SEC Picks - Week #6
A couple more weeks like last week and Junior is going to catch the Sheriff. I would blame it on the Bandit, but since Florida State can’t seem to muster anything close to a football team this year, he is in hiding. Anyhow, both Junior and I had sterling straight up 7-0 records last week. And we were mirror images against the spread where I was 2-5 and Junior was 5-2. This brings the season records to 21-3 straight up and 12-10 against the spread for me and 17-7 straight up and 9-13 against the spread for Junior.
The next two weeks will answer a lot of questions in the SEC. Who is better, LSU, Florida, Auburn? Can Kentucky play in December? How much further can Ole Miss slide into obscurity? Who will Georgia turn to next to jumpstart the offense? Will Phil Fulmer choose the Burger King Quadstacker or Hardee’s Monster Thickburger for the pre-game meal?
Duke at Alabama – Alabama favored by 29
Junior: Bama’s offense looks to get back on track and by that I mean actually score a touchdown. How long will Shula play the first stringers in a rout? Tide 45, Duke 3.
Buford: It’s too bad these two basketball schools can’t get a home and home going in December, now that would be something to watch. The football version will be less than stellar. Alabama 31, Duke 7.
West Virginia at Mississippi State – West Virginia favored by 26
Junior: Coach Croom, I’ve never asked for much, but could you please keep this respectable? West Virginia 31, State 7.
Buford: People of Starkville, hear my plea, hide your couches, keep them locked inside your houses. I still want to know how in the hell West Virginia agreed to come to Starkville. Granted, Starkville will probably be a step up for most West Virginia fans. West Virginia 31, Mississippi State 14.
Vanderbilt at Mississippi – Vanderbilt favored by 1.5
Junior: Zzzzzzzzzz............ Vandy 17, Ole Miss 6.
Buford: I have seen it all, first Vanderbilt is a 33 point favorite at home, now they are a favorite on the road. This combined with Alabama’s proclivity as a passing team surely means the end is nigh. Question, if Mississippi loses to Vanderbilt in Oxford, will Ole Miss fans now accept questions concerning the genius move of firing David Cutcliffe? Vanderbilt 17, Mississippi 14.
South Carolina at Kentucky – South Carolina favored by 6.5
Junior: I wonder if the revamped Gamecock offense that we saw last week versus Auburn will continue this week? I think the Ole Ball Coach has found a player. Coacks will beat either Tennessee, Florida, or Clemson. And they roll over the Cats. Cocks 27, Cats 10.
Buford: This line seems off to me. I’m not saying that Kentucky will win because I think South Carolina has better talent and I know they have better coaching. However, one good night against a very cautious Auburn defense, isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of the Gamecock offense. Syvelle Newton looked great, but he still makes dumb mistakes. That being said, South Carolina actually has a defense. That is more than I can say for the other Wildcat opponents except for Florida. South Carolina 21, Kentucky 17.
Tennessee at Georgia – Tennessee favored by 2.5
Junior: UGA’s luck runs out. Vols win a low scoring affair. Vols 13, Dawgs 7.
Buford: I really thought Mark Richt would have the offensive issues ironed out by now. I’m a little disappointed. Tennessee looks to be rolling and has been tested by better competition. However, just like Bob Stoops has Mack Brown’s number, remember Mark Richt owns Phil Fulmer. Plus, Georgia has a monster defense. Albeit, aided by the fact that they haven’t faced an offense in the upper half of D-1A. Tennessee 17, Georgia 10.
Louisiana State at Florida – Louisiana State favored by 2.5
Junior: How good is Florida? How good is LSU? Florida took it to Alabama last week in a game that I thought was closer than the final score really indicated. LSU has played exactly one team this year and have a big L to show for it (thank you SEC officials). Florida’s defense has the bend but don’t break thing going for them and they seem to make good adjustments. We’ll know a lot more about the SEC division races after this game. Lose, and LSU is out of it, cause Auburn isn’t going to drop 3. If Florida loses, the winner of Tennessee-Georgia has new life (and I mean no disrespect to Georiga, as they are 5-0, but they have got to be the team most likely to not finish undefeated). I like the Bayou Bengals. Louisiana State 24, Florida 10.
Buford: I have been back and forth on this game all week. Both teams have great defenses. LSU’s is probably a little stronger. Both teams have offenses that can look great at times and not so great as well. I have to question LSU ability to win the game if they can’t run the football. Passing all over the field will beat Tulane and Mississippi State, but in a defensive struggle they have to be able to control the clock and use the running game in the redzone. In their game against Auburn, the lack of a running threat hampered them when they got inside Auburn’s 25 yard line. Florida has been effective running the football, but will find it difficult to do so against the best defense they will face this year. Not much analysis, I know. This one comes down to gut feel and home field advantage. Florida 17, LSU 10.
Arkansas at Auburn – Auburn favored by 16.5
Junior: Is Auburn capable of playing a complete game? Arkansas goes to the Plains in a game that usually gives Auburn fits. This game always scares me, but I think talent and more experience overcome talent and no experience. Auburn 27, Arkansas 14.
Buford: While I think the line is a little too high, I can’t see Auburn’s defense having two off games in a row. Plus, against South Carolina, Auburn was facing one of the best offensive minds in the history of college football. Against Arkansas, well, not so much. The game plan is simple, stop McFadden, make Mustain beat you, and in obvious passing situations, blitz, blitz, blitz, blitz. And remember, it usually isn’t Arkansas #1 back that kills Auburn, so Felix Jones will probably look like a Heisman trophy winner come 2 o’clock Saturday. Defensively, Auburn must begin to show the ability to get three and outs otherwise trouble looms against Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. That starts with limiting the yardage on 1st down. Arkansas is giving up 171 yards per game on the ground and 190 through the air. The only problem for Auburn’s offense should be how many times they get the ball. Auburn 24, Arkansas 10.
The next two weeks will answer a lot of questions in the SEC. Who is better, LSU, Florida, Auburn? Can Kentucky play in December? How much further can Ole Miss slide into obscurity? Who will Georgia turn to next to jumpstart the offense? Will Phil Fulmer choose the Burger King Quadstacker or Hardee’s Monster Thickburger for the pre-game meal?
Duke at Alabama – Alabama favored by 29
Junior: Bama’s offense looks to get back on track and by that I mean actually score a touchdown. How long will Shula play the first stringers in a rout? Tide 45, Duke 3.
Buford: It’s too bad these two basketball schools can’t get a home and home going in December, now that would be something to watch. The football version will be less than stellar. Alabama 31, Duke 7.
West Virginia at Mississippi State – West Virginia favored by 26
Junior: Coach Croom, I’ve never asked for much, but could you please keep this respectable? West Virginia 31, State 7.
Buford: People of Starkville, hear my plea, hide your couches, keep them locked inside your houses. I still want to know how in the hell West Virginia agreed to come to Starkville. Granted, Starkville will probably be a step up for most West Virginia fans. West Virginia 31, Mississippi State 14.
Vanderbilt at Mississippi – Vanderbilt favored by 1.5
Junior: Zzzzzzzzzz............ Vandy 17, Ole Miss 6.
Buford: I have seen it all, first Vanderbilt is a 33 point favorite at home, now they are a favorite on the road. This combined with Alabama’s proclivity as a passing team surely means the end is nigh. Question, if Mississippi loses to Vanderbilt in Oxford, will Ole Miss fans now accept questions concerning the genius move of firing David Cutcliffe? Vanderbilt 17, Mississippi 14.
South Carolina at Kentucky – South Carolina favored by 6.5
Junior: I wonder if the revamped Gamecock offense that we saw last week versus Auburn will continue this week? I think the Ole Ball Coach has found a player. Coacks will beat either Tennessee, Florida, or Clemson. And they roll over the Cats. Cocks 27, Cats 10.
Buford: This line seems off to me. I’m not saying that Kentucky will win because I think South Carolina has better talent and I know they have better coaching. However, one good night against a very cautious Auburn defense, isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of the Gamecock offense. Syvelle Newton looked great, but he still makes dumb mistakes. That being said, South Carolina actually has a defense. That is more than I can say for the other Wildcat opponents except for Florida. South Carolina 21, Kentucky 17.
Tennessee at Georgia – Tennessee favored by 2.5
Junior: UGA’s luck runs out. Vols win a low scoring affair. Vols 13, Dawgs 7.
Buford: I really thought Mark Richt would have the offensive issues ironed out by now. I’m a little disappointed. Tennessee looks to be rolling and has been tested by better competition. However, just like Bob Stoops has Mack Brown’s number, remember Mark Richt owns Phil Fulmer. Plus, Georgia has a monster defense. Albeit, aided by the fact that they haven’t faced an offense in the upper half of D-1A. Tennessee 17, Georgia 10.
Louisiana State at Florida – Louisiana State favored by 2.5
Junior: How good is Florida? How good is LSU? Florida took it to Alabama last week in a game that I thought was closer than the final score really indicated. LSU has played exactly one team this year and have a big L to show for it (thank you SEC officials). Florida’s defense has the bend but don’t break thing going for them and they seem to make good adjustments. We’ll know a lot more about the SEC division races after this game. Lose, and LSU is out of it, cause Auburn isn’t going to drop 3. If Florida loses, the winner of Tennessee-Georgia has new life (and I mean no disrespect to Georiga, as they are 5-0, but they have got to be the team most likely to not finish undefeated). I like the Bayou Bengals. Louisiana State 24, Florida 10.
Buford: I have been back and forth on this game all week. Both teams have great defenses. LSU’s is probably a little stronger. Both teams have offenses that can look great at times and not so great as well. I have to question LSU ability to win the game if they can’t run the football. Passing all over the field will beat Tulane and Mississippi State, but in a defensive struggle they have to be able to control the clock and use the running game in the redzone. In their game against Auburn, the lack of a running threat hampered them when they got inside Auburn’s 25 yard line. Florida has been effective running the football, but will find it difficult to do so against the best defense they will face this year. Not much analysis, I know. This one comes down to gut feel and home field advantage. Florida 17, LSU 10.
Arkansas at Auburn – Auburn favored by 16.5
Junior: Is Auburn capable of playing a complete game? Arkansas goes to the Plains in a game that usually gives Auburn fits. This game always scares me, but I think talent and more experience overcome talent and no experience. Auburn 27, Arkansas 14.
Buford: While I think the line is a little too high, I can’t see Auburn’s defense having two off games in a row. Plus, against South Carolina, Auburn was facing one of the best offensive minds in the history of college football. Against Arkansas, well, not so much. The game plan is simple, stop McFadden, make Mustain beat you, and in obvious passing situations, blitz, blitz, blitz, blitz. And remember, it usually isn’t Arkansas #1 back that kills Auburn, so Felix Jones will probably look like a Heisman trophy winner come 2 o’clock Saturday. Defensively, Auburn must begin to show the ability to get three and outs otherwise trouble looms against Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. That starts with limiting the yardage on 1st down. Arkansas is giving up 171 yards per game on the ground and 190 through the air. The only problem for Auburn’s offense should be how many times they get the ball. Auburn 24, Arkansas 10.
posted by Buford T. Justice at 8:36 AM
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