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Texas A&M and Auburn may be the headliner in the conference this week, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other games of interest. Let’s rank these games seemingly arbitrarily (but mostly in order of how they might impact A&M as well as simple entertainment value).
All betting lines* courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
No. 17 Mississippi State Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks
3 p.m., SEC Network
Line: Arkansas -5.5
The battle of “which A&M loss was the worst?” Obviously there has to be a loser here, and in this case, the best result for A&M is an Arkansas win. That’s because for the Aggies to have a shot at winning the SEC West, they still need the Bulldogs to lose one more game. Granted, MSU still has Auburn and Ole Miss on their schedule, so at least one more loss seems inevitable either way, but it would be nice to get it over with.
2. LSU Tigers at No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide
6 p.m., ESPN
Line: Bama -28.5
On paper this one doesn’t seem like it should be close, but then we didn’t think A&M/Alabama would be close. We didn’t think LSU/Florida would be close either. And in a rivalry as fierce as this one, it wouldn’t be shocking (OK it might be a little shocking). if the Tiger made a game of it. If they did manage to pull the massive upset, it would really upset the apple cart in the SEC West, opening the door for Mississippi State, Auburn or A&M to win the division, potentially with some very messy tiebreakers. BRING ON THE CHAOS!
3. Tennessee Volunteers at No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats
6 p.m., ESPN2
Line: PICK ‘EM
Kentucky has had the better season, but Mississippi State proved last week that they are very beatable. Tennessee, meanwhile, has played close against some very good competition in Ole Miss and Alabama, but come up short in getting a signature win on the season. Perhaps this is the week the Vols finally put it together and get the W.
4. Liberty Flames at No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels
11 a.m. SEC Network
Line: Ole Miss -9.5
This ain’t your standard November cupcake game, as it marks Hugh Freeze’s return to Oxford since he was dismissed under the haze of an NCAA investigation. Rebel fans will hopefully behave better than Tennessee fans did in Lane Kiffin’s return to Knoxville, but either way, this should be an emotionally charged game for many on both sides of the ball.
5. Florida Gators at South Carolina Gamecocks
6:30 p.m., SEC Network
Line: Florida -18.5
Despite our bitter rivalry with the Gamecocks, it would benefit A&M greatly if they could pull off the upset, as it would increase their odds for bowl eligibility and improve the profile of the Aggies’ schedule, even if only slightly.
6. Missouri Tigers at No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs
11 a.m., ESPN
Line: Georgia -38.5
*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.