ESPN’s “College GameDay” was SEC heavy on Saturday when doing its game predictions. The guys were unanimous in the Alabama-LSU pick, talked Auburn-Vanderbilt, and Lee Corso made a huge upset call.

The panel loves LSU’s offense and quarterback Jayden Daniels. Yet, they can’t seem to get past that defense, and that’s the difference when Brian Kelly’s team travels to Tuscaloosa on Saturday to face Alabama in a crucial SEC West showdown.

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The panel, including comedian Nate Bargatze as the guest picker, was unanimous when picking Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide.

“I love LSU’s offense,” Desmond Howard said. “I think Jayden Daniels is playing at a very high level, but their defense is a problem. I like Alabama’s defense. Alabama wins a close one.”

Lee Corso, who picked Texas to beat Alabama the last time “GameDay” was in Tuscaloosa, had a change of heart.

“On Sept. 9, right on this spot, I picked Texas to upset Alabama,” he said. “That was then… this is now. Give me Big Al.”

Bargatze was more about self-preservation.

“I’m married to an Alabama girl,” he explained. “You know how hard they are to deal with when they don’t get their way, so I’m going Alabama.

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Herbstreit thinks a late turnover and home-field advantage are the difference in Tuscaloosa.

“I think Jaylen Milroe’s going to have to make plays because as much as you come up with a great plan, and Nick Saban and Kevin Steele come up with a great plan defensively, at the end of the day, Jayden Daniels is still going pull it down and make plays. I think a turnover late for LSU is the difference in the game. Alabama at home. Roll Tide. They win.”

McAfee thinks Saturday’s game puts Milroe in the Heisman debate.

“So, LSU and Jayden Daniels and everything he’s been able to do has been nothing short of remarkable,” he explained. “He’s spectacular with the speed. He can put the ball wherever he needs to. They are in a track meet every time they are in a football game, and I think that’s because their defense isn’t that fantastic.

“You look at the other side, you got (Isaiah) Bond coming into his own as a wide receiver. You got (Jermaine) Burton coming into his own as a wide receiver. Nick Saban had a blood vessel popped in his eye because he has been so excited about what his team is going to showcase today. Give me Jalen Milroe propelling himself into the Heisman conversation, and all you are going to hear at the end of this time is Roll Tide.”

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The panel also made it a point to pick the Auburn-Vanderbilt game since Bargatze is a self-proclaimed Commodores fans.

“Oh, man, Nate, I’m going to have to go with Auburn,” Howard said. “I’m sorry about that, but I have to go with the Tigers.”

“This is at Vanderbilt. I don’t even know if they have a stadium yet,” McAfee quipped. “Give me Auburn.”

Bargatze stood his ground, however.

“I think we know where I’m going to go,” he said. “College GameDay, the only time you came to Nashville is when we played Auburn. Vandy beat Auburn. This is what I think we’re going to do. I think we’re going to beat Auburn. And I don’t see us losing the rest of the year.”

“Not so fast, my friend,” Corso snapped. “Auburn, War Eagle. War Eagle.”

Herbstreit like Auburn to get in a groove and be ready for Alabama at the end of the year.

“Auburn wins last week,” he said. “They win today, and they win next week. They have a four-game winning streak when they get ready for the Iron Bowl. Peaking at the right time. I’ve got Auburn.”

Corso, by the way, put Georgia on upset alert when the Bulldogs play Missouri.

“Missouri is a 15-point underdog,” he said. “Fifteen points. Missouri upsets Georgia.”

Here are the picks:

Auburn-Vanderbilt

• Howard: Auburn
• McAfee: Auburn
• Bargatze: Vandy
• Corso: Auburn
• Herbstreit: Auburn

Texas A&M-Ole Miss

• Howard: Ole Miss
• McAfee: Ole Miss
• Bargatze: Ole Miss
• Corso: Ole Miss
• Herbstreit: Ole Miss

Air Force-Army

• Howard: Air Force
• McAfee: Air Force
• Bargatze: Air Force
• Corso: Air Force
• Herbstreit: Air Force

Clemson-Notre Dame

• Howard: Notre Dame
• McAfee: Notre Dame
• Bargatze: Notre Dame
• Corso: Notre Dame
• Herbstreit: Clemson

Kansas State-Texas

• Howard: Texas
• McAfee: Texas
• Bargatze: Texas
• Corso: Texas
• Herbstreit: Kansas State

Oklahoma-Okla. State

• Howard: Oklahoma
• McAfee: Okla. State
• Bargatze: Okla. State
• Corso: Okla. State
• Herbstreit: Oklahoma

Iowa State-Kansas

• Howard: Kansas
• McAfee: Kansas
• Bargatze: Kansas
• Corso: Iowa State
• Herbstreit: Kansas

Washington-USC

• Howard: Washington
• McAfee: Washington
• Bargatze: Washington
• Corso: USC
• Herbstreit: No pick

UCLA-Arizona

• Howard: Arizona
• McAfee: UCLA
• Bargatze: UCLA
• Corso: UCLA
• Herbstreit: UCLA

Georgia-Missouri

• Howard: Georgia
• McAfee: Georgia
• Bargatze: Georgia
• Corso: Missouri
• Herbstreit: Georgia

Alabama-LSU

• Howard: Alabama
• McAfee: Alabama
• Bargatze: Alabama
• Corso: Alabama
• Herbstreit: Alabama

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.