SEC Football: Week 3 Picks and Potential Poll Risers and Fallers
As we move on to week three of the college football season we're moving deeper into conference play and we're taking a look at the SEC in particular.
There's some big matchups on the schedule for this weekend that could send some teams up the polls and other tumbling down. With that in mind, we're taking a look at each game in the SEC this week and handicapped each.
You'll find what each team needs to do to avoid defeat in each game and what they have to do to secure victory.
Any predictions? Leave them in the comments.
No. 8: Kentucky Vs. Akron
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How Kentucky Can Win
Akron is a pushover team and all the Wildcats have to do is stick to the gameplan they've been running the past few weeks. Kentucky stomped Western Kentucky last week and the Wildcats should find big plays on the ground and through the air against the Zips.
How Kentucky Can Lose
The Wildcats would have to do a big chokejob to fall to Akron. The Zips have played numerous BCS teams and all of them have stomped Akron into the dirt and Kentucky's going to be another one. As someone who's seen the Zips against BCS competition, this one is going to be a laugher.
Prediction
Kentucky 55, Akron 10
Impact on Polls
Beating a cupcake like Akron isn't going to do anything for the Wildcats' standing in the polls. Kentucky will have to wait a week and its matchup against Florida to make that big splash in the polls.
No. 7: South Carolina Vs Furman
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How South Carolina Can Win
The Gamecocks have to pound the rock. South Carolina averages 206.5 yards a game on the ground and it has a better running game than aerial attack and it should find plenty of running lanes against a Furman squad that is going to be simply over-matched this weekend.
How South Carolina Can Lose
I mean, they won't, but they'd have to be completely lackadaisical and uninspired for 60 minutes to lose this game at home. Furman isn't Florida and South Carolina just has too many horses. Even if Virginia Tech lost to James Madison, lightning can't strike twice in the Top 25.
Prediction
South Carolina 45, Furman 13
Impact on Polls
This won't do much for the Gamecocks, unlike their win against Georgia last week. South Carolina travels to Auburn next week and that's where South Carolina can make another statement against a ranked team. This is just a glorified scrimmage.
No. 6: Alabama Vs. Duke
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How Alabama Can Win
Just stick to what works. Just pound the rock with Trent Richardson and the possibly returning Mark Ingram and let Greg McElroy make enough plays in the passing game to win.
Alabama's running game looked unstoppable against a usually stout Penn State defense last week and that's a scary thought.
How Alabama Can Lose
Penn State did move the ball well at times against the Crimson Tide and if the Blue Devils can exploit their pass defense with their sixth ranked passing attack, it could put Alabama on its heels. Duke is a feisty team and won't be taken lightly by Alabama.
Prediction
Alabama 48, Duke 20
Impact on Polls
I don't see this really doing much one way or another for Alabama's top ranking. Even if they struggle, the Crimson Tide are still going to be the top team in the land. That's just the way it is.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 5: Auburn Vs. Clemson
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How Auburn Can Win
They need to run the ball early and often to have success. The Tigers have the ninth best run game in the nation and while that's against a cupcake team and Mississippi State, it's Auburn's strength and you have to play to your strengths. They have more faith in the run game than the pass and you can't get into a gunslinging matchup.
How Auburn Can Lose
They have to defend the run. Clemson has the 24th best run game in the nation and Auburn will have to key on that to shut down the run and force Clemson to the air. If they do, Auburn will be in the driver's seat.
Prediction
Auburn 27, Clemson 17
Impact on Polls
Clemson has been getting votes in the polls but hasn't cracked the top 25 yet so a win could bump Auburn up a couple spots next week, especially if it's done with some style points.
No. 4: Ole Miss Vs Vanderbilt
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How Mississippi Can Win
Jeremiah Masoli must make plays out there with his feet and with his arm. Masoli is Mississippi's best player and he has to be that out there on the field. If he struggles, Ole Miss is going to struggle with him and it could be another long week for Rebels fans.
How Mississippi Can Lose
If Mississippi struggles on defense like it did against Jacksonville State, I'm not sure that the Rebels can rebound from something like that. Giving up 49 points to a team like Jacksonville State is alarming enough. The Rebels did rebound against Tulane, but still it's something to worry about.
How Vanderbilt Can Win
The Commodores need to show some signs of life on offense. Vanderbilt has scored 24 points in two games and that isn't going to cut it, especially in the SEC. The Commodores have to make some big plays to energize their team and get some rhythm as an offense.
How Vanderbilt can Lose
The Commodores were gashed by the run against LSU, who just ran up and down the field at will against them. Vanderbilt has to stack the line and hope that Masoli doesn't beat them over the top. It's a dangerous move but one that has to be done.
Prediction
Mississippi 27, Vanderbilt 13
Impact on Polls
This game really won't impact much for either team. Ole Miss lost to Jacksonville State, killing any credibility they had and Vanderbilt is winless. A win is a win and that's it for these teams.
No. 3: LSU Vs. Mississippi State
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How LSU Can Win
LSU just isn't built to win through the pass and have been relying on its run game to win the battle in the trenches. The Tigers average 221 yards per game on the ground and that's how it's going to have to get done because if they have to pass, it could be a long day.
How LSU Can Lose
The Tigers can lose if they let their foot off the gas like they did against North Carolina in the opener. LSU just packed it in and North Carolina almost won the game at the end of regulation. The Tigers must play a full 60 minutes.
How Mississippi State Can Win
The Bulldogs will have to get some plays in the passing game to be effective on offense. North Carolina put up over 400 yards through the air against the Tigers and LSU can be exploited in the secondary at times. Mississippi State has to try and make something happen and take chances down the field.
How Mississippi State Can Lose
If the Bulldogs aren't able to keep LSU honest with the run game, similar to what happened last week against Auburn, Mississippi State isn't going to have much success on offense Saturday night. They need to get some holes going and send the backs through them early to set up playaction late in the game.
Prediction
LSU 20, Mississippi State 13
Impact on Polls
Mississippi State got a couple of votes in the coaches poll and a win against a top 25 team like LSU would shoot them into the polls but losing would help LSU a little bit but probably not jump them up more than a spot or two depending who loses this week.
No. 2: Arkansas Vs. Georgia
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How Arkansas Can Win
The Razorbacks have to get Ryan Mallett some big passing plays down the field. Arkansas is fifth in the nation in passing after pounding two cupcakes, but Mallett has a big arm and Arkansas needs some big plays to help get the defense on its heels and then run right up through the holes it will create.
How Arkansas Can Lose
Arkansas has been stout on defense this year but this is the biggest test the defense will have faced this year. The Razorbacks need to stay at home on their assignments and try not to force any big plays on the defensive end.
How Georgia Can Win
Georgia needs to stick to the balance of passing and running that has been successful for them, for the most part, this year. They struggled mightily against South Carolina but they have to be getting big plays on the ground and through the air. The Bulldogs can't lean on one facet of their offense to get things done.
How Georgia Can Lose
Georgia was destroyed by South Carolina's run game as the Gamecocks rushed for 189 yards in their matchup. The Bulldogs must fix those problems against the run and try and make Arkansas one dimensional. When that happens, the corners must be ready to be tested and be up to the challenge.
Prediction
Arkansas 30, Georgia 10
Impact on Polls
Georgia has received votes in both polls so a win will mean something in the eyes of the pollsters and could bump the Razorbacks up a spot or two with a victory.
No. 1: Florida Vs. Tennessee
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How Florida Can Win
If Jeff Demps can have another big performance running the ball, the Gators will have to rely less on John Brantley and will be able to dictate the tempo of the game. Demps gashed South Florida all day long and is a speedy back that can cause problems for the Vols.
How Florida Can Lose
The Gators struggled to stop the Bulls' rushing attack last week and that's something that Tennessee considers a strength. Florida must be ready to crash the line and stuff the running game, otherwise, we could have the game turn into a track meet.
How Tennessee Can Win
The Vols ran the ball at will against Oregon but had to abandon it as the Ducks pulled away but if Tennessee can score early and then try and impose its will through the running game, then the Vols can walk away with the upset.
How Tennessee Can Lose
The Vols got abused on defense, especially against the run and Florida will run on them as John Brantley gets used to being the man for the Gators. It's a running backs duel in this game and whoever does the best job in stopping the run will have a big advantage.
Prediction
Florida 41, Tennessee 26
Impact on Polls
If Tennessee were to win, it would shoot them up into the top 25 but if not, close to it as beating a top 10 team would get major attention from the pollsters. Florida winning would get some credit as it is a big road matchup but after the beating the Vols took from Oregon, it won't mean that much.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
