This week has gotten off to a great start, especially for SEC fans.

I tuned in around halftime of Thursday’s USC-Oregon State game expecting the Trojans to be running all over the Beavers.

Instead, OSU and freshman running back Jacquizz Rodgers (who had an amazing game and a great last name) held on to upset the top-ranked Trojans, which opens the door to a few SEC teams.

Now we get to see who’ll step up.

Alabama at Georgia

This is the marquee matchup of the week.

To borrow a phrase from my college band director, it’s time for Bama to fish or cut bait.

No one expected them to be as good as they are, but that top-10 ranking is a little deceiving.

They demolished a Clemson team that isn’t nearly as good as we thought, had a letdown win against Tulane, played well against Western Kentucky and then thumped a horrible Arkansas team.

This game will prove whether or not the Tide deserve to be in the top 10.

If they take out Georgia, they most definitely have a spot.

But Georgia’s looking to prove a point and take one of the top two spots now that USC is out of the way.

It should be a good game.

Georgia 24, Bama 20

Tennessee at Auburn

Auburn is coming off a tough loss to LSU, but there is a positive.

I had my doubts that Auburn belonged in the top 10, but the LSU game proved that they’re one of the better teams in the SEC.

I think Tennessee is down this year, but they’re still a dangerous team.

If Auburn’s offense can show improvement like they did last week against LSU, they should win this game.

Auburn 28, UT 17

Troy at Oklahoma State

One of the high points of Troy’s season last year was a beatdown of Oklahoma State in Troy, and I bet the Cowboys haven’t forgotten it.

OSU has put up huge numbers of points this year (they’ve scored over 55 points twice and their lowest output was 39).

Troy proved last week against Ohio State that they can play with the big boys, but I think OSU will be too much.

However, I’d love to be wrong about that.

OSU 35, Troy 21

Other picks:

Florida 31, Ole Miss 10

Texas 48, Arkansas 13

Wisconsin 24, Michigan 14

Maryland 21, Clemson 17

Oklahoma 35, TCU 24

Kentucky 21, WKU 10

South Carolina 31, UAB 14

LSU 35, Miss. St. 7

Penn St. 38, Illinois 21

Last week: 10-2

Overall: 39-9