Greeson: College football preview

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SEC items of interest

We tried Wednesday to have at least one "Nationwide, we're on your side" jingle like in Peyton Manning's commercial in every segment of "Press Row" on ESPN 105.1 FM. We succeeded. We'll continue that with the kicker of each of the SEC items of interest, so sing the last line like Peyton's "Chicken Parm, you taste so good."

1. Can Tennessee generate any points?

Alabama has been a different team on the road for whatever reason, but that difference mainly has affected the offense. The Tennessee offense has been sadly consistent, and the lack of time and running lanes against serious opponents has been equally frustrating regardless of the locale. So against an Alabama defensive front seven who tortured Texas A&M last week and feature several future NFL players, will the Vols be able to move the football? "Jalen Hurd, we need you now."

2. Ole Miss goes to Death Valley

Les Miles has lost three night games at home in his time coaching LSU's Tigers. All three of those teams were ranked No. 1 at some point during the season. Ole Miss could fit the bill in both regards, eventually, but will get to the latter only by becoming the fourth loss for the Mad Hatter and his improving Tigers. The simple question here is how will the LSU QB tandem of Jennings and Harris handle the Ole Miss front seven. And Hugh Freeze sings, "Man, I love the Nkemdiches."

3. Spurrier vs. Malzahn

Offensive geniuses with visors to match. Steve Spurrier is the best quote in the league and maybe the country. Gus Malzahn is the fastest. Spurrier's South Carolina offense is better with Mike Davis. Malzahn needs his Auburn offense to be better on first down. His Tigers are 17-point favorites, and somehow it feels fundamentally wrong to give a Spurrier-coached team 17 points, you know? Auburn fans everywhere: "Boy, this feels like a trap game."

4. Mississippi State on the road

Say it with us: Your top-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs take their show and Heisman Trophy front-runner Dak Prescott to Lexington, Ky., for a CBS game. Which of those facts -- No. 1-ranked MSU Bulldogs, Heisman front-runner from MSI or MSU-Kentucky being the CBS game -- would have been the longer long shot in August? Crazy. MSU's improbable run has been anchored by as many as 11 seniors who are in their third season as starters, and that type of experience has to help on the road. And Dan Mullen sings, "Not talking 'bout the Gators job."

5. Arkansas venting its frustrations

Arkansas should have beaten Texas A&M. The Razorbacks were within a point of taking Alabama to overtime. They got railroaded last week by the freshman train known as Nick Chubb. Bret Bielema and Co. are still looking for their first SEC win. This week against UAB, that goal can't be attained, but it will be interesting to see if Arkansas is frustrated or if they take out those frustrations on the Blazers. And Bielema sings, "Chicken Parm is really good."

•••••

Fab four picks

Don't call it a comeback. We've been here for years. (Tip of the Kangol to LL Cool J, with much respect.)

Seriously, after last week's 4-2 mark against the number -- a successful run that was needed and quite entertaining -- we have inched back to .500 on the year. Yes, these picks are for entertainment only, and yes, with entertainment broker fees, a .500 record is still losing money.

But after picking games in this space since the beginning of the 2011 season, the Fab Four (plus 1 ... or more) picks still are better than 60 percent. And that's highly entertaining.

And remember, as we alway suggest, you enhance your entertainment value by buying the entertainment hook when the spreads are 3, 7, 10 and 14.

Last week: 4-2 against the spread

This year: 24-24 against the spread

Since 2011: 235-134-5 against the spread

Cincinnati minus-10 over South Florida: Cincy's Bearcats have been sneaky good and can really throw the ball with Notre Dame transfer Gunner Kiel. Side note: Did you know that South Florida's backup QB is named Steven Bench. A backup QB named Bench, that's awesome.

Rice minus-14 over North Texas: After an 0-3 start that included losses to Notre Dame and Texas A&M, Rice has been cooking. Rice has won three straight -- each by at least two touchdowns -- and North Texas has lost three straight by at least double digits and is 0-3 on the road with an average margin of defeat of more than 30 points. Yes, please.

Georgia Southern minus-16.5 over Georgia State: OK, follow along. Let's say Team A -- we'll call it Roargia Northern -- leads the nation in rushing at 372 yards per game and is No. 11 in the country in scoring with better than 41 points a game. Let's say Team B -- we'll call it Roargia Late -- is in the bottoms five nationally, allowing 40 points per game, has lost six straight and has allowed opponents to run for more than 240 yards a game. We like Team A by way more than 17, right? Right. Entertaining indeed.

Memphis minus-23 over SMU: We're here, SMU's dear, get used to it. Take away the inexplicable 24 points the Mustangs scored in a 45-24 loss to East Carolina, and SMU has three field goals and a Hail Mary TD pass in its other five games. We love you, Smoo.

South Alabama minus-14 over Troy: Troy, we have not made the most of your stinkiness. Troy is in the bottom 15 in scoring offense and scoring defense. That's an entertaining combination in our book, especially on the road against a team fighting for a conference title that played poorly last week.

Boise State minus-6.5 over BYU: BYU was poised to spoil the playoff party until Taysom Hill broke his leg. With Hill, BYU was 4-0 and tied 14-14 late in the first half against Utah State. Since the injury, BYU has lost three -- Utah State went on to win 35-20 after Hill's injury -- and reeling. Now comes a trip to Boise on a short week against a physical bunch of Broncos.

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