Four of the conference's unbeaten teams prepare to square off with one another as SEC conference play ramps up for October.
My record on the year for SEC picks is 44-5. Here's a look at this week's games.
LSU (5-0) @ Florida (4-0)
LSU has been sleepwalking through the last couple of games and the doubters are out in force wondering if the cracks in the dam are real and if we are witnessing the last gasps from a team that's spent a lot of time at or near the top of the SEC in the last decade. Florida has surprised many with a ferocious defense and an offense that seems to grow more confident with each pummeling win.
Here's the deal. Florida's defensive acumen is well deserved though they haven't played a team as adept at running the ball and physically controlling the line of scrimmage like LSU does. Factor in Florida's slow burn offense against LSU's smothering defense, and the advantage leans ever so slightly to LSU.
This should be a close, hard-hitting game, but LSU's experience and the aforementioned matchup advantages give the Tigers the edge.
LSU 23, Florida 21
Georgia (5-0) @ South Carolina (5-0)
If things go as I predict in the LSU-Florida game, Georgia could just about wrap up the SEC East with a win this weekend, but it won't come easy.
Both of these teams have destructive defensive fronts. Both sport offenses with explosive players in the backfield. So where's the advantage? Georgia's overall experience. The Bulldogs team is largely composed of a lot of guys who have fought, lost, got up, and fought better the next time together. South Carolina has grown into a very formidable opponent week in and week out, but they are still missing experience or enough depth for me to feel comfortable picking the Gamecocks in this contest.
It will probably remain close but in the end, Georgia's playmakers and experience should lead the Bulldogs to a win and one step closer to the SEC East crown.
Georgia 31, South Carolina 24
Arkansas (1-4) @ Auburn (1-3)
Aside from all the hyperbole you will see out there about the hot seat under the Arkansas' Athletic Department or what may be the future of Auburn coach Gene Chizik, there's actually "football" reasons for my pick this week. And here it is: big plays.
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