News Article: SEC preview and predictions – Week 8

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SEC preview and predictions – Week 8
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-in-Chief
Oct. 20, 2009

Last week’s record: 5-1 (83.3%)
Season record: 43-12 (78.2%)

The Predictions Dept. bounced back after a tough week to notch a 5-1 record, as Kentucky proved it really didn’t need its starting quarterback to handle Auburn. The Tigers’ road doesn’t get any easier this week, as Auburn faces LSU while Alabama hosts Tennessee in their annual tilt. Here’s a complete look at this week’s games.

LOUISIANA-MONROE at KENTUCKY
Louisiana-Monroe has been playing good football so far in 2009, all things considered, but if Kentucky can repeat its effort from last week against Auburn, the Wildcats should win this one fairly comfortably. The problem for Kentucky is that ULM is very good against the run and vulnerable against the pass – but Kentucky likely can’t take advantage of the situation. The Wildcats are getting virtually nothing from their quarterbacks in the passing game at the moment. This one could end up being pretty close if Kentucky plays sloppily.
Kentucky 24
La.-Monroe 10

TENNESSEE at ALABAMA
See our extended preview!

FLORIDA at MISSISSIPPI STATE
Florida will face its former offensive coordinator, Dan Mullen, who has done a nice job of getting Mississippi State to play respectable football so far in 2009. Some pundits are predicting that Mullen’s knowledge of the Florida system could lead the Bulldogs to an upset, but here’s the problem: Mississippi State can’t make plays in the passing game, and Florida’s secondary is top-notch. Therefore, Florida can play straight-up with its pass defense and concentrate on taking out the Bulldog running game. Florida isn’t playing all that well at the moment but it won’t matter here.
Florida 30
Mississippi St. 10

VANDERBILT at SOUTH CAROLINA
The Gamecocks need some time to lick their wounds after a physical beating at the hands of Alabama, and Vanderbilt should provide exactly what South Carolina is looking for. Vandy’s season is up in smoke after a loss to Army, and the Commodores folded late against Georgia last week to really keep the ball rolling downhill. South Carolina needs to be careful, because these are the kind of games that have tripped the Gamecocks up in recent years and it almost happened again this season when Kentucky came calling Oct. 10.
South Carolina 24
Vanderbilt 13

ARKANSAS at MISSISSIPPI
This game is intriguing given the improvement Arkansas has made since the first of the year. Ole Miss bounced back in a huge way against UAB after losing at home to Alabama. The big question here is whether Arkansas can rebound mentally after coming up just short against Florida. If this game were back in Fayetteville, Arkansas would look attractive with this pick, but another road trip at this point in the season doesn’t do the Hogs any favors.
Ole Miss 27
Arkansas 21

AUBURN at LOUISIANA STATE
If LSU’s offense was in better shape, this one could get ugly early on in the game. Auburn has historically been a thorn in LSU’s side, and doesn’t seem to feel particularly intimidated with a trip to Baton Rouge, but Auburn is coming off back-to-back upset losses that were each demoralizing in their own special way. First was a complete breakdown against Arkansas, which was followed by a home loss to a Kentucky team that was missing its starting quarterback. Auburn’s offense has been exposed and a thin defense is starting to tire. LSU’s offense is a mess, which is the only thing keeping this one from being a blowout.
LSU 27
Auburn 10

IDLE: Georgia