Georgia vs Alabama headlines SEC Week 4 Action

Well, Georgia’s trip to Alabama is the biggest match-up of the week, and – when all’s said and done- the whole of the 2020 College Football season.

It’s a monster.

LSU vs Florida would have been cool for the reason that the over/under would be 2084, due to both sides’ abject failures to tackle, but COVID-19 got in the way of that. It also got in the way of Missouri’s efforts for a second-straight victory against Vanderbilt. Both games have been postponed to December 12th. We have a feeling they won’t be the only ones.

So anyway, there’s also Auburn’s trip to South Carolina, Texas A&M at Mississippi State, Kentucky at Tennessee, and Ole Miss at Arkansas.

It could actually be one of the tightest weekends (score-wise) we’ll see this year in the SEC, because all of the sides are pretty even. And by even, we mean mediocre.

1. No.3 Georgia at No.2 Alabama (-4 1/2, O/U 58). 

Alabama’s defense was embarrassing last week, and Georgia’s offense stops and starts. On the face, Alabama’s got the offense to cause Georgia’s vaunted secondary (5 INTs) problems all day, and all night, but they will probably have to do it without Najee Harris, who won’t be able to get past the Bulldogs’. Mac Jones has been untouched all season long, but it’s going to change against a Georgia rush who’s second in the SEC in sacks (10). On Georgia’s side, they simply have to get something going smoothly. We think that UGA will use its solid game (we see you, Zamir White) and slower-tempo offense to try and stop Alabama. Georgia holds the ball for 35 mins a game (second in CFB; Alabama holds it for 27 per game).

PREDICTION: Georgia wins on a long drive at the end. Georgia 31, Alabama 27.

2. No.11 Texas A&M (-5, O/U 55 1/2) at Mississippi State

After their team was motorboated against Alabama, the Aggies’ messageboards talked about the possibility of not winning for all season long, and blamed Kellen Mond’s social justice activities for the reason for the downfall (Nothing like hysterical Aggie racists, folks!). But now A&M beat Florida and Mond had an excellent change, everyone’s talking about the possibility of the Aggies getting the play-off. On the other side, Mississippi State looked like the bees knees against LSU, and then their game at Arkansas made us realise that a) Mike Leach had been worked out and b) LSU’s defense was a joke. Kentucky completely silenced MSU’s offense, forcing Leach to change QBs, such was KJ Costello’s appalling performance. The good thing? Mississippi State still has an underrated defense. The sack machines of Starkville lead the SEC in that stat (12), but the passing defense isn’t wonderful, which should play into Mond’s hands. On the other hand, Texas A&M secondary isn’t great, and if Mississippi State can actually sort out its problems offensively, this should actually be an under-the-radar fun game.

PREDICTION: Both teams battle it out until the middle of the fourth quarter, and then A&M pulls away. Texas A&M 38, Mississippi State 28.

3. No.15 Auburn (-3, O/U 52) at South Carolina

Auburn got away with the win against Arkansas. And when I mean ‘got away’ I mean: “If you refs hadn’t bungled a call, Auburn would have lost”. Auburn was NOT impressive against Arkansas, rolling to a 17-0 lead before giving it all back. South Carolina, on the other hand- jumped on the back of Keith Harris’ back and took him through the rain for a win against Vanderbilt. On paper, Vegas would have had Auburn winning by 15-20, but such is the paucity of the Auburn offense at the moment, it’s only 5. Auburn will have to improve on its drops (Seth Williams (7) and Anthony Schwartz (3) lead the SEC) and Bo Nix will have to stop doing stupid stuff for the Auburn to avoid the upset. On the Carolina side, expect Muschamp to go to the well over and over again with Harris – who ran for 171 against Vandy and before that 100 against Florida – especially with Auburn giving up 155 rush yards per game (3.7 yards per carry), which is 10th in the SEC.

PREDICTION: Massive upset in Columbia. South Carolina 31, Auburn 28.

4. Ole Miss (-1 1/2, O/U 75 1/2) at Arkansas

Arkansas was good at shutting down Mississippi State’s offense a couple of weeks ago, and after a slow start against Auburn, did the same to Bo Nix & Co. They were shafted out of a victory by the SEC refs and their non-understanding of the rules. And while moral victories may not be much, the positive back-to-back response that they’ve got from the media and the fanbase is awesome to see. Sam Pittman is that likeable. On the other side, Lane Kiffin’s debunking of Alabama’s accusation of sign-stealing was downright hilarious. The great thing for Arkansas is that Feleipe Franks – as much crap as I give him – as actually been pretty accurate against three good defenses. Look for this to continue this week. They will have to, because Arkansas’ DC Barry Odom is going to have to put together quite the gameplan to stop Kiffin’s offense, led by Matt Corral, who’s already thrown for 1,000 yards (2nd the SEC) and 9 TDs (3rd). One ‘X Factor’ is COVID – Ole Miss has a few cases, and that could hurt the Rebels’ depth.

PREDICTION: Fun down in Hoggy Country. Ole Miss pulls out the victory. Ole Miss 45, Arkansas 42.

5. Kentucky at No.18 Tennessee (-6 1/2, O/U 46)

If we’re honest, this could be a really dire-to-watch-but-very-competitive match-up. Both sides don’t give up a lot against the pass (Kentucky’s 19.3 vs Tennessee’s 21.7), but not particularly solid against the run (140 at Tennessee vs 156.5 at Kentucky). Tennessee’s was obliterated in the second half against Georgia, mainly because of the awful play of Jarrett Guarantano in the second half (UT was actually winning at half-time), with the ‘vaunted’ offense knifed through like butter. It was no wonder that the Vols gave up 40+ points, if you consider how much the defense was on the field! Kentucky on the other hand, put together a defensive masterpiece against Missisisppi State, grabbing 6 INTs in their 24-2 victory. You can see Tennessee pile it on Ty Chandler and Eric Gray offensively, while on the Kentucky side, Asim Rose will get a bunch of touches, such is the mediocrity of Terry Wilson.

PREDICTION: Tennessee just about rolls. Tennessee 21, Kentucky 18.