Two Daves Pick The SEC
October 3, 2009
Welcome to Two Daves Pick The SEC! Last weekend was wild, with LSU
barely surviving a trip to Starkville and Georgia almost being poked out
by the Sun Devils. Of course, the Gator Nation had a heart attack when
Tim Tebow suffered a concussion and spent the night in the hospital.
Auburn finished September two wins away from being bowl eligible. This
weekend will have some really good games.
Feedback? Comments? Instanity?? http://www.2daves.org
Doug says:
Well, we now know the difference between Jesus and Tim Tebow. Tebow
rose after three minutes. Of course, when Jesus finally got around to
rising, there's no doubt he had immediate, full use of his faculties. I
think Super Tim will be a couple of fries short of a happy meal for a
few weeks. It will be interesting to see if he plays against LSU like
he believes he will.
Meanwhile, Mississippi State is finally showing that they can compete
with some of the big boys out there. They've still got a ways to go,
but they're definitely on the right track.
Alabama at Kentucky
Dave says:
Rich Brooks has to be wondering what he did to deserve back to back
games against two of the top three nationally ranked teams. Welcome to
the SEC. Alabama looked sharp against Arkansas last week in their
domination of the Pigs. Kentucky didn't look great, but hey, they were
playing the #1 ranked defending national champions. The result will be
the same. I suppose Greg McElroy doesn't want to be exactly the same.
Alabama 37 Kentucky 10
Doug says:
That scowl on Rich Brooks' face doesn't look to be going away this week.
This game is going to be glorious if you're a Bama fan, and hey, if
you're a Kentucky fan, there's only a couple of weeks left until
basketball season starts!
Kentucky home field advantage: +10 KY
Alabama defensive domination: +20 Bama
Against Kentucky's offense: +10 Bama
Nick Saban conservative gameplan: +5 KY
Julio Jones bonus: +8 Bama
Crimson Legends 33 - Mildcats 10
LSU at Georgia
Dave says:
LSU heads to Athens to face another set of Bulldogs. Last week, at
Mithipppi State, LSU had to be spoon fed a win. How badly was LSU
dominated? They were plus 4 on turnovers , had a pick six and a 93 yard
punt return, yet they were literally six inches away from losing the
game. If it's true that good teams find a way to win, LSU might be
really good. This weekend will help decide that. Georgia plays pretty
well on offense, however their defense still leaves something to be
desired. I dont have one of those fancy calculators like Doug, so let
me get my etch a sketch...
LSU 27 - UGA 26
Doug says:
LSU should be coming off a loss here, but they got lucky. The question
is whether they treated practice this week as if they lost and are fired
up to play. From what I saw of their defense, Georgia shouldn't have a
problem scoring. Then again, neither should LSU. This one has the
makings of a shootout.
Georgia at home: +20 UGA
Traveling coonasses: +10 LSU
Georgia QB Cox plays better at night: +10 LSU
And might be eaten by Chad Jones: +5 LSU
Crazy Lester Miles might do anything bonus: +4 UGA
Coonasses 38 - Hairy Dawgs 37
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
Dave says:
The Rebels balloon was smashed by Spurrier and company last week.
Somewhere along the way this summer, some mystical powers established
that Ole Miss was a top 10 team and Jevan Snead was a first round draft
pick QB. The Rebels might win that game if they use Dexter McCluster
for the whole game and not just the fourth quarter. Then again, Ellis
Johnson is a defensive guru. Vanderbilt is coming off a thrilling road
win over Rice. Look for the Rebels to bounce back this weekend.
Ole Miss 31 - Vandy 17
Doug says:
The criticism and ribbing that Mississippi has taken over being so
overrated is well deserved. Putting that aside, though, we all know
they are a talented team. Snead is much better than he's played. Nutt
probably learned a hard lesson about getting the ball into the hands of
McCluster more. If he doesn't have 25 carries this week, Nutt should be
fired on the spot. Common sense is to go with the Rebs big this week,
but they traditionally struggle with Vanderbilt. I need help from the
calculator.
Vanderbilt at home: +20 Vandy
Home field didn't help Vandy against MSU: +20 UM
Vanderbilt stout defense bonus: +10 Vandy
Vanderbilt terrible offense bonus: +20 UM
Houston Nutt playcalling: +5 Vandy
Confederates 17 - Commodores 12
South Carolina State at South Carolina
Dave says:
The Gamecocks should move one game closer to bowl eligibility this
weekend. I don't think that Spurrier's boys will have a hangover from
their upset of Ole Miss. South Carolina State should be praying that
Eric Norwood doesn't kill one of their players. There's not a better
linebacker in the nation.
AKC 34 - SuCkS 13
Doug says:
The million-dollar question for me is whether a big win over #4
(snicker) Mississippi is the catalyst for the AKC to take the next step
under Spurrier. Fans and players are fired up, but Spurrier had the
line of the night when he compared the win to beating Kentucky in 2007.
Welcome back, Coach Spurrier, we've missed you.
Carolina at home: +20 USC
And feeling good about themselves: +10 USC
Garcia inconsistency factor: +10 SCS
Eric Norwood is a grown man: +20 USC
Carolina pressure to win big: +10 SCS
Cackolackey 44 - Roadkill 14
Georgia Tech at Mississippi State
Dave says:
The Ramblin Wreck drives to Starkville to face what has to be a
heartbroken Mississippi State team. State dominated LSU in every
category except for the one that counts, the final score. The real
question is if the Dawgs are really that good or was LSU really that
bad? State has allowed Vanderbilt and LSU a combined 61 yards of
rushing on 60 carries. So the unstoppable running game meets the
perfect defense. Not exactly. Paul Johnson's rushing attack is nothing
like State has seen since last season's bitchslap at the hands of GT.
like State has seen since last season's bitchslap at the hands of GT.
It is hard to prepare for such an unconventional offense in a week.
This game will speak volumes about Dan Mullen's coaching skills. His
players will either fight to the end, or they will be flat as Tyson Lees
jump pass last weekend.
Jawga TEkk 31 Midget QB 27
Doug says:
Georgia Tech absolutely destroyed MSU last year, but big ol' Crooked Hat
was still roaming the sidelines for the Bulldogs at that time. It's a
new era in Starkville, and I expect a better showing this time around.
The key question is whether a State defense that's been stout against
the run can step up and stop the GT option game. As our old pal Forrest
Gump once said, "Momma says life is like a Carl Torbush defense. You
never know what you're gonna get." I've got a funny feeling State gets
it done this week.
State's improving home field advantage: +15 MSU
ACC team on the road: +10 MSU
Carl Torbush: +20 GT
Paul Johnson: +10 GT
Excitement about the program bonus: +8 MSU
We Can't Defend The Pass 31 - We Don't Throw Many Passes 28
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas in Jerrys World (in Arlington, dammit)
Dave says:
The nation's #1 rated offense heads to Dallas, excuse me, ARLINGTON,
Texas to face Arkansas in Jerry Jones' $1.1 Billion stadium. The
citizens of Arlington get really pissy if you remotely refer to this as
being in Dallas. Jerry loves his pigs, and I'm sure he loves Bobby
Petrino and the prospect of Arkansas returning to the SEC Championship
game someday. Meanwhile, Texas A&M has skulldrug three pansies this
year building up
their offensive numbers. Neither team possesses a great defense, not
even close. Look for another 1,000 yard shootout, much like the
Georgia-Arkansas game. The last one to score likely wins.
TAMU 44 - Arkansas 41
Doug says:
I like these neutral site matchups. Arkansas has a dynamic offense and
A&M is fairly prolific in that area themselves. A&M has played some
lightweights, while Arkansas is already battle-tested. This is going to
hinge on the ability of the Hogs to play defense. They don't have a
good track record so far. They may have to outscore the Ags.
The game's in Dallas: Push
Arkansas offense: +20 Arkansas
Arkansas defense: +20 TAMU
Petrino bonus: +5 Arkansas
Jerry Jones bonus: +3 Arkansas
Road Hogs 31 - Road Ags 23
Auburn at Tennessee
Dave says:
I heard a good word today: incrompitence. Indeed, Jonathon Crompton is
Tennessee's own version of Mike Henig. Much like Henig, Crompton is
catching hell from all corners of the earth. The amount of pressure
that is on his shoulders cannot be held by any mortal. He's a mediocre
QB in the toughest conference in the nation, with fans that have very
high expectations. That's a tough gig folks. Much like Sylvester Croom
with Henig (and even today in Starkville with no QBs), you can blame
Phil Fulmer for not recruiting worth a flip. Monte Kiffin has my
respect, but Auburn is a good team. Gene Chizik has done very well so
far; however, it will be interesting to see how he does outside the
friendly confines of the loveliest village on the plains.
Auburn 27 - Tennessee 13
Doug says:
I like Dave's new word to describe the Vols. Which Tennessee will step
up? The one that was competitive against Florida, or the one that
looked like crap against UCLA and Ohio? If you can answer that a
question, you can accurately predict the outcome of this game. I can't
answer that question, so I have to rely on the calculator. I do think
this will be an epic battle of the brains between Monte Kiffin and Gus
Malzahn.
Tennessee at home: +20 UT
Strength vs. strength (UT defense vs. AU offense): Push
Jonathan Crompton factor: +10 AU
AU better than expected bonus: +10 AU
Performance Inconsistency Indicator: +3 AU
War Tigers 24 - Incrompitence 21
