SEC Week 13: Viewer's guide, picks
The final week.
It's rivalry week. Vanderbilt-Tennessee, Alabama-Auburn, Ole Miss-Mississippi State...
With the exception of the top-tier bowl games. it's arguably the best weekend of the college football season.
At least 10, and maybe as many as 12, SEC teams are headed to bowl games. But before we reach the postseason, let's get through the final week of the regular season.
Columnist Dave Ammenheuser is probably happy the season is ending. He endured his worst week of the season in Week 12, posting a 6-4 record forecasting SEC games. That record is strong enough for a bowl bid, but not nearly up to his 78.2 percent (79-22) average this season.
MISSOURI (5-6, 1-6) at ARKANSAS (6-5, 4-3)
When: Friday, 1:30 p.m.
TV: WTVF-5
The series: Missouri leads 4-2
Opening line: Arkansas -14
Last week: Missouri lost to Tennessee 19-8; Arkansas lost to Mississippi State 51-50
Ammenheuser says: The Razorbacks have begun piling up the points. Missouri is averaging fewer than two touchdowns per game. Arkansas 35, Missouri 7
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NO. 1 CLEMSON (11-0) at SOUTH CAROLINA (3-8)
When: Saturday, 11 a.m.
TV: ESPN
The series: Clemson leads 66-42-4
Opening line: Clemson -17
Last week: Clemson beat Wake Forest 33-13; South Carolina lost to The Citadel 23-22
Ammenheuser says: It's simply amazing what's happened to these two rivals in the past three months. Who will coach the Gamecocks when they take the field in 2016? Clemson 49, South Carolina 13
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GEORGIA (8-3) at GEORGIA TECH (3-8)
When: Saturday, 11 a.m.
TV: ESPN2
The series: Georgia leads 64-38-5
Opening line: Georgia -5.5
Last week: Georgia beat Georgia Southern 23-17 in OT; Georgia Tech lost to Miami 38-21
Ammenheuser says: After last week's close call, the Bulldogs need a lopsided win to keep the heat off Mark Richt. Georgia 30, Georgia Tech 14
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LOUISVILLE (6-5) at KENTUCKY (5-6)
When: Saturday, 11 a.m.
TV: SEC Network
The series: Kentucky leads 14-13
Opening line: Louisville -4
Last week: Louisville lost to Pittsburgh 45-34; Kentucky beat Charlotte 58-10
Ammenheuser says: It's basketball season in the Bluegrass state. Wildcats miss on bowl berth. Louisville 28, Kentucky 20
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NO. 2 ALABAMA (10-1, 6-1) at AUBURN (6-5, 2-5)
When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
TV: WTVF-5
The series: Alabama leads 43-35-1
Opening line: Alabama -14
Last week: Alabama beat Charleston Southern 56-6; Auburn beat Idaho 56-34
Ammenheuser says: Although the Tigers have had a subpar season, these two rivals will play a closer game than the 14-point line. Alabama 28, Auburn 21
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VANDERBILT (4-7, 2-5) at TENNESSEE (7-4, 4-3)
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
TV: SEC Network
The series: Tennessee leads 74-30-5
Opening line: Tennessee -17
Last week: Vanderbilt lost to Texas A&M 25-0; Tennessee beat Missouri 19-8
Ammenheuser says: It's beyond ridiculous that a 4-7 team still has a shot at a bowl game. Can Vanderbilt score? Yes, on defense. Tennessee 20, Vanderbilt 7
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NO. 19 OLE MISS (8-3, 5-2) at NO. 23 MISSISSIPPI STATE (8-3, 4-3)
When: Saturday, 6:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
The series: Ole Miss leads 62-43-6
Opening line: Ole Miss -1
Last week: Ole Miss beat LSU 38-17 ; Mississippi State beat Arkansas 51-50
Ammenheuser says: Two teams that have had good, but not great, seasons. It wasn't that long ago that both would have happily settled for this season's records. Ole Miss 35, Mississippi State 33
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NO. 14 FLORIDA ST. (9-2) at NO. 10 FLORIDA (10-1)
When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
The series: Florida leads 34-23-2
Opening line: Florida State -2
Last week: Florida State beat Chattanooga 52-13; Florida beat Florida Atlantic 20-14 in OT
Ammenheuser says: If last week's scores are any indication, this game may not be close. Florida State 38, Florida 24
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TEXAS A&M (8-3, 4-3) at LSU (7-3, 4-3)
When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
TV: SEC Network
The series: LSU leads 30-20-3
Opening line: LSU -5.5
Last week: Texas A&M beat Vanderbilt 25-0; LSU lost to Ole Miss 38-17
Ammenheuser says: Is Texas A&M as good as they looked against Vanderbilt? Can LSU be as bad as they've looked the last three weeks? Yep, yep. Bad ending for Les Miles. Upset. TEXAS A&M 34, LSU 28
Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd.