When one is trailing by 11 games, dropping three games in a week is not a good strategy. However, we at Neal's Picks did just that, and suddenly, the task couldn't be more daunting. Concisely put, we're in deep trouble.

So, it's time to study the NFL, the CFL, the NBDL, Australian Rules Rugby and more. If we're going to catch up before bowl season, it's going to be because of a mastery of something other than college football.

However, it's rivalry week in the SEC, so this week the focus is on four-hour games officiated by folks who don't know what targeting is or isn't. As Uncle Vern would say, "Oh, my."

Happy Thanksgiving. We at Neal's Picks are thankful to you, our readers, and to Snooze Mattress Company, our sponsor for the second straight year. Thanks for having some fun with us.

On to the picks...

Last week:

Neal McCready: 2-4 ATS, 8-2 straight-up.

Chase Parham: 5-1 ATS, 8-2 straight-up.

Season records:

Neal McCready: 35-50-3 ATS, 84-27 straight-up.

Chase Parham: 46-39-3 ATS, 82-19 straight-up.

Thursday's game:

No. 25 LSU (-6 1/2) at No. 22 Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m., ESPN:

McCready: I don't know. It appears Ed Orgeron isn't going to win the permanent LSU job. Will the Tigers play one last time for him? Will John Chavis get his revenge? Can the Aggies put together any offense at all? Will Kevin Sumlin be on the hot seat or can he somehow sneak Texas A&M into the Sugar Bowl? It's like a bad soap opera. There are so many questions and so much manufactured drama, yet we watch anyway. Neal's Pick: Texas A&M 24, LSU 21

Parham: This was a pretty good game on the schedule with some actual implications a few weeks ago, but with Trevor Knight’s injury and Jake Hubanek getting banged up against Ole Miss, the Aggies aren’t nearly as explosive on offense. And LSU just isn’t explosive at all. I think the Tigers can manage enough on defense to win, but in a game with no real incentive, I’ll take the points. Parham’s Pick: LSU 27, Texas A&M 24

Friday's game:

Arkansas (-8 1/2) at Missouri, 1:30 p.m., CBS:

McCready: Missouri rolled up more than 700 yards against the Life Champions last week and still lost. That had to be distressing. Arkansas will likely score at will against the Tigers, though Mizzou should be able to run on the Hogs. Neal's Pick: Arkansas 47, Missouri 35

Parham: Missouri has some semblance of a run game, and Arkansas has spent time as the dead last time agains the run this season. However, the Tigers can’t stop anyone, and the Hogs rolled up 58 points and north of 600 yards against Mississippi State. Mizzou has nothing to play for, and Arkansas needs this one for optics. Parham’s Pick: Arkansas 41, Missouri 24

Saturday's games:

Georgia Tech (+4) at Georgia, 11 a.m. CST, SEC Network:

McCready: This game will be on in the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium press box when Chase "Rocky VII" Parham shows up ready to rumble with the ink-stained wretches from Starkville. Oh, boy, it's going to be ugly up there. Neal's Pick: Georgia Tech 21, Georgia 20

Parham: Georgia Tech runs the options, and the Jackets won’t be the most boring offense in this one. GT has won four of its last five, but the option stuff worries me against the Bulldogs. Still, though, I’ve been unable to believe in Jacob Eason. Parham’s Pick: Georgia Tech 20, Georgia 17

Kentucky (+27) at No. 11 Louisville, 11 a.m. CST, ESPN:

McCready: Parham, a noted expert on all things Louisville, says lay the points. Consider them laid. I wonder how many people in the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium press box Saturday have ever been able to truthfully utter those words? Neal's Pick: Louisville 49, Kentucky 20

Parham: Louisville will run this one up if it can, and Kentucky has been in neutral for a couple weeks now. The Wildcats can’t stop Lamar Jackson, and with the bowl bid already secured and basketball season underway, this will be a blowout in favor of Bobby Petrino and his boys who blew it against Houston. Parham’s Pick: Louisville 52, Kentucky 20

Mississippi State (+7 1/2) at Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m., SEC Network:

McCready: First team to 50 wins. First team to force consecutive three-and-outs wins. First team to actually force a turnover wins. All of these options are likely more appealing than four hours of "tackle" football between two defenses that struggle to stop anyone. The line is just too big. The game could go either way, but I find a two-digit final difference difficult to imagine. And as the Golden Girls can attest, I'm great at imagining. Neal's Pick: Mississippi State 41, Ole Miss 38

Parham: Ole Miss has won three of the last four Egg Bowls, and the home team has won how many ever out of how many ever, even though the Rebels broke that spell in Starkville last season. Both teams are going to score a ton of points, and both defenses are more offensive than anything else. Hugh Freeze mentioned touchdowns in the red zone as the key, and that’s accurate. Yards between the 20s won’t be a problem. Nick Fitzgerald’s legs give the Bulldogs a little more margin for error, and I think Ole Miss is more likely to bog down — if either offense finds resistance. It’s a coin flip, but I thought this game was dangerous for Ole Miss even when Chad Kelly was healthy. Parham’s Pick: Mississippi State 38, Ole Miss 34

No. 16 Auburn (+17 1/2) at No. 1 Alabama, 2:30 p.m., CBS:

McCready: Might we be nearing the end of the Nick Saban era at Alabama? Could he go to Texas? Could he jump to ESPN? Those rumors are out there. I don't buy either one of them, mind you, as I don't think he's through winning everything but the Life Championship at Alabama just yet. But it does make the end of this season intriguing. Neal's Pick: Alabama 40, Auburn 14

Parham: It seems like Auburn might get spunky for a bit on Saturday, but Alabama is just too good to bet against it. The Tide will run it up in the second half and make the SEC Championship Game meaningless. It won’t happen, but Alabama can survive a loss against Florida and still make the playoff. Parham’s Pick: Alabama 38, Auburn 20

No. 24 Tennessee (-8) at Vanderbilt, 6:30 p.m., SEC Network:

McCready: This isn't fair. Vanderbilt needs a win to get bowl eligible. Standing in its way: The Champions of Life. Not the New England Patriots. Not Alabama. Not Manchester United or the Chicago Cubs or the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not the Grim Reaper or a pack of wild lions. Nope, the Champions of Life. What a daunting task for Derek Mason and Co. Can they do it? Can they pull off the greatest upset ever and end Life as we know it? Here's hoping. Neal's Pick: Tennessee 30, Vanderbilt 17

Parham: Tennessee is going to win this game, but sometimes you have to make a pick out of principle The Vols going to the Sugar Bowl should get axed before Twitter fires up with fake “great season” propaganda. Here’s a vote for Derek Mason and, of course, Ralph Webb. Parham’s Pick: Vanderbilt 20, Tennessee 17

South Carolina (+25) at No. 4 Clemson, 6:30 p.m. CST, ESPN:

McCready: That's a lot of points, but this is one hell of a mismatch. Clemson struggles to blow teams out, though, and it's a free shot for the Gamecocks. Neal's Pick: Clemson 38, South Carolina 23

Parham: It seems like South Carolina has just enough pride to make this fall below the number. The outcome won’t at all be in doubt, but I’ll take the three and a half touchdowns. Parham’s Pick: Clemson 40, South Carolina 17

No. 13 Florida (+6 1/2) at No. 15 Florida State, 7 p.m. CST, ABC:

McCready: Could Florida throw a kind in what might be Jimbo Fisher's farewell? Will the Seminoles be focused? Again, lots of questions, and this time, real drama. I'll say this: If the Gators win, regardless of how badly they're beaten in the SEC Championship Game next week, they should be rewarded with a spot in the Sugar Bowl. And I won't be shocked if they do just that. Neal's Pick: Florida 23, Florida State 21

Parham: Florida found a horseshoe during its inspired effort last weekend against LSU, but I’m not sure the Gators can score enough to do it two weeks in a row. Even though the Seminoles haven’t exactly been excellent this season. Parham’s Pick: Florida State 24, Florida 14