| 23 September 2010
Rolling into week four of the college football season, the contenders are separating themselves from the pretenders.
Alabama takes on Arkansas in a key SEC West match-up. The Razorbacks have the opportunity to avenge last year's wood shed beat down ... and gain respect not only in the SEC, but nationally as well.
Auburn and South Carolina clash in a cross-divisional contest that will show the entire league what these teams are made of. Can Spurrier's Gamecocks take down the AU Tigers?
There are several other key SEC match-ups on the slate ... it will be a great weekend of football. If you are looking for radio or television information, click here.
Going to hit these games fast and furious this week:
Alabama @ Arkansas
Ryan Mallet has very quietly cleared the 1,000 yard mark ... Arkansas' offense has been starting slow. The Arkansas defense has yet to face a true test. That changes this week ... Alabama is stacked on both sides of the ball.
Bama is favored by a touchdown on the road with an over/under of 55.5 points.
Alabama 38
Arkansas 17
South Carolina @ Auburn
South Carolina is seemingly having the season that many people hoped and expected. Most folks would love to see Steve Spurrier go out a winner, but again a lot of folks just want to see Spurrier leave period.
The Gamecocks are more solid on offense than most expected. For the first time under the Old Ball Coach, SC has a rushing attack to rely on and Stephen Garcia has yet to get his team beaten.
Auburn has a Dan Mullen quarterback in Gus Malzahn's offense. Cam Newton has been a difference maker. AU must be able to run the ball this weekend to win this game.
Auburn is favored by 3 points ... the over/under is 46 ... this may be a miss for this week, but I am taking the Gamecocks:
South Carolina 23
Auburn 17
West Virginia @ LSU
LSU fans are sick of watching their offense sputter ... especially when the problem appears to be play selection as much as execution. At the same time, is the LSU the worst undefeated tea in the nation?
West Virginia ... runs the ball with Noel Devine ... not this weekend and the quarterback is incapable of beating the Tigers on his own.
LSU is favored by 10 points with an over/under of 42 points.
LSU 28
West Virginia 17
Fresno State @ Ole Miss
Ole Miss is favored by 2.5 points ... the over/under is set at 53.5 points ... honestly? I'm not even going to mention the fact that Houston Nutt loses the ones he is supposed to win ... and wins the other ones ... I would not be shocked in the least to see the Rebels lose this game OR win by 50 ...
Georgia @ Miss State
Georgia is off to the slow start that I predicted ... that most Bulldog fans jeered and sneered about ... MSU is not as good as a lot of people think ... but the question is: Are the Bulldogs worse than I expected? Mark Richt needs a win in this spot, he is a good coach ... but does his team have the pride to perform?
Mississippi State was favored at home by a small margin, but the game has become a "pick" ... over/under is 46.5. I think that Georgia will need to hit a late home run to win this game 8-7 ... seriously?
Georgia 17
MSU 14
Kentucky @ Florida
Florida has started slow on offense in every game. UK is better than most of the upper tier snobs wanted to think. UK has a balanced attack ... Florida leads the nation in interceptions and has yet to actually throw one on offense. Florida struggled with the Vols last week until a fake punt turned the momentum.
This could be a trap game for the Gators who are favored by 14 points (50.5 over/under)
Florida 27
Kentucky 24
UAB @ UT
UT has shown some flashes at times ... laid down once ... and had their backs broken with a fake punt. Defensively, the Vols are under rated. UAB has a running quarterback that could give them fits. Really do not have a feel for this game ... Vols are favored by 14 and the over/under is 50.5.
UT 30
UAB 17
