College Football Predictions Week 3: LSU and Other Potential SEC Winners

As Week 3 arrives most teams are gearing up for the start of SEC play.

Here are my best educated guesses for the upcoming games.

LSU (2-0) at Mississippi State (1-1) Thursday, 7:00 p.m. ESPN

LSU heads into this game with an impressive win over Oregon. Mississippi State is looking to rebound from a heartbreaking loss to Auburn a week ago.

Both teams run the ball extremely well and can throw the ball well enough to keep teams honest.

The drastic difference between the two teams is LSU's defense which is full of studs. Mississippi State had to replace the majority of their linebacking corps.

While he may not be the second coming of Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu can flat-out play.

A bit undersized at 5'9" and 175 pounds, Mathieu forced a fumble and subsequently recovered it for a touchdown in the big win over Oregon.

For Mississippi State, they are led on the ground by Vick Ballard. The JUCO transfer leads the SEC in rushing with 150 yards per game and four scores.

Thursday night games can be tricky.

The Bulldogs are coming off an emotional loss. And while LSU played last week, they were hardly threatened by Northwestern State.

Don't think for a minute that the Tigers' staff and players were not preparing slightly for this matchup as far as a week ago.

In the end LSU has too much talent on defense. 

The pick: LSU 24, Miss. State 20 

Auburn (2-0) at Clemson (2-0) Saturday, 11:00 a.m. ABC

The battle of the Tigers was a classic last year. Neither team can stop the run.

Clemson gave up 257 yards on the ground a week ago to Wofford. Auburn allowed a whopping 333 to Mississippi State.

Auburn's offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is a genius who will surely be a head coach in the near future.

Both quarterbacks have been very efficient in the early stages.

Clemson's Taj Boyd is completing 64 percent of his pass with a 5:1 touchdown to interception ratio. While Barrett Trotter of Auburn goes 71 percent with a 6:1 ratio.

This one should be every bit as exciting as last year's matchup and even more high scoring.

Sophomore back Michael Dyer of Auburn ultimately will be the difference as he shreds through Clemson's defense.

The pick: Auburn 38, Clemson 34 

Coastal Carolina (2-0) at Georgia (0-2) Saturday, 12 p.m. ESPN3

For the first time in the Mark Richt era, Georgia opens up the season with two losses.

The defense, which perennially was very good, is now a weak point for the 'Dawgs. Which is why this game against an FCS opponent comes at a good time.

Georgia has talent on offense and probably the best quarterback in the league in Aaron Murray.

Last week's loss against South Carolina will continue to loom large until the Bulldogs can knock off a worthy opponent.

In the end, Georgia takes out their early struggles for an easy win.

The pick: Georgia 45, Coastal Carolina 14

Tennessee (2-0) at Florida (2-0) Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CBS

This mid-September clash used to be a major staple in the SEC.

With the Vols' struggles in recent years, however, it's been a one-sided affair.

Second year Vol coach Derek Dooley is looking for his first signature win as Tennessee's coach. And Will Muschamp enters his first SEC game as the man in charge at Florida.

Tennessee may have found their most talented quarterback since Peyton Manning. Sophomore Tyler Bray has thrown 7 touchdowns and no picks.

His performance last week versus Cincinnati was outstanding.

While the Gators have had two cupcakes to start the season, something has to be said for only giving up three total points.

Charlie Weis brings a different look on offense for Florida, but Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps are still lethal play makers on offense with amazing track speed.

I'm anxious to see how Tyler Bray throws the ball against one of the nation's best secondaries.

This one will be closer than the line (Florida -9.5).

The pick: Florida 27, Tennessee 21 

Navy (2-0) at South Carolina (2-0) Saturday, 5:00 p.m. ESPN2

The Gamecocks have started with two wins, but their defense has looked porous in the victories.

The fact that they were down 17-0 at one point to East Carolina is a bit troublesome.

The offense obviously hasn't had any problems clicking. Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery are not only the best running back-receiver combo, but two of the best players in the country.

Navy comes in untested but brings the nation's best running attack (400 yards per game) to Columbia.

South Carolina's defensive line is very athletic, which could cause problems for Navy's option attack.

The Midshipmen will run the ball. And run the ball some more.

In the end though, South Carolina is too fast and athletic all around to be upset.

The Pick: South Carolina 38, Navy 24