Although there were walkovers last week, this week’s schedule doesn’t. There are many interesting, competitive games starting with No. 1 ranked Alabama visiting Ole Miss. Who are you going to get? Alabama opened the season with a 90-16 win over its two first opponents. The other was Southern Cal, a traditional power and the Conference USA champion, while Western Kentucky was ranked 25th last year. Nick Saban would have you believe that the Tide has been outscored by a similar margin. Saban stated last week that he was never so disappointed after winning an actual game. While berating his team’s offensive and running lines, as well as the complacency of the players, he was also scathing about Lane Kiffin, college football’s most renowned assistant coach. Saban now takes his 2016 team to Ole Miss with a true freshman quarterback. The Rebels won two straight against Saban’s highly-trained assassins. They also have Chad Kelly, a senior quarterback who beat Bama previously. I have a strong instinct to choose the senior over the freshman, especially at Oxford. But I can’t bring myself to pull the trigger. I can’t imagine Alabama losing three straight games to anyone, no freshman QB included, even this freshman is incredibly talented. With a 5-0 turnover lead, Ole Miss beat Tuscaloosa 43 to 37. To win this year, they’ll need to be +3 in turnovers. It’s just not possible for me to see it. Alabama 27, Ole Miss 20. For reasons that I don’t understand, LSU is a 14 point favorite over Mississippi State. The quote of the week is actually from Kevin Coman, MSU safety, when asked what makes Tiger Stadium so intimidating on Saturday night. Coman replied, “It is not.” Two years back, State had stoned LSU in Baton Rouge. Again, the Tigers have quarterback problems and passing issues. They won’t be able to just throw the ball down State’s throat, I think. Weather forecasts are for rain and a damp field. I see a close game with low scoring. LSU 17, State 13. Southern Miss enters Saturday’s home match with Troy with a record of 2-0 and offensive numbers that seem like video game stats. Troy is probably even better than Savannah State, and Troy is better than Kentucky. The Trojans would have defeated Clemson if it weren’t for a quick whistle on a fumble. Clemson is considered one of the top teams in the country. USM is a 12-point favourite. That’s too much, especially when the field is soggy as it was predicted. Southern Miss should win but it won’t be easy. Southern Miss 20, Troy 17. In a game that has huge implications for the BCS playoffs, Florida State faces Louisville. You should watch or record this game if you have not seen Lamar Jackson, Louisville’s quarterback. Jackson’s combination of impressive running back moves and precise passing has resulted in 1,015 yards total offense in just two games. Jackson vs. FSU will be a great matchup. Las Vegas oddsmakers had Louisville as a slight favorite, but the betting public has made FSU a slight favorite. FSU 30, Jackson, and Louisville 34 are my favorites. Other: Upset special: East Carolina 24, South Carolina 20, Auburn 27, Texas A & M 20, Ohio State 27, Oklahoma 23. Georgia 30, Missouri 28. Stanford 27, USC 17. Alcorn 31, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 20. Grambling 27, Jackson State 19. Enjoy. Rick Cleveland is Mississippi Today’s sports columnist. Check out his columns as well as his Sports Daily blog.