How sad is it that I went 6-3-1 last week with a quarter picking my games? If anything, it should show everyone just how unpredictable sports are. Imagine if the quarter wouldn't have been a homer and picked Vandy to cover. After a humbling experience last weekend, I have decided to come back in hopes of beating the quarter's performace from last week. Overall, with the help of the quarter, I am 27-32-1 (the 1 was a push in the Texas vs. Oklahoma game last weekend).
Vanderbilt @ South Carolina
South Carolina by 12.5
Is it basketball season yet? It is pretty much this simple: Vanderbilt can't score. South Carolina may be able to cover this by scoring only 14 points. Also, let's not forget that South Carolina is out for blood after Vanderbilt's victories against the Cocks the past two seasons. If you can bear to watch, the game starts at 6:00 P.M. central time on ESPNU.
Arkansas @ Ole Miss
Ole Miss by 5.5
Arkansas should have beaten Florida last weekend, but the refs and Alex Tejada, the Hogs' kicker, had other ideas. Ole Miss continued their pattern of thumping teams they should beat blowing out UAB last weekend. I am taking Ole Miss here even with Arkansas' performance last weekend. Arkansas still has the worst defense in the SEC, and I worry that there may be a devastating loss hangover for the Hogs as they travel to Ole Miss.
Tennessee @ Alabama
Alabama by 16.0
Alabama is the best team in the country. I believe that. Mark Ingram is an incredible player. With that said, Bama hasn't been blowing out SEC teams by 24 or more. Looking over their past three SEC games, they beat a bad Kentucky team by only 18, Ole Miss by 19, and South Carolina by 14. Also, Bama has not scored more than 23 points in their last two games. Monte Kiffin's defense is better than both South Carolina and Ole Miss' in my opinion. Tennessee's offense came alive against a good Georgia team, and let's not forget that the last time everyone expected UT to get blown out against Florida, they put up quite the fight. I am going against the grain and will regrettably take UT to cover even though I expect Bama to win.
Louisiana-Monroe @ Kentucky
Kentucky by 17
Louisiana Monroe has a good record at 4-2 and is 3-0 in their conference. Unfortunately for them, their two losses have come to BCS opponents in Texas and Arizona State, and neither game was close. Kentucky won a tough, close game last week against a good Auburn team. I will take Kentucky to cover.
Auburn @ LSU
LSU by 8.0
I am not buying LSU. I'm just not. I predicted them as my Western division champs before the season began, but Bama is running away with that. Jordan Jefferson has been disappointing, and the highly touted running back duo of Charles Scott and Keiland Williams has not performed up to its potential. Is LSU a very good team? Yes. Will they beat Auburn? I'm not sure. Yes, this is a night game in Baton Rouge, but let's take a look at LSU's wins this year in the SEC: Vandy by only 14, Mississippi State by only 4, Georgia by 7. Also, LSU could have easily lost to both State and Georgia. I am taking Auburn.
Florida @ Mississippi State
Florida by 23
Dan Mullen welcomes his old team to Starkville. This game is really tough because of how close Florida came to losing last week to Arkansas. The spread was similar in that game. Mississippi State might be the second worst SEC team, but they can score points even though they haven't played Florida's defense. Florida also has a Halloween showdown with rival Georgia next weekend that they may be looking ahead to. I hate to go against Florida, but I will take State to cover.
Georgia Tech @ Virginia
Tech by 5.5
Virginia is quietly first in the ACC Coastal division. Nevertheless, they have only played two ACC games. One against a disappointing UNC team and another against a bad Maryland team. Tech on the other hand is 4-1 in conference and has played Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech, Florida State, and North Carolina. I think Tech easily covers this, and I am surprised the spread is only 5.5.
Penn State @ Michigan
Penn State by 4.5
Both of these teams are very up and down. Tate Forcier says he is ready to play, and the freshman is one of the best young quarterbacks in the nation. Penn State has been crawling along winning games against average teams; however, they are in the Big Ten, so they can't help that too much. I will give the edge to Michigan because they are playing in the Big House, and Penn State has not won there since the late nineties.
Clemson @ Miami (FL)
Miami by 4.5
Clemson is Clemson. They are always very talented, but they are always inconsistent. Miami is just a solid team this year. I still like Harris at QB. I like their defense. I like that they are playing at home. I like them to cover the spread.
Minnesota @ Ohio State
Ohio State by 16.5
I had trouble picking a final game. I decided on this one over the Iowa game, Cal game, Oregon game, USC game, or TCU game. Ohio State is playing at home. They are coming off an embarrassing loss to Purdue. Pryor has been under a lot of fire lately. Minnesota just lost to Penn State last weekend by 20. I hope I don't regret this pick.
