SEC Picks - Week #8

Wow, Georgia are you really that bad? What a miss by yours truly and I will give credit to Junior for getting that one correct. Of course, he wasn’t man enough to take his own team, but that’s fine. We both turned in identical records last week, 5-1 straight up and 2-2 against the spread. For the year, I am 31-6 straight up and 19-14 against the spread while Junior is lagging behind a little bit. He is 26-11 straight up and 15-18 against the spread.


Fresno State at Louisiana State – Louisiana State favored by 32.5

Junior: I always think back to the time Auburn played Fresno State and the Tiger Rags game shirt had a picture of Aubie, with the Bulldog of Fresno wearing a dunce cap. Aubie points to a map of the United States and the caption reads, “Fresno is NOT a state.” It doesn’t take much to amuse me. Tigers 55, Bulldogs 10.

Buford: Sooner or later, LSU is going to have a letdown game against a lesser opponent. One might be tempted to think that this would be the game because LSU has a bye next week before taking on Tennessee. I just can’t shake the notion that the Tigers are trying to serve notice that they are still one of the better teams in the country despite the two losses. Louisiana State 49, Fresno 10.


Mississippi State at Georgia – Georgia favored by 17.5

Junior: Bulldogs versus Bulldogs (or Dawgs, if you prefer). UGA is obviously well coached, I think they are just young. It won’t be any easier without Brown, but the Cowbells still aren’t ringing. UGA 24, MSU 3.

Still not ringing......

Buford: With Georgia coming in off a loss, it sets up well for them to get the win. I have my doubts about the offenses ability to score enough points to cover, but make no mistake Mississippi State is no Vandy. Georgia 31, Mississippi State 10.


Mississippi at Arkansas – Arkansas favored by 17

Junior: Well, if you look at common opponents, this one should go into overtime (Arkansas beat Alabama in OT, Ole Miss lost to Alabama in OT). Both teams also had competitive games against Vandy. I somewhat expect Arkansas to rollin this game, but for some reason I can’t pull the trigger. Hogs 23, Ole Miss 17.

Buford: I still have some questions about Arkansas. Yes, it is biased hate, I don’t care. I like Arkansas at about 10 points, not two touchdowns. I don’t trust such a young team with a big spread like that. Arkansas 24, Mississippi 14.


South Carolina at Vanderbilt – South Carolina favored by 3.5

Junior: Off it’s biggest victory in ages, Vandy hosts Carolina. Spurrier with two weeks to prepare is dangerous. And I bet he wishes he could replay Georgia. Cocks 27, Vandy 20.

Buford: I’m in shock that the second most interesting game on Saturday in the SEC is this one. I will watch because both teams are exciting and playing great football right now. Since we have basically been identical so far, I’m going to toss Junior a bone on this one. I’m taking Vandy at home. Not to win, but to cover in overtime, on a dropped two point conversion pass. South Carolina 25, Vanderbilt 23.


Alabama at Tennessee – Tennessee favored by 11.5

Junior: Shula takes the Tide on the road against Fulmer in what is always and exciting game. Tennessee has more than enough talent to win and Bama lacks enough coaching to really make this competitive. The only way Bama wins is if UT gives it to them like last year. My only thought on the spread being 11 is does Fulmer really want to stomp Shula? Could he take the Tuberville approach and lesson the beatdown? Nope. Vols 35, Tide 17.

Buford: Under Mike Shula, Alabama is averaging 21.4 points per game and giving up an average of 21.9 points per game. The Tide has a 6-10 record in the 16 road games they have played under Shula. However, they are 6-1-1 in their last 8 games as a dog of more than 10.5 points. All this says what exactly? The Tide tends to play tough on the road. I’m giving Junior another opportunity to catch up. Tennessee 32, Alabama 24.


Tulane at Auburn – Auburn favored by 32

Junior: The Greenies head to the Plains for Homecoming. Can Auburn score 32 points to cover is the only question you should be asking. A gimmie win after an emotional win. Didn’t this happen when Auburn played Buffalo? I think the Tigers get better results this time around. Tigers 42, Wave 6.

Buford: I can’t place my finger on why exactly, but I like Auburn’s offense to explode this week. The Greenies are terrible on defense. The matchup of the game is Lester Ricard against Auburn’s defense. Ricard is a great athlete. He doesn’t have much talent around him, but he might be able to create some problems for Auburn’s linebackers if the defensive line can’t contain him. Think Syvelle Newton without Sydney Rice. Auburn 52, Greenies 14.