fact. Hosting the SEC East Championship Game is a noteworthy feat considering the Tigers have been forced to embark on a five-game winning streak to get to this point after a humiliating loss to Georgia. Gary Pinkel’s masterful performance is complete with a win on Friday, but Arkansas is one of the nation’s hottest teams. Since so many of us media types are going with the Razorbacks, I’ll be different. Mizzou’s found ways to win and will do it again. Mizzou 23, Arkansas 20

Christopher: Which defense can dominate and shame the opposing offense the most? It’s concerning for Arkansas that Brandon Allen is a health question mark, but it sounds as if he’ll play Friday. I don’t trust Maty Mauk and the Missouri offensive line against what could be the best front seven in the SEC (no hyperbole). The Tigers are best in pass-rush situations, but the team has given up some big rushing totals to strong backs. Missouri also has played much better on the road than at home for whatever reason. The Tigers have had back-to-back tremendous seasons and deserve respect. This isn’t a knock on them. But the Razorbacks are red-hot, and I think the matchup favors Bret Bielema’s team. Arkansas 20, Missouri 17.

Final: Missouri 21, Arkansas 14

South Carolina at Clemson (-3)

Brad: My favorite non-SEC game of the season, a Thanksgiving Weekend tradition in the Crawford household. As a Palmetto State native, this game is more impactful than the Super Bowl and for awhile there, dictated successful seasons — regardless of overall record — for the Gamecocks and Tigers. South Carolina’s won a school-record fie straight in the series including the last two games in Death Valley, but I think Clemson’s the better football team this fall. Clemson’s defense is the most lethal unit its had under the current regime and is championship level. But there’s one problem: Dabo Swinney just doesn’t beat the Gamecocks. South Carolina 34, Clemson 28

Christopher: The Tigers have gotten blown off the field twice this season: in the second half against Georgia and against Georgia Tech. Steve Spurrier would be tickled to make it a third, but even with Deshaun Watson nursing an injury and the recent history, that’s hard to imagine in this one. South Carolina’s defense has been bad all season, and it’s only appropriate that the team gives up big stats to an underclassmen quarterback in disappointing losses to bookend the season. Vic Beasley and his Clemson teammates have enough talent to force Dylan Thompson into some mistakes. Clemson 28, South Carolina 24.

Kentucky at Louisville (-13)

Brad: I was wrong on my 6-6 Kentucky prediction at midseason. The Wildcats are going to finish with a losing record, very disappointing considering this team was a win away from bowl eligibility on Oct. 11. Kentucky’s never gotten back to the point of balance on both sides of the ball and the light early-season schedule certainly helped. Louisville 34, Kentucky 14

Christopher: Much has been made about Cardinals QB Will Gardner’s season-ending injury and how it could give Kentucky hope. Did anyone notice the team beating Notre Dame on the road last week with QB Reggie Bonnafon? Louisville has a strong running game and the Wildcats can’t tackle a mannequin at times. Plus Louisville’s defense is troubling for Kentucky QB Patrick Towles. I know UK will come out emotional trying to end its losing streak and make a bowl game, but this team is just overmatched right now. Louisville 30, Kentucky 14.

Georgia Tech at Georgia (-12.5)

Brad: Start with Nick Chubb. End with Nick Chubb. Sprinkle some playaction pass from Hutson Mason somewhere in between. Georgia’s second-half recipe this season has been award-winning sans the loss to Florida in Jacksonville. The Bulldogs have positioned themselves to reach the SEC Championship Game with a Mizzou loss, but will Georgia have the same spark if its fate is known before Saturday’s rivalry bout with Georgia Tech? It would difficult, but players shouldn’t need incentive to swat the Yellow Jackets. Georgia 41, Georgia Tech 31

Christopher: How will Friday’s Arkansas-Missouri game affect the Bulldogs emotionally? By kickoff, UGA will know whether it is the SEC East champion or simply playing for a bowl game. Emotional context aside, this is a game against the team’s in-state rival, which is a division champion in the ACC. Isn’t that enough motivation? The Yellow Jackets are playing outstanding after a so-so 5-2 start, winning the last four games by a combined 108 points. Still, I think the Bulldogs have the potential to dominate the line of scrimmage in a way that the Coastal Division foes haven’t this year. Georgia 34, Georgia Tech 20.

Florida at Florida State (-7.5)

Brad: Don’t buy into the hype. Although our well-placed Florida State PSA made the rounds this week, we don’t really think the Gators have a chance to pull the upset in Will Muschamp’s finale, do we? The line being 7.5 points is an indictment on the Seminoles, the lone remaining Power 5 unbeaten that’s only a shell of last year’s national championship team. There’s no doubting this team’s confidence in the fourth quarter, but is Florida State truly elite? The Seminoles won’t have to be this weekend against a team that won’t be able to keep up offensively. Florida State 31, Florida 14

Christopher: Yes, it’s Will Muschamp’s last game with the Gators, and his players seem to love him. Yes, Florida State wins seemingly every game by one possession. (In reality, six of FSU’s 11 wins have come by double digits.) But there’s a reason Muschamp is getting fired. Florida just isn’t a good team. It will try to pound FSU on the ground and replicate the World’s Largest Cocktail Party magic, but Jameis Winston and his teammates have more talent. There’s a reason the Seminoles have won 27 consecutive games since losing to Go Gata, and that streak isn’t crumbling in bookends. Florida State 35, Florida 17.

Tennessee (-16.5) at Vanderbilt

Brad: I’ll be the first to admit, I incorrectly projected each team’s season in the Volunteer State this fall. I pegged Tennessee with a program-worst eight losses and thought the Commodores could finish .500 (at best) under first-year coach Derek Mason. Wrong. Neither team’s a contender by any stretch, but Tennessee’s at least shown some spunk late in the year behind the play of sophomore quarterback Josh Dobbs. Vandy’s offense has been a mess throughout and there’s no signs of Johnny McCrary pulling out all the stops in Nashville this weekend. Tennessee 41, Vanderbilt 14

Christopher: The Vols need this game for bowl eligibility. It’s also a revenge game (times two) for UT. Vanderbilt is coming off its worst loss in 20 years. Josh Dobbs should run around the Commodores and Jalen Hurd should run through them. Tennessee’s defense is better than Vanderbilt’s offense by far, even though Vandy has improved slightly on that side of the ball since it started relying on the run game and limiting mistakes by its quarterbacks. The Commodores probably just want this nightmare to end. Tennessee is highly motivated. It could get ugly. Tennessee 35, Vanderbilt 14.