Pasquali's Pix: Alabama, Georgia will stay perfect; Vols will come up short

LSU is just 1-for-3 this season against football teams from the state of Alabama, but there don't seem to be many complaints about its most recent outcome.

After suffering an inexplicable loss to Troy in Tiger Stadium on Sept. 30 and rallying for an upset victory over Auburn on Oct. 14 in the same locale, Ed Orgeron's Tigers went to Alabama last Saturday night and lost 24-10. The Crimson Tide jumped out to a 14-0 lead and were never in danger of losing, but LSU wound up posting a 306-299 edge in total yardage.

Alabama had not been outgained since January's loss to Clemson in the national championship game and set a program record earlier this season by outgaining Vanderbilt by 599 yards.

"It was a physical football game," Orgeron said Wednesday. "It's always a war. It's always a battle. We went into the game saying that we were going to deliver the blows, and we did. They delivered their blows, and we delivered ours.

"I thought we matched the physicality of Alabama, and I was proud of the boys in that area."

The Tigers are 6-3 overall and No. 24 in the AP Top 25 entering this week's home game against Arkansas. They are 12-5 since Orgeron replaced former coach Les Miles four games into last season.

"I've known Coach O for a long time, and he's had a lot of different opportunities to respond to adversity," Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema said. "He just never ceases to amaze me with how positive he stays and how focused he is."

LSU is a 17-point favorite against Arkansas and should be a decided favorite the following Saturday night at Tennessee and again Nov. 25 at home against Texas A&M. If the Tigers can sweep those three games to finish 9-3, they would have an opportunity in a bowl for their first 10-win season since 2013.

Saturday's game has an 11 a.m. Central time kickoff, and Orgeron was asked Wednesday if LSU fans should just arrive Friday and stay up all night.

"Sounds like a good idea, doesn't it?" he said. "From what I'm hearing, we're going to have a great crowd. I know our fans are excited about the type of football we've been playing lately. I know they're disappointed with the loss to Alabama, but I think they're seeing a tremendous improvement in our football team."

Pasquali's Pix

Arkansas at LSU: Perhaps it's because the ESPN "Nature Boy" 30-for-30 documentary is still fresh, but Coach O and Bielema in a ring would be quite amusing. Tigers 30, Razorbacks 20.

Florida at South Carolina: The Palmetto State duo of Clemson and South Carolina could post a rare, convincing sweep of the Sunshine State duo of Florida State and Florida. Gamecocks 23, Gators 10.

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech: Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster is facing the Yellow Jackets' triple option for a 10th straight season. Hokies 24, Yellow Jackets 19.

Georgia at Auburn: Gus Malzahn's Tigers are good. Kirby Smart's Bulldogs are really good. It's that simple. Bulldogs 24, Tigers 13.

Kentucky at Vanderbilt: A coin-flip contest between teams who have split their past 10 meetings. Wildcats 19, Commodores 16.

Alabama at Mississippi State: Nick Fitzgerald will rush for more than 15 yards and be more accurate than 10-of-33 passing this time around, but it still won't be close. Crimson Tide 33, Bulldogs 10.

Tennessee at Missouri: The fact that the Volunteers, by dropping this game, could have a losing streak against every SEC foe boggles the mind. Tigers 29, Vols 24.

Notre Dame at Miami: Mark Richt being Miami's coach sure does throw a monster wrench into the Catholics vs. Convicts label. Irish 24, Hurricanes 17.

Last week:

Winners.........................20

Big Ten East....................5

Pasquali is now 199-51 overall (79.6 percent) this season.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.