October 29, 2009

Dave Childers
Publisher

Alabama draws a bye this week while all other SEC teams are in action.  This week's schedule includes three non-conference games and four conference match-ups.

Here's a closer look at this week's games ...

Non-conference games:

Georgia Tech at Vanderbilt:  Vanderbilt had a very respectable showing in a 14-10 loss to South Carolina on the road, but dropped to 2-6 on the season.  The Commodores will host a 7-1 Georgia Tech team that is ranked No. 11 and poised to make a run for a BCS bowl game.  The Vanderbilt score against South Carolina was respectable, but the defense statistics show the real story behind the Commodore team - they gave up 431 yards of offense to the Gamecocks.  Vanderbilt has been respectable against the run in most games this season, but hasn't faced a ground challenge like the Yellow Jackets will throw at them.  And, with a struggling offense that can't keep the defense off the field, this game could get ugly for Vanderbilt.  Georgia Tech 31 - Vanderbilt 3

Tulane at LSU:  LSU is coming off a big win over Auburn and is still poised to win the SEC West Division if it can beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa next week, but still would have to handle Ole Miss and Arkansas.  Tulane enters the game with a 2-6 record with wins only over Army and McNeese State and was blown out by Southern Miss and Houston.  LSU may be suffering a bit of a hang over from its win over Auburn, but this game shouldn't be close beyond the first quarter.  LSU 41 - Tulane 7

Eastern Michigan at Arkansas:  The Razorbacks host an 0-7 Eastern Michigan team in what can only be classified as an over-glorified scrimmage.  But, it does get the 3-4 Razorbacks closer to being bowl eligible and a possible trip to Shreveport.  Arkansas 55 - Eastern Michigan 0

Conference games: 

Georgia at Florida (in Jacksonville):  Three years ago, Georgia went into the Auburn game with a 6-4 record and Bulldog fans upset about the direction of the team.  Georgia beat then No. 6 Auburn that weekend, 37-15, and won out the rest of the year.  This year's Georgia team goes into Jacksonville with a 4-3 record and similar circumstances to three years ago.  This game may be Georgia's last chance to salvage the season and make things right in the eyes of the Bulldog faithful.  However, there's some big difference between the 2006 and 2009 seasons - namely, Georgia no longer has Matthew Stafford, who had his coming out party against Auburn, and Florida has Tim Tebow.  Look for this game to be closer than a No. 1 team going against an unranked opponent should be, and for Georgia to play well in the first half, but come up short.  Florida 28 - Georgia 17

South Carolina at Tennessee:  As the saying goes, South Carolina hasn't been sexy this year, but still comes in with a 6-2 record and a chance for an upper tier bowl if the team can avoid last year's collapse.  Tennessee has turned heads with a close loss to No. 1 Florida and with a two point loss to Alabama last week.  This is certainly a winnable game for Tennessee and a must win if the 3-4 Vols want a shot at a bowl game, but it seems new head coach Lane Kiffin plays his best games on the road and finds a way to lose at home.  Expect a close game as the Tennessee defense keeps South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia in check and under pressure, but also look for Tennessee to struggle on offense against a solid Gamecock defense.  South Carolina 16 - Tennessee 13

Mississippi State at Kentucky:  It's not the SEC's two best teams doing battle in Lexington, but the game could be one of the best among this week's slate of games.  Mississippi State has played surprising well in several games and hung with Florida last week, but still has struggled on offense.  Rich Brooks has won a couple of games he was expected to lose, including two weeks ago in Auburn, and played South Carolina down to the wire despite lacking a lot of offensive punch and having to deal with injuries.  This should be a close game, but give it to Kentucky because of a veteran head coach and home field advantage.  Kentucky 28 - Mississippi State 24

Ole Miss at Auburn:  Auburn coaches are insisting everything is OK despite losing three straight games.  Things can't be fine with three straight losses and the facts are that the Auburn offense has been figured out and is pretty much not a major threat with the exception of star running back Ben Tate.  The defense also has some holes and overall the team lacks depth.  If Ole Miss comes out breathing the fire the team it had against Arkansas, this game could get embarrassing for Auburn.  However, it's difficult to get a team up two weeks in a row to the level that Houston Nutt had the Rebels last week.  Still, last week was a major confidence builder for Nutt's Rebels offensively and Tyrone Nix's defense will give any team in the country headaches.  Ole Miss could get off to a slow start on Saturday, but is clearly the better team and should prevail. Ole Miss 24 - Auburn 17

Last week: 6-0
Overall: 49-11
Ole Miss picks: 6-1

Power rankings:

SEC East: Florida (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (3), Georgia (4) , Kentucky (5), and Vanderbilt (6)

SEC West: Alabama (1), LSU (2), Ole Miss (3), Arkansas (4),  and Miss. State (6)