SEC+3: Week 11

With a lot of interesting games on the slate for week 11, let's get straight into our picks:

Georgia vs. Auburn

Godsey: Both teams come into this game looking to go 2-0 in November, which is an accomplishment considering how October was for both teams. Georgia had a solid performance on a tricky Kentucky team. The loss of Nick Chubb was a huge setback, and the Bulldogs haven't been the same since. One has to wonder if Mark Richt's career is on the line now. You can only have so many nine, 10 and 11-win seasons before people start expecting all the marbles as well. As for Auburn, they also have a dilemma. Sean White should be suited up on Saturday, but will he get the start since Jeremy Johnson had a hot hand last week? If the Tigers pick up where they left off last week, I believe they come out on top. 

The Pick: Auburn 24 Georgia 20

Griff: I liked the way Auburn came out running the football against Texas A&M in the Tigers' big win last Saturday. If Malzahn can stick to running the football with his talented backfield (including Jeremy Johnson) then they can play with just about anybody in the country. Georgia's defense will have to make the Tigers throw the ball to get the win, and I don't think that's going to be the case.

The Pick: Auburn 31 Georgia 21

(11) Florida vs. South Carolina

Godsey: The Gamecocks were one play away from a victory last week but lost a heartbreaker on the road to Tennessee. This week will be much harder, but at least they'll host this one. Florida can't seem to get away from that number 11 spot. I think they will fall just a few spots this week. South Carolina will be ready to play and will be hungry for a home victory. I believe they will give Florida a good game but won't come out on top. Florida gets the win with that defense, but they may drop a spot or two because it's a close game.

The Pick: Florida 31 South Carolina 27

Griff: South Carolina has played well in two-consecutive extremely difficult road environments but have fallen just short at the end of each game. This week they host a Florida team that's already clinched the SEC East, and Florida showed some vulnerability against Vanderbilt in the Swamp last weekend. Call me crazy, but I think South Carolina will upset either Florida or Clemson before this year ends. I don't see it happening against the top-ranked Clemson Tigers, but this team is certainly hungry for a win. I like the Gamecocks at home this week, and I think they will force Treon Harris to make mistakes that'll allow South Carolina's offense to get some extra possessions. Gamecock quarterback Perry Orth continues to improve week-to-week, and a win here could give South Carolina the huge shot of confidence that they need.

The Pick: South Carolina 28 Florida 23

North Texas vs. Tennessee

Godsey: Let's face it folks, this will be the week that many players will get some rest and coaches can adjust both sides of the ball before they wrap the regular season. To me, the only thing that will be interesting about this game is whether the Vols beat the 41-point spread. I'm saying no, but they still win this one handily. 

The Pick: Tennessee 44 North Texas 7

Griff: The beginning of the Vols' season was disappointing, considering the amount of talent that fills the roster on this team. I see the Volunteers finishing the last three games on their schedules with wins, and this week will be a good opportunity for Tennessee to get a nice tune-up.

The Pick: Tennessee 52 North Texas 6

(2) Alabama vs. (17) Mississippi State

Godsey: The Bulldogs' next three games are going to be brutal. If they can pull off the upset over the Tide, they'll have a lot of momentum to carry into the next week. Since dropping the game with Ole Miss, Alabama has been a force to be reckoned with. Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott is one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, but I don't think he'll be much of a factor in this game. 

The Pick: Alabama 34 Mississippi State 17

Griff: Alabama has their eyes on the prize, which is a spot in the playoff. The Bulldogs have a chance to play spoiler, but the Alabama running game will be just too much for the Mississippi State defense. Derrick Henry solidifies his Heisman Trophy campaign even more, and the Tide roll in Starkville.

The Pick: Alabama 38 Mississippi State 13

Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt

Godsey: This game is going to be a really good game featuring arguably the two worst teams in the SEC. Both of them are so hit-and-miss that it makes it difficult to determine which team's going to win. On their best days, I think Kentucky is the better team. However, that's in a perfect situation and rarely do we ever see that. I'm going to take Vandy, and here's why: I believe that close game against Florida will propel them to a good performance for the home crowd in Nashville.

The Pick: Vanderbilt 27 Kentucky 24

Griff: Patrick Towles has struggled for the Wildcats the last few weeks, and Vanderbilt's defense has played better than the Commodores' record shows. That being said, Towles isn't as bad as what he's advertised over the past few games. The Wildcats will establish a running game in this contest, giving Towles a chance to throw the ball better this weekend in Nashville.

The Pick: Kentucky 20 Vanderbilt 13

Western Carolina vs. Texas A&M

Godsey: Right off the bat, the Aggies win. I'm wondering though, how much will Kyler Murray let mistakes from last week affect him this week? How will the Aggies perform after losing a game at home against a team that they were projected to beat? They're gonna win this one, but will it be enough to kickstart them to more wins finishing the regular season?

The Pick: Texas A&M 52 Western Carolina 13

Griff: This game will be a nice confidence boost for Kyler Murray, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Aggies introduce some new wrinkles on the defensive side of the football. Aggies win big against an inferior FCS-opponent.

The Pick: Texas A&M 63 Western Carolina 9

Arkansas vs. (9) LSU

Godsey: This will be a good matchup. Unfortunately for LSU, they catch Arkansas while the Razorbacks are playing their best. LSU will have to win this one if they want any chance at the SEC Championship. Tigers' running back Leonard Fournette will have to make a statement if he wants the rest of the nation to forget about his lackluster performance against a stifling Alabama defense last weekend. There's a lot at stake for everyone involved, and even though Arkansas gives them all they can handle, I think LSU takes this game at home and Fournette rebounds.

The Pick: LSU 27 Arkansas 24

Griff: Like Godsey said, Arkansas is playing their best coming into this game and has traditionally given the Tigers a lot of trouble over the years. I don't think we saw an accurate portrayal of Fournette last weekend because he didn't get a lot of help from his offensive line. Fournette and the Tigers know what's at stake going forward, and we'll see a big performance from his this week in a big win for Les Miles and LSU.

The Pick: LSU 35 Arkansas 24

BYU vs. Missouri

Godsey: Although BYU has won five-straight games, they've faded from our minds since laying a goose-egg at Michigan. Missouri has been in the spotlight this week, surrounded by controversy. The Tigers have dropped their last four games, but I have faith that they won't make it five. Missouri wins this one and takes some momentum into the next game. 

The Pick: Missouri 28 BYU 27

Griff: Missouri has faced a lot of unfortunate turmoil surrounding their campus this week, and while this isn't the proper forum to address the issues in Columbia, I think it's terrible that racism is an issue we still have to deal with, specifically on a college campus. Back to football now. I don't see the Tigers beating BYU in Kansas City this weekend.

The Pick: BYU 34 Missouri 17

(1) Clemson vs. Syracuse

Godsey: Each week, Clemson continues to play like a team that has earned the top spot in the rankings. I don't see them slipping up this week either.

The Pick: Clemson 41 Syracuse 24

Griff: Clemson has certainly earned that number one ranking, and while they've been stellar on offense, it's been their defense that's impressed me the most. The next two weeks won't prove to be much trouble for the Tigers, and their finale against their bitter in-state rival is shaping up to be the last test the Tigers will need to pass before the ACC Championship.

The Pick: Clemson 49 Syracuse 17

Oregon vs. (7) Stanford

Godsey: We were talking about how long it's been since Oregon wasn't on the radar. For that reason alone, I think the Ducks are dangerous. Right now, Stanford sits at the top the PAC-12 North and that's not going to change. There's a rivalry between these two teams, and I think Oregon is going to give the Cardinal all they can handle. However, I don't see Stanford dropping this game and having all their playoff chances erased by the Ducks.

The Pick: Stanford 37 Oregon 31

Griff: Stanford has had Oregon's number even when the Ducks have been National Title contenders. The Cardinal suffered a tough loss to Northwestern earlier in the year but have played like playoff contenders since then. I don't see them losing to the Ducks this weekend. That being said, this will still be a fun game to watch.

The Pick: Stanford 41 Oregon 31

(12) Oklahoma vs. (6) Baylor

Godsey: Our theory about the Big 12 "cannibalizing themselves" is starting to come to fruition. The top four teams have only two losses between them. Over the next few weeks, these teams are all going to play each other. This will be one helluva ride folks, and it all starts Saturday night in Waco, Texas. Both teams have shown that they can put up numbers really fast. I would have to say that the Bears have the better offense. It's like they don't have to stop you, they'll just out-score you. Defense, on the other hand, gives the edge to the Sooners. I believe that will be the key in this game. The team that makes a few more stops, possibly even just one or two, has the better chance at surviving. Also, the Bears and Sooners both, must capitalize on every turnover because I don't think there will be many. This game won't be a shootout, either. Both teams will be at their best, and remember, this could be a potential play-in game for the playoff.

The Pick: Oklahoma 34 Baylor 28

Griff: I feel like telling each of these teams at the top of the Big 12 standings: "may the odds be ever in your favor." This conference really is college football's version of the box office hit, "The Hunger Games." I'm surprised that Baylor wasn't given a top five nod by the playoff committee, and this is their chance to show the committee that they certainly belong in one of those four spots going into next week's rankings. True freshman Jarrett Stidham filled in nicely for the Bears against Kansas State, after the difficult loss of starting quarterback Seth Russell. In the game against Kansas State, Stidham threw for over 400-yards and three touchdowns, without throwing an interception. The Sooners are the next test for Stidham, and I believe Stidham will get a lot of help from Shock Linwood on the ground and Corey Coleman through the air to be able to beat the Sooners. Side note for this game: Coleman has caught 20 touchdown passes this season and has over 1,100-yards receiving.

The Pick: Baylor 45 Oklahoma 31

As always, thanks for reading! Be sure to follow Griff on Twitter @griffaldo. Be sure to check out playoff projections each Monday to see who I think is in and who's out!