SEC Football: Week 8 Preview and Predictions Against the Spread

We are rolling into the second-half of the 2011 SEC season and there is still tons of football to be played before we crown a conference champion.

This Saturday, the slate may seem a little light; however, you never know what can happen and something tells me an underdog may bite this weekend.

As I do each week, I will preview each SEC game and make a prediction against the spread.

I will also be held accountable for my picks by posting updated results each and every week (I included my Week 7 picks below):

Record Straight-Up Week 7: 5-0

Record Straight-Up Season: 49-7

Record Against the Spread Week 7: 3-2

Record Against the Spread Season: 32-21

In the cream-puff game of the week, Kentucky will beat Jacksonville State, but it will be very close (Kentucky 21 Jacksonville State 20).

Click through the slideshow to see my thoughts and picks on the other Week 8 SEC matchups...

Arkansas Razorbacks at Ole Miss Rebels

The Game: October 22, 12:21 PM ET (SEC Network)

The Story Lines: Can Arkansas continue its drive towards another 10 plus win season and avoid overlooking Ole Miss?

Can the Rebels find a way to bounce back after a brutal lopsided loss to Alabama last weekend and play well enough to even keep this one close?

The Key Stats: Arkansas ranks 1st in the SEC in passing offense, averaging an impressive 336 yards per game. Conversely, Ole Miss has struggled to stop the pass, ranking 10th in the conference in passing defense,  allowing 217 passing yards per game. Look for star Razorback quarterback Tyler Wilson to connect with talented wide out Jarius Wright early and often on Saturday and put this game out of reach in the first half.

Predicted MVP: Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson

The Predicted Score: Arkansas 41 Ole Miss 13  (Arkansas -16)

Auburn Tigers at LSU Tigers

The Game: October 22, 3:30 PM ET (CBS)

The Story Lines: With the recent suspension of starting running back Spencer Ware, star defensive back Tyrann Mathiue, and  starting corner Tharold Simon, Is LSU ripe for an upset?

Can Auburn, and new starting quarterback Clint Mosely, get the offense going and go on the road to execute the biggest upset of this college football season?

The Key Stats: While the Auburn Tiger defense has greatly improved, in recent wins over South Carolina and Florida, as compared to how they played in the first few weeks of the season, they still are not a lock down unit. For the season, the Tiger defense has given up an average of 182 rushing yards per contest.

However, LSU did lose starting running back Spencer Ware for the game this weekend. They do have a crew of talented runners still available, including backs Michael Ford and Alfred Blue and scrambling quarterback Jordan Jefferson. However, LSU will not be as strong in the run game without Ware. 

On the flip side, Auburn can run the ball very well.  Auburn, lead by star back Michael Dyer, is averaging a solid 197 yards per game on the ground.

With LSU potentially somewhat limited in its ground attack on offense, it will be up to the LSU defense to win the ground war. The Bengal Tiger defense is allowing just 75 rush yards per game in 2011 and will be keying on Dyer and the Auburn backfield.

The winner of the ground game, will be the winner of this game. Look for the home team, particularly the defense, to get it done in a closer-than-some-think ball game.

Predicted MVP: LSU DT Sam Montgomery

The Predicted Score: LSU 31 Auburn 20 (line: LSU -21)

Army Knights at Vanderbilt Commodores

The Game: October 22, 7:00 PM ET (ESPNU)

The Story Lines: Will Vanderbilt win a game it should win and keep its bowl hopes alive?

Can Army earn an upset win over an SEC program?

The Key Stats: Army is a running offense. They run, and then run, and then run some more. As a matter of fact, they average an outstanding 361 rushing yards per game, which is first in the nation.  

The problem for the knights is that the Vanderbilt defense, lead by talented linebacker Chris Marve, is strong against the run and has only allowed 109 rushing yards per game this season. 

Army will have some nice moments running the ball, but won't have a big overall day against the Commodores.

Predicted MVP: Vanderbilt DL Tim Fugger

The Predicted Score: Vanderbilt 28 Army 17  (Vanderbilt -10)

Tennessee Volunteers at Alabama Crimson Tide

The Game: October 22, 7:15 PM ET (ESPN2)

The Story Lines: Will Alabama cruise past an injured Tennessee or get caught up in a close battle with a long-time rival?

Can Tennessee and quarterback Matt Sims muster any offense against the dominant Alabama defense?

The Key Stats: Alabama leads the SEC in rushing offense, with over 240 rush yards per game. Star running back Trent Richardson has become a Heisman candidate and already has over 900 yards and 15 touchdowns in just seven games.

Look for Richardson to get plenty of carries and plenty of yards on Saturday night, as the Tennessee defense has allowed 160 rushing yards per game in 2011 and has struggled to slow down other top backs.

The Tennessee offense will struggle against the tough Crimson Tide defense and the Alabama rushing game will be too much for the Vols defense to handle.

Predicted MVP: Alabama RB Trent Richardson

The Predicted Score: Alabama 38 Tennessee 6 (Alabama -30)