It’s already week seven…
As the season races on, games are becoming more important. None of them more important than this week’s Red River Rivalry which will showcase No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 11 Texas. Both teams need to win to keep pace in the playoff race.
The SEC features two big matchups this week. Florida will head to LSU in a battle of unbeatens while Alabama tries to remain perfect against SEC West rival Texas A&M. The Aggies haven’t beaten Alabama since it joined the conference in 2012.
No. 1 Alabama at No. 24 Texas A&M
It took all the way until week seven, but the Crimson Tide are finally playing against a ranked opponent. Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has led the third-best passing attack in the nation along with the third-best offense in scoring. The Aggies are a tough team, but their most recent play against lowly Arkansas is concerning. A similar performance against Alabama will result in a blowout in favor of the Tide.
Prediction: Alabama 34, Texas A&M 23
No. 6 Oklahoma vs No. 11 Texas at Cotton Bowl
Jalen Hurts has gotten the Oklahoma offense cranking on all cylinders. The Sooners are fifth in passing yards, fourth in rushing yards, and second in scoring in the FBS. Fans ought to prepare for a shootout because Texas can score just as fast as Oklahoma. The Sooners, however, have the edge this year. The Texas defense has made average quarterbacks look great. Their pass-rush has been ineffective, and now they take on the nation’s best overall offense.
Prediction: Oklahoma 40, Texas 30
No. 7 Florida at No. 5 LSU
Florida is in for another heavyweight fight after downing a tough Auburn team last week. This will be a matchup of the nation’s best scoring offense, and the nation’s 5th best overall defense. LSU hasn’t faced a good defense this season, nor has Florida faced an offense like the Tigers, but something has to give. Despite the revamped LSU offense, the biggest factor in this game will be under the lights in Death Valley.
LSU is the SEC’s winningest team in night games since 2005, and the second-best team at home under the lights at 45-4 (Alabama is 26-2). The Tigers don’t lose at home under the lights.
Prediction: LSU 32, Florida 26
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