Friday, September 26, 2014

Picking the SEC: Week 5

Three fun conference games are slated for Saturday, highlighted by the contest between Texas A&M and upstart Arkansas and including Tennessee-Georgia and Missouri-South Carolina.

I made some headway in the OMRebelNation Pick 'Em last week, moving all the way up to 11th place (I was in dead last 38th after the first weekend). Week 5 is critically important to my goal of College Football Pick 'Em Domination.

Here goes:

Tennessee (2-1, 0-0 SEC) at Georgia (2-1, 0-0 SEC)            
Series: UT leads, 21-20-2
Noon ET  • ESPN                                                                              
Athens, Ga. • Sanford Stadium (92,746)                                
Sirius: 91 • XM: 91           

Georgia is a 17-point favorite. Despite the game being in Athens, that's too many points against a hungry Tennessee team in an SEC rivalry. I'll take the Vols. 

Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-2 SEC) at Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC)          
Series: Tied 41-41-4
11 a.m. • SEC Network                                                                       
Lexington, Ky.  • Commonwealth Stadium (62,903)          
Sirius: 119 • XM: 190     

Vanderbilt playing South Carolina close last week was a fluke. Kentucky will trash the Commodores. Pick the Wildcats (-17). 

Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0 SEC) vs. Arkansas (3-1, 0-1 SEC)       
Series: ARK leads, 41-26-3
2:30 p.m. CT • CBS                                                                           
Arlington, Texas  • Cowboys Stadium (71,167)                    
Sirius: 91/126  • XM: 91/191

We were in awe of Texas A&M's win over South Carolina back in August. Since then we learned that the Gamecocks are somewhat pedestrian. So just how good are the Aggies? We'll know this weekend. Arkansas is a tough team with a strong offensive line. If A&M can stop the Hogs that'll be a real good sign for Kenny Hill and Kevin Sumlin's SEC West prospects. Arkansas won't be able to stop A&M, and once the Aggies get a two touchdown lead it'll be over. I'll take the Aggies (-9.5). 

Louisiana Tech (2-2) at Auburn (3-0, 1-0 SEC)                       
Series: AU leads, 11-0-1
3 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)                      
Sirius: 119  • XM: 190  

Auburn will cover (-33).    

New Mexico State (2-2) at LSU (3-1, 0-1 SEC)                      
Series: LSU leads, 1-0
6:30 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (102,321)                          
Sirius: 119 • XM: 190

LSU will take its embarrassing Mississippi State loss out on New Mexico State. Tigers (-43). 

Memphis (2-1) at Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0 SEC)                             
Series: UM leads, 47-10-2
6:30 p.m. CT • FSN                                               
Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580)     
Sirius: 196 • XM: 191

Will the week off slow down Bo Wallace and his fleet of receivers? I don't think so. Memphis gave up nearly 400 yards passing to UCLA. Wallace will surpass that if he's not pulled early in the 3rd quarter as he was against Vanderbilt and Louisiana-Lafayette. With so much to play for, a group of motivated Rebels will cruise over the Tigers (-21). 


Missouri (3-1, 0-0 SEC) at South Carolina (3-1, 2-1 SEC)    
Series: Tied, 2-2
7 p.m. ET • SEC Network                                                               
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)               
Sirius: 91 • XM: 91

Two relatively mediocre SEC East teams. It's a tough call, so I'll take the home team. Gamecocks (-5.5)