Get ready for a weekend of college football that’s bound to keep you on the edge of your seat, because this is the week where rivalries ignite and predictions get messy. It’s the “Third Saturday in October,” which means one thing: Alabama vs. Tennessee. But here’s where it gets controversial—will the Crimson Tide dominate at Bryant-Denny Stadium, or will the Volunteers pull off an upset in this annual SEC showdown? And this is the part most people miss: while all eyes are on that game, there’s a whole slate of matchups that could shake up the rankings.
Across the SEC, Auburn faces Missouri, Georgia hosts Ole Miss, and Vanderbilt welcomes LSU. Meanwhile, the non-SEC game stealing the spotlight is USC at Notre Dame—a clash that’s sure to spark debates. In the Group of 5, UAB looks to rebound under interim coach Alex Mortensen in the “Battle for the Bones” against Memphis, while Troy hits the road for a crucial Sun Belt matchup against Louisiana-Monroe. (Note: South Alabama and Jax State already played earlier in the week, so they’re sitting this one out.)
In our off-field standings, Andrew Hammond is still leading the pack, but Michael Casagrande is hot on his heels, just two games behind. Below, our AL.com sports staffers break down their picks for this week’s games, including predicted scores for Alabama and Auburn. Here’s the twist: these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD, meaning they’re not necessarily betting on who wins outright, but rather who covers the point spread. Think you can do better? Let’s dive in.
Saturday’s Games (All Times Central):
LSU (+2.5) at Vanderbilt, 11 a.m., ABC
LSU vs. Vanderbilt splits our panel, with some favoring LSU’s firepower and others betting on Vanderbilt’s home-field advantage. Who’s got the edge? It’s anyone’s guess.See AlsoBig Ten QB Showdown: Dante Moore, Julian Sayin, and the Rising Stars of College FootballCollege Football Bowl Projections: Who Will Make the CFP Playoff?The Future of Notre Dame vs. USC: A Historic Rivalry's Uncertain FateMemphis Tigers 2025 Football Season Highlights | Best Photos & MomentsOklahoma (-4.5) at South Carolina, 11:45 a.m., SEC Network
Most of our staffers are siding with Oklahoma, but a few think South Carolina could keep it closer than expected. Will the Gamecocks pull off a surprise?Ole Miss (+6.5) at Georgia, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Georgia is the overwhelming favorite here, but Ole Miss has shown they can hang with the best. Can they cover the spread, or will the Bulldogs run away with it?Mississippi State (+10) at Florida, 3:15 p.m., SEC Network
Mississippi State is getting a lot of love from our panel, with most picking them to cover. But Florida’s home-field advantage could be a game-changer. Who’s right?USC (+7.5) at Notre Dame, 6:30 p.m., NBC
This one’s a toss-up, with staffers split on whether USC can keep it close or if Notre Dame will pull away. Which team will rise to the occasion?Utah (-3.5) at BYU, 7 p.m., Fox
Utah is the favorite, but BYU has the home crowd. Will the Cougars cover, or will Utah’s experience prevail?Troy (-6) at Louisiana-Monroe, 2 p.m., ESPN+
Troy is the overwhelming pick here, but Louisiana-Monroe could make things interesting. Will the Trojans cover the spread?Memphis (-21.5) at UAB, 3 p.m., ESPN2
Memphis is the heavy favorite, but UAB’s interim coach might have a few tricks up his sleeve. Can the Blazers keep it close?Tennessee (+8.5) at Alabama, 6:30 p.m., ABC
Alabama is expected to win, but by how much? Our staffers’ predictions range from a close 4-point victory to a more comfortable 11-point margin. Will Tennessee cover, or will the Tide roll?Missouri (+1.5) at Auburn, 6:45 p.m., SEC Network
This one’s a coin flip, with staffers divided on whether Missouri can edge out Auburn or if the Tigers will hold their ground. Who’s got the edge?
Standings After Week 7:
Andrew Hammond leads with a 39-31 record, followed closely by Michael Casagrande at 37-33. The rest of the pack is hot on their heels, with just a few games separating the top contenders.
Controversial Question: With so many close matchups this week, which game do you think will be the biggest upset? And do you agree with our staffers’ picks, or do you have a different take? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
