Uh...mulligan? So last week wasn’t my best, but this week there’s a whole new slate of games, including the Game of the Year: Alabama vs. Louisiana State. Let’s take a look at this week’s action, hopefully with a bit more accuracy.

#3 Oklahoma State (8-0) vs. #14 Kansas State (7-1) (Line: Oklahoma State -21.5)

What a difference a loss makes! Kansas State, coming off its only loss of the season to the Oklahoma Sooners, dropped six spots in the rankings. The Wildcats come into Stillwater as three-touchdown underdogs to face the third-ranked Cowboys. The ‘Boys have the second-ranked offense in the nation, led by stud wide receiver Justin Blackmon and his 10 touchdowns. This is a big gut-check game for K-State, but the Cowboys just look to have too much in their favor. They’ll cover. Prediction: Oklahoma State 41 - Kansas State 17

#7 Arkansas (7-1) vs. #9 South Carolina (7-1) (Line: Arkansas -4.5)

Arkansas has a lot to gain from this game, as a win will tie the Razorbacks with the loser of the LSU-Alabama game for 2nd in the SEC West. The Razorbacks could find themselves sneaking into the SEC championship from there, but that’s a long way away. For now, Arkansas is on a roll, winning four straight including two over ranked teams. South Carolina is on a three-game winning streak of its own, but hasn’t faced the kind of competition Arkansas has. That inexperience, combined with the challenge of playing on the road, spells danger for the Gamecocks. Prediction: Arkansas 27 - South Carolina 21

And that brings us to the Game of the Year…

#2 Alabama (8-0) vs. #1 Louisiana State (8-0) (Line: Alabama -4.5) I’m not a fan of the BCS system; in fact, I hate it. That being said, there is no better argument in favor of it than this SEC showdown. Being billed as the biggest regular season game in years (and fans agree; tickets are being sold for an average of [$859]), this game serves as a fast track to the National Championship. This will mark the first regular-season meeting of the top-2 teams in the BCS since #1 Ohio State beat #2 Michigan in 2006. The Tigers come to Tuscaloosa with the nation’s 2nd-ranked defense and a top-15 offense, outscoring their opponents by four touchdowns per game. Suspended running back Spencer Ware and cornerbacks Tyrann Mathieu and Tharold Simon will return to further power the Tigers attack. The Alabama Crimson Tide, on the other hand, have the only defense in the country ranked higher than LSU’s, giving up less than a touchdown per game. Running back Trent Richardson, no longer lost in Mark Ingram’s shadow, has just shy of 1,000 yards on the ground to go with his 17 touchdowns, driving an Alabama offense scoring nearly 40 points per game. There’s almost nothing separating these two juggernauts. LSU won last season’s matchup, but hasn’t beaten the Tide in Tuscaloosa since 2007. I think nerves, and the top-2 defenses in the country, play a big role here. Call me a Louisiana homer, or just a sucker for the upset, but I say the Tigers escape with their #1-ranking, and ride it all the way to the Championship game. Prediction: LSU 28 - Alabama 27

Last Week: 0-3

Season: 9-9