Conference play is here, and some people would like to think it means the time for craziness and shenanigans is over. Not quite. If anything, conference play is time for us to really let loose. Which we’ll try to do here at bold predictions. Even with just 6 games to predict, that’s not stopping us from predicting an upset, an unexpected blowout and a couple of big individual days to remember. Let’s dive right in, with a bold prediction for every Week 5 SEC game (except South Carolina, since they moved up to Thursday — sorry, Gamecocks!).

Kentucky takes down Ole Miss

Many of the questions about Kentucky coming into this game could just as easily be applied to the Rebels. Kentucky’s best win is clearly Florida, but it is fair to wonder how good the Gators are. That said, Ole Miss has played literally no one. Both teams had underwhelming 1-score wins last week. The difference in this game is that the return of Chris Rodriguez Jr. means that Kentucky’s lagging ground game can’t help but improve. The guess here is that 75 yards from Rodriguez is enough to help the Wildcats grind out a 2nd-half comeback in Oxford, 31-28.

Bryce Young throws for 400, Tide rolls

Hidden in the list of things that Arkansas does well is 1 thing it doesn’t — defend the pass. The Hogs are allowing an SEC-high 302 passing yards per game, and an SEC-high 8.3 yards per passing attempt. Meanwhile, Alabama’s passing game has been a bit hit-and-miss this year. But remember, Young threw for 559 yards last year in his matchup with Arkansas. This feels like a get-well game for the Tide. Arkansas can move the football, and will put up several scores … but Alabama pulls away in a 49-28 kind of game due to 400 yards and 5 TDs from Young.

State beats A&M, and it’s not that close

The tighest point spread of the weekend sees Mississippi State as a 4-point home favorite over Texas A&M. The Aggies have played 3 straight 1-score games, while State has a more bust-or-boom situation. A year ago, State went into College Station and went 46-for-59 for 408 yards passing in an upset victory. In the same way that Appalachian State kept A&M off the field, State will do the same but with the passing game. State has a sharp 1st half, and while A&M tries to make it a game in the 3rd quarter, a defensive touchdown for the Bulldogs pulls this one out of reach. Mississippi State gets a 34-17 victory.

LSU rolls, as Daniels throws for 200 and runs for 100

Similarly, Las Vegas has LSU as only a 9-point favorite at Auburn. Anybody who has watched this Auburn team could be forgiven for having trouble imagining the Auburn edition of Tigers playing within 9 points of any P5 team that will make a bowl. Since the opening 3 quarters of the season, LSU has actually been a good team. It has quietly moved into the upper echelon of SEC running attacks, and Jayden Daniels is a big part of that ground game. Daniels will shine for LSU, throwing for 200 yards and rushing for another 100, accounting for 3 touchdowns, as LSU wins comfortably on the road, 28-10.

UGA’s defense outscores Mizzou’s offense

Yes, Georgia had a bad game last week. Which is the surest way to be certain it won’t do that again. Meanwhile, Missouri played an absolutely cursed game, turning victory to defeat. Aside from breaking its own fans’ hearts, Missouri also has a tendency toward turnovers, as its 9 total turnovers are the 2nd most in the SEC. How will that work out against a Georgia defense that is tied for 3rd in the SEC for most turnovers forced, and gives up 8 points per game? It’ll work out with the Georgia defense outscoring the Missouri offense. Georgia wins, 45-6.

2 100-yard rushers for Gators

Florida’s Sunday game with Eastern Washington should be a good excuse to run and run and run some more. FCS’ Eastern Washington has allowed 290, 263 and 355 rushing yards in its 3 previous games this season. On that basis, we’ll take the Gators to have a big day on the ground. How big? 100-plus rushing yards for both Anthony Richardson and Montrell Johnson Jr. Gators win this one easily, 49-14, and rush for 300 yards as a team.