SEC Weekend Games of Interest: 10/10/2009

Sorry for the delay in getting this post up, but better late than never. Another stellar weekend of undefeated picks puts our season record at 33-4. As always, here’s Bubba’s very biased look at the SEC Weekend and what is happening in your neck of the woods:


Auburn at Arkansas: I’m really looking forward to this game and to what Auburn can do on the road against a real offense. One great thing for the Tigers here though is that they saw a strong defense on the road last week against Tennessee and that facet of the game will definitively be missing in Fayetteville from the Razorbacks. Auburn QB Chris Todd should have a big day in conjunction with Ben Tate at RB, but Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett has been stellar with the exception of the Alabama game and is licking his chops to face an Auburn defense that has given up a fair amount of points for a 5-0 club. There will be plenty of entertainment in this match-up as the SEC’s top two passing offenses go at it and I’m going with the Razorbacks 38-34. It’s just what happens, Arkansas beats Auburn in weird football games.


Vanderbilt at Army: Besides not being very good, Vandy has established one trend so far this year, look terrible against SEC teams and strong in non-conference battles. Seriously, any team that can win at Rice can win at Army. The Commodores win 27-14 and hope to find decent QB play in the process.


Kentucky at South Cacakalacky: I’ve said for the last year and a half that UK QB Mike Hartline isn’t very good and it seems like he’s getting worse, especially against SEC competition. It’s unfortunate because Kentucky has very good playmakers in RB Derrick Locke and WR Randall Cobb but no one to consistently manage the game or distribute the ball to them. Granted, the Alabama defense will make most guys look bad. However, South Carolina is no slouch defensively themselves and will continue to put pressure on the inconsistent Wildcat offense. Things get worse for the UK defense with stud CB Trevard Lindley being out and this can only help the development of Gamecock QB Stephen Garcia. Ultimately, Carolina wins this game 31-17 by playing tough D and not turning the ball over.


Houston at Mississippi State: Both MSU and Houston have been awful defensively and that can only mean that we are bound to see high scoring in Starkville, or should I say Stark Vegas. Houston and QB Chase Keenum sling the ball all over the place and will most likely have success doing the same with all those pesky cowbells ringing in their ears. Unfortunately for Houston, the western Bulldogs have a big, punishing back in Anthony Dixon and the Cougars are going to look like they are playing two hand touch with him running through the line. In all seriousness, this is an interesting game, because if Mississippi State bows up and plays physical, they can come out of this with a big win. Unfortunately for them, Houston just has too much firepower and leaves Stark Vegas with a 48-40 win.


Alabama at Ole Miss: Simple question, If Ole Miss couldn’t establish any consistency on offense against South Cacakalacky and Vanderbilt, where are they going find it against a scary Nick Saban defense? Simple answer, they’re not. Alabama is rolling along on both sides of the ball and as well as they are playing, they’re due to play some mediocre football, especially mid-way through the season. That being said, Jevan Snead looks lost and it will take easily his and Dexter McCluster’s best games of the year for the Rebels to pull out a victory. That being said, this is traditionally a tight ball game and Oxford will be rocking. Look for Ole Miss’s defense led by Greg Hardy to give the Tide a test, but for Bama to roll back across the Mississippi state line with a 24-14 win.


Florida at Louisiana State University: Here it goes; Tim Tebow is a game time decision. In other words, he ain’t starting folks. I fully expect him to be dressed and on the sideline, but have no reason to believe that John Brantley will not make his first career start in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. Concussions are fickle business and you never know how a player, especially one who doesn’t shy away from contact like a linebacker, or Tim Tebow, are going to respond. Getting to the game, LSU is a very good and very talented team, but it is hard to figure out what kind of challenge they are going to provide Florida. Florida could potentially have a first time starter/injury hampered QB in Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night, but what good does that do when the Tiger defense hasn’t mustered a sack in their last 3 games? Florida still has one of the best defenses in the nation and what have you seen from Jordan Jefferson that would make you expect them to consistently move the ball and score against the Gators? You couldn’t have created a better situation to upset the country’s #1 team and defending National Champions than you have in Baton Rouge Saturday night and this will help the Bayou Bengals keep it close. However, Florida will be prepared and won’t hand this game over to LSU like they did in 2007 and the Gators win 27-21.


Stay safe and good luck to all of the traveling fans on the road this weekend. To everyone else, enjoy your favorite team and beverage at home. Go Dawgs!