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Picking SEC Games for the Final Time

One more weekend of SEC football games to go. I took advantage of easy games last week to go 6-1. Anyone could have done that. Here's a real test. It's Rivalry Week!

Predictions for LSU at Arkansas and Mississippi State at Ole Miss are coming later.


Florida at Florida State:

Be careful, UF. Major upsets are abundant in this series' history. The Gators are much better than Florida State. Wake Forest shut out FSU in Tallahassee just a few weeks ago, but the Seminoles almost always bring their best for the Gators.

Key to the game for Florida: Control the time of possession. FSU has a banged up defense, and it has forced the 'Noles to play young guys for too many snaps. The Seminoles have been tiring at the end of games.

Key to the game for Florida State: Run it up the middle. The best way to attack the UF defense is straight up the gut, where Marcus Thomas used to be clogging up holes. FSU must run the ball to take pressure off of its two terrible quarterbacks.

Prediction: Florida by 10. It may not be convincing enough for the voters.


South Carolina at Clemson:

There won't be any hand shaking this year, but there will be plenty of hard hitting. Not too much on the line other than bragging rights and bowl placement.

Key to the game for South Carolina: USC's offensive line must be better than Clemson's pass rush. Clemson has one of the best defensive ends in the country, Gaines Adams. South Carolina has protected Blake Mitchell very well since he took over again as the starting quarterback.

Key to the game for Clemson: Allow a typically strong running game to set up big pass plays. USC has been prone to allowing large gains through the air. Clemson is a running team, but quarterback Will Proctor can hurt you as well.

Prediction:
South Carolina gets its signature win of the season. It will be a one-possession game. Will it be Spurrier's last regular season game at USC?


Kentucky at Tennessee:

Tennessee has been a consistent team this year as long as Erik Ainge is playing, and Kentucky can look very good or very bad each week. Last week, it was very bad.

Key to the game for Kentucky: Force turnovers. The defense is just too bad to win without winning the turnover battle. You know yards will be given up, but can the Wildcats keep points off the board with interceptions and forced fumbles?

Key to the game for Tennessee: Kentucky is now capable of running the football well, as the backfield is healthier. Also, Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo is expected to miss this game. The key is for the defensive line to have a big game and stop the running game, because the linebacker unit is taking a big hit with the loss of Mayo.

Prediction: Tennessee wins easily.


Georgia Tech at Georgia:

A one-sided rivalry as of late. It's been all Bulldogs, but Georgia Tech is probably a better team this year. Maybe the Bulldogs turned a corner with that win in Auburn. It worked for Arkansas.

Key to the game for Georgia Tech: Pressure Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. Auburn recorded no sacks two weeks ago in the loss. Georgia's offensive line has been good this year, but if the Yellow Jackets can get to Stafford, they can force him to make mistakes. Stafford's mistakes have been the main reason behind several Georgia losses.

Key to the game for Georgia: Coach Richt called Calvin Johnson the best wide receiver in the country. The question is: Do you double team this guy? Remember, Tech has a good running game and another good receiver (with the same last name) that lines up opposite Calvin Johnson. In these situations, I like when opponents double team the star player in the red zone. Take away Johnson when the Yellow Jackets are close to scoring. Make quarterback Reggie Ball find a different man.

Prediction: While Georgia matches up well against Georgia Tech because the Bulldogs can run the ball and have a good secondary, I'm going to ignore all of that and go with my gut on this game. I'll take Georgia Tech in a close one.

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gators 38 seminoles 10

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