Here at the bold predictions department, Week 7 was … well, kind of all over the place. We had KJ Jefferson’s big day leading the Hogs, and we gave Jayden Daniels 2 touchdowns passing and 2 rushing to lead LSU in an upset over Florida — only for him to make it 3 and 3 instead. On the other hand, we thought Bama would fall behind but rally back. After the fumble return TD, it looked that way. But, eh, something else went down in Knoxville. And don’t even ask about Mississippi State outrushing Kentucky. We must have meant outhushing them or something.

But hey, it’s a new week, and we’re back at the drawing board. Only 5 games this week, but we’ve got an upset, some surprise blowouts and some bold individual predictions. Here’s Week 8 in the SEC:

Vols rush for 300, let Hooker rest

With Kentucky and Georgia upcoming, Tennessee is certainly interested in keeping Hendon Hooker out of harm’s way. The Vols are also interesting in demonstrating that their big-play offense isn’t just a 1-trick passing pony. Tennessee rushed for 182 yards against Alabama, and while that’s not the flash of big-play touchdowns, it capital-M mattered. The last time Alabama gave up 4.67 yards per carry, as it did to the Vols, was its national title game loss last season, when it gave up the same average gain per rush. We’ll take UT to rush for 300 yards. Hooker will still put up a few quick numbers, but he’s finished at halftime, and UT will pound the rock to give UK and UGA something to think about.

Ole Miss in a non-upset upset

No. 7 Ole Miss is a 2 1/2-point underdog at unranked LSU. For the 2nd time in 2 weeks, LSU finds itself in a game where the point spread makes no sense. How the Tigers were a 2-point underdog to Florida defied description … and it’s more of the same here. Ole Miss’s defense has been a bit spotty, but the Rebels will churn out enough yardage on the ground to win this one by 2 scores. An upset? Only in the minds of Vegas. Ole MIss 42, LSU 28.

Mizzou opens up on Vandy

On paper, Missouri and Vanderbilt are 2 of the worst teams in the SEC and seem like a pretty good match. That 14-point spread in favor of the Tigers could even be high. But recollect that the Commodores have been awful on defense. Yes, they’ve played 4 ranked teams in 7 games. But they also gave up 495 total yard to Elon. Vandy is 130th of 131 FBS teams in scoring defense, and lest that seem flukish, it is 129th in yardage allowed. Missouri will take care of this one, 34-10, and will be the 4th team in a row to gain 500 yards on Vandy.

Alabama rebounds (and Young is SEC POTW)

Yes, the Tennessee loss was a tough one. But if Will Reichard makes his field goal, the narrative coming away from that game is Bryce Young’s competitive genius. And guess what — the field goal Chase McGrath didn’t miss doesn’t detract from that one iota. A week ago, this looked like a game when a tough State team, likely off a double-digit win over Kentucky, might catch a triumphant Alabama napping. Couple things happened there — State couldn’t slow Kentucky’s running game, and then Alabama is more assuredly not napping. As it stands, let’s say 350 yards and 4 TDs for Young, who will be named SEC Player of the Week since the league couldn’t pick him last week, and Alabama takes care of business, 49-20.

A&M rallies, defense holds on late over Gamecocks

At the beginning of the season, Texas A&M heading to South Carolina would not have looked like much of a game. But Carolina has surprised — as has A&M, but not in a good way — and the Gamecocks have the better record, albeit as a 3-point home underdog. Carolina will get rolling early and hold a halftime lead in this game. A&M will rally late to take the advantage, and then a red-zone pick of Spencer Rattler on Carolina’s final drive will preserve the victory. Aggies 21, Gamecocks 17, and perhaps the most disappointing team in the SEC is lucky to escape one of the more overachieving ones.