News Article: SEC Previews and Predictions – Week 10

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SEC preview and predictions – Week 10
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-in-Chief
Nov. 2, 2009

Last week’s record: 4-3 (57.1%)
Season record: 53-15 (77.9%)

A rough week for the Predictions Dept. for sure, as South Carolina and Ole Miss both laid eggs in games they were favored to win. This week’s marquee matchup is the Alabama-LSU game, which will effectively decide the SEC West. South Carolina faces Arkansas in what figures to be the most intriguing game out of what’s left.

VANDERBILT at FLORIDA
The Commodores scored 31 points last week; unfortunately, they also gave up 56 at the same time as Georgia Tech romped over Vandy in the second half. This week, the assignment doesn’t get any easier. Florida is playing arguably its best football of the year. Vanderbilt has zero chance in this game unless the Gators lose 10 or more key players to injury leading up to and during the game. Otherwise, Florida ought to be able to start the second team and win by two touchdowns.
Florida 34
Vanderbilt 10

TENNESSEE TECH at GEORGIA
Finally, an opponent Georgia can’t lose to.
Georgia 52
Tennessee Tech 7

LOUISIANA STATE at ALABAMA
See our extended preview!

SOUTH CAROLINA at ARKANSAS
South Carolina’s defense should give it the edge in this game, but the offense has been so clumsy lately that we just can’t pick the Gamecocks. Arkansas has held the opposition to under 20 points only twice this year, however, and one of those opponents was Missouri State. The game might actually be a low-scoring affair thanks to the competitiveness of South Carolina’s secondary. But after a disappointing trip up to Knoxville last week, it’s hard to imagine that South Carolina will fare better after a long flight to the Ozarks.
Arkansas 24
South Carolina 14

EASTERN KENTUCKY at KENTUCKY
The Wildcats need this win and another next week against Vanderbilt to get bowl-eligible. Kentucky’s quarterback injury woes (and a sudden lack of rushing defense) finally came home to roost against Mississippi State, a game the Cats should have won but didn’t. Kentucky should win this one going away, however.
Kentucky 31
E. Kentucky 10

MEMPHIS at TENNESSEE
Memphis is playing horrible football in 2009, and Tennessee seems to have turned its season around. The Volunteers are still unsteady on offense, but Memphis’ defense is horrific and the Tigers don’t run the football. That’s a bad combination.
Tennessee 37
Memphis 14

FURMAN at AUBURN
Auburn’s upset of Ole Miss guarantees the Tigers of a bowl trip. A win over Furman would probably put the Tigers in the Liberty Bowl at worst and possibly the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Furman has a good offense but the Paladins’ defense is bad even by Division-IAA standards.
Auburn 51
Furman 21

NORTHERN ARIZONA at MISSISSIPPI
Who scheduled this?
Ole Miss 49
N. Arizona 14

IDLE: Mississippi State