Halloween Weekend | October 31, 2026
By Jim Baxter |
We’re heading into Halloween weekend in the Southeastern Conference, and there are several interesting matchups on the schedule. Georgia and Florida renew their rivalry, Ole Miss looks to rebound from its loss to Texas, and South Carolina travels to Norman for what could be one of the more entertaining games of the weekend.
I’ve been pretty critical of South Carolina this season, and I believe that criticism has been justified. But this week, I’m going to approach the Gamecocks from a different perspective.
What happens if we get the good version of South Carolina? What happens if LaNorris Sellers puts on the cape and becomes Superman?
We’ll get to that shortly.
AUBURN AT NO. 12 OLE MISS
12:45 PM ET | SEC Network
Ole Miss is coming off a disappointing loss to Texas, and I expect the Rebels to respond.
Auburn has been difficult to figure out this season. The Tigers demonstrated what they’re capable of by knocking off Georgia, only to turn around and get handled by LSU.
That inconsistency makes Auburn a dangerous team to predict.
Ole Miss has more offensive firepower, and I believe the Rebels will be determined to establish themselves early. Auburn can make things interesting if it controls the football and avoids turnovers, but I don’t see the Tigers having enough offense to keep pace for four quarters.
I expect Ole Miss to get back into the win column.
JB’S PREDICTION: OLE MISS 34, AUBURN 20
NO. 17 FLORIDA VS. NO. 3 GEORGIA
3:30 PM ET | ABC | Atlanta
This is my SEC Game of the Week.
Florida has shown considerable improvement, and I don’t believe the Gators are going to be intimidated by Georgia.
However, Georgia remains one of the most talented football teams in the country, and Kirby Smart understands the importance of this rivalry.
The Bulldogs have an advantage along both lines of scrimmage, and I believe that will ultimately determine the outcome.
Florida needs to avoid getting into obvious passing situations because Georgia has the defensive personnel to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
I expect the Gators to compete, particularly in the first half, but Georgia’s depth and physicality should eventually take over.
JB’S PREDICTION: GEORGIA 31, FLORIDA 17
SOUTH CAROLINA AT OKLAHOMA
4:15 PM ET | SEC Network
All right, Gamecock fans. I’m going to approach this one a little differently.
I’ve spent much of this season pointing out the deficiencies in South Carolina’s football program. I’ve criticized the coaching, the offensive line, the dropped passes, the penalties, and the inconsistent development of LaNorris Sellers.
And I stand by those criticisms.
But there’s another side to this football team, and we’ve seen glimpses of it.
What if Saturday is the afternoon when everything comes together?
What if we get the good version of South Carolina?
More importantly, what if we get the Superman version of LaNorris Sellers?
Because when Sellers is playing at his absolute best, there aren’t many quarterbacks in college football capable of doing the things he can do.
He’s 6-foot-3, weighs approximately 240 pounds, and possesses an extraordinary combination of size, strength, and athleticism. When he’s decisive, confident, and playing instinctively, he becomes an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses.
And that’s the version of Sellers I’m going to predict shows up in Norman.
Now, don’t misunderstand me. Brent Venables is an outstanding defensive strategist, and I fully expect Oklahoma to have a plan designed specifically to neutralize Sellers.
I anticipate a spy being assigned to him on certain downs, disguised coverages, and defensive looks designed to confuse him before the snap.
Oklahoma has one of the better defensive units in the country, and Venables isn’t going to simply allow Sellers to run around the field making plays.
But here’s the problem with defending a quarterback like Sellers.
You can draw up the perfect defensive scheme, have everybody in the correct position, and still watch him turn a broken play into a 40-yard gain.
That’s what makes him special.
I believe Carolina needs to attack Oklahoma’s defense rather than allowing Venables to dictate the game.
Move the pocket. Utilize designed quarterback runs. Incorporate the read option and give Sellers opportunities to make plays in space.
And when Oklahoma commits additional defenders to stopping the run, make them pay through the air.
That means Carolina’s receivers must catch the football. It means the offensive line must provide adequate protection. And it means the coaching staff needs to eliminate the unnecessary mistakes that have plagued this team.
Defensively, I actually like Carolina’s matchup against Oklahoma.
The Sooners have struggled offensively, and their offensive line has experienced its share of problems.
That creates opportunities for Dylan Stewart and the Gamecock defensive front.
Stewart has the ability to completely disrupt an offensive game plan, and I believe he could have a tremendous afternoon against Oklahoma.
If Carolina can pressure John Mateer without sacrificing its coverage responsibilities, the Gamecocks should have opportunities to force turnovers and create favorable field position.
Here’s how I see this one unfolding.
South Carolina comes out aggressive offensively, and Sellers establishes himself early as a running threat.
Oklahoma makes adjustments, but Sellers begins exploiting those adjustments through the passing game.
The Gamecock defense generates pressure, forces a turnover, and gives the offense an opportunity to build a lead.
And when Oklahoma makes its inevitable push in the second half, Sellers delivers the kind of spectacular individual play that reminds everybody why he was considered one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football.
I’ve said repeatedly that this team has enough talent to be better than its record indicates.
Saturday, I’m going to predict we finally see that talent come together.
I’m predicting the good version of South Carolina.
I’m predicting Superman shows up wearing garnet and black.
And I’m predicting the Gamecocks leave Norman with a victory.
JB’S PREDICTION: SOUTH CAROLINA 31, OKLAHOMA 24
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT NO. 11 TEXAS
7:30 PM ET | ESPN
Texas picked up an important victory over Ole Miss last weekend, and I believe the Longhorns are beginning to establish some momentum.
Mississippi State has enough offensive talent to create problems, but the Bulldogs are going to have difficulty matching Texas in the trenches.
The Longhorns possess superior personnel at several key positions, and I expect them to take advantage of that.
I’m particularly interested in watching Arch Manning.
Manning has been inconsistent, and the expectations surrounding him have probably been unfair at times. Nevertheless, when you’re playing quarterback at Texas with that kind of pedigree, criticism comes with the territory.
This is an opportunity for Manning to demonstrate some growth and confidence.
I expect Texas to establish control early and gradually pull away.
JB’S PREDICTION: TEXAS 35, MISSISSIPPI STATE 17
NO. 23 MISSOURI AT ARKANSAS
7:45 PM ET | SEC Network
This might be the most overlooked game on the SEC schedule.
Missouri is the more complete football team, but Arkansas is capable of making life miserable for opponents when the Razorbacks establish an offensive rhythm.
Playing in Fayetteville certainly doesn’t hurt their chances.
I believe Missouri’s defense will be the difference.
The Tigers should be able to generate enough pressure to disrupt Arkansas offensively, and I trust Missouri to execute a little better in critical situations.
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if this game comes down to the final possession.
JB’S PREDICTION: MISSOURI 27, ARKANSAS 24
JB’S FINAL THOUGHTS
There are several interesting storylines heading into Halloween weekend, but the one I’m most interested in involves South Carolina.
I’ve been pretty tough on Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks this season, and I believe they’ve earned much of that criticism.
But I’ve never questioned whether this football team has talent.
I’ve questioned whether the coaching staff can consistently get the most out of that talent.
This week, I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt.
I’m going to predict that South Carolina puts together its most complete performance of the season.
And I’m going to predict that LaNorris Sellers reminds everybody why his potential is so extraordinary.
Because when Superman shows up, even the best defensive game plans can go right out the window.
JB’S GAME OF THE WEEK: Florida vs. Georgia
JB’S UPSET SPECIAL: South Carolina over Oklahoma
JB’S PLAYER TO WATCH: LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
JB’S BOLD PREDICTION: Sellers accounts for more than 350 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.
James Baxter
JB Talking Sportz
JBTalkinSportz.com
