There are four conference games this week. Two of them look like big mismatches. the other two will serve to separate the pretenders from the contenders.
Kentucky at Florida
The Gators have gained strength each week, and already have two nice conference wins under their belt. The Wildcats, meantime, are looking just as inept as they did a year ago. Florida has shown a powerful running game in SEC road tests at aTm and UT. At the Swamp, this week, they will make Kentucy a road kill rather than a road test.
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?175117-Kentucky-vs-Florida
PJ's Pick: Florida 41 Kentucky 7
LSU at Auburn
Yes, I know this game is at Auburn. Yes, I know that it is being played at night. Yes, I know that weird things have happened at JHS at night. There are some things I can't get past though. Like Auburn struggling to move the ball against (to be kind) mediocre defenses of Clemson, ULM and MSU. Like Auburn showing a tendency to turn the ball over even against these defenses. Like Auburn's pass defense being torched by all three opponents, whose passing games would never be confused with West Virginia's. Like Auburn needing to score on a Hail Mary, on a trick play, and block a field goal just to force overtime against ULM.
The best opponent LSU has faced so far is Washington. The Huskies were supposed to have a passing attack, but LSU suffocated it and dominated UW with their run game.
This may be the week LSU has to show us whether Mettenberger can throw the ball, as Auburn loads the box to stop the run. I think he does it well enough.
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?175097-LSU-vs-Auburn
PJ's Pick: LSU 38 Auburn 14
Vanderbilt at Georgia
The Commodores righted their ship last weekend against Presbyterian after opening the season with two losses. This week they have a stern test on the road against the SEC East favorite. The Commodores, as they have done under Franklin, will play hard and play well. Nonetheless, the Dawgs are deeper, more talented and playing at home. It will not be a blowout, but the home team will prevail.
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?175110-Vandy-v-Georgia
PJ's Pick: Georgia 27 Vanderbilt 17
Missouri at South Carolina
There are some interesting aspects to this one. Both teams were invited to join the SEC, So Car a good many years bacck, Mizzou just this year. Pinkel has a reputation for a wide open, fast paced offense, Spurrier once did. SOS has coached smash mouth football in recent years. Both teams came into the season with talented and experienced QBs, and both of these QBs have missed a game due to injuries. Also, in the absence of the starter, both teams got solid play out of their back up QB.Franklin and Shaw are both dinged up now.
The difference in this game as I see it is this: while Mizzou has a decent defense, it is not very deep and has worn out in the 4th quarter in two games against good opponents. A big interception salvaged last week's game for the Tigers. The Gamecocks defense on the other hand, is both deep and physical. I look for this game to be close into the fourth quarter, but I expect the more physical Gamecocks to pull away late.
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?175116-Mizzou-at-South-Carolina
PJ's Pick: South Carolina 28 Missouri 17
Stepping out of the conference for a couple of big games:
Kansas State at Oklahoma
Oklahoma has not been tested this year, so we will have some idea of how good the Sooners are after Saturday. Bill Snyder returned, and K State quickly returned to respectability. A pretty good K State team was blown away by the Sooners last year in Manhattan. It will probably be closer this year, but the Sooners should prevail.
PJ's Pick: Oklahoma 35 Kansas State 24
Clemson at Florida State
Both teams are undefeated. Clemson's toughest test so far was its opener versus Auburn, and they prevailed even without their all everything receiver, Sammy Watkins. FSU's test (using a very loose definition of the word) was last week versus Wake Forest. Both teams have offenses that can really light up the scoreboard. In my estimation the 'Nole defense is considerably better. The War Chant will be heard early and often.
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/s...of-the-week-to-watch-Clemson-vs-Florida-State
PJ's Pick: FSU 45 Clemson 21
Now to SEC teams playing lesser foes.
Akron at Tennessee
The Vols had a test last week against Florida and faded away in the second half. At this point they are no more than a middle of the pack SEC team. That should be plenty aaginst the Zips.
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?175109-Akron-vs-Tennessee-35
PJ's Pick: Tennessee 42 Akron 6
South Carolina State at aTm
The Aggies will have no trouble this weekend. their offense will get untracked against an outmanned opponent.
PJ's Pick: aTm 48 South Carolina State 3
South Alabama at Mississippi State
Our own Joey Jones takes his team to Stark Vegas this weekend. The outgunned Jaguars don't mind stepping up, but they are in way over their head.
PJ's Pick: Mississippi State 42 South Alabama 7
Rutgers at Arkansas
The Hogs were in disarray after last being routed by our Tide last weekend. Such was the dismay that the line on this game opened as a "pick it". Sanity plus rumors that Tyler Wilson will play pushed thew line to make Arkansas a 7 point favorite. It really depends on just how deeply the psyche of the Arkansas team was affected last week end. They were not as good as their pre season rating, but they are not as bad as they looked in their last three halves of football. Did Wilson have a Tebow moment? We will see. The line is a bargain if Wilson is healthy.
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?175108-Rutgers-v-Arkansas-7
PJ's Pick: Arkansas 27 Rutgers 14
Ole Miss at Tulane
The rebel bears got introduced to reality last week, as Texas put the smack down on them. They are back in cup cake land this week.
Ole miss 28 Tulane 21
Florida Atlantic at Alabama
Under mismatch in the dictionary you see this game. The Owls aren't a very good team even in their own league. Did we learn some lessons about focus, preparation and concentration from the WKU game? I hope so. One good note: AJ should have plenty of time to rest the bruised hand. I'm predicting that third shutout in a row.
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?175131-Florida-Atlantic-vs-Alabama
PJ's Pick:
Alabama 56 Florida Atlantic O
Last edited:
