Last weekend was the ugliest weekend in the history of sports. First, LSU got trounced by Auburn. To make matters worse Saturday, as Auburn extended its lead over LSU, I checked out the Notre Dame-Florida State score that was previously tied at 10-10. Notre Dame had lengthened its lead to 34-10, and I wanted to roll over and die.
Then, as if nothing in this world could get any worse, my beloved New Orleans Saints lost to the hated Atlanta Falcons. Thank God last week is history. Let’s move on to this week, where it is impossible for LSU or the Saints to lose.
Florida vs. No. 5 Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla.
The most popular “Cocktail Party” in the country has huge implications for the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. With a win, the Bulldogs become the quickest team ever to clinch the SEC East.
Former Gator and current Houston Texans wide receiver Jabar Gaffney seems to think people care about him with regard to this game.
“Georgia knows they can’t win when they play Florida,” Gaffney told ESPN.com. “That’s in the back of [the Bulldogs] minds.”
Georgia wide receiver Terrence Edwards responded, “We’ll see what Jabar thinks after the game. This is a classy program.”
Maybe Florida lost some of its “class” with the antics of Steve Spurrier. But regardless of class, the Gators have not lost three SEC games in one season since 1989. Do you remember Spurrier’s first season in Florida? I do, it was 1990. They may not have Spurrier, and they may lose three conference games this year, but it won’t happen Saturday.
Florida 30 Georgia 23
Auburn at Ole Miss
The people of “The Grove” still remember when Tommy Tuberville abandoned them and left for Auburn. Now, the Rebels hate him and his big ears.
The move putting Jason Campbell in the starting role panned out extremely well for the Tigers, and Ronnie Brown has turned into a nice substitute for the “Cadillac.” But in this SEC season, too many strange things have happened. Don’t expect Auburn to play quite as well this week in Oxford. In fact, don’t expect anything. Just watch the game.
Ole Miss 31 Auburn 21
No. 25 Tennessee at South Carolina
If Tennessee could keep its players healthy, it might be sitting atop the SEC East right now. But injuries to Casey Clausen and Kelley Washington have the Vols at 1-3 in conference play. By the way, that is only one game ahead of Vanderbilt.
I can only imagine what Lou Holtz is saying about Tennessee. “How has this invincible team lost three games? They are very intimidating…. blah, blah, blah”
The Gamecocks are coming off a bye week and get to play an angry Volunteer team. Yippy Skippy!
Tennessee 17 South Carolina 13
No. 12 Alabama at Vanderbilt
‘Bama leads the league and is sixth in the country in run defense. Vandy lost its starting running back for the season, and oh yeah, VANDERBILT CAN’T THROW!
Hmmmm… Can you say the Commodores 0-for in the SEC? I can.
Alabama 35 Vanderbilt 9
Kentucky at Mississippi State
From 1-7 at this point last year to 5-3 this year, the Wildcats are the most improved team in the SEC. The Bulldogs, well, they aren’t. State is 0-3 in conference play, and Jackie Sherrill’s job security is not looking very secure.
Kentucky 35 Mississippi State 17
Troy State at Arkansas
Arkansas is not Mississippi State, so don’t anticipate an 11-8 score in this Troy State vs. SEC matchup.
Razorback running back Fred Talley is quick, agile and will run for about 200 yards.
Arkansas 42 Troy State 14
No. 13 Colorado at No. 2 Oklahoma
Chris Brown leads the country in rushing with 1,303 yards through eight games. But I guarantee he will not rush for 100 yards against the suffocating Oklahoma defense.
With a win, Oklahoma will have a strong hold on the No. 1 spot in the Bowl Championship Series poll. Expect that to happen Saturday.
Oklahoma 28 Colorado 13
Boston College at No. 4 Notre Dame
I GIVE UP! Usually this is the part of my column when I bash the French-Irish hybrid boys for anything and everything. But what could I possibly say today? Notre Dame can’t win because um… They are lucky and um… OK fine. They have proven their critics, especially me, wrong. I will give them some credit. They are pretty good. Hopefully by picking them this week, they will lose, because they seem content on proving me wrong. If the Irish continue to play like they have, they should win. But don’t be surprised if the Eagles fly high and pull off the upset.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Notre Dame 20 Boston College 17