Last week I added our newest member (aTm) and our possible next member (Missouri) to our SEC picks. After watching these two teams a week ago I can only conclude that they don't have defensive coordinators in the Big 12.
Florida at Auburn
After facing the two most physical teams in the SEC on back to back weekends the Gators are pretty beat up, and will be starting a true freshman QB with only one start under his belt. The last I heard Demps will be available, which helps their TB situation. Auburn in the meanwhile got thrashed at Arkansas, suffering the indignity of Tyler Wilson throwing 19 straight completions against them. Their offense did get over 400 yards, but the Trotter-Frazier duo threw three interceptions.
While Florda's offense with a brand new QB isn't geared to exploiting the Auburn D the way Arkansas did, their speed will get them some explosive plays. The Gator D is respectable, and will slow down Malzahn's offense enough.
Florida 27 Auburn 20
LSU at Tennessee
Not to be outdone by Florida QB injuries, the Vols lost their all SEC candidate Tyler Bray for the season. Their new QB will get battle tested in a hurry, facing LSU this week and Bama next. The Vol defense did play better against Georgia than they had in earlier games, but it won't be enough. LSU's power running and suffocating defense will rule the day.
LSU 31 Tennessee 10
USCe at Mississippi State
What would a Gamecock season be without off the field turmoil. Garcia's dismissal and Spurrier's press conference diatribe distracted from the long awaited strong performance by Connor Shaw. The Bulldogs limped home against a very weak UAB team last week, winning only 21-3. If they are to salvage anything from this season this is the place to start. Still, even if Shaw isn't as spectacular as he was last week, the Gamecock defense is stout and the Bulldog offense is suspect. Team Turmoil will prevail.
USCe 34 Mississippi State 17
Georgia at Vanderbilt
The Dores played respectably for a half agains Bama last week. The Dawgs are getting better each week. We are reaching the point in the season where Vandy's lack of depth will start to take its toll. Georgia continues its resurgence:
Georgia 34 Vanderbilt 14
Baylor at aTm
The Aggies managed to hang on to their lead last week against Texas Tech. Now they pit their own high powered offense against Baylor and Air Griffin. Neither school plays much defense. I like the Aggies at home in a shoot out.
aTM 42 Baylor 38
Iowa State at Missouri
The Tigers found K State and its sound fundamentals and defense more than they could deal with last week and dropped one they needed to have won. Back home they should get well.
Missouri 35 Iowa State 21
Alabama at Ole Miss
Our tide journeys to Oxford to take on the Akbar rebel bears. This season, unfortunately for Ole Miss fans, has unfolded just like it was predicted. I'm sure that having had a week off they will have a new wrinkle or so in store for us, and if the early trends are correct we will give up some yards and maybe points early, then stifle their offense for the rest of the day. Forget all that stuff about Houston Nutt pulling off the big upset. His defense, while not bad, will be on the field a lot and wear out. The Tide rolls big:
Albama 42 Ole Miss 7
Florida at Auburn
After facing the two most physical teams in the SEC on back to back weekends the Gators are pretty beat up, and will be starting a true freshman QB with only one start under his belt. The last I heard Demps will be available, which helps their TB situation. Auburn in the meanwhile got thrashed at Arkansas, suffering the indignity of Tyler Wilson throwing 19 straight completions against them. Their offense did get over 400 yards, but the Trotter-Frazier duo threw three interceptions.
While Florda's offense with a brand new QB isn't geared to exploiting the Auburn D the way Arkansas did, their speed will get them some explosive plays. The Gator D is respectable, and will slow down Malzahn's offense enough.
Florida 27 Auburn 20
LSU at Tennessee
Not to be outdone by Florida QB injuries, the Vols lost their all SEC candidate Tyler Bray for the season. Their new QB will get battle tested in a hurry, facing LSU this week and Bama next. The Vol defense did play better against Georgia than they had in earlier games, but it won't be enough. LSU's power running and suffocating defense will rule the day.
LSU 31 Tennessee 10
USCe at Mississippi State
What would a Gamecock season be without off the field turmoil. Garcia's dismissal and Spurrier's press conference diatribe distracted from the long awaited strong performance by Connor Shaw. The Bulldogs limped home against a very weak UAB team last week, winning only 21-3. If they are to salvage anything from this season this is the place to start. Still, even if Shaw isn't as spectacular as he was last week, the Gamecock defense is stout and the Bulldog offense is suspect. Team Turmoil will prevail.
USCe 34 Mississippi State 17
Georgia at Vanderbilt
The Dores played respectably for a half agains Bama last week. The Dawgs are getting better each week. We are reaching the point in the season where Vandy's lack of depth will start to take its toll. Georgia continues its resurgence:
Georgia 34 Vanderbilt 14
Baylor at aTm
The Aggies managed to hang on to their lead last week against Texas Tech. Now they pit their own high powered offense against Baylor and Air Griffin. Neither school plays much defense. I like the Aggies at home in a shoot out.
aTM 42 Baylor 38
Iowa State at Missouri
The Tigers found K State and its sound fundamentals and defense more than they could deal with last week and dropped one they needed to have won. Back home they should get well.
Missouri 35 Iowa State 21
Alabama at Ole Miss
Our tide journeys to Oxford to take on the Akbar rebel bears. This season, unfortunately for Ole Miss fans, has unfolded just like it was predicted. I'm sure that having had a week off they will have a new wrinkle or so in store for us, and if the early trends are correct we will give up some yards and maybe points early, then stifle their offense for the rest of the day. Forget all that stuff about Houston Nutt pulling off the big upset. His defense, while not bad, will be on the field a lot and wear out. The Tide rolls big:
Albama 42 Ole Miss 7
