Week 3 SEC Predictions
cIt’s Week 3, which means we’ve got a beautiful mix of in-conference SEC match-ups and non-conference ones.
In-conference, we’ve got some games. Alabama is rolling into Ole Miss, thirsting for revenge after the last two losses to the Rebels, No.17 Texas A&M’s trip to Auburn could be a war, and Georgia’s trip to Missouri has upset written all over it. Oh, and then there’s always LSHambles playing Mississippi State. What could possibly go wrong for Les Miles?
The biggest non-conference battle a SEC team is involved in in Week 3 is Vanderbilt’s trip to Georgia Tech, while East Carolina’s trip to South Carolina could be interesting. Otherwise, expect SEC teams to roll.
Anyway, without further ado, here are your previews, in order of what’s really interesting.
- No.1 Alabama at No.19 Ole Miss
Nick Saban blew up like Grumpy in the Snow White movie at Lane Kiffin during the final throes ‘Bama’s dominant, but poor performance against Western Kentucky. Alabama’s players are PSYCHED for the trip to Oxford, particularly bearing in mind the pain that they went through the last time they were there – and the farce that was the home loss to the Rebels in 2015. On Ole Miss’ side, I’m still wondering which Hugh Freeze will come out. This will be fun.
PREDICTION: Alabama’s an 8-1/2 point favorite. We like Alabama to win by 10 in a game that’s close until mid-4th quarter.
2. No.16 Georgia at Missouri
Penn State fans would have found Georgia’s line work against might Nicholls State a freaking horror show. That’s how bad it was last week. Missouri finally managed to get it together offensively – albeit a Directionless Michigan team (we think it was Eastern) – and suddenly the ‘Zou has confidence – especially with a crowd who will be PUMPED after spending all day drinking. Listen, if these Tigers should be smelling blood. I would be.
PREDICTION: Upset alert! Missouri’s a 6-1/2 point home underdog against a poor Georgia team. Missouri to pull off the upset, and win by a touchdown.
3. No.17 Texas A&M at Auburn
I’m more convinced by Texas A&M than I am by Auburn, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Texas A&M’s wide receiving corps. Jordan-Hare will be rocking for this one. I can’t quite work out why they are the favourite. Was it their soul-building victory over no-one in particular last week or the fact they SHOULD have beaten Clemson?
PREDICTION: Auburn’s a 3-1/2 favorite, which I find a little curious. I’m taking the AGGIES in an ‘bookies upset’.
4. Mississippi State at No.20 LSU
LSU’s a 14-point favourite, and it’s only because Mississippi State’s really that bad that we think that the Tigers might cover. Danny Etling is suddenly the King of Baton Rouge, although on various podcasts we’ve been reminded that he only threw for a smidgeon over 50% against poor opposition. Leonard Fournette’s gonna be back for this one, which will be huge for the Tigers.
PREDICTION: LSU gets it together, gets its first SEC West win, and more than covers the spread.
5. Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech’s win over Boston College in Ireland wasn’t one for the neutrals. It really wasn’t. Then again, nor was Vanderbilt’s shambolic loss against South Carolina a couple of days’ earlier, either. Vandy rebounded to a win last week, and Georgia Tech went to 2-0, but these are two pretty bad football teams. If Georgia Tech can get it together with their triple option offense, then Vanderbilt really should be no match for ’em. Vanderbilt’s gotta be feeling a little happier about point-scoring after dropping 47 on Middle Tennessee State, but MTSU are hardly Alabama, yo.
PREDICTION: Georgia Tech’s a 6-1/2 point favorite and we love it. Take the YELLOW JACKETS all day (and night).
6. East Carolina at South Carolina
South Carolina were poor against Mississippi State. They made a nice comeback to at least keep your attention in the fourth quarter, but really, Will Muschamp’s team might be the second or third worst team in the SEC this year (as we say this, we realise how terrible the SEC East is this year). East Carolina’s victory over NC State showed that they aren’t to be messed with, either.
PREDICTION: South Carolina’s a 7-point favorite. We’re taking East Carolina to at least cover, if not cause the UPSET.
7. Ohio at No.15 Tennessee
Tennessee hasn’t performed anywhere near it’s best all season long, but the Vols are still 2-0. Ohio, which is 1-1 after losing to Texas State and beating Kansas (Tennessee’s wins over Appalachian State and Virginia stand out suddenly as ‘better competition’), have shown one thing: They have no defense. Expect Josh Dobbs and friends to run wild.
PREDICTION: Tennessee’s a 27-1/2 point favorite. If Butch Jones wants to pour it on, we figure Tennessee could comfortably cover, and win by 40.
The ‘Best’ of the Rest
8. Texas State at Arkansas
After two seat-of-your-pants wins by the Hogs, this game against Texas State won’t be ‘borderline erotic’ for Bielema & Co, who should be really upset with themselves if they haven’t taken out their starters by mid-3rd quarter….if not earlier.
PREDICTION: Arkansas’ a 31-1/2 point favorite, and we think they will COVER.
And otherwise, we think:
- Florida will COVER against North Texas as 36-point favorites.
- Kentucky will COVER against New Mexico State, winning by 28 and making Mark Stoops happy. Kinda.