The Kentucky Wildcats will try to end a three-game SEC losing streak on Saturday when they travel to Georgia for a game with the equally struggling Bulldogs at noon on the SEC Network.
For a second straight week the Wildcats were thoroughly dominated in every facet of the game in a 52-21 loss to Tennessee.
Fair or not, the next few weeks are probably the most important for coach Mark Stoops and his tenure in Lexington. Many of the fringe football fans have already checked out for the year with John Calipari’s latest juggernaut starting up the basketball season. If the Cats fail to make a bowl game for a second straight season there will definitely be some calling for change. I think that talk is ludicrous when you take into account where the program was when Stoops’ started to where it is now. It is night and day.
Charlotte looks like a win and the chances are good against Vandy and Louisville. Making a bowl game is all most Cat fans are hoping for, however minor a one it might be.
On the other side of the ball it seems every year there is talk about Marc Richt’s job, but this year it has been amplified over the last month; and based on reports coming out this week the buzzards are circling.
After starting 4-0 the Bulldogs have lost three of four and have not scored a touchdown in almost a month. They have only scored 12 points in the last two games, all on field goals. 1969 was the last time that happened.
However if you look at the Georgia schedule the game against Kentucky may be their toughest the rest of the season, so a 9-3 finish is not out of the question.
The Vegas odds makers currently have Georgia as a 14 point favorite. I think that is a little much with both teams struggling. I think on the road Kentucky plays it very close, but ultimately falls in the end.
Georgia 24-17
Time to take a look at the rest of the games in the SEC this weekend. Last week I went 5-1 making my season record 57-16. Looking at the rest of the league with THE big game at the very end.
Mississippi State at Missouri- (Thursday 9:00 ESPN)– The other Bulldogs had a week off after blitzing Kentucky two weeks ago. At this point the Tigers are just playing out the string. Quarterback Maty Mauk was suspended again, this time for the rest of the season; and the offense has not scored a touchdown in 13 quarters.
Even on the road Dak Prescott and company will roll, but the question will be “does Missouri score a touchdown?”
Mississippi State 31-7
Vandy at Florida- (NOON ESPN)- The Gators will wrap up their first SEC East division title since 2009 with a win here. The Commodores have been playing much better but got steamrolled by Houston last week. Two years ago Vandy went into Gainesville and won for the first time since 1945. It won’t happen this time as Jim McElwain’s rebuilding of the Gator program hits its peak on Saturday.
Florida 27-3
Arkansas at Ole Miss- (3:30 CBS)- The Rebels have rebounded nicely since losing to Memphis three weeks ago and actually control their own destiny in the SEC West. The Razorbacks have righted their ship as well, and are looking to get to six wins and bowl eligibility.
The key to this one will be stopping the Chad Kelly and the Rebel offense. In a 63-28 win over Tennessee-Martin they gave up 519 yards to a FCS squad. That doesn’t bode well against Hugh Freeze’s high powered offense.
Ole Miss 38-24
South Carolina at Tennessee- (4:00 SEC Network)– First I want to thank all the Tennessee fans for the warm reception I got for picking against your school last week.
Butch Jones’ club ripped Kentucky for a second straight year and look to run the table, and finish 8-4, and a possible January bowl game.
The Gamecoks played very well against Texas A&M last week and I think they will hang tough in this one. The difference will be Joshua Dobbs and Jalen Hurd running through the SEC’s worst run defense.
Tennessee 42-21
Auburn at Texas A&M- (7:30 SEC Network)– Kyler Murray took over the Aggie offense last week and accounted for 379 total yards in helping break a two game losing streak.
The Tigers have played much better with Sean White under center, and if this game was in Auburn I might pick the upset. However, playing in College Station I expect Kevin Sumlin’s team to win in a potential shootout.
Texas A&M 38-31
LSU at Alabama- (8:00 CBS)- This is the game most SEC fans have been waiting for all season. I can already hear Les Miles’ interview with Tracy Wolfson and trying to figure out what he is trying to say.
There are so many intriguing factors in this contest. Derrick Henry versus Leonard Fournette, Brandon Harris versus Jake Coker and the list goes on.
I think Fournette will still get his 100 yards against the league’s best run defense but it won’t be easy. Like most of the games in this series it will come down to fourth quarter execution. At home I like the Tide to win.
Alabama 21-17
That’s it for this week. I would love to hear your predictions. Look me up on Twitter @kevinmcguffey. Thanks for reading.
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