This Week's SEC Predictions
Okay, so after last week's terrible performance, three wins and four losses, I am back to pick this week's SEC action. Only five games are on the schedule, and I'll be predicting the South Carolina-Florida game on Friday.
Here we go.
Georgia at Auburn:
"That's what makes our league so tough. All the teams are good, and they can beat anyone. Each week you go and you know there could be an upset." - Auburn Head Coach Tommy Tuberville.
Yes, Georgia lost to Kentucky, but it's still an Auburn-Georgia game. Auburn better take the Bulldogs seriously.
Key to the game for Georgia: Enough with the mistakes. Interceptions by the quarterback, missed tackles on defense, dropped balls by receivers. They exist in every game now for Georgia. That's why the Bulldogs keep losing.
Key to the game for Auburn: A heavy dose of the running game. Even if Kenny Irons isn't 100%, the Tigers have enough depth there to continue to hand the ball off. You don't want to start throwing a lot against the Bulldogs, because the secondary is athletic and can force turnovers.
Prediction: A Tuberville-coached team won't overlook any opponent, especially Georgia. Auburn by 10.
Vanderbilt at Kentucky:
"A win over Vanderbilt would be great. It's a huge game for us, and we're playing a really good team. For us, we would be able to get our fourth SEC win and climb up the SEC standings, which I think would be even better for our program than going to a bowl game." - Kentucky Head Coach Rich Brooks
These two teams are evenly matched and I expect a solid game. Both teams are good at forcing turnovers, so watch out for that battle.
Key to the game for Vanderbilt: It seems lately when the Commodores play well, Earl Bennett plays well. The WR is the most talented player on the team, and he needs to be involved.
Key to the game for Kentucky: Figure out some way to get to the quarterback. The blitzes have not worked well this year. Something must change on defense in order to put pressure on Chris Nickson.
Prediction: Kentucky is going bowling this year. The Wildcats win by seven.
Tennessee at Arkansas:
"We've started out with great preparations against Tennessee. They're a great football team, and they're probably one of the most athletic football teams we've played all year. We're looking forward to playing them." - Arkansas Head Coach Houston Nutt
It's the Backup Quarterback Bowl in Fayetteville. Casey Dick takes over for Mitch Mustain, and it looks like Jonathan Crompton will start for an injured Erik Ainge.
Key to the game for Tennessee: Dick looked for WR Marcus Monk last week time and time again. Monk had 192 yards receiving. Arkansas as a team had 228 receiving yards. Even Coach Spurrier admitted that USC probably should have focused on stopping Monk more on Saturday. So that's what Tennessee must do. Make Dick find other options this week.
Key to the game for Arkansas: The redshirt freshman Jonathan Crompton must be rattled. He played well last week, but that was at home. Force Crompton into mistakes. Typically, a freshman quarterback struggles in his first major road game.
Prediction: Arkansas gets closer to an SEC West title. Hogs by 10.
Alabama at LSU:
"We don't put much stock in the fact that this is a team that has lost a couple of games they shouldn't have lost. We understand that Alabama is a good football team, and has a very tradition-rich past." - LSU Head Coach Les Miles.
LSU should not have much trouble with Alabama, but we've seen throughout the season that every game in the SEC is a challenge.
Key to the game for Alabama: Third down will be the key. LSU is the best third down team in the SEC on offense and on defense. The Tigers convert 53.5% of third down tries. Alabama must keep the LSU offense off the field by stopping them on third down.
Key to the game for LSU: Throw all day. Alabama has the fewest sacks in the SEC. Combine that with the fact that LSU's offensive line is playing well, and JaMarcus Russell could have another big performance.
Prediction: LSU wins easily.






