The Ole Miss Rebels lost a close one on Saturday, but they were beaten by a pretty solid football team. The U of Memphis Tigers competed evenly with Ole Miss in the trenches, and matched up with them in the skill positions. The Blue Bengals had the two advantages that will usually win a close game — coaching and a star quarterback.

Ole Miss will win a lot more games this year. Are they as good as I thought? No, but they have lost to quality opponents and have remained in the Top 25. They probably won’t win the SEC, but they’ll have a lot to say about who does.

Auburn managed to outlast Kentucky and brought home a sorely needed SEC road win to keep their hopes for a good season alive. They will get better as the season progresses. The SEC West is down to one undefeated team, LSU, and they have yet to face Alabama or Ole Miss.

It is very likely that the winner of the SEC West will have at least one loss, and conceivably two. LSU took care of business against Florida and is currently in the driver’s seat. Georgia returned to the winner’s circle by winning a very close, must win game with Missouri. My MSU Bulldogs overcame a two touchdown deficit to beat Louisiana Tech to improve to 5–2.

On the national scene Notre Dame handled USC with unusual ease, and Ohio State dispensed with Penn State. I missed the miraculous ending that kept Michigan State undefeated. I made the classic mistake of assuming Michigan could run the clock out, and changed channels. There are still fifteen undefeated teams in the AP Top 25.

None of the undefeated teams will play each other this coming weekend, but there will be some pretty good matchups. In the SEC the top game will be the matchup between Tennessee and Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Alabama should win, but they better bring their A game. Auburn faces Arkansas in Fayetteville, and again, it’s a must game for both teams.

Ole Miss will host Texas A&M, and the winner will stay alive in the hunt for the SEC West, and the loser will become an also ran member of the pack. Mississippi State plays host to the Kentucky Wildcats, and as usual, the pundits will expect the Bullies to lose. We have already done better than anyone thought we could, so there is nothing but upside left this year.