SEC Football 2012: Week Five Previews and Predictions

Part of: SEC Weekly Preview

A bulk of the conference gets a week off while two teams that figure in the SEC East race prepare to square off.

My record on the year for SEC picks is 39-5. Here's a look at this week's games.

Tennessee (3-1) @ Georgia (4-0)
The league's top two offenses will be on display here and this game carries a ton of weight in the SEC East race. Tennessee cannot afford another conference loss (having already fallen to Florida) if they hope to remain a factor in this thing. Georgia needs a coming out party stronger than what they've had against Missouri or Vanderbilt which were both games they were favored to win.

For Tennessee to get this done, mitigating Georgia's fierce pass rush will be top priority. The Volunteers have a serviceable running game but they go as well the arm of QB Tyler Bray, so keeping him upright is the way to victory.

Georgia, on the other hand, has grown to not need QB Aaron Murray to do it all as the Bulldogs' running game has emerged behind freshman phenom Todd Gurley, who leads the league in rushing yards per game and averages over nine yards a carry. And that is the issue for Tennessee; they don't do well against the run, giving up nearly five yards a carry.

Tennessee will put up a fight but Georgia's pass rush and running game are enough to propel them to win and one step closer to establishing a serious claim to the SEC throne.

Georgia 28, Tennessee 24

Arkansas (1-3) @ Texas A&M (2-1)
Some will claim young teams can't win. Texas A&M believes otherwise and have backed that up by posting the number two ranked scoring offense and number four ranked scoring defense this season. That's impressive considering this team was asked to replace so much experience plus change their offensive and defensive schemes.

Arkansas's season has spiraled completely out of control and making a tough road trip against a natural rival is a recipe for more disaster at this point. The last couple of games between these two have been shootouts that the Razorbacks have won, but the odds are match-ups are not in their favor at all this year.

It may be a close game but Texas A&M is in a better place right now and being at home, along with their more consistent play gives them the advantage.

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2
Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for j-newcastle

Article Author: J. Newcastle

J. Newcastle writes for BC Sports. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/j_newcastle

Visit J. Newcastle's author page

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own

Article comments

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for May 19, 2013

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for April

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs