No offense to Arkansas and the Razorback fans, but those Hawgs have been giving me grief. First of all, they are favored over my Auburn Tigers this week AND they were the sole cause of my not sporting a perfect record for three of the past four weeks. Yes, the Piggies upset Florida and that put me at 6-1 in Week 10. Arrrgggghhh! But hey! We’re 63-15 on the year! That is an .807 percentage. “Fine and dandy, just like sugar candy.” That quote will bring back memories for my Camden clan. On to some pickin’!

Alabama (-11) at Kentucky

“Kentucky woman, she shines with her own kind of light
She’d look at you once and a day that’s all wrong, looks alright
And I love her, God knows I love her…”

As I typed “ Kentucky”, I immediately thought of this song. Great song. Neil Diamond was a favorite for millions of folks and I’m certain that he remains so. Me and Paul saw him in Atlanta back in the spring of 2012. He was 71 then. A grand show. He opened with “Soolaimon”. You’re singing it now, aren’t you? He never cut a bluegrass record, but Bama will be mowing some Cats in the bluegrass Saturday at noon. Alabama 31, Kentucky (Sans the “woman”) 14.

Vanderbilt at South Carolina (-14)

If this game were being were being played in that holy mess of construction zone rubble in NashVegas I’d pick the Dores. Hit ain’t and I ain’t. Cocks 34, Vandy 21.

Tennessee (-2) at Missouri

“Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain’t no place I’d rather be
Baby won’t you carry me back to Tennessee…”

Yes, the Vols are a two point favorite. But the game is in Mizzou. I’d call it a dead heat. The Tigers lost a hard fought game to UGA last week. My hunch is they will redeem themselves in the friendly confines of CO-MO and the visitors will be singing the above Grateful Dead refrain. Missouri 27, Tennessee 24.

Florida at LSU (-14)

Gators took an excruciating 3 point loss, in OT, to Arky. In The Swamp. LSU looks to redeem itself after losing to The Crimson Tide on the road. Now it’s back to Death Valley. At night. LSU 38, Florida 23.

Miss State at Texas A&M (-18.5)

State is headed south with a bullet. The Jim-Trinos continue as such. Moping along. The homies will win, but the bigger question is, will that dissuade the legions of doubters in Aggieland? Their likely final record is 7-5. Continued mediocrity with a highly talented roster. As Frasier Crane once said to Woody, on a Cheers episode, “Tick tick tick.” A&M 30, State 13.

Auburn at Arkansas (-2.5)

When I began thinking about the series between these two teams it seemed, to my mind, that Arkansas had done quite well against Auburn over the years. Not so much in reality. Yes, the Hawgs have thumped the Tigers badly on a couple of occasions when they shouldn’t have, but Auburn has won eight of the last 10, and the series stands at 19-12-1 in favor of Auburn. And so, the here and now. This is a very evenly matched game. Arky getting a slight nod at home. It’s surprising win at Florida has to have given it great confidence. Same for Auburn winning its last two outings while improving each week. The bottom line is, I’m a homer. Auburn 35, Arkansas 28.

And the big un!

Ole Miss at Georgia (-10.5)

I can hear the late great Keith Jackson now. “Athens, Georgia! Between the hedges! The ninth ranked Ole Miss Rebels and the second ranked Georgia Bull-doggies in what should be a dandy!” I do miss him. He and Frank Broyles were a great pair in the booth. Unlike today’s hen parties with everyone cackling and giggling in the press box. It’s a different world in college football today, as you well know. I’m old school to the core. This could be like one of those slugfests of yore. I’m thinking the home team has the advantage. If it were in Oxford I would go with the Rebels. But yes, it’s between those hedges. Georgia 33, Ole Miss 27.

Take care. Keep it between the lines. And love your neighbor. When Jesus was asked by one of those pesky disciples, “Who is my neighbor?” He told them the story of the Good Samaritan. The Jews and Samaritans despised each other. That gave em something to chew on. It should give us all a chunk to gnaw on. Peace out!

And take us home Flatt and Scruggs…

“Now it’s time to say goodbye to Jed and all his kin. And they would like to thank you folks for kindly droppin’ in. You’re all invited back next week to this locality to have a heapin’ helpin’ of their hospitality. Hillbilly that is. Set a spell. Y’all come back now! Ya hear!”

Photo credit goes to someone standing nearby. Maybe Mel or Luke? I don’t know. Little Rock. 1995. Auburn vs. Arkansas. We won’t talk about which squad won that clash. Many thanks to the Bill and Hilary impersonators.