SEC Predictions: Week 2
First of all, apologies for not giving the blog too much updatin’ recently. From Week 2, you’ll get everything that you need for the rest of the season….
Anyway, here are our predictions for SEC teams in Week 2 of the season. There are going to be some walk-overs, and some close games. We promise.
Georgia at Missouri
Georgia gave up 23 points against Buffalo, and nothing clicked for the first part of the game as Buffalo took a 6-0 lead. Thankfully, Todd Gurley’s kick-off return gave the Dawgs a 7-6 lead, and they didn’t relinquish it, putting up a 45 points in a 45-23 lead. Missouri – who smashed Southeastern Louisiana 62-10 in their opener – is going to be a tough test for the Dawgs, who are still missing players for off-season stupidity. T.J. Moe and Doral Green-Beckham are going to give Georgia’s secondary all that it can handle on Saturday, and a rowdy Columbia crowd (the first of two trips to Columbia the Dawgs are going to have to make this year!) at night is going to give this game an added edge.
BOTTOM LINE: Georgia by 3 in thriller. Although don’t be surprised if Missouri springs the upset.
Florida at Texas A&M
College Gameday’s at Kyle Field for this one, and the place is guaranteed to be a) hot and b) absolutely hopping. Florida fans won’t know what it’s like to show up to a team that doesn’t have any female cheerleaders (so don’t expect any ‘Replacements’-type antics on the Aggies sidelines), and why the Aggies take Lassie to class, but we’re sure that Aggies fans will explain to them traditions. And Gators, remember to ask: Who’s ‘Varsity’ they sing about? And why don’t they play them every year? Anyways, going back to the game, Texas A&M had its first game washed out by Hurricane Isaac, so their first game is going to be against one of the best defenses in the country. Aggies fans will be happy that they certainly aren’t playing one of the best offenses in the country, who looked absolutely clueless at times against Bowling Green in its 27-14 victory. The thing that Aggies are going to have to deal with is Florida’s speed, while hoping that Johnny Manziel can deal with the Gators defense. UF’s secondary should watch out for Ryan Swope at all times.
BOTTOM LINE: Florida spoils the party, winning by 7.
Auburn at Mississippi State
Don’t you love the sound of cowbell in the morning? Anyway, we can guarantee that Tigers fans and Tigers players will be glad to be leaving Starkville after their game at MSU, if only for the sound of cowbells rattling their cages. Auburn lost last week to a speedy Clemson team in an exciting game that Clemson managed to get hold of in the fourth quarter, and there’s going to have to be a ton of improvement from QB Kiehl Frazier, who was 11 for 27 for 197 yards on an offense that produced 374 yards at the Georgia Dome. Mississippi State, however, had things a little easier, putting up half a century in a 57-9 victory over that football powerhouse Jackson State. The highlight for the Bulldogs day was a balanced offense that didn’t punt the ball until late into the third quarter. That’s pretty good going….or a pretty poor opposition. Auburn’s going to give MSU all they can handle at home. This could be fun.
BOTTOM LINE: Auburn goes 0-2. Mississippi State by 7 in one of the under-the-radar, good games of the week.
NON-CONFERENCE
Washington at LSU
No-one expects the Huskies to spring an upset in Death Valley….and therefore no-one will be surprised if LSU wins, and wins this comfortably. LSU has everything this year and should be more than a match for a Pac-12 side that flattered to deceive against San Diego State (they won 21-12 last week). Zach Mettenberger had a strong day in the huddle against North Texas, throwing for a TD and 192 yards. The story this week is going to be about running back Kenny Hilliard, who put up 141 yards on just 13 attempts. As for the Huskies, Keith Price threw for 222 yards last week, and they’ll be hoping that his throwing ability tests LSU’s Tyrann-less secondary.
BOTTOM LINE: LSU roars. By 21.
Vanderbilt at Northwestern
The battle of the bright schools in Chicago sees Northwestern and Vanderbilt battle each other out. And no, we don’t think the tailgate is going to be an extended Math competition. For the record though, we prefer the color black to the color purple (Northwestern’s colors). Last week, Jordan Rodgers was unlucky not to get a pass interference call at the end of the Commodores’ battle with South Carolina, which ended in a heartbreaking 17-13 loss. Rodgers should impress again against a weaker Northwestern team – but will it be enough on the road?
BOTTOM LINE: Count it up! Vandy by 3 in a classic.
East Carolina at South Carolina
Connor Shaw left Vanderbilt a broken man (seemingly) in everything but result, after hurting his shoulder, coming in again, and then hurting it again in the 17-13 win over the Commodores. If the Gamecocks keep Shaw healthy – as well as the knee of Marcus Lattimore who looked excellent last Thursday night – this shouldn’t be close. At all.
BOTTOM LINE: Gamecocks by 30 in a game over by half-time.
UTEP at Ole Miss
Thanks to our love of college football, we stayed up late on Saturday night to watch UTEP’s battle with Oklahoma – and let us tell you, UTEP gave the Sooners all it could handle. And if the Miners had actually found a field goal kicker, the Sooners could well have been on the end of an upset in El-Paso on Saturday night. Anyway, Ole Miss is going to have to watch out for Nathan Jeffery, who ran for 177 yards on a pretty stout (ish) Oklahoma defense. And give him enough room, and Ole Miss could struggle. Let’s put it this way: Rebels fans must be dreading the SEC schedule this year after seeing some of the on-field, product, which sputtered to a 20-14 deficit until Ja-Mes Logan recovered a fumble in the end zone mid-way through the third quarter to give Ole Miss a 21-20 lead that they would extend through the game to a 49-27 victory as their offense at last clicks into gear.
BOTTOM LINE: Fear the Miner (if Jeffery’s playing)….but not too much. Ole Miss by 10.
Western Kentucky at Alabama
Alabama’s performance against Michigan was nothing short of brilliant on Saturday night – and that’s why they are the top-ranked team in the nation. This week, we expect running back sensation T.J. Yeldon to run for 150 yards against Western Kentucky, in a game that’s not going to be close.
BOTTOM LINE: Alabama by more than 40.
Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas
Knile Davis didn’t play a huge part in the 49-24 win over Jacksonville State on Saturday, and we’re not expecting him to play a huge part against ULM, either. Tyler Wilson had a great performance to start off his season, but is Cobi Hamilton going to be OK? Otherwise, the Razorbacks are going to have to worry – a lot – about the depth of their receiving corps. If they don’t already.
BOTTOM LINE: Arkansas by more than 30
Georgia State at Tennessee
Tyler Bray & Co were excellent in the win over NC State, giving Derek Dooley a little more cool on his behind and giving Volunteers fans some confidence for the year. And while the Wolfpack game was a worry for the Volunteers, we don’t expect UT to have any problems dismissing Georgia State.
BOTTOM LINE: Bray throws for over 300, Volunteers win by 50.
Kent State at Kentucky
When the highlight of the season for both sides has been a Kent State player running the wrong way against Towson, you know that both teams didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory last week. Having said that, Joker Phillips’ side will still be too strong for Kent State – regardless on how many of his players decide to follow the example of Andre Parker.
BOTTOM LINE: Kentucky wins by 21.