Just this once, Bama looks like a sure bet

The big three all are off this week, which makes for a crummy week for pickings.

Auburn definitely needed a break after last week's embarrassment at Georgia and North Alabama earned a first-round bye in the Division II playoffs.

Alabama also is off, even though the Tide will play a game against Louisiana-Monroe at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.

Because Alabama is playing, I guess that means I should probably weigh in with an opinion. So here goes: John Parker Wilson has proved he can play well against lesser competition and La-Monroe certainly appears to be just that. Why else would Alabama be a 25-point favorite?

Memo to JPW: Take the sack when Alabama is leading and a field goal does some good. Don't take a sack when you need a touchdown to win the game. ALABAMA 42, LOUISIANA-MONROE 7.

Last week: 4-2 overall, 4-2 against the spread.

With UNA and Auburn each preparing for their next big games, there's not exactly a heaping helping of quality games out there to select this week, but we'll try to find some that will at least be competitive.

Vanderbilt (+11.5) at Tennessee

Commodores remain tantalizingly close to becoming bowl eligible but will have to beat the Vols or Wake Forest to get there. Of course, this season, it's easier to count the teams that aren't bowl eligible. Most people love an underdog, and wouldn't it be nice if the Commodores actually got to experience a football game in December or January for the first time since 1982. Bowl eligibility remains on hold for one more week. TENNESSEE 34, VANDERBILT 17.

Kentucky (+7.5) at Georgia

Needless to say, this is a must-win for both teams. Georgia can get to Atlanta with a win and a Tennessee loss. Kentucky needs more help than that. This game will feature at least one Heisman Trophy candidate, but his name isn't Andre Woodson and he's not a quarterback. Say hello to next year's Heisman frontrunner - Knowshon Moreno. GEORGIA 38, KENTUCKY 24.

LSU (-19) at Ole Miss

Things aren't looking any better for Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron as the Rebs remain winless in SEC play. Meanwhile, LSU won't need any gimmick plays or last-second heroics this week as the Tigers steam toward the national championship game. LSU 28, OLE MISS 0.

Mississippi State (+11) at Arkansas

Who would of thought Sylvester Croom's job is more safe than Houston Nutt's job at Arkansas? By the way, Mississippi State is the unofficial Alabama state champion for this year. I'm not sure what that means except that it can't be good for Alabama and Auburn. ARKANSAS 21, ALABAMA STATE CHAMP 14.

Other picks: West Virginia 42, Cincinnati 24; Ohio State 24, Michigan 17; Notre Dame 28, Duke 10; Oregon 27, Arizona 7.

Gregg Dewalt can be reached at 740-5748 or gregg.dewalt@timesdaily.com.