Everyone shaken off the LSU blues completely? Yeah, me either. Not only did we pick an Alabama win, we picked a blowout, thereby falling completely on our faces. We have to move on though, and this week Alabama begins its quest to run the table for the remaining games and hope for all the chips to fall into place. It’s not likely to happen, but all Tide fans can do is watch and wait.
Our impulse was to pick not only SEC games this week, but those games that would have an impact on Alabama’s shot at a rematch with LSU, but there’s just no way to avoid complete homerism in something like that. So with that said, here’s how we see the weekend’s games shaking out.
Alabama at Mississippi State Will the Tide come out flat or inspired after LSU? Ideally, Alabama can use this game as a chance to work on things that went wrong last week. But I have a funny feeling it will look a lot like the Tennessee game. I’d be okay with that, as long as the final score is similar, too. Alabama 24 – 3
Florida at South Carolina A pair of SEC East teams will little left to play for will go at it. Gator coach Will Muschamp is trying to hold on to this team and finish above .500. The Gamecocks meanwhile are hoping for Georgia to stumble again so they might back into the SEC title game. Alabama fans get to sit back and see which coach still has his team together. Florida 17 – 16
Kentucky at Vanderbilt In which the media makes a huge deal of this being the first meeting between black SEC coaches. Yes, it is a historical fact, but I’ll admit I hadn’t even noticed until it was pointed out. I’d imagine most SEC fans feel the same, but that doesn’t fit the narrative of our Northeastern media overlords. Anyway, who cares about the game itself, outside of Vandy fans thinking they may have turned a corner. Vanderbilt 24 – 14
Auburn at Georgia A game that does have implications for the Tide. A Georgia win would help Boise State’s strength of schedule, and Alabama’s should they miraculously make it to Atlanta. An Auburn win has a more direct result on the Tide’s strength of schedule should they beat the Tigers in a few weeks. Defense will win this one; Georgia has it and Auburn does not. Georgia 31 – 20
Tennessee at Arkansas The Razorbacks are making a late-season push, and want a big win here to gain momentum as they approach the LSU game. Bobby Petrino hates to play defense, and intends to simply score more points than the Volunteers. Tennessee will put up a fight, but not have the firepower to stay with the Hogs. Arkansas 40 – 20
Western Kentucky at LSU A glorified scrimmage for the Tigers, this will give everyone a chance to watch the top team in the country show out. Tyrell Mathieu may also give us another teachable moment as he demonstrate some of the wrestling moves they coach in the Bayou. LSU 56 – 3
Louisiana Tech at Ole Miss The Rebels are playing for draft status as it were as the Houston Nutt era comes to a rumbling halt. Look up, Ole Miss fans; at least you’ll win the party after the game. Louisiana Tech 17 – 10