Week 4 SEC Previews: Is Auburn (LSU) Tiger Bait?

TIt’s Week 4 in the SEC, which apparently means meaningless opposition for more teams unless you’re Auburn (playing at LSU) and Tennesseee (playing at Florida). No doubt their fans will get called all kinds of “bait” (Tiger and Gator), and their replies about corn dogs and jorts hopefully will come back thick and fast.

Anyway, here’s our SEC predictions, folks.

AUBURN AT LSU

This is a new-and-improved Auburn team, sporting a good young quarterback in Nick Marshall and an unbeaten record after victories against Washington State, Arkansas State and Mississippi State. In the fourth straight of its ‘State’ match-ups, Auburn travels down to Death Valley to face sixth-ranked Louisiana State University, which is also unbeaten. Zach Mettenberger, the LSU QB has found some rhythm under new offensive co-ordinator Cam Cameron, and he’s got two weapons at wide receiver in Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham who have been making circus catches. Oh, and his running stable’s pretty fierce, too. On the other side of the ball, LSU have looked leaky in defence with their young, intrepid warriors, and Auburn RB Tre Mason’s going to cause them some problems. Auburn tigers, watch out – you may be (LSU) Tiger bait.

Auburn always seems to play LSU close – remember 2012 when they lost 12-10? This could be that way until the 4th quarter.

BOTTOM LINE: LSU will win this one, but by less than the 17 point spread.

TENNESSEE AT FLORIDA

The last time these two played, everyone was very excited about Tennessee because they hadn’t lost yet. Well, Florida came into Neyland Stadium that day, broke some hearts, and helped to send Tennessee on the road to another bowl-less season, which ended in the firing of Derek Dooley. This year, Tennessee jumped out to a 2-0 record before going into Oregon and getting absolutely smashed. We said in our tip last week that Oregon’s winning by 28 points would ‘be a risk’, and we were wrong. Well, any over-smashing by Florida would be a risk, because the Gators offence thus far this season has been, er, offensive. It was the big reason why they lost at Miami in Week 2. But their defence, on the other, hand, is fantastic. They have playmakers all over the shop, including soon-to-be-NFLer Loucheiz Purifoy, who’s one of the most talented DBs you’ll see in the country. Don’t be surprised for him to ‘Volunteer’ an interception on Saturday.

BOTTOM LINE: Florida’s 1/7 for victory and Tennessee’s 5/1. We don’t like Florida’s 16.5-point handicap, either. We’ll take Tennessee, but only to lose by less than 17. Straight-up, we’re taking Florida.

 MISSOURI AT INDIANA

Indiana is scoring a ton of points (6th in the nation – although the big win was jacking up 73 points against Indiana State) and passing the ball well (11th in the nation), and they are at home, in one of the under-the-radar games of the day. Missouri’s pretty handy too (10th in scoring in FBS – although 58 of those were against Murray State). This is going to be a lot of fun. Have a bet of Dorial Green-Beckham on get well over 100 yards receiving.

BOTTOM LINE: We’re calling for Indiana to ‘upset’ Missouri, but it’s going to be the first to 400.

ARKANSAS AT RUTGERS

Actually a bigger game than a lot of people give it credit for. Rutgers lost to Fresno State on the road in overtime, while Arkansas hasn’t beaten anyone good all season long, and actually struggled defensively. Alex Collins is definitely for real (his three straight 100-yard games is better than Emmitt,Cadillac and Herschel managed), but is Brandon Allen? This is going to be a struggle for the ‘Backs, folks.

BOTTOM LINE: Rutgers is a 2.5-point favourite. Were taking Arkansas, and the points. Even if they win by 3.

SMU AT TEXAS A&M

After losing by seven in a classic game against Alabama, Texas A&M will be fired up for the visit of Texas ‘rivals’ SMU, who come into Kyle Field 1-1 and not very good. Like Texas A&M, SMU has been unable to stop anybody, and while QB Garrett Gilbert and the tandem of WRS Jeremy Johnson and Darius Joseph have helped the Mustangs to 10th in the country in overall passing, Texas A&M has a fantastic QB-WR tandem in itself in Johnny Manziel and Michael Evans. Both are nigh-on unstoppable when they are on their game and SMU don’t seem to very good at stopping anybody. Having said that, the Aggies secondary isn’t exactly the second coming of Darrelle Revis and Ed Reed, either, so imagine – if you will – Gilbert & Co at least getting a touchdown or two on the board.

BOTTOM LINE: Texas A&M win, and win handsomely – by more than the 28.5 handicap.

TROY AT MISSISSIPPI STATE

Mississippi State probably should have won at Auburn, but they lost with 10 seconds to go. They’ll face an offense who can definitely pass the ball (7th in the nation), so watch out. MSU fans will be frightened until the fourth quarter.

BOTTOM LINE: Troy’s a 13-1/2//14-point dog in this one. I’ll take Mississippi State by more. Just.

VANDERBILT AT UMASS

Vandy’s biggest headline over the last week was booting receiver Chris Boyd for covering up a rape. Now, onto the football. I expect U-Mass to double-team Jordan Matthews, the Commodores best receiver. This will give them some sort of a hope. At least until the third quarter.

BOTTOM LINE: Vanderbilt wins, but by less than the 31 point spread.

This is going to brief…

NORTH TEXAS AT GEORGIA

BOTTOM LINE: Georgia’s a 33-point favourite against North Texas. They’ll win by more. Enough said.

COLORADO STATE AT ALABAMA

BOTTOM LINE: Alabama will be fine against Colorado State. They’ll win by more than 39 points. They should have beaten the spread last week….but the late Johnny Manziel show infuriated bettors in Vegas.