The SEC season started out with a couple of surprises on Thursday night as A&M ran South Carolina out of their own building and we found out that life without James Franklin at Vandy might not be so easy. Overall, I went 1-2 with straight up picks but did go 2-1 against the spread. Here are this weekends picks….
UT Martin at Kentucky, Noon, SEC Network
Pick: Kentucky 38 UT Martin 14
South Dakota St at Missouri, 3:30, ESPNU
Pick: Missouri 55 South Dakota St 10
West Virginia vs Alabama, 3:30, ABC/ESPN2
Line: Bama by 26.5
The Mountaineers under Dana Holgersen have been nothing but a disappointment. Can they turn the tide against the Tide? I just don’t see it. Yes, Bama has questions at QB but they are loaded at RB and receiver and WVU just shouldn’t be able to match up physically with Bama’s style. Also, if you look at trends WVU is just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 and Bama is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 neutral site games. Crazier things have happened but take Bama and the points.
Pick: Alabama 42 WVU 10
Arkansas at Auburn, 4:00, SEC Network
Line: Auburn by 18
This is an intriguing game and I think Arkansas will hang around with Auburn, I’m just not sure for how long. This is a big game for Bielema and his regime and they’ve had all off-season to prepare. I expect Auburn to win but I expect the Hogs to cover.
Pick: Auburn 38 Arkansas 24
Clemson at Georgia, 5:30, ESPN
Line: Georgia by 7.5
This is the big one of the day. The key match-ups will be the Clemson pass rush against the Georgia offensive line and the Clemson passing attack against the Georgia secondary. What it comes down for me though, is that Georgia just has too many pieces for Clemson in this game. From a betting standpoint, I would stay away from this game but I’ll take Georgia to win straight up but Clemson to cover.
Pick: Georgia 31 Clemson 24
Idaho at Florida, 7:00, ESPNU
Line: Florida by 36
Pick: Florida 45 Idaho 10
Southern Miss at Mississippi State, 7:30, SEC Network
Line: Mississippi State by 30.5
Pick: Mississippi State 49 Southern Miss 21
Wisconsin vs LSU, 9:00 PM, ESPN
Line: LSU by 5
LSU has had tremendous changeover on offense and they will be depending on a lot of freshman to make a quick impact. I look for this one to be a low scoring razor thin game where a mistake or two will mean the game. But, I also think that Les Miles tends to have a trick or two up his sleeve and for that reason I’ll put my faith in the Mad Hatter.
Pick: LSU 27 Wisconsin 24
Utah State at Tennessee, 7:00 PM (Sunday), SEC Network
Line: Tennessee by 6
I really like Chuckie Keeton and I really don’t like that the Vols are replacing every starter from their offensive and defensive lines and that none of their young QBs could beat out Justin Worley. That being said, something tells me that the Vols will find a way to win this.
Pick: Tennessee 31 Utah State 20
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