Week of Sept 26 Preview

The SEC is back! This week really feels like fall football. There are three ranked vs ranked games. I’m just so excited, let’s dive right in!

My record: 4-2 last week, 8-4 overall; at least I’m consistent

My Picks
Mississippi State at 6LSU
I don’t think this game will be very close, but it will be our first look at the defending National Champs. The Tigers have lost almost all of their historic offense from last season, so I don’t know too much about them. I still think Coach O will have this team playing well. Mike Leach is in command in Starkville and I think we are all looking forward to seeing that. I’m not sure the air raid will be fully implemented this season at Miss State, but I expect them to be fun to watch.
I am picking LSU

23Kentucky at 8Auburn
Kentucky has been mad about being overlooked since the very first preseason ranking came out. I think they will be playing this game with a chip on their shoulder, probably making the first half of this game very close. Bo Nix enters his second season as the QB for his dream school. He definitely needs to improve, but he started out with a very strong base last season. Chad Morris has taken over play calling for the Tigers, so I not so secretly hope they struggle on offense. That said, I think they are the better team in this game.
I am picking Auburn

22Army at 14Cincinnati
I’m super interested in this game. Army has only allowed 7 points total in their two games this season and have been a prototypical Army team. Cincinnati has only played Austin Peay this season. They scored 55 points but did give up 20. Army’s ability to move the ball down the field and score on long drives is the reason I think they win this game. The Bearcats can score quickly, but I don’t think Army gives them enough chances to win.
I am picking Army

West Virginia at 15Oklahoma State
Oklahoma state looked bad against Tulsa last week. They couldn’t get anything going on offense (neither could Tulsa). I’m not sure if their defense really had much to do with Tulsa’s 0% third down conversion rate. I do think they will play much harder today knowing they absolutely have to. West Virginia has only played Eastern Kentucky this season, and while they smothered them, it isn’t a great measuring stick for the Mountaineers. Expect a lot of Chuba Hubbard in this game.
I am picking Oklahoma State

16Tennessee at South Carolina
This might be the most interesting of all of the SEC games this weekend. Tennessee has been amazing in recruiting this offseason and they are expected to be pretty decent this year. They did have some issues with Covid during their fall practices, but I think it was mostly because of contact tracing. QB Jarrett Guarantano is back for his senior season and brings that stability to the offense. On the South Carolina side, Colorado State grad transfer QB Collin Hill was able to beat out Ryan Hilinski, so that will be interesting to watch.
I am picking Tennessee

24Louisville at 21Pittsburgh
Louisville played pretty well against Miami (not the defense) but were just not a good enough team. Pittsburgh struggled against Syracuse last week, but their defense has been strong. They have only given up 10 points so far this year, albeit to mediocre opponents. I think the play of the Panthers’ defense will be the determining factor of this game. Both teams can score, but Pitt only put up 21 against the Orange, and I doubt that will be enough to beat the Cardinals.
I am picking Louisville

4Georgia at Arkansas
This game should be a massive blowout. Even though UGA lost their top QB to an opt out pretty late, they shouldn’t have an issue with Arkansas. I’m hoping to see a big improvement on effort and competitiveness from the Hogs under new HC Sam Pittman. Pittman was the OL coach for Bielema’s great Arkansas teams and was at Georgia in the same position for the last 4 years. The players seem to love him, so I expect some fire in this game. Feleipe Franks comes in as a transfer from Florida at QB and he will be the starter in this game. My expectations for the Hogs are low this season, but I’m looking forward to more competent play.

Top 25
1ClemsonBYE
2Alabama at Missouri
Kansas State at 3Oklahoma
4Georgia at Arkansas
5Florida at Ole Miss
Mississippi State at 6LSU
7Notre Dame BYE
23Kentucky at 8Auburn
8Texas at Texas Tech
Vanderbilt at 10Texas A&M
11North Carolina BYE
Florida State at 12Miami
13UCF at East Carolina
22Army at 14Cincinnati
West Virginia at 15Oklahoma State
16Tennessee at South Carolina
17Memphis BYE
Troy at 18BYU
Georgia Southern at 19Louisiana
NC State at 20Virginia Tech
24Louisville at 21Pittsburgh
25Marshall BYE

Other Games
Iowa State at TCU
Duke at Virginia
Tulane at Southern Miss