The second-to-last week of regular season play in the Southeastern Conference is full of teams resting in preparation for in-state rivalry games next weekend.
Four of the SEC’s 12 schools are playing FCS opponents. Alabama faces Georgia Southern, Auburn tackles Samford, Florida takes on Furman and South Carolina lines up against the Citadel.
With that many games against teams outside of the FBS classification, it limits the amount of available lines for this week.
But being able to extend picks outside of the SEC will hopefully help improve my record, which took a huge hit after an atrocious performance last week.
HOUSTON -20 OVER SMU
It’s rare to see a Conference USA game on here, but it’s also rare to see ESPN’s College Gameday at a C-USA venue as well.
Houston senior quarterback Case Keenum has made the Cougars a household name this fall, and he’ll have a chance to make a run for the Heisman Trophy.
He’ll make a strong case against the Mustangs.
PENN ST +7 OVER OHIO ST
The Nittany Lions are finally able to get out of Happy Valley for a while and leave behind the distractions of the sexual-abuse scandal that has engulfed the program.
The weekend getaway will help the team come together and pull off a big win in the Horseshoe.
CLEMSON -7.5 OVER NORTH CAROLINA STATE
The clock struck midnight for the Tigers a couple weeks ago when their undefeated season went by the wayside in a 31-17 loss to Georgia Tech.
Last week, Clemson looked flat against Wake Forest and had to score 17 unanswered points to rally for a 31-28 victory.
This week won’t be the same. The Tigers will get a good tune-up and an easy win before taking on South Carolina next weekend.
NEBRASKA +3.5 OVER MICHIGAN
Both teams have shown flashes of greatness this season, and both teams have fallen flat on their faces.
But when push comes to shove, go with the team with the more reliable defense.
I’ll take Nebraska coach Bo Pelini in that argument any day.
OREGON -14.5 OVER USC
After throttling Stanford last week, there seems to be little way for Pacific 12 defenses to slow down Oregon’s offensive attack.
USC defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has made a career out of shutting down great offenses, but none of his NFL success came against an offense quite like this.
OKLAHOMA -15.5 OVER BAYLOR
Baylor junior quarterback Robert Griffin III was all the rage early this season.
But as the Bears have faded, so has its star.
Baylor is a one-man band, and Oklahoma has too many defensive weapons to let Griffin alone take it down.
VANDERBILT -1.5 OVER TENNESSEE
Tennessee has lost to Vanderbilt just once since 1983.
That changes this year.
Vanderbilt coach James Franklin has changed the culture and attitude of Vanderbilt football. With bowl eligibility on the line, the Commodores will be geared up for a win.
KENTUCKY +31 OVER GEORGIA
Georgia looked like a team on a mission during its 45-7 win against Auburn last week.
Despite their 0-2 start, the Bulldogs are now just one win away from clinching a berth in the SEC Championship game.
Georgia will punch its ticket to Atlanta on Saturday, with little resistance.
But expect Georgia coach Mark Richt to call off the dogs early and save his players for next weekend’s rivalry game with Georgia Tech.
ARKANSAS -13 OVER MISSISSIPPI STATE
Arkansas doesn’t want to get caught looking ahead to next week’s monster matchup with LSU.
Mississippi State could deliver a knockout blow to the Razorbacks Bowl Championship Series hopes with an upset.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they don’t have the weapons to go score-for-score with Arkansas.
LSU -30 OVER OLE MISS
LSU also doesn’t want to trip up by peeking around the corner.
With Ole Miss’ suspension of its two offensive weapons, including starting junior quarterback Randall Mackey, the outlook from the Grove looks even bleaker.
Last week: 3-7
Overall record: 59-50-1
Rob Landry is a 23-year old mass communication senior from Mandeville. Follow him on Twitter @RobLandry85.
 
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Contact Rob Landry at [email protected]