Last weekend’s mayhem threw a monkey wrench into the previous smooth surface of the Bowl Championship Series rankings.
Now, instead of having two undefeated teams and a slew of one-lossers clinging to hope, there is only one king of the hill. But plenty of eager teams await their chance to sneak into the big game.
LSU and Alabama are in the catbird seat heading into their regular season finales. For both teams the goal is simple — win, and you’re in.
For the Tigers, that road would then include a Southeastern Conference Championship game against Georgia. The Tide needs only a win against rival Auburn to punch its ticket to the national championship if LSU beats Arkansas and Georgia.
Either way, Thanksgiving weekend is guaranteed to deliver plenty more drama.
 
Texas A&M -7.5 over Texas
Just hope the Aggies don’t have a double-digit lead at halftime, or this pick may be in big trouble.
Aside from that, Texas coach Mack Brown’s squad doesn’t have the guns to match up again this season, much to the chagrin of the Longhorn faithful.
 
Michigan -8 over Ohio State 
The Big Game is anything but that this season.
Neither team can make the first annual Big Ten Championship game, and Ohio State is fighting to break even in conference play this season.
But this is the season the Wolverines get their first victory against the Scarlet and Gray since 2003.
 
Vanderbilt -1.5 over Wake Forest
Vanderbilt is playing for bowl eligibility.
Yes, you read that correctly. First year head coach James Franklin has the Commodores on the cusp of a 6-6 season and a chance to play in the postseason.
Playing at 6-5 Wake Forest will not be a cakewalk, but Vanderbilt will pull one out to gain bowl eligibility.
 
Georgia -6.5 over Georgia Tech
The Bulldogs have been on a roll since a loss to South Carolina in the season’s second week.
Nine wins later, Georgia coach Mark Richt is safely off the hot seat with a berth in the SEC Championship Game secured. Now he must fend off in-state rival Georgia Tech.
Despite an upset win against then-No. 5 Clemson, Georgia Tech has lost three of its last five.
Better count on it being four of six.
 
Clemson +4 over South Carolina
When South Carolina sophomore running back Marcus Lattimore went out for the season with a knee injury, no one would have believed South Carolina would be favored against Clemson.
But even though the Tigers have been in a pretty near free fall lately, they’ll rally to salvage some of what was supposed to be a special season.
 
Florida State -2 over Florida
Florida’s offense is abysmal.
Florida State is struggling, but not quite abysmal.
I’ll take not quite abysmal over abysmal any day of the week.
 
Mississippi State -17.5 over Ole Miss
Might want to call this year’s matchup the Rotten Egg Bowl.
Ole Miss has mailed in its season. Mississippi State has failed to produce, despite high preseason expectations.
A win will make the Bulldogs bowl eligible, but that’s nowhere near where they wanted to be entering this game. They nab the victory, but probably not because of their own doing.
 
Tennessee -7.5 over Kentucky
Another dud of a rivalry game is here for the taking.
But Tennessee does have the pride of a 26-game winning streak against the Wildcats on the line.
Pride will win out for Derek Dooley’s Tennessee team as it extends the streak to 27.
 
Auburn +21 over Alabama
Alabama should win the game and probably will.
But Auburn coach Gene Chizik will not be embarrassed at home by the Crimson Tide. This one will come down the wire, and for Alabama fans, hopefully not the kickers.
 
LSU -12 over Arkansas
The LSU defense is good enough to stop anyone in the country.
Arkansas has struggled on the road this season.
That’s a recipe for a cochon-de-lait in Baton Rouge the day after Thanksgiving.
 
Last week: 5-5
Overall record: 64-55-1
 
Rob Landry is a 23-year-old mass communication senior from Mandeville. Follow him on Twitter @RobLandry85.
 
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Contact Rob Landry at [email protected]