The SEC had a much more exciting weekend last week. The conference was able to get six of their seven originally scheduled games in. There were no major upsets but a lost of close matchups.
This week will be similar to the past week where so far six of the seven games are scheduled to move forward. The SEC had to shuffle up a couple games after the Arkansas program got hit with COVID-19. Arkansas was originally scheduled to play Missouri. Missouri will now play Vanderbilt resulting in an open week for the Commodores original opponent Tennessee.
Standings
There were a few shufflings in the standings from last week. With the Kentucky loss to Alabama and the Missouri win over South Carolina, the Tigers have jumped to 3rd in the SEC East. Likewise in the West LSU’s win over Arkansas put those Tigers into 4th in the West. Arkansas dropped to 6th at 3-5.
The SEC Championship still has Florida and Alabama as the projected teams. Alabama has a big game against Auburn in the Iron Bowl this week. The Crimson Tide and Gators are both very close to clinching their divisions.
Rankings
- No.1 Alabama (7-0)
- No.5 Texas A&M (5-1)
- No.6 Florida (6-1)
- No.13 Georgia (5-2)
- No.22 Auburn (5-2) +1
Four of the five ranked teams didn’t move last week. Alabama stayed at No.1, the Aggies were idle and the Gators and Bulldogs didn’t move after their wins. Auburn had a solid win against Tennessee which helped move them up a spot.
Week 9 Recap
Last week’s games were mostly close contests. Alabama did blowout Kentucky for Saban’s seventh 50+ point win in SEC play. Florida had a closer than expected game against Vanderbilt but still won convincingly 38-17.
LSU vs Arkansas came down to the final minutes. LSU blocked a field goal by Arkansas with less than 90 seconds to go to hold on to the 27-24 win. Tennessee jumped out to a good start against Auburn but allowed 27 consecutive points by the Tigers. The 30-17 loss is the Vols fifth in a row.
Missouri jumped out to a 17-0 lead on South Carolina and held on late to win 17-10. It was the Gamecocks first game without former head coach Will Muschamp. The battle of the Bulldogs was much closer than anticipated. Georgia was able to take a fourth quarter lead against Mississippi State to win 31-24.
Week 10 Predictions
*Odds as of 11/24
12pm ESPN: Kentucky (3-5) @ No.6 Florida (6-1), Florida -23.5
Kentucky seems to be slipping as the season goes on. They do really well against the pass and held Alabama to just 283 yards through the air last week despite the 63-3 score. But the problem remains with the offense’s inability to put points on the board.
Florida cruised last week against Vanderbilt despite the slow start. Heisman candidate Kyle Trask had yet another flawless day with 383 yards and three touchdowns. Florida’s offense should be able to bury Kentucky.
Prediction: Florida covers
12pm SECN: Vanderbilt (0-7) @ Missouri (3-3), Mizzou -20
Missouri wants some revenge after the shocking loss in Nashville. Missouri took care of business against South Carolina but laid an egg in the second half which might be cause for some concern. Vanderbilt did similar but played No.6 Florida very closely in the first half.
Both teams are very similar offensively but defensively the Tigers have a definite edge. Vanderbilt has played very well as of late though, so the 20 point spread might be a little high to cover.
Prediction: Missouri wins, Vanderbilt covers
3:30pm CBS: No.22 Auburn (5-2) @ No.1 Alabama (7-0), Alabama -25
The Iron Bowl went Auburn’s way last year. You know Nick Saban will want to make sure the Tigers don’t spoil Alabama’s playoff chances this season. Alabama is doing what Alabama always does this season but Auburn has shown real improvement in the last three games.
The 25 point spread sounds high but Alabama did beat Texas A&M by 28 points earlier this season. Saban’s Crimson Tide have beaten Auburn by 25+ in revenge games in the rivalry. Auburn still has it’s issues and they are very susceptible to a strong passing attack.
Prediction: Alabama covers
4pm SECN: Mississippi State (2-5) @ Ole Miss (3-4), Ole Miss -9.5
The Egg Bowl has gone the Bulldogs way the last two year. We’re just one year removed from the strange ending of last year’s game. It’s a new year however with new staffs for both teams.
Mississippi State played a great game last week with a limited roster but there are still many issues for Mike Leach’s squad. Meanwhile Ole Miss has lit up scoreboards offensively while limping along defensively. If this game gets played, it will be the first of what hopes to be many Lane Kiffin versus Mike Leach showdowns.
Prediction: Ole Miss wins, Mississippi State covers
7pm ESPN: LSU (3-3) @ No.5 Texas A&M (5-1), Texas A&M -14
Texas A&M gets back on the field after skipping the last two games against Tennessee and Ole Miss. The Aggies have the postseason on the line if they can stay undefeated. The Aggies have won one time since joining the SEC, the seven overtime game two years ago.
LSU barely scraped a win against Arkansas last week. Both teams were severely limited on their rosters. The Tigers got better quarterback play out of the true freshman TJ Finley. LSU’s defense has been very bad this year though leaving A&M a good chance to cover.
Prediction: Texas A&M covers
7:30pm SECN: No.13 Georgia (5-2) @ South Carolina (2-6), Georgia -21.5
JT Daniels got his first start as a Georgia Bulldog last week and performed beautifully. The transfer threw for 401 yards and four touchdowns in the win. Georgia’s been decimated defensively which has shown in recent games.
South Carolina is missing their top two defensive backs. This didn’t affect them terribly much last week but with JT Daniels and an improved Georgia passing attack, it could make a big difference. Still, the Gamecocks showed a lot of fight last week and could keep it closer than expected with Georgia.
Prediction: Georgia wins, South Carolina covers
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