The first month of the SEC football season is a wrap, and while there have been some key conference matchups, miraculous comebacks and upsets that have helped shape the landscape, the best is still ahead.
Tennessee and Texas A&M, the only two undefeated SEC schools, other than Alabama, clash in a Week 6 showdown in College Station. Both the Vols and Aggies are currently ranked in the AP Top 10.
Bret Bielema is looking for what would be his biggest win as head Hawg against the No. 1 Fighting Saban’s.
SEC Predictions & Picks: Week 6
Auburn vs. Mississippi State Game Preview
When: Saturday, October 8 – 12:00 p.m. ET
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
TV Broadcast: SEC Network
Spread: Auburn -2.5
Over/Under: 53
Auburn isn’t bad, in fact, they’re better than you think.
Folks have sort of written off Auburn, but the Tigers have faced three terrific teams – yeah, LSU is a terrific team – and they keep on clawing.
This is not one of the better Dan Mullen teams and they have already lost too a much worse Alabama based team, South Alabama, and I expect MSU to struggle here. Auburn isn’t going to contend for the west crown this season, but the Tigers have the better athletes and based on that alone, they win and cover. Look for Auburn to have the advantage on special teams, field position, and running the ball slightly better than Mississippi State will.
The Picks:
Billy: MSU
Keach: Auburn
Josh: Auburn
Florida vs. LSU Game Preview
When: Saturday, October 8 – 12:00 p.m. ET
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Spread: LSU -3
Over/Under: 42
GAME CANCELED: WEATHER
LSU fired Les Miles, for good this time, I think, and the Tigers responded with a drubbing over Missouri, but the ‘Orgeron led Bayou Bengals’ have another tough game this week against a nasty Florida defense that ranks inside the top-10 against the rush. This game pits strength against strength, making this one of the more intriguing contests on Saturday.
Look for the Gators to have trouble moving the ball, making this a game a defensive slug fest with plenty to play for. Expect a physical, low scoring football game with the winner coming from the offense that can make something happen and the defense that forces more turnovers.
Vegas doesn’t seem to think the Tigers will have a hard time adjusting to Ed Orgeron. Last week, in his first game replacing Les Miles, LSU gashed a solid Mizzou defense for 418 yards and six TD’s against Missouri. The Gators are 11th in the country by allowing only 90.6 rushing yards per game. Something’s has to give. Will the ‘Bayou Bengals’ become Gator bait?
The Picks:
Billy: LSU
Keach: LSU
Josh: Florida, and take the under
Alabama vs. Arkansas Game Preview
When: Saturday, October 8 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Spread: Alabama -14
Over/Under: 49.5
Bama’ takes their perfect record to the Ozarks this weekend. The Tide boast one of the best defensive units in the game and will wreak havoc on the Razorbacks offense to move the ball, but the bigger question, will be on defensive side of the ball for the Hawgs, can they stop a potent, Jalen Hurts led offense?
The Alabama Crimson Tide steamrolled Kentucky, 34-6 in their final tuneup game before facing their toughest conference opponents. Jalen Hurts was once again solid, connecting on 20 of 33 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
Alabama will shred the Hawgs’ run defense, but expect Arkansas to play keep away from the Tide offense. Allen has played very well and will frustrate the Tide defense with his accuracy, can Bama adjust?
No. 1 Alabama at No. 16 Arkansas. The Crimson Tide has won nine straight meetings.
The Picks:
Billy: Bama
Keach: Bama
Josh: Woo Pig Sooie!
Tennessee vs. Texas A&M Game Preview
When: Saturday, October 8 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Kyle Field, College Station, TX
TV Broadcast: CBS
Spread: Texas A&M -6.5
Over/Under: 57
The Volunteers and Aggies currently lead their respective divisions in the SEC, just like everyone predicted. Well, maybe not everybody…or anybody. Tennessee survived last week on a last-second Hail Mary from Joshua Dobbs to Jauan Jennings in a 34-31 win over Georgia. The Volunteers now get an undefeated Aggies team and, potentially, another undefeated team in Alabama the following week, brutal! A&M’s path doesn’t get any easier either. After Alabama, the Aggies’ get a bye before traveling to Tuscaloosa.
The Vols’ aren’t winning easily, but they keep finding ways to pull horseshoes out of their ass, and wins are what matter, however they come. The Aggies can move into the NCAA Football playoff talk with a win on Saturday and with the home crowd on their side, it has all the makings of a big win.
The Picks:
Billy: Tennessee
Keach: Texas A&M
Josh: ‘Gig Em’
Georgia vs. South Carolina
When: Sunday, October 9 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
TV Broadcast: SEC Network
Spread: Georgia -7.5
Over/Under: 45.5
Note: The game time/date and location could be changed due to potential weather issues from Hurricane Matthew. A decision is expected Thursday afternoon, South Carolina Athletic Director, Ray Tanner, the SEC and emergency officials are working together to determine the safest option. If the game is moved, this would be the Gamecocks second home game in as many years lost due to weather, last year they moved the LSU game to Baton Rouge, after devastating floods hit central and southern parts of South Carolina.
If the game is moved, this line will be taking off the board.
Can Georgia recover after such a gut-wrenching loss to Tennessee on the unsportsmanlike assisted Hail Mary? The Bulldogs had it won, until they didn’t, and now Kirby Smart must rally his troops for a trap game in Columbia, a place where Georgia hasn’t won since 2008.
The Gamecocks are coming off a loss to Texas A&M, where they gave up some yards, but contained a potent Aggie offensive attack. South Carolina is ranked 23rd in overall points allowed per game, giving up only 18. The achille’s heel for the Gamecocks is their offense, they’ve only scored 20+ points once this season in a win against East Carolina. Georgia is ranked 89th in overall points allowed per game, surrendering 30+ points. Will the Gamecocks be able to take advantage of a vulnerable Dawg defense? This one will be ugly and I could see South Carolina winning outright, either way, Georgia may be in for several tough seasons.
The Picks:
Billy: South Carolina
Keach: UGA
Josh: South Carolina
Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky
When: Saturday, October 8 – 4:00 p.m. ET
Where: Lexington, KY
TV Broadcast: SEC Network
Spread: Kentucky -3
Over/Under: N/A
Kentucky will seek to avenge a crushing defeat in Nashville a season ago in a game the Wildcats cost themselves with a series of miscues and perplexing coaching decisions. That 2015 loss to Vanderbilt kept Kentucky from bowl eligibility.
Both of these offenses are horrendous and that should keep the scoring down in this one. Yes, the Cats have a very weak defense, but Vanderbilt just doesn’t have the offense to take advantage of that. Both offenses are ground based attacks, which should really keep the clock moving. The Commodores have the stronger defense and should really keep the Cats under wraps here. The last four games in this series have averaged just 32.5 ppg, with no more than 40 points being scored in any of those games and this one may not reach 41 points either.
The Picks:
Billy: Kentucky
Keach: Vanderbilt
Josh: Cats’
While we’ll track season performance against the spread, please remember these picks are for entertainment purposes only, you do NOT want to wager any MOOLA based on our picks. If you do, you should be slapped.
Spreads from http://www.oddsshark.com/
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