SEC Fooball: Dr. SEC's Week 4 Previews and Predictions

As we enter Week 4, it is time to start dividing the pretenders and contenders. Is Alabama worthy of a No. 2 national ranking? Is Arkansas ready to join the SEC elite? Is UGA finally showing their true potential? Can Will Muschamp keep the Gator train rolling?

We will not have a season worth of answers at the end of this week, but we will be a little closer to the truth. With only four losses this season in SEC play, I am just hitting my stride as well. I must admit; there were two games I wanted to choose as upset victories but I showed restraint. 

I hope you enjoy the Week 4 previews and predictions.

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs La Tech Bulldogs

After a tough two game slide, the Bulldogs look to bounce back versus the inferior Lousianna Tech. La Tech is 1-2, but their three games have been decided by a total of nine points. Their losses have come to Southern Miss (19-17) and Houston (35-34).

Last week, the Bulldogs were dominant to start the game. They rushed out to a 34-7 lead with just under five minutes to go in the third quarter. However, Houston mounted a comeback that would have impressed the 2010 Auburn Tigers.

La Tech will be fortunate to keep this game close before halftime. The Bulldogs of Mississippi State have some aggression to take out on La Tech.

Prediction: MSU 45, La Tech 20

Stat of the game: Vic Ballard, 150-plus yards rushing

Auburn Tigers Versus Florida Atlantic Owls

If the headlines read “Two National Championship Coaches to Face-Off,” it might be worth the read. While this statement would be true, it is not 1983, and Coach Howard Schnellenberger is no longer at the University of Miami.

You have to give Florida Atlantic credit for taking on such a difficult schedule. Their first three games have been against Florida, Michigan State and now Auburn. Coach Schnellenberger is a very good coach. However, he has been bringing a nail file to a gun fight with the limited talent on his roster.

The Owls have been outscored 85-3 so far this season. That has to be music to the ears of the Tigers, who are dead last in total defense in the SEC. In fact, they are giving up a 160 more yards than the No. 11 ranked Ole Miss.

This game will be a good bounce back game for Auburn, and with so much youth, sitting at 3-1 is not a bad thing.

Score Prediction: Auburn 38 FAU13

Stat Prediction: Dyer will have his third straight game with a run over 50 yards

Florida Gators Versus Kentucky Wildcats

While I am not ready to jump on the "Florida is the best team in the SEC East" train just yet, they should look dominant again this week. The Kentucky Wildcats might be the worst 2-1 team in a BCS conference. They have looked down-right awful at times, and quarterback Morgan Newton has been a disappointment thus far.

Wildcat freshman running back Josh Clemons has looked terrific so far this season. Many Georgia Bulldog fans feared that if Isaiah Crowell had shunned Georgia that they would have regretted not recruiting Clemons for years to come. If the first three games are any indication, it appears both teams will be happy.

Despite Clemons' talent, they are facing a team that held the Tennessee Volunteers to negative yards last week. The Florida defensive line might end up as one of the best in the nation, not to mention they might have the top playmaker, Chris Rainey, in the SEC.

Score Prediction: Florida 45 Kentucky 9

Stat Prediction: Chris Rainey 150 all purpose yards

South Carolina Gamecocks Versus Vanderbilt Commodores

Let me start by saying that Vanderbilt is now a scary team to have on your favorite team’s schedule. I truly believe they will pull one major upset this season. However, that game is more likely to be at home than on the road.

I look for Coach Steve Spurrier to give the Commodores a major dose of Marcus Lattimore. Coach Spurrier realizes it would be a mistake to throw the ball too much in this game. Not only is Vanderbilt the No. 10 ranked defense in the nation, but they are No. 1 in interceptions with an amazing 10 picks.

This defense is fundamentally sound. However, the Commodores will find out what the rest of the Gamecocks opponents have already learned—Marcus Lattimore will not be denied.

Score Prediction: SC 27 VU 10

Stat Prediction: Marcus Lattimore: 145 yards 

Georgia Bulldogs Versus Ole Miss Rebels

This game has been labeled the “Hot Seat Bowl” because of the rumors of discontentment swirling around the UGA and Ole Miss programs.

In my opinion, this cannot end well for the Rebels. The UGA players seemed focused and determined to take the pressure off of Coach Richt by winning ball games. One could argue that this should have been the case last season. However, this is a different team with much improved leadership.

On paper, Aaron Murray is off to a record breaking pace. Murray has 10 total touchdowns and only two interceptions in his first three games despite facing two top 12 teams. The truth is, however, that he has not been as sharp as he needs to be.  Look for him to continue to improve this week.

The Ole Miss offense has struggled all season. They are currently 11th in scoring in the SEC at 20.7. The UGA defense, on the other hand, has shown great improvement. They only gave up 17 points against the South Carolina offense (the others were special teams and turnovers) and shutout Costal Carolina.  UGA is missing both inside linebackers, but Ole Miss does not have the offense to expose them.

Stat Prediction: UGA 34 Ole Miss 13

Stat Prediction: Crowell and Murray will combine for four touchdowns.

LSU Tigers Versus West Virginia Moutaineers

Coming into the season, one of the biggest hurdles standing in the way of LSU and another national championship was their difficult schedule. However, with a win this week, the level of difficulty becomes much more manageable.

LSU’s dominant defense will take on another high powered offense this week in West Virginia.  The Mountaineers will be led by quarterback Geno Smith. Smith has already passed for 1,008 yards and seven touchdowns this season

Look for the Tigers to dominate this game because of West Virginia’s inability to run the ball. The Mountaineers are only averaging 78.7 rushing yards per game. This is a recipe for disaster because they are facing a team that has faced two of the top running backs in the nation and is still only giving up 47.7 yards per game.

Score Prediction: 35-17

Stat Prediction: LSU defense forces three turnovers

Alabama Crimson Tide Versus Arkansas Razorbacks

Either the Alabama Crimson Tide or the Arkansas Razorbacks will see a major change to their statistical numbers after Saturday’s game. Alabama’s stingy defense is only giving up six points-per-game. Arkansas, on the other hand, is scoring an astounding 47 points-per-game.

The Razorbacks offense will be led by a quartet of talented receivers in Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Cobi Hamilton and Jarius Wright. This group is one of the few receiving corps in the nation that provide a mismatch for the Alabama secondary. However, any advantage gained in the wide receivers-versus-secondary matchup might be forfeited because of the young offensive line of Arkansas.

Alabama will have their own struggles to overcome this week on the offensive side of the ball. Despite the hoopla that always follows a Nick Saban coached team, this Crimson Tide team have not looked spectacular, and it is because of the offense. Trent Richardson has looked nothing like a Heisman trophy candidate, and the running game has been non-existent when you consider the weak teams they have faced.

Arkansas also has a major advantage in special teams. This could become crucial if this Alabama team sputters on offense. I picked Arkansas to win this game in the preseason. However, the loss of Knile Davis added with an inexperienced quarterback coming into Bryant Denny Stadium is too risky of a pick for me to stay with.

Score Prediction: Alabama 27, Arkansas 20

Stat Prediction: Alabama defense registers five sacks

Final Take

Week 4 brings a new dynamic to the season for SEC fans. The cupcake games, for the most part, are closing out. In their place we now have conference games for the nation's best league. 

What makes the SEC so great is that any team can lose during any given weak. Consider last season. Alabama went to Columbia, SC and were dismantled by the South Carolina Gamecocks. The next week, the Gamecocks were upset by the Kentucky Wildcats.

This is just one example of a consistent trend. If your team does not come prepared, they can lose.

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