ANDY’S PICKS: Can Razorbacks Manage to Cancel Ole Miss’ Hopes?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With a win over No. 4 Tennessee last month, Arkansas has a chance to have a good argument to be ranked in the polls … if they can figure out a way to beat No. 19/18 Ole Miss on Saturday.

A lot of hope has been generated by the talking heads in the media bringing up the Rebels’ defensive numbers dropped off once they got to SEC play. Maybe they aren’t ranked at the top of the SEC standings, but there’s still half of the league schedule for them to play.

For the Razorbacks, sitting at 5-3 overall this year, they are coming up to the four most important games on the schedule. With Louisiana Tech one of those last games, they should qualify for a bowl games. Where that could be will be determined by what happens in the other three games, starting with Ole Miss.

As this is being written, Pete Morgan hasn’t stumbled in with his picks. Considering the way his picks have been this year that’s not a bad way to avoid embarrassment.He’s done better this year, but it’s November now and time to quit toying with him and end his suffering.

(19) Ole Miss at Arkansas: Considering the crazy, close games these two have played over the years, that’s the natural assumption of what the Razorbacks will do in this one. Somehow, the odds of that happening are subject to change just to be as different as everything has been in college football this year. It’s exactly why this year is unlike any other year handicapping or predicting games. All of the old ways don’t really matter anymore. The Rebels’ roster is probably better than the Hogs. They arae more talented if they play up to their talent level. Something tells me that’s going to happen Saturday. Ole Miss by 11

Maine at Oklahoma: The Sooners may finally get some thing sorted out. They thought that last week against the Rebels when they led at halftime, 14-10. We may never know what was said at halftime or by whom but it did the trick. Oklahoma was shut out the rest of the way and Ole Miss won, 26-10. It may have been getting only a half of the bye week blahs teams have suffered this year. That’s not especially good news for the Razorbacks. Considering how one-side this game willd be, I just realized I previewed the Hogs’ matchup. Sooners by 27

Vanderbilt at Auburn: Back in August everyone probably thought this was a gimme for the Tigers. Not so much any more. The balloon may burst for the Commodores now like I’ve been expecting most of the year. Auburn is a 7.5-point favorite at home and it my prediction they are starting to get things together and it will show up in this game. They still have a shot at a bowl game and it wouldn’t really surprise me if they get to one … somewhere. Tigers by 10

Florida at (2) Georgia: The Gators need a win to reach a bowl game and it won’t be easy considering the only thing they have is Florida State at the end of the schedule. This game won’t be it because the Bulldogs figured out their problems and fixed them after a loss to Alabama. Now they are piling up wins for the playoffs and every single goal they had to start the year is still within their grasp. It may not even be close. Bulldogs by 17

UMass at Mississippi State: After getting kicked sideways at home last week by Arkansas, the Bulldogs find themselves an 18.5-point favorite. This could bet the Good Grief I or II game, depending on what Pete does with Maine and Oklahoma above. Even Mississippi State could gt well in this game. They need it after that throttling in Starkville last week. Bulldogs by 23

(10) Texas A&M at South Carolina: If the Aggies are going to relax and stumble, it might in this game. While the Gamecocks have been up and down this year, they are due to have a good game and it would be the most Aggie thing in the world to trip up in this one. Hey, I was in college when A&M came into Little Rock undefeated in 1975 and the Razorbacks ended up in the Cotton Bowl while they had to settle for the Liberty Bowl. That was the arrangement before the game because nobody saw The Immortal Teddy Barnes making his touchdown grab in the south end zone. They still should win, though. Aggies by 4

Kentucky at (7) Tennessee: The Wildcats had their game of the year when they surprprised Ole Miss and threw an unexpected obstacle in front of them back in September. The Rebels still haven’t recovered from that one. Arkansas may have awakened the Vols with that 19-14 win in October.  One loss doesn’t prevent you from even getting a chance to play for a national championship. They will win this one easily. Vols by 24