Ranking and Predicting Saturday’s SEC games

Right, so it’s Christmas Day on Thursday, with Steve Spurrier dressed up in a garnet and black Santa costume, ready to deliver us all presents. It’s going to be a phenomenal day out, and we can’t wait. The biggest pity? South Carolina – and North Carolina – screwed over their season ticket holders by having the game in Charlotte. We’ll be stunned if the stadium’s sold out.

Anyway, here’s our previews, in terms of importance. HINT: South Carolina vs North Carolina isn’t No.1 on the list.

1) AUBURN VS LOUISVILLE

Trying to work out what the best game of the day was between this one and Texas A&M vs Arizona State, but we’re going with this one because of the Bobby Petrino/Will Muschamp factor. Bobby Petrino’s team is suddenly getting built on a really tough defense, while Auburn’s defense had better improve. The offense – as is always the case with Gus Malzahn’s teams – won’t have a problem putting up the yards. Will be fun to see Duke Williams and Jeremy Johnson link up, too.

PREDICTION: The game is close for three quarters, but 10.5-point favorite Auburn pulls away. Auburn by 14.

2) TEXAS A&M VS ARIZONA STATE

A lot has been talked about Arizona State and what Todd Graham’s been doing in the desert land, and they are all good things. And Texas A&M fans are happy that they’ve hired a new defensive co-ordinator in John Chavis. Myles Garrett, Chavis’ biggest player, could be a gamechanger.

PREDICTION: Arizona State’s a 3-point underdog. We’re going to say ASU wins by a touchdown in a really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, good game.

3) ALABAMA VS WISCONSIN

Wisconsin loses Melvin Gordon. And this is the first game for Paul Chryst. Alabama has Derrick Henry. Wisconsin really isn’t that good. Alabama may well be in the CFB Play-Off and win the SEC. There’s only one way we can see this game going.

PREDICTION: Alabama beats the spread and wins by 17. Sorry, Badgers fans.

4) SOUTH CAROLINA VS NORTH CAROLINA

This is actually going to be pretty fun, bearing in mind that North Carolina’s a pretty talented side and South Carolina’s got a Pharoh (Cooper) at wide receiver that could cause some problems.

PREDICTION: South Carolina’s a 3-point favorite. We think they win by 7, establishing superiority in the Carolinas.

5) VANDERBILT VS WESTERN KENTUCKY

For a lot of people – including us – Vanderbilt may have another 0-fer in the SEC. But people believe that the game against Western Kentucky – where the Commodores are a 2.5 point underdog – will be their first loss. And on the evidence of the two teams last year, it’s not hard to see why.

PREDICTION: Western Kentucky wins by 7. And it’s not Vandy’s defense’s fault, necessarily. Their offense will remain awful. 

6) KENTUCKY VS LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE

A lot of people believe this is going to be a difficult clash for UK at Commonwealth Stadium, so much so that some books have UK as a 14 point favorite.

PREDICTION: UK wins by 24, cruising mid-way through the third quarter. 

7) TENNESSEE VS BOWLING GREEN

A hugely-hyped Tennessee – armed with a great offense led by Joshua Dobbs – are a tidy 20.5 point favorite against Bowling Green at Neyland. The tester won’t be on that side of the ball. It will be interesting to see if the Vols have learned to talk this year.

PREDICTION: Vols win by 28. 

8) GEORGIA VS LOUSIANA-MONROE

A lot of UGA fans will be piling in to see if Greyson Lambert is actually a good quarterback. And Nick Chubb, of course. Otherwise….M’eh.

PREDICTION: UGA’s a 35-point favorite. We think they’ll win easily. By over 40.

9)  FLORIDA VS NEW MEXICO STATE

Jim McElwain’s first game is reason enough to peek into this game for SEC fans. The Gators will have their wicked way, and are 38-point favorites.

PREDICTION: Florida wins by 35, and annoys a lot of degenerate gamblers. And me. Probably.

10) LSU VS MCNEESE STATE

We’re starting to scrape the bottom-of-the-barrel with these SEC match-ups, but safe to say that the only reason people should be tuning in is LSU fans wanting to see Brandon Harris in his new role as starting QB, Leonard Fournette, and a half-full Tiger Stadium under the lights. Even the bookies aren’t interested.

PREDICTION: LSU wins by 45, and for once, all is well in the world with Tigers fans. Until Sunday’s hangover.

11) MISSISSIPPI STATE VS SOUTHERN MISS

Is it a complete mispricing in Vegas that Southern Miss – who finished the season 3-9 last year – is only a 21-point underdog to Mississippi State? Probably.

PREDICTION: Dak gets ’em. Mississippi State by 31.

12) ARKANSAS VS UTEP

Arkansas is going to be fun to watch with Alex Collins. Sadly for the Razorbacks they’ve lost Jonathan Williams for the year, but will this stop Collins getting around 200 yards against UTEP – particularly behind an offensive line that’s going to dominate? No.

PREDICTION: Arkansas is a 33-point favorite. We think they win by 35.

13) OLE MISS VS TENNESSEE MARTIN

Do not watch this game unless you are an Ole Miss fan, you have a man-crush on Robert Nkemdiche, or you are a NFL Scout (for Robert Nkemdiche).

PREDICTION: Ole Miss by 45. Neeext.

14) MISSOURI VS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE

There is no interesting reason to watch this one.

PREDICTION: Missouri by 41.