SEC Preview: Can Lane Kiffin get that big win (at last)?

Lane Kiffin runs his mouth a lot. But he has failed to follow up on it on so many occasions, it’s getting a joke.

Here’s a stat: He’s 1-19 against teams who finish up winning 9 games, and 3-7 against teams who end up getting into the Top 25.

And last year, Ole Miss was destroyed by LSU in a Jaylen Daniels special.

Kiffin will want to show everyone that he’s back (and ready for a bigger job!), and with the Tigers coming to town, this game’s got top billing.

1. No. 13 LSU (-2.5) at No.20 Ole Miss: Even though LSU gave up 426 yards to a pretty bad Arkansas offense, they got things right with an exceptional end-of-game drive that led to a game-winning field goal. LSU is balanced, with Logan Diggs on the floor and Brian Thomas Jr through the air. Jaylen Daniels is good enough to be a first-rounder, and the best quarterback in the SEC. But we remain worried about the Tigers doing something stupid, because they do so. Ole Miss didn’t do the job against Alabama, but Jaxson Dart is still a very competent quarterback, and there in Quinshon Judkins who can slice and dice a very middling LSU rushing D. PREDICTION: Kiffin gets his big win. Ole Miss 31, LSU 27.

2. Texas A&M (-6) v Arkansas (at JerryWorld): Despite Texas A&M having owned the rivalry (the Aggies have won 10 of the last 11), almost every single game has had you on the edge of your seat. In short, this game doesn’t deserve to be on the SEC Network. Texas A&M replaces Conor Weigman with Max Johnson, who is going to a good quarterback. On the other side, Arkansas has KJ Jefferson, who is a solid quarterback. Will TE Lionel Hasz be the man for the Razorbacks? Arkansas’ secondary is very lively (6 INTs already), which may cause Johnson some troubles. PREDICTION: Arkansas with the surprising victory in YET another fun one. Arkansas 38, Texas A&M 35. 

3. No.22 Florida at Kentucky (-1.5): I’ve been unimpressed by Devin Leary and pretty darned impressed with Kentucky. Florida has been up on my expectations. Although Graham Mertz isn’t brilliant, but he doesn’t have to be with a balanced offense, and an elite defense which is 5th in the nation in yards allowed. Kentucky is pretty good (21st in yards allowed), but offensively it’s been mediocre. Devin Leary hasn’t been wonderful. PREDICTION: This is going to be a horribly ugly game. Florida 23, Kentucky 17.

4. No.1 Georgia (-15) at Auburn: AUBURN’S ONLY A 15 POINT DOG? ARE YOU SERIOUS? Auburn’s offense is dreadful, dreadful, dreadful. We don’t trust either Payton Thorne and Robbie Ashford ‘leading the way’, and running-wise they are very middling too. While Georgia has hardly got us on our feet, their second-half adjustments are as good as anyone. PREDICTION: The Auburn ‘Orange Out’ will become a ‘Gray Out’ by the third quarter. Georgia 38, Auburn 17.

5. South Carolina at No.21 Tennessee (-12): The Vols are yet to find their identity on offense, which is unsurprising bearing in mind how good last year’s was. It’s very apparent that Joe Milton’s not Hendon Hooker. South Carolina might have the better quarterback in Spencer Rattler, but his offensive line is abhorrent (127th in the nation/ 17 sacks already). Oh, and so’s their pass defense (129th in the country/ 317 yards/game) PREDICTION: Tennessee 35, South Carolina 18.

6. Alabama (-14.5) at Mississippi State: Both sides found a seam last Saturday. Mississippi State FINALLY THREW THE DAMNED BALL against South Carolina, while Alabama RAN THE DAMNED BALL against Ole Miss, grinding the Rebs for 131 yards and a TD. On the other hand, Will Rogers threw for 487 yards yesterday and Tulu Griffin had 256 of his own receiving, but the trouble is their defense, who gave up 37 points and 432 yards. MSU is pretty good against the rush, but HORRIBLE against the pass. This could be Jalen Milroe’s coming out party. PREDICTION: Actually going to be pretty fun. Alabama 41, Mississippi State 31.

7. No.23 Missouri (-13.5) at Vanderbilt: There is such an outpouring of love for Missouri at the moment that you are waiting for them to screw up. The reason is twofold: Eli Drinkwitz taking the power back on the offense, and Brady Cook going back to being…Brady Cook. But Vanderbilt can’t run, and both quarterbacks aren’t great. PREDICTION: Missouri 35, Vanderbilt 14.