Football 2016: Week Four

There are four interesting SEC games on TV this Saturday, just enough to keep me stationed in front of the tube all day if I'm so inclined.

• The early game (ESPN 11:00 AM) features undefeated Georgia (3-0) at Ole Miss (1-2), with Ole Miss favored by a touchdown at home. What makes this an interesting game? Well, Ole Miss is lurking as a future Texas A&M opponent. College Football News expects the Rebels will win 30-24. UPDATE: Ole Miss blew substantial leads in losses to Florida State and Alabama, but not today. Ahead 31-0 at the half, the Rebels cruised to a 45-14 demolition of the Bulldogs. The Ole Miss offense looks too potent for the Aggies as things stand today.
• The conference showcase game on CBS (2:30 PM) offers unbeaten Florida at unbeaten Tennessee. The Volunteers are the favorite at 6.5 points, and this game is interesting because, like Ole Miss, the Vols also play the Aggies later this season. The CFN forecast: Tennessee 20 Florida 17. UPDATE: Florida walked all over the Vols to lead 21-3 at the half. Now 21-10 in the third quarter. SECOND UPDATE: Tennessee came alive in the second half in an impressive comeback, winning 38-28.
• The early evening game (ESPN 5:00 PM) matches LSU against Auburn, with Auburn a 3.5 point underdog at home. Why is this game interesting? Auburn was A&M's most recent opponent, and LSU is their final opponent of the regular season. I want to see how a team the Aggies have already beaten looks against a team they haven't been able to beat since they joined the SEC. CFN thinks LSU will manage a 26-17 victory. UPDATE: This is the first time since A&M joined the SEC that LSU looks like they can be had. Auburn slugged it out with them to win 18-13.
• Finally, the late game (ESPN 8:00 PM) is Arkansas vs Texas A&M at Arlington. Both teams are 3-0, and the Aggies are a 6 point pick. Arkansas is 0-4 against A&M since the Aggies joined the SEC, but the two most recent games were dogfights decided in overtime. CFN predicts the Razorback OL will be the dominant force Saturday, setting up a 30-27 Arkansas win. I hope they're wrong about that. UPDATE: For the first time since Sumlin arrived at Texas A&M, the Aggies have the appearance of a team that was built to compete in the SEC West. They have a salty defense that can stuff running plays and make stands at the goal line, and they have enough capable running backs to score rushing touchdowns themselves. I hope tonight's performance against Arkansas was a demonstration of what A&M football will look like for the next few years. The Aggies dominated in the second half to turn a close (17-17) game into a 45-24 thumping.