Week 5 SEC Picks & Score Predictions
By Zach Ragan
Sep 21, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones talks with kicker Michael Palardy (1) after he made a field goal during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to believe it’s already week five of the college football season. It’s a shame the season flies by so quickly.
Anyway enough talking about how fast it’s going and on to enjoying the games!
Here’s my week five picks and score predictions. Feel free to tear them apart in the comments!
#12 South Carolina -7 @ UCF 12:00 PM ET (ABC)
It may come as a surprise that South Carolina is only a seven point favorite over UCF, but it shouldn’t.
UCF is a solid team that’s coming off a 34-31 upset victory over Penn State in Happy Valley.
Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks won’t overlook UCF and will be ready to go. South Carolina covers the spread and wins easily South Carolina 28 UCF 10
# 6 LSU @ #9 Georgia -3 3:30 PM ET (CBS)
Georgia is slightly favored in this game, which will take place “between the hedges” in Athens. LSU is the better team, but they’ll face a tough opponent in the Bulldogs.
The Tigers defense should prevail, considering Georgia’s defense has looked less than stellar so far this season. I think LSU will control the clock and the line of scrimmage and come out of Athens unscathed. LSU 17 Georgia 14
#21 Ole Miss @ #1 Alabama -14.5 6:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Ole Miss will give the Crimson Tide a run for the money, but there’s no way they come away with a win in Tuscaloosa. I don’t believe, however, that Alabama will cover the spread. ‘Bama wins an exciting one, just barely Alabama 24 Ole Miss 17
#20 Florida -12 @ Kentucky 7:00 PM ET (ESPNU)
Florida’s offense is pretty bad and they lost star defensive lineman Dominique Easley for the season, but the Gators will still overpower the Wildcats.
Kentucky is improving under Mark Stoops, but they will prove no match for Florida. Florida 35 Kentucky 7
#10 Texas A&M -15 @ Arkansas 7:00 PM ET (ESPN2)
This is another game that I believe will be a blowout. Texas A&M is in a much different place than Arkansas. Johnny Manziel will come to play, as usual, as the Aggies blow out the Razorbacks. Texas A&M 42 Arkansas 10
Arkansas State @ Missouri – 21.5 7:30 PM ET (CSS)
Missouri is off to a hot start and they’ll keep it rolling against Arkansas State. This game shouldn’t be close. The Tigers should cover the spread easily. Missouri 38 Arkansas State 6
UAB @ Vanderbilt – 20 7:30 PM ET (FOX REGIONAL)
This is another game that pits an SEC opponent against a much lesser team. The Commodores will get over .500 with a win over UAB, but they won’t cover the spread Vanderbilt 28 UAB 13
South Alabama @ Tennessee -18.5 12:21 PM ET (SEC TV)
Tennessee is looking to get back on track after two straight road losses. South Alabama is a team that Tennessee can’t overlook, but they should handle easily. The Vols are a much more talented team than South Alabama and you can be sure that Butch Jones has lit a fire under them. Tennessee 34 South Alabama 13