With LSU off and just two SEC games of any interest, this is not what we call a stellar Southern Football Weekend. Sure, there”s the annual World”s Largest Outdoor Beating of Georgia, and Tennessee can”t overlook the Cocks, but beyond that it”s a real snoozer of a weekend.
So then … No. 8.5 Florida vs. No. 25.5 Georgia: After five of the worst games Dawgs fans could imagine, it”s easy to call this one an easy Florida win. In fact, I”m going to go watch the game with a Gator buddy in the middle of a bunch of Dawgs just for the entertainment value. But if the Crocs go into this game laughing at UGA”s misfortune, they could get a rude surprise. Georgia winning this game is not out of the question. But I”ll go with the Crocs to be focused and ready. Florida 27 – 20
No. 8.5 Tennessee at No. 30 South Carolina: The Vols and Gators are both facing mid-level SEC East opponents in potential trap games that would derail hopes for the SEC Championship and BCS berth should they lose. But while the Gators are at the end of their tough stretch, the Vols are just starting one. The Cocks this week, followed by LSU and Arkansas. And if Florida wins in their 3:30 game, Tennessee will take the field at 7:45 with hardly a chance left to win the SEC East. South Carolina needs this game badly, not having a decent win yet this year. It wouldn”t be a shocker for the Cocks to pull this one out at home, but I have to go Vols. Tennessee 31 – 20
No 7 Auburn at Ole Miss: The Tigers churn along waiting for Arkansas to get back into SEC play and hopefully lose. Tigers 27 – 9
Vandy at Duke: Put some extra security at the libraries in Durham … the Dores are coming to town. Nowadays Vandy is a much better program than Duke. Dores 24 – 10
Kentucky at Mississippi State: It”s getting really embarrassing for Sylvester down in Starkville. He needs to win a conference game, and this is his last best shot. Bulldogs 18 – 6
UL Monroe at No. 14 Arkansas: The Hogs have another scrimmage weekend before heading in to South Carolina, Tennessee and LSU (MSU is in there somewhere as well). Arkansas 45 – 10
Florida International at Alabama: Please don”t confuse Florida International with Florida Atlantic, South Florida or Central Florida. These are the guys who put that last straw on Larry Coker”s back with that brawl against Miami. And they”re 0-7 in a conference where UL Lafayette is considered a decent team. Tide 49 – 10
Last week, I blew my wishful-thinking pick of Ole Miss over Arkansas, but otherwise got things right. I do think LSU was pretty uninspired in taking out Fresno, but given the weather and lack of fans, I can forgive.
5 – 1 on the week; 53 – 11 on the year.
