Once more, with feeling. It has not been a great season of bold predictions. There have been some teams — LSU and Arkansas leap to mind — that feel like they wait on the weekly prediction and then do the opposite of whatever we said. We have gotten a few right, but also more than a few wrong. And unlike Vandy or Auburn, the chances for a big, late rally are less than great. But we do what we do. Here’s a bold prediction for every Week 13 SEC game.

State wins the Egg Bowl by 2 scores

Ole Miss has spent most of the season as the darling of the SEC. But the Alabama loss and the apparent ensuing loss of Lane Kiffin have taken most of the wind out of the Rebels’ sails. Mike Leach’s Bulldogs have been steady, if not exceptional. If this game had been played a month ago, we’d take the Rebels by 2 scores. But the emotional state of the Rebels’ program flips the switch. We’ll take the Bulldogs by 10 off a couple of key turnovers. And yes, Lane is gone.

Mizzou goes bowling

Again, note the above. Since Mizzou is the pick, bet your home, vehicle and pets on the Hogs and get rich. But Arkansas is a team designed to win shootouts and not slugfests (note the Liberty and LSU losses). Missouri — the Tennessee game aside — plays good defense and keeps itself in games. In 5 of Mizzou’s first 7 SEC games, it has held the opposing offense to fewer than 300 yards. Doing that again will end with the Tigers on top of a 17-14 kind of game, and headed to a bowl.

Seminoles rally over the Gators

Florida is reeling after a loss to Vanderbilt, but it seems relatively certain to get up for the annual Florida State grudge match. We’ll take the Gators to run the ball well early and hold a halftime lead, only for Florida State to come roaring back in the 2nd half to win by 14. Pencil down FSU QB Jordan Travis for 3 scores in the win.

Tech covers the spread against Georgia

Since its 55-0 win over Vanderbilt, Georgia has often seemed like a team biding its time until the postseason. Which is fair, because it is. The Bulldogs’ 27-13 win over Tennessee wasn’t as close as the score, and games like last week’s 16-6 win over Kentucky won’t hurt them, although it won’t win them any beauty contests, either. Georgia Tech has done a good job rallying to the edge of bowl consideration, but it won’t help the Yellow Jackets much here. UGA will snooze its way to another easy win, 35-13, as Kenny McIntosh posts his 2nd 100-yard rushing game in a row.

Spencer taketh, Spencer giveth away

A week after the game of his life against Tennessee, don’t expect Carolina QB Spencer Rattler to replicate the showing. Throughout the season, Rattler has followed his better games with subpar ones. Played well against Arkansas, had nothing for Georgia. Had more than 9 yards per pass against Kentucky, did basically nothing against A&M. Meanwhile, Clemson hasn’t allowed more than 6.8 yards per pass attempt in a game since September. Put Rattler down for 3 picks, and Clemson for a 3-score win.

Cunningham outlasts Kentucky

Louisville has been absolutely blistered by Kentucky for the past 3 seasons, but this Mark Stoops team hasn’t quite had the same stuff as the past few. Louisville QB Malik Cunningham missed last week, but he is apparently going to play this week. Considering how Mike Wright shredded Kentucky a few weeks ago in the Wildcats’ loss to Vandy, expect Scott Satterfield to have watched that tape. Kentucky will probably outgain Louisville and might even play the better game. But the combination of awful special teams play and trouble containing the QB run will send Kentucky to a 6th loss on the season, probably by a 21-17 kind of margin.

The Cadillac hits the curb

The Cadillac Williams story at Auburn has been outstanding — an example of why no season is truly lost, regardless of coach firings and October outcomes. But the feel-good portion of the story ends here. Alabama has the ghost of an outside CFP chance, and Nick Saban will have the Tide ready to go. Yes, Alabama has been in 5 1-score games this season, and while Texas and Texas A&M may be evidence to the contrary, surely the Tide are ready for this one. Pencil in Bryce Young for 300 yards and 3 scores, and Bama for a 41-20 win.

LSU takes care of business

Again, refer to the above. By picking LSU to roll, the subtle message is hammer the minus-10 spread for Texas A&M. But A&M’s offense is awful, its fans are somewhere between disinterested and angry, and Brian Kelly will have Jayden Daniels ready to roll. Bear in mind that Daniels has 95 or more rushing yards in 3 of LSU’s past 4 games. The Aggies are allowing 4.8 yards per carry, and the QB run early will take them out of the game. Give us 2 Daniels passing scores, 2 Daniels rushing scores and a 38-13 victory for the Tigers.

Milton spoils the spoiler’s day

A week ago, watching Vanderbilt beat Florida, it felt oddly like the Vandy season would hit its perfect end in thwarting UT’s CFP chances. But then South Carolina went and intervened, and injured Hendon Hooker in the process. So Vandy should be in great shape now, right? Pencil the Dores in for a bowl bid? Not so fast. An angry Tennessee team will be very different than an overconfident one. Also, Joe Milton gets an opportunity to get some bombs on tape for NFL scouts. Milton will pass for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, and UT will roll, 42-14.