SEC Kicks it into Gear: Who Wins this Week?

Arkansas @ Alabama: This is going to be one of the more intriguing matchups in the SEC this week. You have Arkansas' excellent tandem of Running Backs against Alabama's new Nick Saban mojo. The 'Bama defense is really going to have to take a major step up if they plan on containing Darren McFadden and Felix Jones and, if they're too focused on the RBs, Marcus Monk can burn them with his size at reciever. However, Alabama has a threat of their own at RB, Terry Grant. He ran for 173 yards and 3 TDs against Vandy last week. D.J. Hall also poses a threat against Arkansas at reciever. The Crimson Tide's key defensive player will be their shut-down corner, Simeon Castille. For Arkansas, MLB Weston Dacus will have to step into a leadership role for this Razorback defense.

 

Arkansas give Saban his first loss at 'Bama, 28-20.

 

Miss St. @ Auburn: Auburn is going to come out with a chip on their shoulder after getting upset by USF at home. QB Brandon Cox is going to have to drastically improve his play to win SEC games. Miss St. RB Anthony Dixon and AUB's Ben Tate are pretty evenly matched at Tailback, but I would probably give Dixon the edge because he's more of a north/south runner. Neither team has a recieving threat, the best possibly being AUB's Prechae Rodriguez. The 2 key defensive players are probably AUB's Tray Blackmon and MSU's SS Derek Peagues.

 

Not hard, not easy for AUB but they win 31-17.

 

Tennessee @ Florida: Ah, finally. The SEC's premiere matchup. The Vols come into the swam in what should be a great contest. Signal caller Erik Ainge and the Vols offense are going to try and exploit this young Florida defense. Ainge has been decent in leading the Vols to scoring 31 and 39 points against Cal and USM. Arian Foster has handled the carries at RB nicely, averaging over 100 yards per game. Tenn. lost Robert Meachem, but returned Lucas Taylor who has had a nice start. Jerod Mayo, Rico McCoy and the Vols D will have to step it up to stop Tim Tebow and a loaded Florida offense. Tebow has proved that he has an arm, and is averaging 65 yards per game rushing. They have dual-threat Percy Harvin, who is very dangerous. They also have stud reciever Andre Caldwell. Spikes lead UF in tackles and will need to step up.

 

UF wins a close one 20-14.

 

Western Carolina @ Georgia: It's quite simple. After being upste by South Carolina, Mark Richt will have the Bulldogs headed in the right direction and they will destroy WCU.

 

UGA: 47 WCU: 6

 

Louisville @ UK: This game will be FULL of high-powered offenses. Two of the best QBs in the land go at it in Brian Brohm and Andre Woodson. You would be surprised how evenly matched these offenses are. At reciever, Louisville has Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia, but UK counteracts those 2 with underrated Keenan Burton and Dicky Lyons. At RB, I would give UK the slight edge with Rafael Little, but Louisville's Sergio Garcia could step up and have an impact. Neither team's defense is astounding, but I think UK's might be a little better thanks in part to Wesley Woodyard, who already has 20 tackles. If I were Louisville, I'd be careful.

 

UK pulls it off 51-44.

 

Mid Tenn St. @ LSU: This one's quite simple too. Sure Midd Tenn St. put up 42 on Louisville, but LSU has a better defense and a more hostile environment. Also, Mid Tenn St.'s Defense will not stop Matt Flynn, Keiland Williams, Jacob Hester, Early Doucet and Brandon LaFell.

LSU kills 49-0.

 

 

Ole Miss @ Vandy: The battle of the SEC doormats. The game that nobody cares about, but, guess what? I'm going to analyze it anyway. Vandy QB Chris Nickson has the edge over Ole Miss' Seth Adams because of Nickson's mobility. Ole Mis has an obvious edge at RB with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who is one of the top 5 or 6 backs in the league. At WR, Ole Miss has a few nobodies while Vandy has ALL-SEC stud Earl Bennett to help Nickson. Neither team has an above average defense since Ole Miss lost Patrick Willis to the draft last year.

 

Vandy in a sloppy game 17-13.

 

SC ST. @ South Car.: Another easy one. Spurrier won't let the Georgia upset go to his team's head. USC's defense flexes its muscles and helps the gamecocks run away with this one.

 

USC dominates 41-3