Week 3 SEC Picks and Score Predictions
By Zach Ragan
Nov 24, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers player A.J. Johnson (45) scores a touchdown against Kentucky Wildcats safety Mikie Benton (31) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Last week I went 10-2 with my games picks. The picks get a little tougher this week with some intriguing matchups.
There are eight games involving SEC teams this week, including three conference games. So let’s get to the picks!
# 7 Louisville -14 @ Kentucky 12:00 PM ET (ESPN)
The Louisville Cardinals do not have the toughest schedule in the land this season — far from it actually.
While Kentucky will provide a greater challenge for the Cardinals this week, Charlie Strong and his Louisville squad will pick up their third win of the season.
Louisville doesn’t cover the spread, but wins a close won. Louisville 24 Kentucky 17
Southern Mississippi @ Arkansas -24 12:21 PM ET (SEC TV)
Southern Mississippi just hasn’t been the same since Larry Fedora left town. Arkansas won’t make it any easier this week when Southern Mississippi comes to Fayetteville.
Arkansas will handle the Golden Eagles easily, while covering the spread. Arkansas 41 Southern Miss 10
#1 Alabama -8.5 @ #6 Texas A&M 3:30 PM ET (CBS)
Alabama, the two-time defending national champion, has not lost since losing to the Aggies in Tuscaloosa last season. This game has already been hyped as the biggest of the season and will have to be quite the game to live up to the billing.
Johnny Manziel and A.J. McCarron will take center stage in this early-season showdown. For all the hype, I think Alabama walks into Kyle Field and overwhelms Kevin Sumlin’s Aggies. Alabama 28 Texas A&M 13
Vanderbilt @ #13 South Carolina -14 7:00 PM ET (ESPN)
South Carolina is coming off a loss to Georgia, which means Steve Spurrier will have his team ready to regain composure and show why analysts were so high on them this season. Vanderbilt, dealing with a scandal of their own, will be no match for the Gamecocks in Columbia. South Carolina 30 Vanderbilt 13
Mississippi State @ Auburn -6 7:00 PM ET (ESPN 2)
This is probably the hardest game of the evening to pick, especially against the spread. I’ll give the edge to Auburn, since they’re at home, but they won’t cover. Auburn 24 Mississippi State 21
Kent State @ #8 LSU -36.5 7:00 PM ET (ESPNU)
The only question here is if LSU will cover. I say they do, in an absolute demolition of Kent State. LSU 55 Kent State 3
Ole Miss #25 @ Texas -2.5 8:00 PM ET
Despite Ole Miss being ranked, and Texas not being ranked, the Rebels are not a favorite on the road.
Texas is going through some tribulations and has already ruled out starting quarterback David Ash. For that reason alone I say Ole Miss wins and picks up their third win of the season. Ole Miss 35 Texas 21
Tennessee @ #2 Oregon -28 3;30 PM ET (ABC)
The Vols have started the Butch Jones era with two straight wins, but I can’t see them making it three in a row. Tennessee is an extremely young team, going on the road. While they may be on the right track, the Vols won’t be any match for the Ducks in Eugene. Oregon wins, but doesn’t cover the spread. Oregon 42 Tennessee 27