Prepping for the home stretch of the SEC football season, I’ve got some ground to make up to catch our former Vegas insider Christopher Smith in the predictions department. This weekend doesn’t provide a full slate of appetizing games, but there is one primetime rivalry showdown in Baton Rouge with College Football Playoff implications.

Week 10 Results

  • Brad Crawford — 3-4 (against the spread); 3-4 (straight up)
  • Christopher Smith — 3-4 (ATS); 4-3 (straight up)

Season totals

  • Brad (@BCrawfordSDS) — 34-37 (against the spread); 54-17 (straight up)
  • Christopher (@csmithSDS) — 38-33 (ATS); 58-13 (straight up)

RELATED: SEC Power Rankings

As for this week’s games …

Alabama (-6.5) at LSU

Brad: Thanks to LSU’s midseason turnaround, this game has intrigue again. Despite being one-dimensional on offense, the Tigers have enough talent on both sides of the football to keep this one interesting against a team Kirk Herbstreit deems as the nation’s best. At 6.5 points, this line’s very tricky. Oddsmakers expect a game that comes down to the end, but acknowledge the Crimson Tide’s a few points better than the Tigers. Hmm. In another instant classic, LSU covers. Alabama 27, LSU 24

Christopher: Wisconsin, Mississippi State, Auburn and Florida all gave the LSU defense some trouble this year by running the football. I expect Alabama to do the same, especially after a bye week that helped an aching offensive line heal. With the exception of the Ole Miss game, the Tigers haven’t performed well against the SEC’s elite and cleaned up against everyone else. Anthony Jennings can’t scare this Alabama defense, either. Credit Les Miles for a midseason turnaround, but barring another special teams disaster, I expect the Tide to handle business here. Alabama 27, LSU 17.

Georgia (-10) at Kentucky

Brad: What happened to Georgia? The SEC East’s only College Football Playoff threat kissed that dream goodbye last weekend in Jacksonville, failing to show up after the first quarter against Florida. The Bulldogs are better than they showed last time out, right? After picking Kentucky to upset Mizzou straight up last week, I’m sticking with my 6-6 prediction at midseason for the Wildcats and requesting that the Bulldogs roll. Georgia 31, Kentucky 17

Christopher: The Bulldogs have to be deflated after failing to put Florida out of its misery last week. UGA now has to face a sometimes-feisty Kentucky that is getting desperate for a sixth win that many took for granted after the 5-1 start. I don’t expect this will be easy. But Georgia should be able to control the line of scrimmage against these Wildcats, which have a decent collection of skill players, but can’t match up with the best in the country up front. I expect the Bulldogs to grab an early lead and ride Nick Chubb until he’s exhausted. Georgia 28, Kentucky 17.

Texas A&M at Auburn (-21.5)

Brad: After sitting through three hours of a messy win over Louisiana Monroe last week, I don’t think I can pick the Kyle Allen-led Aggies to keep it close at national title contender Auburn. Texas A&M’s defense doesn’t match up well with the Tigers’ speed and tempo and the Kevin Sumlin’s passing attack has been turned down an octane thanks to Kenny Hill’s suspension. Tigers send the Aggies to their fourth loss in five games. Auburn 44, Texas A&M 17

Christopher: I’ve had this game targeted most of the season as a gambler, but the market has shifted too far. Even earlier in the week, the price seemed steep under three touchdowns. This is an ugly matchup for the Aggies defense, which is hapless against the read option, especially with Auburn returning to its 2013 identity. Texas A&M’s offense also has shriveled at remarkable speed. But the Tigers lack a pass rush, and Auburn’s defense has given up yards and points in bunches. Gus Malzahn’s team may have to score on every possession to cover this spread. Auburn 42, Texas A&M 24.

Florida (-14.5) at Vanderbilt

Brad: Will Muschamp’s putting pressure on Jeremy Foley with each additional win this season. Projecting a loss to Florida State, the Gators could hit the eight-win mark with a bowl victory, a far cry from where we thought Florida was a couple weeks ago after the loss to Mizzou. Saturday’s matchup is favorable and should be another win. Florida 28, Vanderbilt 10

Christopher: The Commodores quietly are 4-1 ATS after an embarrassing start to the season. Vandy’s offense remains bad, but not historically bad. Florida has beaten just two teams by more than one possession this year — Eastern Michigan and Georgia. The Gators are in a classic emotional letdown spot here after a huge win that saved Will Muschamp’s job, at least temporarily. Florida’s camp had the Georgia game circled on the calendar all year. But if the Gators can run the ball as effectively as the team did against the Bulldogs, they have a chance to cover. Florida 27, Vanderbilt 13.

UT-Martin at Mississippi State (-45)

Brad: Mississippi State’s has maneuvered its way through uncharted waters as the nation’s top-ranked teams the last two weeks, brushing off upset bids from Kentucky and Arkansas. A non-conference walkover remains before ‘The Game of the Year’ in Tuscaloosa. For the record, there’s no way the Bulldogs cover 45 points at home Saturday. There’s too much riding on next week’s game to flex style points against UT-Martin. Dak Prescott and Josh Robinson will play two and a half quarters before Mississippi St. relies on its reserves in mop-up duty. Mississippi State 45, UT-Martin 14

Christopher: Mississippi State has scored 49, 48 and 47 points this season, so they’re capable of penetrating the 45-point number offensively, at least at full strength. Dan Mullen, though, has a reputation for substituting his players liberally in these types of games. Which defense will show up? The one that allowed a combined 13 points to Southern Miss, South Alabama and Arkansas? Or the one that gave up 34 to UAB and 31 to Kentucky? The number is just too big. Mississippi State 49, UT-Martin 6.

Presbyterian at Ole Miss (-47)

Brad: Can the Blue Hose score? That’s my biggest question in this much-needed breather for the Rebels who are coming off consecutive losses in the SEC. At No. 11 in the CFP rankings, Ole Miss still has a shot at a coveted New Year’s Six bowl berth, quite a feat in Year 3 for Hugh Freeze. Ole Miss 51, Presbyterian 7

Christopher: The Rebels have been scoring in the 30s against SEC teams and reached 56 against Louisiana-Lafayette. Even without Laquon Treadwell and possibly Laremy Tunsil, I like Ole Miss’ chances to score more than 47 points. Presbyterian gave up 55 to Northern Illinois and 42 to North Carolina State earlier this season. The Blue Hose failed to score in double digits against “powerhouses” Charleston Southern and Liberty. I’d almost never put real money on a team to cover a number this large, but I think the Rebels can here. Ole Miss 49, Presbyterian 0.