Kentucky Wildcats (4-6, 1-5 Southeastern Conference) at Georgia Bulldogs (8-2, 5-2), 11:30 a.m., Sanford Stadium, Athens, Ga., Jefferson-Pilot Sports
The stakes are high for Georgia as they must win to stay in the race for the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern division title.
But there is good news for Bulldogs fans. Georgia holds the highest BCS ranking of the three possible East champs, giving them the tie-breaking advantage and it doesn’t appear that the Bulldogs will have any trouble getting their needed victory this weekend.
Kentucky is fresh off a loss to Vanderbilt after giving up 28 points to a far from potent Commodore offense. The Wildcats’ defense surrenders more than 27 points a game compared to a mere 11.5 for Georgia.
Jared Lorenzen should spare himself further embarrassment and retire his Kentucky jersey early.
I don’t think it can get any worse than being the only SEC team that Vandy has beaten in 24 games. Georgia will roll and all the hill people in Lexington will say their familiar refrain of “at least, we’re good in basketball.”
Georgia 42, Kentucky 17
Vanderbilt Commodores (2-9,1-6) at Tennessee Volunteers (8-2, 4-2), 12 p.m. Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn.
The Vols have won the past 20 games and need to keep the streak alive to have a prayer of going to Atlanta. Even though the ‘Dores are coming off their biggest victory in recent years, they pose little threat to Tennessee.
Vandy boasts the second worst scoring defense in the conference and the worst rated scoring offense. Tennessee lands in the middle of the SEC in nearly all statistical categories on the season, but this has been good enough to help them to big wins over high-rated teams such as Miami.
The Volunteers will keep the three-way race for the East on track and defeat the lackluster Commodores easily.
Tennessee 35, Vanderbilt 6
Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-8, 1-5) at Arkansas Razorbacks (7-3, 3-3), 1 p.m., Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark.
Arkansas is out of contention for the SEC West championship, but needs to win to boost its bowl possibilities. This game should not be too exciting other than seeing Matt Jones run all over the worst defense in the conference.
It’s another easy pick with the Razorbacks needing a win and Mississippi State unable to beat any good high school team. Arkansas will demolish the Bulldogs.
Arkansas 49, Mississippi State 0
LSU Tigers (9-1, 5-1) at Ole Miss Rebels (8-2, 4-0), 2:30 p.m. Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss., CBS Sports
This is definitely the SEC matchup of the weekend, maybe the year. LSU has been steadily building momentum with little national attention or media frenzy.
Ole Miss, on the other hand, has been galvanizing all kinds of attention due to its Heisman candidate and savior, Louisiana native Eli Manning.
It’s hard to overstate the importance of this game to both schools and each day it grows with each remark by an Ole Miss fan about the ignorance and depravity of Louisiana residents.
This game is turning into a symbolic battle of cultures and we all know there is more culture in the smallest South Louisiana town than in all of Mississippi.
Back to the gridiron facts, LSU quarterback Matt Mauck ranks first in the SEC in passing efficiency while Manning leads the SEC in yards per game.
Both offenses are similar in their ratings with Ole Miss possessing a small lead.
The big difference lies in the defense where LSU dominates. LSU’s defense will give up a few big plays, but the Tigers’ defensive line will make things easy for the young secondary.
Mauck should be able to outshine Manning due to the poor Rebel passing defense ranking 116 in the nation and last in the SEC. Ole Miss has shown some ability to stop the run, but has not been able to completely shut down the rushing attack.
LSU wins handily on the arm of Mauck.
LSU 38, Ole Miss 14
Clemson Tigers (7-4, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) at South Carolina Gamecocks (5-6,2-6), 6 p.m., Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC, ESPN2
This game will mark the 101st meeting between the two teams. This game may go down as one of the most exciting matchups in the series. Clemson has been on a roll the past two weeks, while the Gamecocks have dropped their last three games.
South Carolina has not been able to put much offense together thus far this season. Clemson for its part has not had much offensive production either, but the Tigers’ defense will make the difference in the end.
Clemson 24, South Carolina 14
Alabama Crimson Tide (4-7, 2-5) at Auburn Tigers (6-5, 4-3), 6:45 p.m., Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala., ESPN
This is the cultural event of the year for Alabama. This weekend gives both teams the chance to somewhat salvage what has been a disappointing season for the two schools.
Auburn holds the upper hand against the Tide. ‘Bama’s defense was exposed last week for all that it lacks. The Tigers have been fairly solid on defense all year long, boasting the eighth ranking in the nation in total defense.
The battle of two mediocre offenses should be won by Auburn giving the Tigers bragging rights for another year. Auburn 17, Alabama 10