It’s an abbreviated SEC slate this week in the bold predictions department, but never fear. We’ll go even crazier than usual predicting some of the events of Saturday’s slate. Here goes nothing:

Feaster famine?

Kentucky has struggled at times on defense with the big-play run on the edge. Backup QB and slash player Dakereon Joyner would be a natural to help South Carolina there, but he’s hurt and won’t play. Instead, look for Clemson transfer Tavien Feaster to get to the edge on the Kentucky defense just enough times to keep the big blue on the short end of the scoreboard. We’ll say 125 rushing yards and 2 scores for Feaster in his biggest game as a Gamecock.

Ke’Shawn shines for Vandy

After 3 games, Vandy has 3 losses and Ke’Shawn Vaughn has been fine, but not as superb as we all expected … but this is the week that he goes off. NIU’s defense has been pretty mediocre, allowing 160.7 rushing yards per game, and given that their offense has just 16.3 points per game, that defense will have to play from behind. Don’t be surprised if Vandy runs Vaughn to the tune of 150 yards and 3 scores in a 3-score Commodores victory.

Auburn rallies late

Mississippi State will come out locked and loaded to pull this upset. It will catch an emotionally hung over Auburn team with a couple of 1st-half big plays and take a lead to the locker room. That said, after the intermission, the Tigers will respond, with JaTarvious Whitlow leading a 2nd-half rally to win by 10. We’ll take Whitlow to double up Kylin Hill in rushing yardage in this game.

Texas A&M puts up 50

This is an emotionally worn down A&M team, which could react by falling apart, but more likely will react by blasting this horrible Arkansas team.

Yes, against Clemson and Auburn, A&M’s offense looked stalled out. But let’s be honest — this Arkansas team is more like Texas State or Lamar, against whom A&M averaged 51.5 points. We’ll put the Aggies down for 50, with Kellen Mond getting his 300 yards before exiting early in the 3rd quarter.

Is this the week for Tua? Why not?

Yes, we’re recycling last week’s projection that Tua Tagovailoa would break Alabama’s single-game passing yardage record. This one has a perfect-storm element — while the Rebels are bad, it’s a conference game, and they can move the ball (and score enough points) to maybe keep Tua in the game long enough to pass for 485 yards. So why not ride that horse again?

At some point, Nick Saban will let this happen. Maybe all this Joe Burrow for Heisman stuff is on his radar. Maybe he just wants to take a bad team (that beat him twice not so long ago) to the woodshed. We know Tua’s ready, whenever his coach is.

Emory Jones Day at Florida

Look, we’re into the new era of the SEC. Two quarterbacks probably isn’t enough. Several of this week’s games might end up hinging on the play of 3rd-string QBs. So why wouldn’t Florida use its game against FCS Towson to make sure its QB depth is sharp?

Mark us down for 150 passing yards and 125 rushing yards for Jones, who will help the Gators find the end zone early and often. No, he’s not taking the job from Kyle Trask … but he’s showing that he’s an interesting wrinkle to throw out there against, say, Auburn next week.