| 12 September 2010
As we head into week three, the focus on the SEC is becoming more clear. While all 12 teams began the season with hopes and aspirations, fans have a general idea where their team is.
Looking at the lines for this week, there are a couple of surprises ... and some that are not.
Arkansas at Georgia could be a defining moment for UGA's entire season. Clemson at Auburn is the best non-conference match-up. Which team do the Florida Gators play? The fired up ball hawking team or the one from the 2nd half that essentially quit playing?
Mississippi State Bulldogs at LSU Tigers
LSU is favored by 13 points on the opening line
Last season LSU was struggling on offense and MSU was a team with a new coach. LSU won that game 30-26. Looking back at the previous six meetings, none of the other five contests were closer than 10 points.
Once again, LSU is struggling on offense. At the same time, the Bulldogs have yet to get their running game on track. My initial thought is to take MSU and the points, but then again ... if it had not been for turnovers, MSU would not have been very close to Auburn this past week.
Clemson Tigers at Auburn Tigers
Auburn opens as a 6 point favorite
Auburn has shown improvement with Cam Newton at quarterback. AU's defense stepped up in last week's MSU game. Clemson is a relative unknown ... Clemson has played North Texas and Presbyterian College ... trap game for AU? Can you honestly call Clemson a trap? Granted Clemson is rebuilding to an extent, they are still an ACC team.
Akron Zips at Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky opens as a 25 point favorite
UK should be able to cover this spread. Can Randall Cobb go for another hat trick this weekend?
Florida Gators at Tennessee Vols
The Gators open as 15 point favorites over the Vols
Florida is struggling on offense early in the game. While the snap issues appear to have been fixed last week, it is an issue that has historically popped up when the Gators could ill afford it.
Tennessee played lights out football in the first 22 minutes of the game versus Oregon ... then Oregon made adjustments during the lightning delay and scored 45 unanswered points. I am going to stop short of saying the Vols quit on their coach ... but they certainly did not appear to play as hard after a pick six interception return in the 3rd quarter.
The Gators are 5-1 in the last six meetings against the Vols (loss was in 2004 30-28). Since that loss, the Gators have won by an average score of 30-13.
Alabama Crimson Tide at Duke Blue Devils
Bama opens as a 23 point favorite
OK, first things first ... Bama AT Duke? The Tide is traveling to play in a stadium that seats 33.941? Where are the Blue Devil fans going to sit? Seriously, Duke is an ACC team and coached by a former Alabama graduate (David Cutcliffe) ... so those story lines are there, but let's keep this real ... Bama is traveling to play in Texas sized high school stadium ....
Vanderbilt Commodores at Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss opens as 14 point favorites
Vanderbilt plays hard, but with the mid-step loss of Coach Bobby Johnson, this team is struggling to find its identity. At the same time Ole Miss blew a 21 point lead against Jacksonville State. Both teams are struggling and Vandy hung tough with LSU in the first half ... Could Vandy be primed to roll into Oxford, MS for an upset? Better yet, does Ole Miss get a large lead only to watch it evaporate in the 2nd half?
Arkansas Razorbacks at Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia opens as a 2.5 point favorite
Arkansas has suffered slow starts in both of their games. Last week, Arkansas led ULM 7-0 at the half. ULM? Of course, in both games, the Razorbacks exploded in the second half. That can not happen this week.
UGA was absolutely rolled over by the South Carolina Gamecocks ... and the Gamecock rushing attack ... Arkansas has shown no real ability to run the ball this season. If Georgia does lose this game, Mark Richt's seat will be warm, very warm.
