Arkansas 34, LSU 31
Clemson (6-5) vs. South Carolina (8-3)
If the good South Carolina shows up, they should win this game handily. The problem is there's no guarantee that will happen as twice this year (Kentucky and Arkansas) the Gamecocks have failed to fully get off the bus and wound up on the wrong end of the scoreboard at the end of four quarters. (The loss to Auburn was, in many ways, Cam Newton's coming out party.) Clemson, while not a bad team, clearly has problems with consistency and they'll need their best game along with the Gamecocks' patented fading act to get the win. Expect Steve Spurrier to have his birds ready to pounce as they prepare for the SEC Championship game with Auburn next week.
South Carolina 31, Clemson 20
Florida State (8-3) vs. Florida (7-4)
You know how a lot of teams have taken it to Texas out in the Big 12 after years of getting worked? Well, the same scenario is happening to a Florida squad who's got to be as eager to get to the off-season as they are to play another down. Florida State has been good in fits and starts and they've been bad as well. The Seminoles have three things going for them in this game: 1) they lead the nation in sacks and Florida's offense has been anything but stellar this year; 2) when they are "on" their offense can be as balanced of an attack as any team sports; and 3) they get this one at home and they feel like they owe one to Urban Meyer's Gators. This won't be pretty but Florida State gets a chance to exercise some frustrations on their cross-state rivals.
Florida State 23, Florida 17
Ole Miss (4-7) vs. Mississippi State (7-4)
Rivalry or no rivalry, Mississippi State has the better defense and has really found its stride on offense. After two tough losses in a row, Dan Mullen's crew will find a way to hold off Houston Nutt's Rebel Black Bears and win another Egg Bowl.
Article comments
1 - SteveFC
Pretty level headed predictions, but I just don't see Bama keeping up with Auburn scoring. Since the second half of the South Carolina game, Auburn has been killing people. I don't think this one will be that close.
2 - C2E
Wow! Four teams in one game. Two played the first half and two different teams the second half. What happened to the real Alabama team after the half? Were they kidnapped?