After The Game Of The Century: Week 11 SEC Predictions

Well, what a week that was.

Ole Miss got our hearts pumped by taking a 10 point lead at Georgia….and then conceded 37.

Missouri got our hearts pumped by taking a 7 point lead at Florida…..and then conceded 14.

LSU and Alabama got our hearts pumped that we actually felt sorry for the loser.

Anyway, the SEC is back this week with no particular ‘heavyweight’ battles, although everyone seems to be looking forward to seeing how Johnny Manziel will cope with Alabama’s defense – which was actually a lot less of a ‘machine’ in Death Valley.

If you’re listening to music, we guide you Mumford & Sons’ classic “Little Lion Man” , with the great line: “We ****ed it up this time”. It was played outside Tiger Stadium after the Alabama loss, we hear.

TEXAS A&M AT ALABAMA

After the near-loss at LSU, Alabama comes into this game slightly less favoured that you would think – by 13 1/2 points. That doesn’t mean to say we think they will necessarily lose, but we think the Crimson Tide are going to get all they can handle from a Texas A&M offense that can currently do nothing wrong after going to Cowbell Country and ringing Mississippi State’s bell. Alabama’s secondary, which gave up nearly 300 yards to Zach Mettenberger and looked awful at times, had better be on high alert. This game could be great.

BOTTOM LINE: Alabama gets by, and gets its spot in the SEC Championship Game. Just. Alabama by 7 in a classic. Johnny Football gets more heads turning, before he’s sold down the river by the Aggies.

GEORGIA AT AUBURN

Georgia struggled in the first half against Ole Miss. They were absolutely terrible. It wasn’t to do with post-Cocktail party cocktails, was it? Well, while Georgia struggled, Auburn made hay. Yes, it was against New Mexico State, but you know what? You gotta win somewhere. Anyway, Georgia’s defense looked like it was living up to its pre-season billing on Saturday, just smothering Bo Wallace and Uncle Reb in the second quarter. And they carry on as they did, Auburn doesn’t have a lot of hope for this one. Jarvis Jones for a Heisman, y’all.

BOTTOM LINE: Georgia – a 16-point favorite in this one – beats the spread, winning by 17.

MISSISSIPPI STATE AT LSU

We’ve been exceptionally nasty about Zach Mettenberger all season long, but boy did he have a good game against Alabama. He suddenly looks like the future. His receivers dropped four balls that they should have held onto in the first half, and although Mettenberger did have a few bad throws, he didn’t nail someone in the stands like we thought he would. Mississippi State on the other hand were slaughtered at home by Texas A&M, obviously suffering from the loss to the Crimson Tide. Or they simply weren’t that good in the first place. Now, MSU goes into Baton Rouge. Ouch.

BOTTOM LINE: LSU wins by 21 in a game over by fourth quarter. Mettenberger again sparkles, stunning many.

ARKANSAS AT SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina’s first game without Marcus Lattimore is going to be emotional. Expect a lot of sandstorm love in South Carolina. Now everyone expects South Carolina to win by some margin over the Razorbacks, who are simply treading water until the off-season. But Tyler Wilson and Cobi Hamilton can still cause a defense – even one as good as 13 1/2-point favourite South Carolina’s – a lot of problems. This is going to be closer than many think.

BOTTOM LINE South Carolina wins by 10 in a game not decided until the last 5 minutes.

MISSOURI AT TENNESSEE

Missouri stunned many – including Vegas – by sticking around in their game against Florida, only losing out to the Gators 14-7 in a game that won’t be replayed by anybody ever again. Well, this week the ‘Zou go against a nastier offense – Tennessee’s. Tyler Bray can put up the points in bundles – and this UT team – a 3-point favourite – really isn’t as bad as many think they are.

BOTTOM LINE: Tennessee in cruise control, beating the spread and winning by 14.

VANDERBILT AT OLE MISS

Two of the SEC’s more snobbish fanbases meet up for chandeliers, champagne and caviar (and a bit of football) on Saturday night. Vanderbilt comes to Oxford having smashed Kentucky 40-0 and helped the Wildcats in their decision to fire Joker Phillips at season’s end, but let’s be honest: Vandy’s been Vandy this year. On the other hand, Ole Miss has been a bit of a positive surprise this year, winning games, leading others, and worrying even more. Bo Wallace is a good quarterback and if the Rebels can find an offensive line on Saturday night, we think they win in a game that they are actually favored in (3 1/2 points).

BOTTOM LINE No Ghosts in Mississippi. Ole Miss wins by 7.

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE AT FLORIDA

Florida muttered and mumbled through a desperate game against Missouri, where The Swamp became boo-boy central once again and the fanbase began to use words that were less than encouraging. It’s a pity, for such a beautiful fanbase. Anyway, this week’s a chance for Jeff Driskel to stretch his wings, and the Gators to stretch their jaws against a ULL side who are 26 1/2 point underdogs.

BOTTOM LINE Florida by 35.