Alabama @ Kentucky
Is there any doubt that of the top teams in the nation Alabama has been by far the most impressive? Pollsters should take notices. The Crimson Tide travels to Lexington to face a Wildcats team fresh off a beating from Florida. Last year, Kentucky fought Alabama to a close 17-14 loss. They won’t be able to stay nearly that close this year. Alabama has advantages at every position on every side of the ball. The Crimson Tide flexes some muscle in this one. Alabama 34, Kentucky 7.
LSU @ Georgia
How Georgia is 3-1 is probably as amazing to them as anyone because the Bulldogs have been so hard to figure out this year on offense. One game they look good, one game they look mediocre. The defense has been consistently porous all season. LSU has been slow out of the blocks as well with a couple of surprisingly close games against Washington and Mississippi State. If there is an edge it goes to LSU who has more talent on defense though it has underperformed so far. This should be a good one down to the wire. LSU 27, Georgia 21.
Auburn @ Tennessee
Auburn feels like the Rodney Dangerfield of the SEC as they have lit up the scoreboard in every game of their 4-0 start. Truth of the matter is Auburn has scored loads of points on teams with mediocre to bad defenses. The Tigers defense (usually a strong point) has allowed three mediocre and one good offense to roll up yards and points. Tennessee has looked good in one win over a bad opponent, mediocre in another over a mediocre opponent, bad in one loss (UCLA), and promising in another (Florida). This is the first road game of the year for Auburn and will be the best defense they have seen so far. Tennessee’s passing offense is just not good but they have an adequate enough running game. Neither team has a real edge in special teams. This Vols defense will be the best Auburn has seen so far, but they can't do it alone. Auburn will wear Tennessee down and force a mistake by the Vols offense that allows them to pull away in the fourth quarter. Auburn 24, Tennessee 20.
Article comments
1 - Josh Hathaway
I think the AU/UT game is lower scoring than that, Jay. AU's offense is in for a stiff test against UT's D. AU's defense has been spotty but UT can't threaten them with the pass, allowing them to sell out against the run. I can make a case for either team winning this game, but I would bet the under.
2 - Jay Skipworth
I inadvertently left Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech off the preview.
Georgia Tech once again found its legs last week in a big win against North Carolina. Mississippi State had LSU ready to go down for the count before getting cute inside of the one yard line and failing to score. State's defense was stout against the LSU run game but I doubt they can get up two weeks in a row. May be close early, but the Yellow Jackets should run away with this one in the second half. Georgia Tech 32, MSU 17.