NCAA Picks – Week 6

There are a lot of big games this week with championship implications. This is what we live for here in the SEC. Last week, I did picks in a solo flight and ended up 3 – 3 for the weekend. This week, Tony is back and although we both play fairly conservative the picks may surprise you.

Auburn @ Arkansas
TonyOrlando: Tiger fans are assuring themselves the 5-0 start is no fluke, and that Auburn is back. They’re ignoring a weak schedule and depth issues to reach this conclusion. Arkansas has been erratic, with no defense and a pass-happy offense that Alabama shut down with heavy pressure. Much as I want the Tigers to lose, I think Chizik and Co. learned from the Alabama game.
Auburn 24 – 13

Sleepwriter: I tend to agree. However, Arkansas has played far superior competition so far this season than Auburn. Chizik has certainly noted their weaknesses, but game day experience may be a factor. Auburn beat a terrible Tennessee team last week by four. Arkansas whipped a Texas A&M team that is still recovering from the football karma. If this game was in Auburn, I would pick them but it isn’t. In a wild one,
Arkansas 35 – 28

Georgia @ Tennessee
TonyOrlando: Auburn exposed UT last week, and Georgia will kick the Volunteer while they’re down. The Dawgs are awful this year, but have enough talent to overcome bad play and worse coaching. The most underachieving team in recent SEC memory will take this one, an the downward spiral of the Volunteers continues.
Georgia 32 – 12

Sleepwriter: I keep picking Georgia and they disappoint me. This week, I think the lesser of two awfuls wins. There is not a lot to say about this one except we may not have to suffer through the hillbilly national anthem much this week.
Georgia 28 – 10

Kentucky @ South Carolina
TonyOrlando: Kentucky played hard (and dirty) against Alabama last week, after being blown out by Florida the week before. Which team shows up against the Ol’ Ball Coach? The latter, I think. This one might be a shootout, but I expect the Gamecocks to pull this one out.
S. Carolina – 28 – 20

Sleepwriter: I agree completely. Kentucky played a dirty game with lots of personal penalties. They have a solid coach, but they lack on field composure. In a shootout between two coaches I predicted would call it quits after the season this game could go either way.
S. Carolina 32 – 17

Alabama @ Ole Miss
TonyOrlando: A win against the Tide puts them right back in the SEC title picture. A loss drops them out of the top 25. Houston Nutt loves to be the underdog, and will have the house rocking when the Tide comes to call. But superior execution will prevail, and the Tide continue to make their case.
Alabama 31 – 24

Sleepwriter: You can spin it however you want. On the one hand, Ole Miss has beaten one top 5 team since 1977. On the other, Houston Nutt is a coach known for upsets. However, Alabama has proven to be one of the best teams in the country by being consistent and the Ole Miss attack has not lived up to some of the preseason hype. It will be close early (probably thanks to a trick play or two), but Alabama should pull away after the half.
Alabama 42 – 24

Florida @ LSU
TonyOrlando: The Resurrection of Tim Tebow takes place in Death Valley, appropriately enough. In a battle of two overrated teams, the one with less talent and better coaching beats the one with more talent and worse coaching. The Gospel of St. Tim adds another chapter this week, and likely secures a second Heisman.
Florida 26 – 20

Sleepwriter: Either #1 or #4 falls this week. If, as I suspect, Tebow is ready to play, the Gators should walk away with this one. Make no mistake, Florida has looked beatable this season, but I think they probably have a better game plan. LSU has a lot of young talent but they have had to pull two “sure win” games out of the hat in the closing moments twice this season. People don’t bring cake to pity parties, but as long as they serve corn dogs, it might sting a little less after this one.
Florida 42 – 27