2009 Record
Overall: 122-46
Last Week: 14-3
Comment: For the second week in a row, a pretty solid record highlighted by a perfect mark in the SEC (that's 15 in a row going back to the Auburn-Ole Miss game). The grade is somewhat inflated because the SEC picks have not been so difficult.
Best Pick: Many had Auburn beating Georgia between the hedges, but the Dogs pulled it out as predicted here. Also, Ole Miss came through with a victory over what had been a hot Tennessee team.
Worst Pick: Stanford had been a professor's favorite all season, but I went with USC to win ... to paraphrase Pete Carroll ... what's my deal? Also, Notre Dame did not win one for the Weis guy against Pitt.
Here are this week's SEC and selected national picks.
Enjoy!
SEC Picks
Chattanooga (6-4) at Alabama (10-0, 7-0)
11:21 a.m. CT *SEC Network (check local listing)
Bryant-Denny Stadium (92,012)
Comment: If this was 1958 we might want to see this game; otherwise just a Tide tuneup before the Iron Bowl.
Professor's Pick: Are you kidding - Bama
Mississippi State (4-6, 2-4) at Arkansas (6-4, 2-4)
11:21 a.m. CT *SEC Network (check local listing)
War Memorial Stadium (Little Rock)(53,727)
Comment: Hog QB Ryan Mallett leads the league in total offense and Arkansas paces the conference in scoring, while Miss State ranks 10th in pass defense and 11th in total defense. The only team below the Bullies in scoring D? The Hogs, so it could be a high scoring day in Little Rock.
Professor's Pick: Arkansas
Florida International (3-7) at Florida (10-0, 8-0)
12:30 p.m. ET Florida PPV
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)
Comment: Like Alabama, the Gators also take a break from big-boy football before closing the regular season against an in-state rival (FSU Noles) next week.
Professor's Pick: Are you kidding #2 - Florida
LSU (8-2, 5-2) at Ole Miss (7-3, 3-3)
2:30 p.m. CT CBS Sports
Vaught-Heminway Stadium (60,580)
Comment: The league's best game with bowl travel destinations on the line. Winner most likely goes to Orlando for the Cap One Bowl, with loser looking at Cotton, Chick-fil-A, Outback ... none of those scenarios is too bad. The Rebels are an up-and-down team coming off their most impressive win of the season (a 42-17 pasting of Tennessee). LSU played a lackluster game in dispatching Louisiana Tech 24-16. LSU has not impressed me all year, so I'll go with the Rebs.
Professor's Pick: Ole Miss
Vanderbilt (2-9, 0-7) at Tennessee (5-5, 2-4)
7 p.m. ET ESPNU
Neyland Stadium (100,011)
Comment: The Volunteers fell from grace very quickly last week on and off the field. Four Vol arrests (three for their part in an alleged armed robbery and one for shoplifting) overshadowed a terrible defensive performance at Ole Miss. Vanderbilt should provide a tough, but beatable, opponent this week. Vols get back to business and earn a bowl berth.
Professor's Pick: Tennessee
Kentucky (6-4, 2-4) at Georgia (6-4, 4-3)
7:45 p.m. ET ESPN2
Sanford Stadium (92,746)
Comment: Georgia played its best game of the year against Auburn last week, at a time Mark Richt and the Dogs really needed a lift. Expect the Dogs, who rank 11th in SEC rushing statistics, to try and run the ball at the Cats (who rank 11th against the run) with emerging freshman tailback Waushan Ealey. UK continues to play pretty well without starting QB Mike Hartline, as frosh Morgan Newton has played decently. Both teams may be without their best players ... multi-threat WR Randall Cobb of Big Blue and WR A.J. Green of Georgia. That probably hurts Kentucky more.
Professor's Pick: Georgia
OPEN: Auburn (7-4, 3-4), South Carolina (6-5, 3-5)
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Selected National Picks
Connecticut at Notre Dame: Charlie is probably already gone, we'll see if his team is too. Professor's Pick: ND
Virginia at Clemson: Orange-hot Tigers can win ACC Atlantic division by unseating the Cavaliers. Professor's Pick: Clemson
Penn State at Michigan State: Don't count Joe Pa out of BCS berth just yet. Professor's Pick: Penn State
Kansas at Texas: Suddenly Mark Mangino feels the heat - from his Athletic Director no less ... don't remember all these complaints when Jayhawks made it to Orange Bowl. Professor's Pick: Texas
Oregon at Arizona: Ducks try to survive in desert against Wildcats. Professor's Pick: Oregon
Oklahoma at Texas Tech: Sooners usually arrest passing game of Red Raiders. Professor's Pick: Oklahoma
Cal at Stanford: "The Big Game" is the only one pitting top 25 squads this week. Professor's Pick: Stanford
Ohio State at Michigan: who cares about the records, it's one of college football's best rivalries. Rich Rod and the Wolves could really use a good showing. Professor's Pick: Ohio State
