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Football Picks: Last week's record was 5-4 with another COVID cancelation after "press" time. The overall mark is now 43-20 (68%).

Alabama got Nick Saban back just in time and took care of Georgia. Just about all of the national pundits picked the "Dawgs." That's one that I actually got right.

Last week, I posed a question, "Is it true that defense still wins championships in this league?" It was offense last year with LSU. And it was offense with Alabama that was the difference on Saturday night - with the help of some Georgia tunovers.

Auburn dropped its second of the young season. It really should be three straight. There are a lot more tossups on the schedule including this weekend. That makes for a lot of drama on Saturdays for Tiger fans.

Tallassee returns to play on Friday after two weeks of quarantine. They travel to Lineville to meet Clay Central, the two-time defending champs.

Reeltown at Pike County: I thought the Rebels would cruise against Dadeville last week. I was wrong. The loss now makes this week a must-win situation.

A Dadeville win over Beulah coupled with a Reeltown victory on Friday, would create a three-way tie for the third and fourth seeds in the region. This will be the first meeting between the programs. Pike County 26, Reeltown 20

Elmore County at Talladega: Our brethren in Eclectic can aid in Tallassee's quest for a playoff berth with a win at Talladega. Of course, Tallassee must take care of its own business first.

The Panthers had a two-touchdown lead at the half over Beauregard last week, only to be outscored 28-0 down the stretch. That has been the narrative for this club late in games this year. Talladega 41, Elmore County 27

Sylacauga at Holtville: Holtville was supposed to be Tallassee's homecoming opponent last week. Instead, they picked up a forfeit. The Bulldogs now have a chance to take the second spot in the region with a win over the Aggies.

Sylacauga is averaging 42 points per game. Clay Central is the only team to hold them under 30 this season. Sylacauga 42, Holtville 28

Wetumpka at Stanhope Elmore: The two programs are pretty evenly matched. Both will be in the post-season, but Wetumpka can earn a first-round home spot with a win. Wetumpka 34, Stanhope 27

Tallassee at Clay-Central: Danny Horn is working on a run at his third straight championship. He has eight rings already dating back to his early days at Clay County. The Volunteers already have the region's top seed, win or lose.

The last trip here for Tallassee was in 2014. It was a special night for Brandon Baynes in the Tigers' 31-15 win. Jalyn Daniels is having a special season himself. He's already hit the 1,000-yard mark in just six games.

This is a challenge though. Tallassee is prepping for one of Class 5A's top teams on just a few days of work. Clay Central 36, Tallassee 28

Iowa State at Oklahoma State: Who would've thought this to be the battle for supremacy in the Big 12? Wasn't that battle just a few weeks ago in the Red River Showdown?

The Big 12 likely played its way out of the playoff in that Texas/Oklahoma game because no other team will get serious consideration. Okie State is the last of the undefeateds, but who have they beat?

They're a paper tiger (or maybe a paper cowboy), kind of like North Carolina proved to be last week with their choke at Florida State. The pretenders will continue to fall. Iowa State 30, Oklahoma State 27

Michigan at Minnesota: The Big Ten is back... (subdued applause). This happens to be the best game in the conference for its triumphant return. Sorry Nebraska/Ohio State.

The last impressions we have of these two programs are quite contrasting. Jim Harbaugh was skulldrug by Ohio State and Alabama to end the 2019 season. PJ Fleck was rowing his boat over the vaunted Auburn defense.

The Little Brown Jug is the oldest trophy in college football, although it has not been exchanged the past few years. Michigan has dominated this long rivalry. This will be the 104th meeting. Michigan 26, Minnesota 24

South Carolina at LSU: The SEC is truly cannabalizing itself this year. It's a conference-only menu. What did you expect?

Alabama is the only unbeaten remaining just four weeks in. Georgia, Florida and Texas A&M are the only one-loss teams left.

The Gamecocks are still crowing after their win over Auburn on Saturday. It was a big win for Will Muschamp. He's been on the hot seat lately. A win this weekend would help his cause even more. LSU 31, South Carolina 30

Auburn at Ole Miss: The Auburn family was broken on Saturday. They were calling for Gus Malzahn's head. They wanted Bo Nix benched.

Meanwhile, Ole Miss was reading the headlines about their moral victory vs. Alabama. Then, lo and behold, Arkansas spanked them.

I've picked Auburn to win every week. I don't know why. I don't like what I'm seeing. They're not very good.

The inconsistency on offense has been a running thing under Malzahn. Now, the defense can't bail them out.

Matt Corrall had an off weekend in Fayetteville, but overall he's been pretty good. Nix has not. Hotty Toddy. Ole Miss 32, Auburn 27

Alabama at Tennessee: This will be the fourth week in a row with Saban facing a former assistant in Jeremy Pruitt. By the way, Derrick Ansley is a former assistant too and now wears orange.

Tennessee's loss to Georgia a few weeks ago obviously carried over to Saturday againt Kentucky. They were bombed at home.

There was hope about UT coming in to 2020. They finished on a high note last year. They boasted about playing Bama close.

Maybe they're catching the Tide at the right time. Ansley can put the most elaborate defensive schemes in place. It won't matter.

Alabama's offense is probably the nation's best. There are too many playmakers. And, you've got to give Mac Jones credit. He just doesn't miss. He's exceeded all expectations already. Alabama 45, Tennessee 23