Game of the Week: 1) No. 7 Georgia (3-0) @ No. 11 LSU (3-0)
If you are a Tigers fans, this is what you’ve been waiting for. This is not only the SEC game of the week, but the national game of the week.
LSU quarterback Matt Mauck said his foot injury last year made him learn to become a better pocket passer – and he’s right as he is leading the conference in passing efficiency while completing 65 percent of his passes.
When Mauck gets the ball to junior receiver Michael Clayton, the most underrated player in the country, it could be dangerous for Georgia.
Clayton leads the conference in receptions per game and receiving yards per game. Chances are he’ll pass the 500-yard threshold after only four games.
The combination could make for a long night for the Bulldogs’ defense on the shores of the Mississippi River.
Georgia is looking to quarterback David Greene to continue being its rock when times get rough.
The Bulldogs are 9-0 on the road since Mark Richt took over as head coach and will face a hostile crowd without its best offensive playmaker – wide receiver Fred Gibson.
Still if Michael Cooper can rush the ball consistently, Georgia can win this game.
Predicted score: LSU 28, Georgia 24
Predicted Corso pick: LSU
Predicted Herbstreit pick: Georgia
2) No. 12 Tennessee (2-0) @ No. 17 Florida (2-1)
Was Rex Grossman that bad or were the people surrounding him worse?
It kind of makes you wonder because both sophomore Ingle Martin and true freshman Chris Leak are leading the Gators offense with confidence.
Martin is sixth in the country in pass efficiency and second in the conference to Mauck with a 170.3 rating.
The Vols will depend on their running game. Junior Cedric Houston is third in the nation and tops in the SEC, averaging 160.5 rushing yards per game.
Meanwhile junior Jabari Davis is not very far behind with nearly 73 yards per game.
If Florida cannot stop the run, it could be a long night in Crocodile Land (well it’s GatorLand unless you see the Croc on the Media Guide).
Predicted score: Florida 34, Tennessee 31
3) Northern Illinois (2-0) @ No. 21 Alabama (2-1)
Laugh, I know. I mean how in the heck could NIU beat Alabama?
Bama better not be laughing or they will be beaten by a very underrated Huskies team that is led by running back Michael “The Burner” Turner. Just ask Maryland about the feeling they had after NIU upset them in the very first week.
Bama, on the other hand, features its own stellar back in Shaud Williams. It’s incredible this guy was just named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this year after his 30-rush, 174-yard and 3-touchdown performance. If you say this guy is the best runner in the conference, you won’t hear any argument here.
Predicted score: Alabama 20, Northern Illinois 13
4) Vanderbilt (1-2) @ No. 20 Texas Christian (2-0)
This has the chance to be a solid game. Unfortunately, TCU, a small private school in Fort Worth out of the big and mighty Conference USA, is still better than Vandy.
Don’t be surprised if TCU wins by two-plus touchdowns. You know it’s a bad week of SEC games when Vandy is featured in the fourth “best” (I use the word loosely) game.
Predicted score: TCU 30 Vanderbilt 17
5) Mississippi State (0-2) @ Houston (2-1)
State’s inability to even beat Tulane has to give Houston some confidence at home. If Jackie Sherrill guides State to a loss in this one, he should be fired immediately.
Predicted score: Mississippi State 41, Houston 24
6) Kentucky (1-2) @ Indiana (1-2)
Indiana actually won? Who’d they beat? Kentucky QB Jared “Battleship” Lorenzen will sink them and Gerry DiNardo may be wishing it was 1997 all over again.
Predicted score: Kentucky 37, Indiana 9
7) UAB (1-2) @ South Carolina (2-1)
This is what we call an offensive game – to everyone in the stands. UAB scored nine points last weekend against Troy State, USC put up a seven-spot on Georgia
Predicted score: South Carolina 12, UAB 6
8) North Texas (1-2) @ No. 14 Arkansas (2-0)
Matt Jones runs wild on the Mean Green as Houston Nutt still basks in the glory of another big win.
Predicted score: Arkansas 52, North Texas 10
Open: Auburn (1-2), Ole Miss (2-1)
The Tigers scored often on Vandy, but that’s Vandy. Therefore, Auburn has still not scored a touchdown this year. Ole Miss finally gets to take a break from beating crappy teams and losing to mediocre ones.