Here are my SEC football predictions for Week 6 of the college football season.
Record last week: 8-1
Season total: 47-4
All times are Eastern.
Saturday, October 5
Georgia State (0-4) at Alabama (4-0, 2-0 SEC)
12:21 a.m. ET • SEC TV
Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)
Series: UA leads, 1-0
VegasInsider.com Point Spread: Alabama -54
Vinny’s Vibe: None needed.
Alabama 52 Georgia State 0
Georgia (3-1, 2-0 SEC) at Tennessee (3-2, 0-1 SEC)
3:30 p.m. ET • CBS
Series: UT leads, 21-19-2; Last: UGA, 51-44 (2012 at Athens)
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (102,455)
VegasInsider.com Point Spread: Georgia -10 ½
Vinny’s Vibe: Many of us are very surprised by the low point spread in favor of Georgia. On paper this should be a much bigger spread. Georgia RB Todd Gurley is doubtful. 5-star freshman FS Tray Matthews is expected to miss the game as well. Will Georgia have a letdown coming off of the huge win vs. LSU. Georgia has played some disappointing games in Knoxville, but Tennessee is even more banged-up with less depth and fewer athletes. The Vols have to somehow go from bad quarterback play to outstanding quarterback play to even have a shot in this game. Plus, how does the Tennessee defense deal with Aaron Murray, Keith Marshall and the Georgia offense? Not well.
Georgia 41 Tennessee 17
Arkansas (3-2, 0-1 SEC) at Florida (3-1, 2-0 SEC)
7 p.m. ET • ESPN2
Series: UF leads, 8-1; Last: UF, 23-20 (2009 in Gainesville)
Gainesville, Fla. • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field (92,746)
VegasInsider.com Point Spread: Florida 12 ½
Vinny’s Vibe: Arkansas is the SEC’s best rushing team with stud freshman back Alex Collins and Jonathan. Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen played his best game last week. The balance on offense helps. Tyler Murphy faces his toughest test as Florida’s starting quarterback. The Gators defense will is too strong overall but the game will be close.
Florida 23 Arkansas 17
Ole Miss (3-1, 1-1 SEC) at Auburn (3-1, 1-1 SEC)
7 p.m. ET • ESPNU
Series: AU leads, 27-10; Last: UM, 41-2- (2012 in Oxford)
Auburn Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
VegasInsider.com Point Spread: Ole Miss -3
Vinny’s Vibe: This is my favorite game of the weekend in the SEC. Auburn had an off week and has home field. Ole Miss has the motivation to bounce back after the shut out loss at Alabama, and some high level young talent. I think both of these teams are improved. Ole Miss’ passing game and speed will be too tough for Auburn to deal with. I expect a great and close game.
Ole Miss 35 Auburn 31
LSU (4-1, 1-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (2-2, 0-1 SEC)
7 p.m. ET • ESPN
Series: LSU leads, 70-33-3; Last: LSU, 37-17 (2012 in Baton Rouge)
Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (55,082)
VegasInsider.com Point Spread: LSU -9 ½
Vinny’s Vibe: After a tough loss on the road against a great team in Georgia last week, I expect LSU to be sharp. History says MSU plays LSU tough, especially in Starkville. The Bulldogs also had an open week to prepare and get Tyler Russell healthier from his concussion in the opener. How will Dan Mullen handle the quarterbacks with Dak Prescott playing well in relief of Russell? LSU’s dynamic receiving duo of Beckham Jr. and Landry are too tough to stop. Plus, Zach Mettenberger might the most improved player in the country. LSU wins comfortably.
LSU 38 Mississippi State 13
Kentucky (1-3, 0-1 SEC) at South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC)
7:30 p.m. ET • FSN
Series: SC leads, 16-7-1; Last: SC, 38-17 (2012 in Lexington)
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)
VegasInsider.com Point Spread: South Carolina -21 ½
Vinny’s Vibe: South Carolina does not have a complete, clean, dominant performance yet this yet. The biggest margin of victory for SC was the season opener over UNC where the Gamecocks won 27-10 in ugly fashion. If South Carolina can’t dominate Kentucky then we may have to adjust our opinions of this team. I’ll give the head ball coach the benefit of the doubt entering this one.
South Carolina 38 Kentucky 10
Missouri (4-0 , 0-0 SEC) at Vanderbilt (3-2, 0-2 SEC)
7:30 p.m. ET • CSS
Series: Tied, 2-2-1; Last: VU, 19-15 (2012 at Columbia)
Nashville, Tenn. • Vanderbilt Stadium (40,550)
VegasInsider.com Point Spread: Missouri -1
Vinny’s Vibe: It’s the battle of James Franklins in the SEC. Mizzou finally begins year two of SEC play on the road in Nashville. Missouri is getting more consistent quarterback play than Vandy. Vanderbilt has not been as clean as it should have been against lesser competition. Missouri’s balance on offense, with multiple productive receivers and running backs, will be the difference.
Missouri 38 Vanderbilt 27
OPEN: Texas A&M (4-1, 1-1 SEC)
Notes
- Six of the seven games this week feature conference matchups.
- Seven SEC squads are ranked in this week’s AP Top 25 (Six in Coaches’ Poll).
- 13 SEC teams have been ranked or received votes in the Top 25 polls so far this season.
- Of Georgia’s four games, three have been versus Top 10 teams.
- Half of No. 1 Alabama’s four games have come versus ranked teams, with a third (Va. Tech) on
the verge of breaking into both polls
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