SEC Football: Predicting Every Game Of Week 6
Last week wasn't a bad week for my prediction slate. As I expected, Alabama beat Florida, Auburn took care of business, Vandy couldn't beat UConn on the road, LSU beat Tennessee (even though it's obvious Tennessee played better) and Mississippi State crushed Alcorn State.
However, I was let down by Georgia and Kentucky. Ole Miss simply dominated the Wildcats through and through. The game was nowhere near as close as the 42-35 score sounded. As for Georgia, AJ Green did make an impact, but now we know his absence wasn't why UGA struggled, because they still lost to Colorado. Yes. COLORADO.
Here are my predictions for this week's slate (NOTE: Alabama isn't in the Game of the Week because they've been in that slot twice in a row).
Eastern Michigan Eagles (0-5) at Vanderbilt Commodores (1-3)
1 of 7
I don't think much needs to be said about this other than Robbie Caldwell will get win no. 2.
Vanderbilt 26, Eastern Michigan 9
Mississippi State (3-2) at Houston Cougars (3-1)
2 of 7
Houston has a long winning streak at home. Also, they beat Mississippi State in Starkville last season.
So why will MSU win? Because:
1) They're better than last year
2) Houston is down to their third-string QB
3) Houston has no defense
This'll be a high-scoring.... blowout.
Mississippi State 55, Houston 38
Tennessee Volunteers (2-3) at Georgia Bulldogs (1-4)
3 of 7
Surely, the Dawgs won't be 1-5, right? Well, this Tennessee bunch is pretty tough.
Actually, pretty tough might not be the word. How about "very"? With no talent, experience, or depth, and with a new coach, they fought with Florida until the end, were neck-and-neck with Oregon going into the fourth quarter (The same Oregon that will probably go 12-0), and were 2 bodies in-bounds away from beating LSU in Death Valley.
Georgia is at home in this game. They need a win, and they know it. Richt is on the hot-seat, big time. Georgia desperately needs a win here. Do they get it? My answer: NO. Tennessee upsets UGA, and the Dawgs are 1-5. With games against Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech looming, don't expect the Dawgs to go bowling.
Tennessee 21, Georgia 10
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 11 Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1) Vs. Texas A&M Aggies (3-1)
4 of 7
Both teams are looking to rebound. But only one can.
Arkansas is off of a bye week following a heart-breaking loss to Alabama in which they outplayed the Tide for a good portion of the game. Texas A&M is recovering from a 38-35 loss to Oklahoma State, a game they lead 21-7 at halftime and should have won if not for five turnovers by Jerrod Johnson.
Last season, Arkansas smoked Texas A&M in Arlington. But this game should be a lot closer.
In the end, this game will probably come down to which defensive line can pressure the opposing QB more.
In the end, both QBs might be near, at, or over 400 yards of passing, but only one will be good enough to win......
Arkansas 41, Texas A&M 38
No. 8 Auburn Tigers (5-0) at Kentucky Wildcats (3-2)
5 of 7
Last season, Kentucky beat Auburn in Auburn. Does that mean UK can beat them again this year? You bet not!
Auburn is loaded offensively with Cam Newton, Mike Dyer, Darvin Adams, Philip Lutzenkirchen, and other playmakers. UK has always struggled against mobile QBs like Newton, and this season is no different.
Defensively, Auburn's defensive line is one of the best in the nation, giving up just 92 yards per game. UK's offensive line has not exactly been..... decent. It's well below decent.
Kentucky is at home, but the past few times they've hosted highly-ranked teams, has that really made a difference? Cam Newton and Auburn run all over Kentucky.
Auburn 34, Kentucky 17
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0) at No. 19 South Carolina Gamecocks (3-1)
6 of 7
I tell you what... USC has a chance in this ballgame.
It's in Columbia, with ESPN's College GameDay on site. USC has some serious playmakers in Alshon Jeffery and Marcus Lattimore. Alabama may be without Julio Jones. It's the CBS game of the week. Safe to say, Columbia might be the place to be this weekend.
However, I think that Alabama might have too much talent for this USC squad. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if South Carolina wins, but.....
Alabama 26, South Carolina 23
SEC GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 12 LSU Tigers (5-0) at No. 14 Florida Gators (4-1)
7 of 7
There's a reason for the picture you see to your left. This week, I chose LSU-Florida as the game of the week. The offenses in this game will be even uglier than that photoshopped baby. Which is saying a lot.
Not because it's literally the best game available, but because it ought to be amusing. Especially if you dislike both teams (not that I do). This has "3-2" written all over it. Florida and LSU have strong defenses but no offense. LSU has talent on that side of the ball, but they are very poorly coached and probably have the wrong quarterback in. Florida has talent and a good head coach, but they have a poor offensive coordinator and the worst center in the long history of SEC football. Yes, Pouncey is THAT bad. They can't execute a good snap. We all saw against Alabama how ugly it can get.
This primetime matchup in the Swamp features the Gators, who were ripped apart by elephant tusks last week, and the LSU Tigers, who volunteered to give a young coach a victory, but changed their mind right before it was too late.
How will this game play out? Here are my predictions. If you like offensive woes, this might be a good one for you:
Florida gets the ball to open the game, but they go backwards after some high snaps send UF deeper and deeper into their own territory. Patrick Peterson returns a punt near the UF 25-yard line, but LSU fails to move with Jordan Jefferson. They attempt a field goal, but it's blocked by the Gators. Scoreless tie.
After some rare first downs and offensive woes back-and-forth, Florida finally provides some excitement in the second quarter. A long drive stalls in the red zone, but the field goal is made, so Florida leads 3-0 going into halftime.
After the most boring third quarter you might ever see, the Gators strike again in the fourth, but it's only a field goal. 6-0, Gators. Finally, Les Miles makes Lee the full-time starter starting from that point. Lee finds Terrance Tolliver deep to the one-yard line with six minutes left. That play puts LSU over 100 yards of offense, actually. The next play, Lee goes play-action and finds the RB Ridley for a TD. LSU leads at last, 7-6. After Florida goes 3-and-out, LSU gets the ball, chews a little clock, but is forced to punt. Florida's offense then goes to work and moves into field goal range. At the 27-yard line, with three second remaining, Caleb Sturgis (If he's back from injury, that is) has his field goal BLOCKED by LSU. But what's this? A whistle. Les Miles, to the outrage of his fans (once again), called a timeout to ice the kicker. Florida gets another chance. It's good, and Florida wins!
Florida 9, LSU 7
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
