After five straight SEC losses Kentucky Coach Mark Stoops finally made the move many True Blue Fans have wanted to see, and that is naming Drew Barker as the starting quarterback. Since Barker signed with the Cats in 2014 many have been calling for him to get the starting nod and he will finally get his chance.
Patrick Towles and Barker both played last week against Vanderbilt and neither did very well. Barker completed five of eight passes for one touchdown and one interception that was returned for a touchdown. Barker did not play anymore after the pick-six. Towles was 10 for 26 through the air for only 60 yards and an interception. Over the last five games, all losses, Towles has one touchdown and 7 interceptions.
Last week I wrote I didn’t think the time was right to start Barker against a very good Commodores defense. This week there should be no issues playing him. Stoops has said Barker will play and play through any mistakes he makes. If Barker is ever going to get comfortable he has to play an entire game.
In playing the 49ers on Saturday the Cats will face one of the worst teams in all of college football. They come into this game at 2-8 and on an eight game losing streak. If Kentucky wants to make a bowl game they have to have this one and then have to beat Louisville next week. The task is not impossible, but not as easy as it seemed a month ago.
For a 7:30 SEC Network game in November I will be surprised if there are 40,000 fans in Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday. As I have said, most of the fringe UK fans have moved on to basketball, especially after the Cats big win over Duke on Tuesday night and the huge recruiting week John Calipari has had.
The point spread on this game is 24 points. I think the Cats win but don’t cover.
Kentucky 31-10
Time to look at the rest of the SEC on what has traditionally been called “Cupcake Saturday” as most of the league plays non-conference foes. There are a couple of big league games and I’ll try to bounce back from a 5-3 week, making my season record 67-21.
Florida Atlantic at Florida- (NOON SEC Network)- The Gators have already clinched their spot in Atlanta for the SEC title game and they still have an outside shot at a playoff berth. The Owls are 2-8 and shouldn’t provide too much trouble for Jim McElwain’s club.
Florida 38-13
The Citadel at South Carolina- (NOON SEC Network)– With the loss to Florida last week the Gamecocks are the first SEC club to be officially eliminated from bowl consideration. The Bulldogs are 7-3 and are a pretty good FCS club. I think they hang around for awhile before Shawn Elliott’s team pulls away in the second half.
South Carolina 27-14
Ole Miss at LSU- (3:30 CBS)- This is the big game in the league this weekend although not near as big as it was a month ago. The Tigers have gone from being ranked #2 in the country to being eliminated from the SEC West race. There have even been rumblings Les Miles’ job could be in some jeopardy if they don’t right the ship.
The Rebels still have a mathematical chance at the SEC Title game but would have to have a lot of help. The 53-52 overtime loss to Arkansas certainly didn’t help. Playing at home I am going with the Rebels.
Ole Miss- 28-20
Idaho at Auburn- (4:00 SEC Network)- The season hasn’t gone the way Gus Malzahn thought it would, but a win over a 3-7 Vandal team will at least get the Tigers to a bowl game.
Auburn 42-14
Charleston Southern at Alabama- (4:00 SEC Network)- The Tide are riding high right now and just need to keep winning to clinch a berth in the New Year’s Eve playoff games.
On Saturday they face a really good Buccaneers squad who is 9-1 and ranked 9th in the current FCS standing. I don’t see ‘Bama having a whole lot of trouble in this one but maybe not the blowout most would expect.
Alabama 38-7
Mississippi State at Arkansas- (7:00 ESPN)- For a second straight year the Razorbacks are getting hot at the right time winning four in a row and are looking at a possible Liberty Bowl bid if they win out.
Beating the Bulldogs will not be easy because they still have Dak Prescott. It will be interesting to see if they can bounce back from their 31-6 thumping at the hands on Alabama last week.
I am going with the Hogs at home in what could be a shootout.
Arkansas 34-27
Georgia Southern at Georgia- (7:00 ESPNU)– The Bulldogs have gotten their act together and are looking at a possible 9-3 finish and a pretty decent bowl game. That might not be enough to save Marc Richt’s job, but that is a discussion for another time.
The Eagles are 7-2 on the year and may give Georgia a pretty good game.
Georgia 28-14
Tennessee at Missouri- (7:15 ESPN2)- The Vols are coming off a less than impressive 24-0 win over a bad North Texas squad. The Tigers were able to put all the off the field distractions behind them and win 20-16 over BYU. With a win in this one or against Arkansas, Mizzou could get to a bowl game in Gary Pinkel’s last season. Emotion will play a huge factor in this game as it will be Pinkel’s last in Columbia, but I don’t think it will be enough to beat the Vols.
Tennessee 21-17
Texas A&M at Vanderbilt- (7:30 SEC Network)- Kevin Sumlin’s club got back on track with a win over Western Carolina while the Commodores beat Kentucky. You have the high-powered Aggie offense versus the stingy Vandy defense. I am going with A&M in what should be a close game.
Texas A&M 20-13
That’s it for this week, I would like to hear your predictions. Look me up on Twitter @kevinmcguffey and tweet me your picks.
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