ROBERT CORTINEZ
rcortinez2@hotmail.com

#2 Alabama still controls the SEC’s shot at glory in the second year of the college football playoffs.
Ohio St. is the biggest loser, and the biggest crybaby, in the CFP.
The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Oklahoma Sonners break  the CFP  seal as the #3 and #4 teams squeezing out perennially over-ranked Notre Dame.
The last week of the regular seasons showcases  traditional inter state rivalry games, both conference and non-conference, and the outcomes of these games will surprise some pundits.
(Season Stats:  Straight 76-28  ATS: 42-47-1)  

Missouri (5-6) @ Arkansas (6-5)
Friday, 1:30 p.m.   CBS
Line:  Razorbacks  -14.5 / 56
This game is in its second year of the  “rivalry” games manufactured by the SEC powers that be.  Missouri HC Gary Pinkel’s coaching  finale will not be well attended as the Fayetteville forecast is for  extremely heavy rains.  Pinkel’s SEC era at Missouri has been stellar with two East titles in only four years of SEC play.  Pinkel holds the Missouri and Toledo school records for winning percentage, including an undefeated season at Toledo in 1995.  Kudos to a great coach and  great person and good luck on his recovery.  The Hogs won’t take it easy on the Tigers after at the crushing loss to Mississippi State by a point last week.
Pick:  Arkansas 27  Missouri 20

Georgia (8-3) @ Georgia Tech (3-8)
Saturday,  11:00 a.m.   ESPN2
Line:  Bulldogs  -5 / 57.5
The Bulldogs are once again the team their fans love to hate but they are two wins away from another 10 win season.     The Ramblin Wreck have been underachievers this year other than a huge upset over Florida State in week six.   The loss of Nick Chubbs started the Dawg’s decline but this team stands behind their coach.                                        Pick: Georgia 30  Georgia Tech 17

Louisville (6-5) @ Kentucky (5-6)
Saturday,  11:00 p.m.   SECN
Line:  Cardinals -5 / 58.5
Kentucky has lost four of its last five and are exactly where they were last year after 11 games.  If the Wildcats lose this one, its time for Kentucky to require HC Mark Stoops to put a better team on the field or look for new leadership.  Louisville is bowl eligible for the second time in HC Bobby Petrino’s two years at the helm.  Going with the Wildcats to put Stoops in a bowl for the first time.
Pick:  Kentucky 33 Louisville 30

#1 Clemson (11-0) @ S. Carolina (3-8)
Saturday, 11:00 a.m.   ESPN
Line:  Tigers  -17.5 / 65
Wheww.  South Carolina’s  loss  to the Citadel guarantees interim coach Shawn Elliot won’t be hired on a permanent basis.  The Citadel beat South Carolina in 1990 and they didn’t’ resume the series until 2011 when the Gamecocks won 41-20.  South  Carolina may need another 21 years to get over this loss.  Clemson continues its Tiger roll in a rout.
Pick: Clemson 38  S. Carolina 20

#2 Alabama (10-2) @ Auburn (6-5)
Saturday,  2:30 p.m    CBS
Line:  Crimson Tide  -13.5 / 53
The only  way Auburn HC Gus Malzahn reclaims this season is to win the Iron Bowl.  Bama HC NIck Saban’s impenetrable defense will have all the answers for Gus’s trickery. There will be no War Eagle redemption this year. Alabama will be Alabama and Gus goes to a minor bowl.  Roll Tide.
Pick:  Alabama  29  Auburn 20

Vanderbilt (4-7) @ Tennessee (7-4)
Saturday,  3:00 p.m.    SECN
Line:  Vols  -16.5 / 58
Rocky Top is having the season predicted for them despite some early season set-backs.  Lest we forget, these Volunteers had #3 Oklahoma on the ropes in their opener, but let the Sooners escape on some grit and good luck.  Vanderbilt got beat,  25-0, last week by a Texas A&M team that kicked a record tying six field goals.  Another beat down this week for the Commodores.
Pick:  Tennessee 43   Vanderbilt 17

#18 Ole Miss (8-3) at #21 Miss St  (8-3)                                                                                                                                         Saturday, 6:15  ESPN2
Line: Rebels  -1 / 68
Ole Miss beat the tar out of LSU last week, while Mississippi St. survived an offensive onslaught and outlasted Arkansas, 52-5.  On paper, the Rebels are a better team but Starkville has been magic this year.  Going with the home team Bulldogs, HC Dan Mullens and All-American QB Dak Prescott.
Pick: Mississippi State 35  Ole Miss  31

#13 Florida St (9-2) @ #12 Florida (10-1)
Saturday,  6:30 p.m.    ESPN
Line:  Gators  -2 / 53
The Seminoles could  be in the CFP top six if not for an egregious loss to Georiga Tech.  Florida is coming off a near disaster, suffering through an overtime before defeating FCS Florida Atlantic in the Swamp.  Florida first year HC Jim McElwain is playing in the SEC championship, but his team is not playing up to snuff.
Pick:  Florida State 24   Florida 20

Texas A&M (8-3) at LSU (7-3)                                                                                                                                                          Saturday, 6:30 p.m  SECN
Line: Tigers  -5.5 / 59.5
The buzz on this game is all about LSU HC Les Miles’s job security.  The  Bayou Bengals have lost three games in a row for the first in over 15 years.  The  cajun unrest is due largely to the success of this team after reaching 7-0 and a #5 AP ranking just four weeks ago.  Texas A&M HC, Kevin Sumlin, is getting good QB play from Kyle Allen and good calls from  his new defensive coordinator, John Chavis, who is fielding a stingy Aggie defense.   The Tigers rally around their embattled coach in a blow-out.
Pick:  LSU 41   Texas A&M  22