Professor's Picks Week 10
2011 Overall Record: 79-19
Last Week's Record: 9-5
The professor tries to rebound after a lackluster week as we enter the season's stretch drive. Enjoy the games.
AROUND THE SEC
GAMES OF SATURDAY, NOV. 5, 2011
Vanderbilt (4-4, 1-4 SEC) at Florida (4-4, 2-4 SEC)
12:21 p.m. ET • SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Gainesville, Fla. • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field (88,548)
Series Record: UF leads, 33-9-2 • Last Meeting: Nov. 6, 2010 (UF, 55-14)
Comment: QB Jordan Rodgers is playing really well for Vanderbilt, giving the Dores a nice dual threat. While it would not be a shock for rapidly improving Vandy to gig the Gators, the talent level at the Swamp is still too much to overcome.
Professor's Pick: Florida
New Mexico State (3-5) at Georgia (6-2, 5-1 SEC)
12:30 p.m. ET • CSS / ESPN3.com
Athens, Ga. • Sanford Stadium (92,746)
Series Record: UGA leads, 3-0 • Last Meeting: Sept. 28, 2002 (UGA, 41-10)
Comment: (In my opinion) For six straight games, Georgia coach Mark Richt has been faced with this situation: Win or Lose (your job). Winning against arguably the worst FBS team in America should not be a problem, but with the Dogs you never know. They are down to the bottom of the RB depth chart due to suspensions (3 tailbacks this week!) and injuries.
Professor's Pick: Georgia
Ole Miss (2-6, 0-5 SEC) at Kentucky (3-5, 0-4 SEC)
3:30 p.m. ET • ESPNU
Lexington, Ky. • Commonwealth Stadium / C.M. Newton Field (67,942)
Series Record: UM leads, 27-13-1 • Last Meeting: Oct. 2, 2010 (UM, 42-35)
Comment: One team will get its first conference win of the season. I think Ole Miss is a little better team, but am going to give the home field and hunger edge to Kentucky. Big Blue gets a win as their fans get ready for the hardwood.
Professor's Pick: UK
Middle Tennessee (2-5) at Tennessee (3-5, 0-5 SEC)
7 p.m. ET • FS South / ESPN3.com
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium / Shields-Watkins Field (102,455)
Series Record: UT leads, 1-0 • Last Meeting: Sept. 7, 2002 (UT, 26-3)
Comment: Tennessee is not good enough to take any team for granted, so the Vols better come prepared to handle a Blue Raider offense ranked 22nd nationally. MTSU averages over 460 ypg with a balanced attack, but the defense gives up nearly as much while yielding 34 ppg. Vols score enough to win.
Professor's Pick: UT
South Carolina (7-1, 5-1 SEC) at Arkansas (7-1, 3-1 SEC)
6:15 p.m. CT • ESPN
Fayetteville, Ark. • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)
Series Record: UA leads, 12-7 • Last Meeting: Nov. 6, 2010 (UA, 41-20)
Comment: This is a big game for both squads, but it is really huge for South Carolina. If the Gamecocks can get past the Razorbacks, a home victory over Florida next week would earn them a second straight trip to Atlanta and the SEC title game. Might not be getting the hype of the LSU-Bama game, but should be a good one.
Professor's Pick: South Carolina
Tennessee-Martin (5-3) at Mississippi State (4-4, 1-4 SEC)
6:30 p.m. CT • CSS / ESPN3.com
Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (55,082)
Series Record: First Meeting
Comment: State needs two wins for bowl eligibility and with Alabama and Arkansas on the horizon this better be one of them.
Professor's Pick: MSU
LSU (8-0, 5-0) at Alabama (8-0, 5-0)
7 p.m. CT • CBS Sports
Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)
Series Record: UA leads, 45-24-5 • Last Meeting: Nov. 6, 2010 (LSU, 24-21)
Comment: See "Wrong Place This Evening" post below (by the way, word comes down this morning that the great Smokin Joe Frazier is gravely ill with liver cancer. Keep the champ in your prayers.
Professor's Pick: Alabama
OPEN: Auburn (5-3, 3-2 SEC)
AROUND THE NATION
12:00 PM ET No. 15 Michigan at Iowa ... Wolverines stay in contention by beating Hawkeyes. Professor's Pick: Michigan
12:00 PM ET Texas Tech at No. 21 Texas ... is anybody in the SEC surprised that a Tommy Tuberville team would lay an egg (getting blown out by Iowa State last week) after a big win (beating Oklahoma two weeks ago). The answer is no. Professor's Pick: Texas
3:30 PM ET Texas A&M at No. 6 Oklahoma ... Plenty of offensive fireworks in Norman as the Sooners start climb back toward BCS title game contention. Professor's Pick: OK
7:00 PM ET Cincinnati at Pittsburgh ... Winner may well win the Big East; let's go with Bearcats on the road. By the way, I'll miss these type Big East games - this is a good river rivalry that figures to be lost (same as Pitt-West Virginia). Professor's Pick: Cincy
7:30 PM ET No. 19 Arizona State at UCLA ... Winner plays sacrificial lamb to PAC-12 North champ? Professor's Pick: ASU
8:00 PM ET No. 14 Kansas State at No. 3 Oklahoma State ... OK State stays in BCS contention and becomes second team to expose KSU as a fraud (the Wildcats will lose four games before this season ends). Professor's Pick: OK State
8:00 PM ET Notre Dame at Wake Forest ... Irish are too unpredictable to feel strongly about, but let's say they handle the Demon Deacs. Professor's Pick: ND
10:30 PM ET No. 8 Oregon at Washington ... Huskies can score - but probably not enough to stay with Ducks. Professor's Pick: Oregon
See you at kickoff!
