It’s rivalry week, and the guys on ESPN’s “College GameDay” broke down a number of them on Saturday. With Detroit Lions’ star Aidan Hutchinson, a former Michigan star, as the guest picker, the panel unanimously picked winners in six games this week. However, they didn’t pick the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn. They did break down the game, though. “The thing is that is not the Auburn team Alabama is going to see today,” Desmond Howard said of the Tigers losing to New Mexico State. “They are going to see an Auburn team that is going to come out with their hair on fire. This is their Super Bowl. This is their championship. “For Alabama, the thing you have to do is weather that storm early, and you are going to have to put them away early. The way you give a team like this confidence is by letting them hang around and hang around. ... In my opinion, Alabama needs to play Alabama football. Don’t play to your opponent, play to your standard. They have to put them away early. Kill their confidence early.”
: Chris Davis on Kick Six, the player who almost got him and why AJ McCarron wasn’t on field Kirk Herbstreit is rolling with the Tide. “I feel like this is a different Alabama team (in terms of keeping your eye on the ball),” he said. “From where they were early in the year against Texas and USF to where they have peaked every single week, they have gotten better. I think there is an appreciation for it doesn’t matter who we play, we got to show up ready to go, especially in a game like this. I’d be surprised if we are talking about 2023 where Auburn pulled an upset.” Pat McAfee believes the Crimson Tide has everything in front of them. “I think this Alabama team is a little a bit different, and I think it is because of that Texas game. It is because Jalen Milroe has been playing his absolute best football. ... Jermaine Burton making plays all over the field. ... I had the incredible opportunity to talk to coach Saban, and he said what he loves about this locker room, he says, is because of that loss, he feels like they haven’t proven anything. Every week they try to get better, and they still have a chance to make the College Football Playoff.” Here are the picks: Kentucky-Louisville
Howard: Louisville
McAfee: Louisville
Hutchinson: Louisville
Corso: Kentucky
Herbstreit: Louisville
North Carolina-NC State
Howard: NC State
McAfee: UNC
Hutchinson: UNC
Corso: NC State
Herbstreit: NC State
Iowa State-Kansas State
Howard: Kansas State
McAfee: Kansas State
Hutchinson: Kansas State
Corso: Kansas State
Herbstreit: Kansas State
BYU-Oklahoma State
Howard: Oklahoma State
McAfee: Oklahoma State
Hutchinson: Oklahoma State
Corso: Oklahoma State
Herbstreit: Oklahoma State
Wisconsin-Minnesota
Howard: Minnesota
McAfee: Wisconsin
Hutchinson: Minnesota
Corso: Minnesota
Herbstreit: Minnesota
Texas A&M-LSU
Howard: LSU
McAfee: LSU
Hutchinson: LSU
Corso: LSU
Herbstreit: LSU
Florida State-Florida
Howard: Florida State
McAfee: Florida State
Hutchinson: Florida State
Corso: Florida State
Herbstreit: No pick
Washington-Wash. State
Howard: Washington
McAfee: Washington
Hutchinson: Washington
Corso: Washington
Herbstreit: Washington
Clemson-South Carolina
Howard: Clemson
McAfee: Clemson
Hutchinson: Clemson
Corso: Clemson
Herbstreit: Clemson
Ohio State-Michigan
Howard: Michigan
McAfee: Ohio State
Hutchinson: Michigan
Corso: Ohio State
Herbstreit: Ohio State
