Last week: 4-1 Season: 37-15 Against the spread: 16-14
- Auburn at West Virginia (WVU by 2.5): The brain trust (oxymoron?) at Auburn has had 10 days to straighten out its gigantic offensive mess. Bet that hasn’t been quite enough time. Newly embattled Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville is going with Kodi Burns at quarterback, and thus far Burns hasn’t shown the ability to consistently cut it at this level. West Virginia gets qb Pat White back. He can cut it. Mountaineers cover. West Virginia 24, Auburn 10.
- Alabama at Tennessee (Alabama by 6.5): Could this be Phil Fulmer’s death knell as Tennessee’s coach? Yes, especially if Bama lays a brutal hurt on the Volunteers. That’s not to say that Fulmer will feel the axe in-season — Mike Hamilton doesn’t seem the type — but the coach want to start sending out his resume before the end of the season. Tennessee showed improvement against Mississippi State, but as luck would have it, Bama isn’t Mississippi State. Even with its continuing second-half issues, Tide covers on the road. Alabama 31, Tennessee 21.
- Georgia at LSU (LSU by 11.5): The point-spread seems a little large until you start counting on fingers and toes all of Georgia’s injuries. On-Star couldn’t find Georgia enough healthy linebackers. And even with Matt Stafford, Knowshon Moreno and A.J. Green, Georgia offense is an underachiever. LSU should be confident after win at South Carolina last Saturday. Going with Vegas on this one. LSU 28, Georgia 16.
- Duke at Vanderbilt (Vandy by 10.5): Only David Cutcliffe stands in the way of Vanderbilt and bowl eligibility. As you remember, Cutcliffe served two tours of duty as Tennessee’s offensive boss before taking over the egg-heads at Duke. He knows Bobby Johnson and the Vandy defense well. But even though Cutcliffe has done a dandy job in Durham in his first season, does he own the horses to win in Nashville? The answer is no. Can he beat the spread? Yes. Vanderbilt 20, Duke 17.
- Ole Miss at Arkansas (Ole Miss by 5): Were I not set for The Swamp and UK-Florida this weekend, wouldn’t mind being in Fayetteville for Houston Nutt’s return to Arkansas. Don’t expect a warm welcome. No doubt the Nuttster wants this one bad. And despite what they say in Razorback Country, he is a good coach. Guess here is that it will be a happy return, especially if Michael Smith can’t go for the Razorbacks. Ole Miss 35, Arkansas 28.
- Middle Tennessee at Mississippi State (MSU by 10): Middle is a tough team to play, feisty with the ability to score, even on the final play of the game. Could easily see State overlooking the Blue Raiders here. Gonna go with Sylvester Croom’s team to pull out the win, but not that confident about it, to tell you the truth. Mississippi State 21, Middle Tennessee 20.
- Kentucky at Florida (Florida by 25): Don’t have a good feeling about this one. No Dicky Lyons. No Derrick Locke. Mike Hartline’s first game in The Swamp. Florida has had two weeks to prepare, which doesn’t seem fair. The Gator run game is on track, which isn’t good news for a Kentucky defense that allowed little Michael Smith to run hog-wild last Saturday. Florida fans might leave early during this one. Gators will cover. Florida 35, Kentucky 7.
Gee John,
Why do you have zero confidence in the UK Defense? Gators by 15 at most.
I do have more-than-zero confidence in defense, I just think this is probably its toughest matchup of the year. Florida runs that spread, has a tough quarterback, and has small, fast backs which have given Cats trouble. Remember that little scatback from Middle Tennessee? And Michael Smith?
Have to agree that this one could get out of hand fast. Might be better suited to bench the starters at the half and rest up for next week’s game. Of course, I also said this about the Alabama game…
And I have to admit, the mean-spirited side of me would snicker if Vandy were to lose the rest of their games this season and once again finish 5-7.
You are wrong about the GA/LSU line. It’s not 11.5? Not sure who your bookie is but let me have his #. The line is LSU -1.5 or 2 depending on where you look on what day. LSU does cover the spread, but it won’t be near the offensive scorefest you predict. 20-14 LSU covers.
CAT’s going into this game with their ears pinned back. They have nothing to lose, so watch out for Phillips to dig deep in the ole’ playbook. CAT’s unfortunately fall short, but closer than the “experts” think. FLA 33 CATS 20.
LSU is -1.5 not 11.5.
I like our defense as well S. Smith, but with our young offense matched up against Florida’s defense you can count on Florida’s potent offense to be in good field position all day. This is just a bad matchup for the team we have this year, and the only game I don’t think we have a shot to win. FL 41 UK 6
I misread LSU-Georgia line in USA Today this morning. (Small type, and I’m getting old.) Thanks for the heads-up. But I’m sticking with my pick on that one.
Dirty secret: Cats fans should be rooting against the SEC in non-conference games from here on out. Auburn spit the bit tonight, as you predicted. If AU cannot win at Ole Miss next week, it stares 5-7 squarely in the face.