MARK EDWARDS

Look for UA reserves to see action

Alabama faces a bit of a break Saturday when it hosts Louisiana-Monroe.

The Warhawks (4-6) have wins over Arkansas State, Florida International, Florida Atlantic and Grambling. They fell 24-7 to Troy.

Louisiana-Monroe runs the ball fairly well, ranking 15th in the nation in rushing offense. The Warhawks are mostly mediocre in everything else.

Alabama (6-4) has a chance not only to win but give its reserves plenty of playing time. Tide fans might even see backup quarterback Greg McElroy, much to their delight. For starter John Parker Wilson’s popularity to drop any further, he would have to kill somebody.

He shouldn’t earn more wrath from Alabama supporters Saturday, however. ... Alabama 31, Louisiana-Monroe 7.

Mississippi State (6-4) at Arkansas (6-4): If MSU wins this one, Sylvester Croom should have a bigger lock on the SEC’s coach of the year award than anybody since Bear Bryant. Even if the Bulldogs lose, he’ll probably get it anyway. However, Arkansas ranks second in the nation in rushing offense, which will test MSU’s ordinary defensive line. ... Arkansas 30, Mississippi State 20.

No. 1 LSU (9-1) at Ole Miss (3-7): LSU probably will lose again before the season is finished, but it won’t be Saturday. The Tigers rank first in the nation in total defense, and that’s more than enough to stop Ole Miss, which has wins over Memphis, Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State. ... LSU 28, Ole Miss 9.

Vanderbilt (5-5) at No. 19 Tennessee (7-3): The Vols have won six of their last seven, with the only loss coming against Alabama. Considering the recent plight of the Tide and UT, that one is starting to look like a fluke. ... Tennessee 38, Vanderbilt 22.

No. 22 Kentucky (7-3) at No. 8 Georgia (8-2): The Bulldogs have scored at least 40 points five times this year, including the last three games. Kentucky ranks 14th in the nation in scoring offense. Georgia had won nine straight in this series before losing 24-20 last year. ... Georgia 40, Kentucky 30.

Florida Atlantic (5-4) at No. 14 Florida (7-3): Gators quarterback Tim Tebow has fallen to second in the national passing efficiency rankings. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, a freshman, leads. Tebow will get his chance to retake the lead. ... Florida 59, Florida Atlantic 21.

No. 7 Ohio State (10-1) at No. 23 Michigan (8-3): Ohio State has won five of the past six in this series, including the last three. Ohio State runs the ball and stops the ball better, although Michigan is slightly better in turnover margin. Give the Wolverines an edge because they’re at home in the year of the underdog. ... Michigan 24, Ohio State 21.

No. 3 Oklahoma (9-1) at Texas Tech (7-4): Oklahoma ranks third in the nation with 45 points a game, while Tech is sixth with more than 42 points a game. Tech also is first in passing and total offense. ... Oklahoma 50, Texas Tech 49.

Iowa State (3-8) at No. 4 Kansas (10-0): This isn’t the big one for Kansas. Wait until Nov. 24 when the Jayhawks face No. 6 Missouri. Also, they could face Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game. So if Kansas makes it through that still unbeaten, it deserves a place in the national championship game. ... Kansas 45, Iowa State 16.

No. 5 West Virginia (8-1) at No. 21 Cincinnati (8-2): West Virginia has scored at least 31 points in every game except for a 21-13 loss to South Florida. The Mountaineers are third in the nation in rushing offense, while Cincinnati is eighth in scoring defense. ... West Virginia 28, Cincinnati 21.

Last week: 4-6 (missed on Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Ohio State, Michigan and Kansas State).

Overall: 82-28.