The final third of college football season begins this weekend, and every team is hoping it is a November to remember.
Teams such as Arkansas, Arkansas State, Kentucky and dozens of others are trying to finish strong to get in a bowl and solidify a foundation for the future.
Teams such as Mississippi State, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss are trying to get to the SEC Championship Game and earn a berth in the first College Football Playoffs.
Fans everywhere enter this final month of play with hope, first for their team and second that there are no political runoffs and more muddy/bloody TV commercials.
There are some really good games in the SEC this weekend, even with Alabama and LSU on byes as they prepare for their annual bloodletting, and ASU is looking to bounce back.
I went 5-1 last week, and the season tally is now 59-14.
Here are this week's prognostications:
ARKANSAS AT MISSISSIPPI STATE
The Razorbacks still haven't played four good quarters in a single game. That is a must for them to have a chance for the upset. They have to have success running the football. The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who is a dual threat and has played himself into the Heisman Trophy race. The Hogs also must find a way to slow him down. The Bulldogs start 13 seniors, 6 juniors and 3 sophomores. Mississippi State, 31-24
ASU AT IDAHO
The Vandals are awful, but they are coming off a victory -- their only victory of the season -- and the game is in Moscow (Idaho, not Russia). The Red Wolves lost a heartbreaker Oct. 21 but need only two more victories to be eligible for their fourth consecutive bowl. Their hurry-up offense is fast-break football. ASU, 35-17
AUBURN AT OLE MISS
Most likely this is an elimination game as the Tigers and Rebels each have a loss to SEC West opponents and two-loss teams are a long shot to make the SEC Championship. This one is really difficult to pick. The Tigers won a squeaker at home over South Carolina, which is mediocre at best, while the Rebels seemed a little confused late in their loss to LSU in Baton Rouge. Are either or both of the teams questioning themselves going into this game? How will Bo Wallace react to his performance (14 of 33 passing with 1 touchdown and 1 interception) against LSU? Taking a shot. Auburn, 28-27
GEORGIA VS. FLORIDA
Rumors are flying that Gators Coach Will Muschamp could be fired if he loses the Cocktail Party (which never happens at Ole Miss). So to go along with not being very good, the Gators have to deal with that controversy. Georgia, 35-17
KENTUCKY AT MISSOURI
The Wildcats are much improved compared to the past two seasons, when they went 2-10 each year, but this is their third try to get that elusive sixth victory to get bowl eligible. It could happen this week, but surely Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk is going to snap out of his sophomore slump. Missouri, 27-21
TENNESSEE AT SOUTH CAROLINA
The Vols must win three of their last four to get bowl eligible; the Gamecocks need two victories. It won't be easy for either one. Steve Spurrier at home after a tough loss gives South Carolina the edge. South Carolina, 31-28
LA.-MONROE AT TEXAS A&M
The Warhawks are the perfect opponent for the Aggies, who are trying to snap a three-game losing skid. Texas A&M, 42-14
OLD DOMINION AT VANDERBILT
Vanderbilt should win against the 3-5 Monarchs, but nothing is guaranteed for the Commodores, who beat Charleston Southern 21-20. Vanderbilt, 24-17
Sports on 10/31/2014