Week Two SEC Game Picks
By Zach Ragan
November 17, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; A general view of the field looking over the hedges prior to the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Southern Eagles at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Every SEC team, except Alabama, will be in action tomorrow, with only one of those games (South Carolina @ Georgia) being a conference game.
We predict who will win each game, and take a stab at the final scores as well.
Feel free to ridicule these predictions on Sunday!
Miami (Ohio) @ Kentucky
Kentucky will be looking to get back on track after losing to Western Kentucky in Nashville last Saturday. The Wildcats are a 17 point favorite, and while they may not cover the spread, they’ll get Mark Stoops his first win as the head coach in Lexington. Kentucky 30 Miami (Ohio) 17
Florida @ Miami
This is the last time these two programs are scheduled to play each other, for the time being. I personally think that’s a shame, as this has always been a fun rivalry, even if they haven’t played each other consistently as of late (the two teams last played each other in 2008, a 26-3 win for Florida).
The Gators will cruise into Coral Gables as a 3 point favorite, but I expect Duke Johnson and the Hurricanes to expose Florida’s run defense and prevail at home. Al Golden will get a much needed signature win on Saturday afternoon. Miami 34 Florida 24
Alcorn State @ Mississippi State
The only question about this game, is if Mississippi State will cover the 42 point spread. I think they will, because Alcorn State is just that outmatched. Mississippi State 55 Alcorn State 7
Toledo @ Missouri
Missouri is actually only favored by 17 points in this game, so this may not be as clear cut of a game as you might think. In fact, Kirk Herbstreit actually picked Toledo to beat Florida last week on College Gameday. I don’t think Toledo upsets Missouri at home, but I don’t believe the Tigers will cover the spread either. Missouri 20 Toledo 10
South Carolina @ Georgia
This is definitely the biggest game of the weekend, in all of college football (Yes, bigger than Notre Dame-Michigan), and it should live up to the hype. Georgia showed major holes in their defense last week against Clemson, which means their goal of a BCS championship could be over, before it begins.
I think Jadeveon Clowney gets the hype-train rolling again and gives Aaron Murray problems all day. The favored Bulldogs (-3.5) will start the season 0-2 as the Gamecocks roll to victory between the hedges. And yes, more Georgia fans will cry on the radio. South Carolina 31 Georgia 21
Samford @ Arkansas
The Razorbacks are a 32.5 point favorite against Samford, and they should easily cover. Arkansas will roll to a big victory on Saturday. Arkansas 49 Samford 6
UAB @ LSU
UAB started their season with a loss to Troy last Saturday. Things won’t get much better when they travel to Death Valley to take on the LSU Tigers. UAB is a 32.5 point underdog, and that could be a little generous. LSU wins easily. LSU 55 UAB 3
Southeast Missouri State @ Ole Miss
Once again, the only unknown about this game, is if Ole Miss will cover the 50 point spread. I don’t think they will, but they’ll still roll to victory easily. Ole Miss 38 Southeast Missouri State 13
Sam Houston State @ Texas A&M
Johnny Manziel will play a full game for the Aggies (assuming Kevin Sumlin doesn’t bench him for his on-the-field antics), which will be bad news for Sam Houston State. With the Texas A&M offense clicking, this game will likely get out of hand quickly. Texas A&M will remind people why they’re a top 10 team, as they easily cover the 31.5 point spread. Texas A&M 52 Sam Houston State 10
Arkansas State @ Auburn
Guz Malzhan will face the team he coached in 2012, as he seeks his second win as Auburn’s head coach. The Tigers are favored by 10.5 points over Arkansas State. This is my upset special of the day. I think Arkansas State’s high octane offense will catch Auburn off-guard, and the Tigers go down in an upset. Arkansas State 35 Auburn 31
Austin Peay @ Vanderbilt
We saw last week just how bad Austin Peay is this season. Vanderbilt is a 47.5 point favorite. I don’t think they cover and I also think Austin Peay finally gets on the scoreboard this season. Vanderbilt 45 Austin Peay 13
Western Kentucky @ Tennessee
A lot of college football analysts are picking Western Kentucky as their upset special of the week. It’s easy to understand why. Bobby Petrino had the Hilltopper’s offense clicking last week in a win over Kentucky. The Volunteers are 13 point favorites. I believe they cover, just barely, as Butch Jones gets his second win as the head coach on Rocky Top Tennessee 31 Western Kentucky 17