Arkansas desperately needed an open date

There may not have been a college football team this entire season that needed an open date more than the Arkansas Razorbacks.

They are riding a six-game losing streak, including two at home, were held to 200 yards of offense against Mississippi State last week and fired their offensive coordinator.

Every Razorback coach and player needed extra time to get their focus back and bring the energy level back up to a SEC level.

While they are off their next opponent, Florida, is having to play the No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs, which only helps the Hogs if they get their game faces back on for the game at The Swamp.

Last week was a little disappointing in the picks, going 4-2 and both the losses were by teams from Arkansas. Season total is now 63-14.

This week’s picks:

ARKANSAS STATE AT LOUISIANA-MONROE

Maybe it is because the Redhawks are home that they are 2.5 point favorites, although the Red Wolves have a 12-9 record at Monroe. The home team opened the season with wins over Army and Lamar, out of the FCS Southland Conference, but have lost five in a row. The Red Wolves mounted a three-game win streak when freshman quarterback Jaylen Raynor got his shot, but turnovers got them last week and they have now lost two consecutive. Every team left on the Red Wolves’ schedule, except the Redhawks, has a winning record. This is a battle between two former SEC coaches. Terry Bowden was fired at Auburn and Butch Jones at Tennessee. Louisiana-Monroe 31-28

MISSISSIPPI STATE AT AUBURN

There is absolutely no reason to pick the Tigers in this game. They rank 11th in the SEC in tackles, while the Bulldogs moved up to third after holding the Arkansas Razorbacks to 200 total yards. Neither team’s offense has been impressive with State ranking 12th in overall offense in the SEC and Auburn 14th. All of the numbers but one point at State being the winner, but the one is the 6.5-point spread favoring Auburn to get its first SEC win. Auburn 10-7

FLORIDA AT GEORGIA

Fans and media have been encouraged to not call this The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, even though it is and has been since the 1950s, when the teams agreed to play in Jacksonville, Fla. The Gators are pretty good passing, averaging 280 yards per game, but the Bulldogs have the No. 1 pass defense in the league, allowing just 171 yards per game, and just to shore that up, Georgia has the No. 1 defense against the run allowing 91 yards per game. It might be close for a half. Georgia 38-17

TENNESSEE AT KENTUCKY

The Vols are coming off a hard-fought loss to Bama, blowing a 20-7 lead in the 34-20 loss. The Wildcats are coming off bad losses — 3821 at home to Missouri and 51-13 at Georgia. The Vols lead the league in rushing, but the Wildcats have the second-best defense in the SEC against the run and the leading rusher in Ray Davis, who is averaging 7 yards per carry. The Wildcats’ defense has struggled against the pass. Tennessee 31-24

VANDERBILT AT OLE MISS

These teams first played in 1884 and Ole Miss has a 40-39 edge in wins, The Rebels have won four in a row and are favored by 24.5 points against the Commodores, who have lost six in a row and have been outscored in league play 158-83. There is a reason this is homecoming for Ole Miss, but the ’Dores should be used to that. Ole Miss 42-17

SOUTH CAROLINA AT TEXAS A&M

The Gamecocks have lost three in a row and at 2-5 are seeing their bowl hopes fading fast. The Aggies have lost two consecutive games but had last week off to rest and reset. Texas A&M 42-24