Ole Miss tought for Auburn

It wasn’t another perfect day for the crystal ball a week ago, but it was still a respectable 5-2 Saturday with Vandy’s mild upset loss to Duke undetected as well as Georgia’s rout of LSU. Season’s totals are now 53-14. Now for this week’s projections.

TULSA AT ARKANSAS — The return of Gus Malzahn to Fayetteville. You’ll remember him. He was supposed to revamp then-coach Houston Nutt’s offense. He lasted only one season, but has helped Todd Graham build a buzzsaw of an attack at Tulsa. This one could be a shootout.

Tulsa by 10.

TULANE AT LSU — The Green Wave’s admirable effort against Alabama is puzzling when you consider they were later blown out by 31 by Army and last week fell to Rice by 25. That’s not a good trend against an angry bunch of Bengal Tigers.

LSU by 21.

KENTUCKY AT MISS. ST. — So much for the turnaround in Starkville, as the Bulldogs now have to win three of their last four just to be bowl-eligible. Meanwhile, the Wildcats need just one more victory to participate in the post season. Here’s thinking they get it Saturday.

Kentucky by 4.

TENNESSEE AT S. CAROLINA — The pickings are slim for the folks at ESPN to carry this humdinger between a lame-duck coach and his most bitter rival. Carolina is thinking about one of the upper-tier central Florida bowl bids, and a win today could help get the Gamecocks closer.

South Carolina by 3.

GEORGIA VS. FLORIDA — What a classic matchup with all sorts of national and conference implications involved. Both clubs looked overpowering in routing foes a week ago, but I think this is a tight, competitive contest till the final gun. Whose quarterback plays the best determines who wins. On a hunch, I think it’ll be Tim Tebow.

Florida by 1.

ARKANSAS ST. AT ALABAMA — The Tide faces its first true dual-threat quarterback in this one, as Corey Leonard is a capable runner and passer. Let’s see, there’s another quarterback in the SEC that Alabama just might have to defend in Atlanta. This could be good preparation, don’t you think?

Alabama by 17.

AUBURN AT OLE MISS — How sweet this opportunity must be for the still-bitter Rebel fans who remember Tommy Tuberville jilting them for Auburn. They could deal him a damaging blow with a loss, especially a one-sided one. I’m still in the show-me Missouri mode when it comes to Auburn. Until I see something, I can’t pick ’em.

Ole Miss by 7.

TROY AT LA-MONROE — The Trojans would take a one-point win here if they could just get out of a game injury-free for a change. A tough trap, but the Trojans ultimately will escape it.

Troy by 6.

Phil Paramore’s column appears Tuesday and Friday in The Dothan Eagle. He can be heard weekday mornings from 6-9 on AM 560 WOOF. He can be reached at www.woofradio.com.