SEC: Week 3 Predictions
Sorry we haven’t been so quick this week about getting copy in, but we’ve been a bit busy.
Anyhoo, since you were away ESPN Gameday made it 3 out of 3 for College Gamedays involving SEC Schools – shall we simply call them SECSPN? It would be easier!
This one’s coming from Neyland where Florida visit a revitalized Tennessee program. Kick-off 6pm. We can’t wait – although we can’t work out who we want to win/lose more…
With that, here’s your preview…
GAME OF THE WEEK
Florida at Tennessee
Gameday is in Knoxville this weekend for the battle of the unbeatens, featuring a Florida side who narrowly beat Texas A&M visiting a Tennessee side who’s asking the question: Who is Da’Rick Rogers again? Anyway, we love what Tyler Bray is doing for Big Orange this year, but can he repeat the feats of NC State and Georgia State (643 yards, 6 TDs, O INTs in 2 games) against a nasty Gators defense and a great runner in Mike Gillislee (238 yards, 4 TDs)? The key may be Florida’s QB Jeff Driskel, who’s been less than inspiring.
BOTTOM LINE: Tennessee wins for the first time in eight years trying. By 7.
COULD HAVE BEEN GAME OF THE WEEK
Alabama at Arkansas
This could have been one of the games of the season had Arkansas not lost at home to Louisiana Monroe in overtime, and its Heisman candidate quarterback Tyler Wilson almost certainly out for the game with a concussion. Alabama has been on fire this season, with their running game – as usual – causing all the problems.
BOTTOM LINE: Alabama by 21 in a game over by half-time.
PARTY OF THE WEEK
Texas at Ole Miss
Texas visit to the other Southland will be a fun one. On one hand, sorority gals in red, blue and black armed with good food and white wine, and on the other, stunning gals in short, burnt orange dresses and cowboy boots. Plus, a lot of Texas fans have circled this away date in the diary for months – many of them choosing the hotel rather than the game. Anyway, onto the football: Surprisingly, both teams are 2-0 starting the year (well, shockingly in Ole Miss’ case, anyway!), and their path has been smooth (ish). This one is going to be fun.
BOTTOM LINE: Well, it’s going to be a fun game, anyway. On the field, Texas wins by 14 and comfortably, with the Longhorns great ‘D’ and savage running attack proving too much.
REVENGE GAME OF THE WEEK
Arizona State at Missouri
Last year Arizona State upset many by turning over a ranked Missouri side in Sun Devil Stadium (then imploded for the last few games of the season), and this time the Sun Devils are getting some tongues wagging, especially after dumping all over Illinois last week and Todd Graham’s leadership. Having said that, Missouri will be a different bear for the Devils – especially as they were pretty great at their SEC Welcoming Party against Georgia until Jarvis Jones gatecrashed.
BOTTOM LINE: Missouri goes to 2-1, beating the Devils by 10.
ANOTHER UPSET? GAME OF THE WEEK
ULM at Auburn
Last week, ULM shocked the world by going to Arkansas and beating the No.8 Razorbacks in overtime. This week, it’s the struggling Auburn Tigers who meet the Warhawks. Auburn is going to HAVE to stop ULM’s option QB Kolton Browning, who did EVERYTHING bar kick field goals and play D for his team, while hope that their own QB, the unvaunted, unloved, and uncared-for QB Kiehl Frazier – who was so terrible against Mississippi State that our sister Twitter feed asked the question: ‘Is there another QB for the Tigers?” (Answer: No) might do something special. The Warhawks are going to have to stop Auburn speedster Onterio McCalebb too.
BOTTOM LINE: Auburn – a 16 1/2 point favorite in this one – gets through this one, but struggles doing it. Win by 10.
STRUGGLING TO CARE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Mississippi State at Troy
MSU’s first half against Auburn was one of the most awful games of SEC Football you’ll ever see. Please don’t go and review it. It’ll drive you back to a bottle of Jack Daniel’s. Having said that, MSU recovered nicely, and now they face a Troy side who can score points – but has an awful defense. Troy might not be an easy place to go for the Cowbell Kings.
BOTTOM LINE: MSU struggles early, finishes late. MSU by 17.
FAU at Georgia
Question: Will Georgia play for 60 minutes one of these days? If they do, this game – against a weak 1-1 FAU side who only beat Wagner 7-3 on opening day and lost comfortably to MTSU – won’t be close.
BOTTOM LINE: If Georgia plays for 60 minutes, Georgia by 40. If Georgia only plays for a half, Georgia by 25.
Idaho at LSU
Three words: LSU. Wicked. Way.
BOTTOM LINE: LSU by 50…unless Les Miles calls the Tigers off.
Western Kentucky at Kentucky
Both sides did as they were expected to last week. Western Kentucky was Rammer Jammered by Alabama, while Kentucky rode all over Kent State. Now, Western Kentucky has an easier proposition against its in-state ‘rival’ (it would be nasty not to put that in quotation marks), but not by much – especially as Big Blue has some confidence.
BOTTOM LINE: Kentucky wins. By 31. But WKU scores though – its first points for well over 60 minutes.
Texas A&M at SMU
SMU QB Garrett Gilbert was known as Hurricane Gilbert in Austin because – and we quote: “Never has one man caused so much damage to one town”, and if A&M’s defense can play, then SMU – despite this game being a Texas derby – will struggle to live the Aggies.
BOTTOM LINE: A&M by at least 30.
UAB at South Carolina
To give the Gamecocks their due, Dylan Thompson looked like one hell of a quarterback in Saturday’s win over Carolina. We think that Spurrier’s going to still be able to use Marcus Lattimore sparingly in this one, which some might see as him running the score up, but with team that gave up 39 points in its only game of the season (it lost), it might be hard not to.
BOTTOM LINE: USC by a USC-esque scoreline, by over 45
Presbyterian at Vanderbilt
After an 0-2 start, Vandy fans must be pretty annoyed right now. Or resigned. Or both. Anyway, Jordan Rodgers should have his wicked way against Presbyterian, who’s last game against big-time opposition (Georgia Tech), saw them lose 59-3.
BOTTOM LINE: Vandy by 40. We hope. For James Franklin’s sake.