News Article: SEC Previews and Predictions – Week 11

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SEC preview and predictions – Week 11
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-in-Chief
Nov. 3, 2008

Last week’s record: 5-2 (71.4%)
Season record: 53-19 (73.6%)

The Predictions Dept.’s “Upset Special” is apparently appropriately named, because it upsets the Dept.’s won-loss record every week. This time, Tulsa didn’t follow through with business against Arkansas. For next week, the upset special very well could be LSU-Alabama.

FLORIDA at VANDERBILT
Vanderbilt had last week off; Florida made it look like they did, too, after dismantling Georgia at the Cocktail Party, 49-10. Vanderbilt is one win away from bowl eligibility, but to say the Commodores are unlikely to get that win against Florida is like saying a helicopter is unlikely to make a moon landing. Florida and Alabama are clearly the cream of the SEC crop this year and are on track to meet in Atlanta. Don’t look for Vandy to derail Florida’s plans to get there.
Florida 34
Vanderbilt 14

ALABAMA at LOUISIANA STATE
See our extended preview!


GEORGIA at KENTUCKY
Georgia seems to have reverted to its pre-“Blackout” times of being a total head case as a team. Alabama and Florida have each dominated the Bulldogs, not just physically but mentally as well. While logic says Georgia should kill Kentucky, this is one of those games where the Bulldogs have mailed it in in previous years. Kentucky got bowl-eligible with a win over Mississippi State last week, so the urgency to qualify for the postseason is off. Georgia will win this game, but don’t be surprised if the Bulldogs’ fragile psyche keeps them from putting away the Wildcats early on. Unfortunately for Kentucky, injuries have left the Cats without enough weapons to really do battle in this one.
Georgia 27
Kentucky 10

ARKANSAS at SOUTH CAROLINA
Both teams are improving as the year goes along, and an interesting side story here is that if Arkansas upsets South Carolina and then beats Mississippi State next week as expected, the Razorbacks will qualify for a bowl in Bobby Petrino’s first year in Fayetteville. Given how far Arkansas has had to come this year, it would be quite a feat. Unfortunately, Arkansas is running headlong into one of the best defenses in the country, and is also going to be on the road in hostile territory, playing at the second-most remote site in the SEC away from Fayetteville. If LSU-Alabama isn’t the upset special of the week, it’s Arkansas-South Carolina, but we’re not picking it.
South Carolina 23
Arkansas 16

WYOMING at TENNESSEE
Tennessee, sitting at 3-6, must win out against Wyoming, Vanderbilt and Kentucky to become bowl-eligible. While the Volunteers will likely be favored in all three games, wins certainly aren’t guaranteed given how scattershot Tennessee’s play has been in 2008. Wyoming, however, is definitely the weakest of the remaining three opponents for Tennessee. Wyoming, like Tennessee, is 3-6, but its only wins have come over woeful San Diego State, lower-division North Dakota State and a 21-20 upset of Ohio in the opener. Wyoming’s offense has been terrible, scoring fewer than 10 points in 5 of its 9 games. The Cowboys don’t match up defensively at all against Tennessee, meaning this game should be a good tune-up for the Vols before closing out with a pair of rivalry games.
Tennessee 27
Wyoming 7

TENNESSEE-MARTIN at AUBURN
The school some Tennesseans call “Harvard of the Haystacks” comes to Auburn this week, and believe it or not, this game isn’t in the bag. UT-Martin is 7-2 in Division I-AA’s Ohio Valley Conference, has scored 56 points or more three times this year (with a high of 87) and most recently sent Ryan Perrilloux’s new team, Jacksonville State, packing with a 31-30 win. Before Auburn fans get upset, however, understand that UT-Martin has played a Division-IA team already this year – South Florida – and lost 56-7. Whatever Auburn’s troubles, the Tigers should win this game, and if they want to be in a bowl, they’d better. After this one is over with, the Tigers close with Georgia and Alabama, and the likelihood Auburn beats both is quite small. If UT-Martin was better on defense, some might look at this game a little more closely. As it is, Auburn will probably struggle early but pull away late.
Auburn 30
UT-Martin 14

IDLE: Mississippi State, Ole Miss


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