SEC Football Predictions: Week 3

This sort of article only works if there is some sense of accountability. With that said this is how we are doing so far in 2017:

by Steve Wright

• Last week: 7-5 (Florida did not play)
• Misses: Arkansas (crushed), Auburn (lost), Missouri (lost), Georgia (won), Miss State (blowout win)
• Closest prediction: LSU by 38. They won by 35 (45-10).
• Worst prediction: Miss State to lose by 3. They won by 36.
• Season so far: 18-8

Here are the SEC games for Week 3 of the season:

Saturday, September 16

Texas A&M vs. Louisiana-Lafayette – The ULL defense just gave up 424 yards on the ground and eight scores to Tulsa. They also scraped past SE Louisiana 5148 in their opener. Defense is optional at ULL (though the offense is a points machine) and A&M will finally get a positive result and performance. Prediction – A&M by 21.

(23) Tennessee @ (24) Florida – This game was threatened by Hurricane Irma for a while, but the Gators will host the Vols on Saturday in an intriguing battle. Florida led this game by 18 points in the first half before losing 38-28 last season so they have revenge on their mind. How they will get that revenge though with nine players still suspended (including Antonio Callaway) is anyone’s guess. The offense looked awful against Michigan and it is hard to see how it would have improved with no game last weekend. Prediction – Tennessee by 3.

(15) Auburn vs. Mercer – Expect an angry Auburn side to come out and beat the Bears. Prediction – Auburn by 35.

Missouri vs. Purdue – Someone had to take the fall for the shocking play of the Mizzou defense through two weeks and it was defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross who was canned. An instant turnaround from the abject horror on that side of the ball seems unlikely and the Boilermakers can (and will) sling the ball around. The Tigers are good enough to run with anyone on their day and the feeling is that QB Drew Lock will be much better than he was against South Carolina. Prediction – Missouri by 10.

(1) Alabama vs. Colorado State – Colorado State has the firepower to trouble Alabama, but the Crimson Tide knows how to choke the life out of teams like this on their home field. Jalen Hurts and the ground game are rolling along and ‘Bama doesn’t give away turnovers to keep inferior teams in the game. Prediction – Alabama by 21.

(12) LSU @ Mississippi State – This is the most interesting SEC game of the day. LSU has owned Mississippi State over the years, but the Bulldogs offense has been one of the most dominant in the league over the first two weeks of the season. Arden Key will be back for an LSU defense that has been utterly dominant without him, while the LSU offense has been efficient and mistake free with no turnovers yet this season. The Bulldogs though have the x-factor in ultra-talented quarterback Nick Fitzgerald who will be the best offensive player on the field. Prediction – Mississippi State by 5.

(13) Georgia vs. Samford – Cupcake city in Athens. Maybe if this were Stanford instead of Samford it would be interesting to watch. It isn’t, and it won’t be. Prediction – Georgia by 28.

Vanderbilt vs. (18) Kansas State – The Wildcats are not known for scheduling a murders row in the non-con portion of their schedule, but it is almost impossible to tell how good they really are after blowouts of Central Arkansas and Charlotte. Vandy has the best win of these 2-0 squads over Middle Tennessee and it looks like this could be a fun battle when the K-State offense and Vanderbilt defense collide. The Wildcats lead the nation in turnover margin and – as you would expect from a Bill Snyder team – do all the little things right. Prediction – Kansas State by 10.

Kentucky @ South Carolina – If either of these sides wants to be taken seriously in the SEC East then this is a must win game. South Carolina is 2-0 despite offensive issues, while Kentucky has been making noise all offseason about how they are a player in the division race. If Kentucky can slow down Debo Samuel – which no one has done yet – then they can win this. Prediction – South Carolina by 7.

Ole Miss @ Cal – Over the next three weeks these two combine to play Alabama, Auburn, USC, Oregon, and Washington. Those are some serious college football sides to deal with. A win here is much needed for both 2-0 sides and it will be an under the radar good game hidden from view because of the time zone. Shea Patterson is really, really good, but these cross country road trips are never easy. Prediction – Cal by 3.