News Article: SEC Previews and Predictions – Week 7

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SEC preview and predictions – Week 7
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-in-Chief
Oct. 6, 2008


Last week’s record: 3-2 (60.0%)
Season record: 37-11 (77.1%)

The Predictions Dept. isn’t having good luck with its “upset special” games this year. When the upset specials are picked to win, they lose, and vice versa. Last week, we identified South Carolina-Ole Miss as that game – then failed to pick it. This week, Alabama is off, but the rest of the SEC surely isn’t. Florida-LSU highlights a strong set of games – including an upset special we’ll probably get wrong yet again.

LOUISIANA STATE at FLORIDA
Neither team has looked as good as some pundits expected going into the year, but LSU remains undefeated and Florida bounced back nicely last week after the stunning home loss to Ole Miss. LSU had an off-week, which should play to the Tigers’ benefit. Florida’s offense continues to sputter, and LSU is not the team against which other teams typically work out the kinks. While the Gators have home-field advantage in this one, look for LSU to remain undefeated and in view of a No. 1 ranking.
LSU 30
Florida 21

TENNESSEE at GEORGIA
The Volunteers nearly made a terrible season worse last week, narrowly escaping against Northern Illinois. The Vols are a team in despair at the moment, and Georgia would like nothing better than to avenge last year’s beating at the hands of Tennessee (35-14), as well as atone for the 41-30 whipping the Bulldogs took last time out against Alabama. Look for Georgia to make good on both points against the Volunteers, who are perhaps only one loss away from a complete meltdown.
Georgia 31
Tennessee 14

SOUTH CAROLINA at KENTUCKY
If the same Kentucky team shows up for this game that showed up for Alabama, the Wildcats should win – unless the same South Carolina team shows up that upset Ole Miss. After losing in back-to-back weeks to Georgia and Vanderbilt, South Carolina has quietly risen to 4-2 and could get back in the mix for the SEC East title with a little help. The Wildcats should be able to win this one if they can put a little more offense on the board. Both these teams have salty defenses and not much to speak of on the other side of the ball.
Kentucky 20
South Carolina 17

VANDERBILT at MISSISSIPPI STATE
Vanderbilt will get a big test from both the Bulldog defense and the danger of letting down after the emotional win over Auburn against a MSU team that was off last week. Couple those factors with the fact this one’s on the road and Vandy could be looking at the wrong side of the scoreboard in this week’s upset special. A win here means bowl eligibility for the Commodores – which in itself, in recent years, has triggered all sorts of unforeseen drama. Like last week, we’re not going to follow through with our upset special pick. Will we be disappointed yet again?
Vanderbilt 21
Mississippi St. 10

ARKANSAS at AUBURN
If there’s an “Upset Special B” this week, here it is. While the Razorbacks have been the SEC’s worst team to date, they hung with Florida for three quarters and do have a pretty good offense. Unfortunately, they’ll be facing one of the league’s best defenses and the Razorbacks have shown no signs they can stop even the most impotent offenses. That’s good news for Auburn, because the Tiger offense is functioning about as well as a screen door on a submarine. Arkansas could be catching Auburn at the right time, and there is some history here between Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville and his former employee and near-replacement, Bobby Petrino. But again, like the Vandy-MSU game, we’re not brave enough to see our upset pick through to fruition.
Auburn 27
Arkansas 14

IDLE: Alabama, Ole Miss