| 10 September 2010
Week two has already begun with Auburn escaping Starkville, MS with a key SEC win. Of course, that means I am currently 0 for 1 so far for the week.
Who will the winners and losers be for this weekend? Hopefully, tonight's game was not an indication of how my weekend will go.
There are several key match-ups that could determine the pecking order in their respective divisions.
Georgia Bulldogs at South Carolina Gamecocks: Many are making a HUGE deal out of the fact that AJ Green's jersey sales. Sure, student athletes should be paid in my opinion, but a GRAND for an autographed jersey? Sheesh. Many Bulldog fans are already grumbling their concern that OC Mike Bobo reigns in the offense due to missing a key player. The last time I checked ... AJ Green didn't play last weekend either.
Is this the Gamecocks' year? If it is, they begin this weekend. Keep in mind that over the previous six meetings, Georgia is 5-1. BUT, South Carolina has something they have not had under Spurrier: a running game.
Look for Georgia to key in on the run by loading the box while on defense. In the new 3-4 defensive alignment, expect UGA's DC to bring pressure from different angles, but most importantly, from the offensive right side. Stephen Garcia has shown a tendency to wilt under pressure, especially when it is right in his face.
As with the Auburn - Mississippi State game, my gut instinct is telling me to take the Bulldogs even though they are 3 point dogs (over/under is 47) according to Vegas ... another tough pick this week ... while last season's game was a 41-37 shootout, the remainder of the previous six game stretch never reached a combined score of greater than 36 points .... take the under.
Georgia 24
South Carolina 21 OT
Penn State Nittany Lions at Alabama Crimson Tide: How cool is it to see this rivalry renewed? Being 41 years old, I can remember the chess matches between Bear Bryant and Joe Paterno ... classic games. Too bad Alabama has too much offense while Penn State does not have enough defense.
The spread is 12 points with an over/under of 44 points.
Alabama 27
Penn State 13
ULM at Arkansas Razorbacks: Cupcakes anyone? Arkansas is a 34 point favorite with a 59.5 point over/under.
Arkansas 47
ULM 10
LSU Tigers at Vanderbilt Commodores: LSU needs serious improvement on their offensive line. Vanderbilt received an apology for a HORRIBLE personal foul call that might have (might not have) made a difference in last week's game versus Northwestern.
LSU is favored by 10 points with an over/under of 44 points. I think Vandy's defense is a little better than what most prognosticators want to believe, LSU has no running game because their offensive line play is awful, but LSU's speed on the corner is the difference maker in this game.
LSU 20
Vandy 7
Ole Miss Rebels at Tulane Green Wave: If Ole Miss keeps their head screwed on straight, last week would have been a win ... instead of the most embarrassing loss in school history. The Rebels are not a bad team ... the defense relaxed on a large lead.
Ole Miss is favored by 20.5 points with an over/under set at 50? Really?
Ole Miss 38
Tulane 10
South Florida at Florida Gators: We all know about the center exchange problems that Florida had last week ... which has also happened in each of the previous three seasons. Florida will be ready and this is not the same USF team you have seen the past two or three years.
The Gators are favored by 16 points with an over/under of 50 points.
Florida 34
USF 14
Western Kentucky at Kentucky Wildcats: I actually watched a prediction show online from Kentucky ... the commetators questioned if the Wildcats could pull the 24.5 point spread .... and a 54 point over/under?
Kentucky 36
WKU 13
Oregon Ducks at Tennessee Volunteers: These are not the same Vols that most fans are used to seeing ... at the same time, with crap like this being thrown their direction, I would be shocked if UT does not play their best game of the season. Oregon is favored by 12 points with a 53 point over/under.
Oregon 24
Tennessee 13
