SEC Predictions for Week Eight: Who's On Upset Alert This Saturday?

Tennessee at Alabama highlights this week's SEC action, but let's take a look around the rest of the league. Florida travels to Miss State to face their old OC and sidestep a potential land mine before facing Georgia next week. Auburn goes to LSU in a game that used to decide the West, but not likely to this year. And South Carolina gets a third crack at Vandy, whom they have lost to the last two seasons.

Last week was a good week, going 5-1 SU, so let's start with the picks for this week.

Florida at Mississippi State

I circled this game a long time ago as a potential trap game for the Gators. They have Georgia next week and are playing their old OC, who Tim Tebow has a lot of respect and love for. Also, the mighty Gators have really struggled in Starkville losing their last three trips in '92, '00, and '04. But it seems Florida suffered the big letdown last week, almost losing to an improved Arkansas team at home.

Miss State runs a nearly identical offense to Florida, just with much less talent, so there is a familiarity on both sides. I do not see Florida playing poorly two weeks in a row, but I also don't see them pouring it on late. I think they want to get out of Starkville with a win and get ready for UGA.

Pick: Florida (but closer than the experts think)


Auburn at LSU

The Auburn Tigers hope to bounce back from a two-game losing skid against West rival LSU. Auburn's offense has really struggled the last two weeks throwing the ball. The Tigers of LSU are coming off a bye week after the Florida loss looking to maintain pace with Alabama.

LSU's offense was almost nonexistent in the loss to Florida, as Jordan Jefferson really struggled to move the ball. But the Bengal Tigers have more talent than Auburn right now and get a boost from the home crowd. LSU starts a new Saturday night winning streak by beating Auburn.

Pick: LSU in an ugly game

Vanderbilt at South Carolina

Almost as big of nemesis as Clemson or Georgia in the side of the Gamecocks has been Vanderbilt the last two seasons. In '07, Vandy ruined a perfect season for South Carolina and last year knocked the Gamecocks off before they even got going in September.

But this Commodores team is not getting the same bounces it did last year. Meanwhile, South Carolina's defense is keeping with the upper crust of the SEC while the offense tries to find its way. That final in Tuscaloosa last week was a little misleading, because South Carolina was with Alabama all game.

Pick: South Carolina

Arkansas at Ole Miss

You've got a pretty good conference when Arkansas/Ole Miss is your third or fourth best game of the week. This game last year was the launching point for Ole Miss' skyrocket to the top 10. The Rebels won a close game, but really took over after that. But Jevan Snead is really struggling at QB, completing under 50 percent of his passes and has only a 12-to-nine TD-to-INT ratio.

Arkansas' resurgence has come from an improved defense that is creating turnovers, including four last week from Florida. It will be very important for them to have their emotions in check after such a narrow defeat against the Gators last week. I think they come out a little flat against their former coach and have trouble on the road.

Pick: Ole Miss


La Monroe at Kentucky

The Wildcats finally broke through last week at Auburn, breaking a 15-game losing streak to the Tigers. With starting QB Mike Hartline out, UK used three QBs to confuse Auburn's defense in the fourth with two TDs. Kentucky should not have much trouble with La-Monroe this week.

Pick: Kentucky

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