SEC Previews - Week Thirteen {by JessN}

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From the TideFans offices at DisneyWorld in Orlando...here's the SEC preview:

SEC previews and predictions, Week 13
By Jess Nicholas
November 23, 2006


Last week’s record: 7-0 (100.0%)
Season record: 78-12 (86.7%)

Last week was good for the Predictions Dept. from a statistical standpoint, but that unfortunately meant Alabama lost to Auburn as feared. This week, it’s rivalry week in the SEC. What’s missing is drama about the makeup of the SEC Championship Game, as it’s already guaranteed to be Arkansas against Florida.


FLORIDA at FLORIDA STATE

Ordinarily, this game has a good bit of drama, but probably not this year, even though the game is in Tallahassee. FSU is in much the same situation as Alabama, with coaches coming under fire and a team that the coaches have completely lost. The Seminoles are 6-5, and their last three games have been, in order, a blowout of Virginia, a blowout loss to Wake Forest and a squeaker win over Western Michigan, all at home. It’s possible Florida State could get up for this game and pull the upset, but much like Alabama against Auburn, the best team should still win in the end.

Florida 21
Florida State 10


GEORGIA TECH at GEORGIA

Georgia’s last game was the big win over Auburn that got everyone in the SEC East talking, and gave Alabama false hope heading into its game against the Tigers. After an off week, Georgia draws in-state rival Georgia Tech, a team riding a four-game winning streak and gunning for a big bowl bid. The Yellow Jackets’ defense may be the best all-around that Georgia has seen this year, The Bulldogs certainly looked like world-beaters two weeks ago, but look for the Yellow Jackets’ defense, plus the ability of their playmakers on offense, to be too much for Richt’s crew.

Georgia Tech 17
Georgia 10


KENTUCKY at TENNESSEE

The Wildcats are up to seven wins in 2006, which not only assures Rich Brooks of a job for 2007, but puts him squarely in contention for SEC coach of the year honors. However, seven may be the max-out point for Kentucky, at least in the regular season. The Wildcats get a tough Tennessee team that rebounded nicely against Vanderbilt after losses to LSU and Arkansas. Kentucky’s offense can scare anyone, but the Wildcats’ defense is awful and Tennessee eats awful defenses for lunch.

Tennessee 42
Kentucky 17


SOUTH CAROLINA at CLEMSON

Amid rumors that Steve Spurrier might be a candidate for a job in Tuscaloosa that isn’t yet open, South Carolina rolls into Clemson in bad need of a win but unlikely to get it. Neither team is setting the world on fire at the moment, but aside from a recent blowout victory over MTSU, South Carolina hadn’t won since Oct. 21 and hasn’t beaten a truly good team all season. Clemson at least has wins over Florida State, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech to its credit, but the Tigers are in the middle of their now-patented late-season swoon. Look for a sloppy game with home-field advantage making the difference.

Clemson 20
South Carolina 17


LOUISIANA STATE at ARKANSAS

Now that Arkansas has claimed the SEC West, this game means little more than pride for either team, and for an outside chance at making the national championship game for Arkansas. Having said that, LSU is far more talented and can beat anyone in the country, badly, on any given day. Whether the Tigers will be up for this game is a mystery, but with Arkansas wrapping up the division the week before, look for a letdown in Fayetteville. Arkansas does most of its damage on emotion, and there may not be enough emotion here.

LSU 24
Arkansas 17


MISSISSIPPI STATE at MISSISSIPPI

Both teams are improving in recent weeks, but Mississippi State may be improving at a faster rate. After respectable losses to Georgia and Kentucky, MSU beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa and then bothered Arkansas for most of its game last week. Ole Miss nearly upset LSU and Auburn in recent weeks, but can’t seem to be consistent from week to week. Last year’s game was an embarrassment for Ole Miss; this year should be a lot closer, but the Bulldogs are the better team at the moment.

Mississippi St. 27
Ole Miss 20


IDLE: Alabama, Auburn, Vanderbilt