SEC Picks Week 14
The SEC is back in full force this week, after last week’s cupcake games. There is some big rivalry games and this week could end up looking the first round of the playoffs.
LSU will play at Texas A&M on Thanksgiving, both teams are 7-4 and are coming off losses. The Aggies season looked so promising after they blew out South Carolina to start the season, but that win doesn’t look so great now. LSU has lost two straight games, getting shut out by Arkansas and losing in devastating fashion to Alabama. The Tigers will rely heavily on their rushing attack, against a weak Texas A&M defense. The LSU defense has been great yet again this season and are fifth in the country allowing 16 points per game. The Aggies have a great offense, but they’ve struggled to produce against good defenses. Texas A&M’s best win this season was against Auburn, but the LSU defense is nothing like Auburn. I see the Aggies struggling to score and I wouldn’t be shocked to see LSU win by two touchdowns.
The game that will decide the fate of the SEC East is Arkansas at Missouri. Missouri has to win to play in the SEC Championship game, if they lose then Georgia will play in Atlanta next week since the Bulldogs beat the Tigers earlier this season. Both of Missouri losses came at home, but they have won five straight and haven’t allowed more than 27 points in that span. The Razorbacks are coming off back to back wins against Ole Miss and LSU, both of those games were at home. Arkansas will rely on a running back tandem featuring Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams. The Razorbacks are averaging around 226 yards per game on the ground, Missouri is 23rd in the country in rush defense allowing 124 yards per game. The Tigers will rely on a balanced offensive attack and a great defense. The two defenses are tied for 16th in the country in scoring defense averaging 20 points per game. It will come down to the two defenses and which one is on the field longer will be the loser in this game. I got Missouri pulling this game out late. I think that the home field advantage will actually pay off this week for the Tigers.
Georgia is still on the outside looking in for the playoffs and it would take a miracle for the Bulldogs to sneak in there. Georgia knows there is nothing they can do about their division race. With that being said they will need to take care of business against Georgia Tech, who is already in their conference championship game. Like the Arkansas and Missouri game, this game will feature a lot of the ground game. The Bulldogs are currently averaging 260 yards per game which is 13th in the country. They did lose Todd Gurley for the season a few weeks back and will have to rely on freshman sensation Nick Chubb. Chubb has been great this season with 1,152 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. The Bulldogs held Auburn, who is known for their powerful offense, to just seven points two weeks ago. Georgia’s defense is ranked 18th in the country allowing just over 20 points per game, but they have struggled at times this season. Georgia has not lost at home this season. Georgia Tech has won four straight, since losing two straight to Duke and Miami. The Yellow Jackets are averaging almost 328 yards per game, which is somehow just fourth in the country. They run an option offense and teams have struggled to stop their attack. Georgia Tech is averaging around 38 points per game and are coming off a bye week, while Georgia played Charleston Southern last week. I think this game will be a high scoring one and don’t be surprised if the two teams run for over 700 yards combined. I got Georgia pulling this game out based on home field advantage, but it will be a close game.
Mississippi State might be a win away from making it to the inaugural playoffs, but they have to get through in-state rival Ole Miss. The Rebels are coming off a shut out loss to Arkansas, but that was on the road and they are back in the comfort of their home this week. Ole Miss has lost three straight SEC games and haven’t looked good offensively since losing star wide receiver Laquon Treadwell for the season. Ole Miss has the number one defense in the country allowing only 13 points per game. Mississippi State took out their anger out on Vanderbilt last week, after losing on the road to Alabama the week before. The Bulldogs have been really consistent offensively and defensively, ranking in the top-12 in each category. I expect Dak Prescott to have a big game and Bo Wallace to struggle. I got Mississippi State winning by at least two touchdowns.
Florida will be playing for Will Muschamp in his final game as the Gators head coach and they will try to halt Florida State’s undefeated season. Florida has done a great job of running the ball lately and especially in the Georgia game earlier this month. Florida State has struggled to stop the run this season, if the Gators expect to compete in this game they will have to control the running game. I think that Florida’s defense can stop Jameis Winston and to be honest the Gators defense is the best Florida State has faced this season. If the Seminoles play like they have in recent weeks, this game might get out of hand like the Georgia game. I’ve picked against Florida State a lot this season because I don’t think they’re a great team. I expect big games out of Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor to have big games leading the Gators to a victory in Tallahassee.
The Iron Bowl has decided the National Champion four of the past five season, with the winner of the game playing in the championship game in all five seasons. This year is no different with Alabama sitting at number one in the country according to the playoff committee. Auburn would love to spoil the Crimson Tide’s season yet again like they did last season. The game is in Tuscaloosa, were Alabama hasn’t lost this season and they look like a different team when their at home. Alabama has the number two defense in the country allowing 14 points per game. They haven’t allowed over 23 points in a game this season and haven’t allowed over 20 points since their fourth game against Florida. Auburn has struggled lately with losses to Texas A&M and Georgia. Auburn did get a win last week against Samford, but it didn’t come easy. Auburn offense has been great just like in year’s past, but their defense hasn’t been able to stop a balanced offense. All three teams that have beat the Tigers this season had one thing in common, they had a balanced offense. I don’t see Auburn being able to stop Alabama rushing attack and the best receiver in the country in Amari Cooper. I got Alabama defense shutting down the Auburn offense and I don’t see the Tigers scoring more than 20.
24 LSU at Texas A&M 13
14 Arkansas at #17 Missouri 17
17 Kentucky at #22 Louisville 34
21 South Carolina at #21 Clemson 31
35 #16 Georgia Tech at #9 Georgia 38
35 #4 Mississippi State at #19 Ole Miss 21
31 Florida at #3 Florida State 20
45 Tennessee at Vanderbilt 6
17 #15 Auburn at #1 Alabama 38
7-1
Season
63-16
