SEC Schedule a Day: Kentucky

One of my biggest regrets last year was not pulling the trigger on the Kentucky emergence. I had a notion but not the guts. Unfortunately, Kentucky is not worthy of such a risk this year. The overall talent level continues to improve but there is nobody at the helm.

8/31 at Louisville

The Cardinals sure aren't what they used to be. But these teams should be pretty equal these days. Home field advantage brings the Lou the win.

9/6 Norfolk State

Why don't more Historically Black College and Universities play against Div 1 teams? It'd be a good showcase for their draft quality players and the paycheck can't hurt. Kentucky wins the game.

9/13 Middle Tennessee State

Did you know that over 23,000 students are enrolled at Middle Tennessee? Surprising right? Well they don't have 22 students that are elite football players. Kentucky sends MTSU on it's way.

9/27 Western Kentucky

Kentucky grabs an off week to prepare for Western Kentucky. Once again, if this was basketball, even against Kentucky proper, WKU would have a shot. In football it's not that close. Depending on how the Louisville game goes, the Wildcats could 5-0 at this point and heading into the top 25.

10/4 @ bama

The first SEC game brings a dose of reality about the year. Andre Woodson isn't behind center any more. Even Curtis Pulley has been dismissed from the team. The improved defense may try to make things interesting, but the Tide wins this one.

10/11 South Carolina

Seems like Spurrier used to have some fits going up to Lexington even though he had a superior team. I have feeling that the Gamecocks will need this game too badly to sleep on it. South Carolina leaves town with a W.

10/18 Arkansas

The battle to avoid being the worst team in the SEC? Vandy sure hopes so. Petrino returns to Louisville but with zero offensive talent and a young defense. Kentucky is happy to grab an SEC win no matter who it's against.

10/25 @ Florida

This game is over before it starts. But Florida does the home fans a favor and goes through the motions for an easy win.

11/1 @ Mississippi State

Did you know that Bear Bryant used to coach at Kentucky? Did you know that Sylvester Croom played under Bear Bryant at bama? You did? Well you're just a book of football knowledge. Either team could probably win this game. Miss State should be able to win this game. Chances are by this point in the season I will hardly even notice who wins this game. But it'll be the Bulldogs.

11/8 Georgia

If Georgia were to fall to Florida in the preceding week, I guess Kentucky could catch them in a stupor. But I doubt it. UGA rolls either way.

11/15 Vanderbilt

Kentucky retains a little pride by beating both SEC cellar dwellers this season.

11/29 @ Tennessee

To continue our did you know segment... I can hardly believe this but did you know that the Vols will be going for their 24th straight victory over the Wildcats. That has to make the 52-50 thriller last year that much more painful for Kentucky fans. Once they break the streak I'll start predicting but until them it'd be idiotic to side with anyone other than Tennessee.

SEC: 2-6
Season: 5-7

SEC Schedule a Day: Georgia

Big time expectations for Georgia this year. Which I'd say often happens with a team that has won their bowl game and returns their entire backfield. There is no doubt the Dawgs are talented this year. The question is how the hold up to the expectations and schedule. You'll remember that LSU was in a very similar situation last year and ended up losing two games. They ended up winning the national championship and there coach is insane. So I'm not sure how that applies.

8/30 Georgia Southern

Is Georgia Southern fun? Yes. Do they have a chance? No. Chris Hatcher brings an exciting style of play into Stanford Stadium but not enough talent. Take for example Troy. The Trojans took UGA to the absolute limit last year but they weren't able to pull out the victory. And Troy is light years better than Georgia Southern. UGA starts off the season with a healthy victory.

9/6 Central Michigan

Georgia doesn't give themselves many breaks with out of conference scheduling these days. Dan LeFevour is the talented QB for a dangerous Chippewas team. Central Michigan doesn't have enough defense to pull out the victory, but they can score enough points to keep the UGA starters in for most of the game. But this games also serves as a test for the defensive secondary, who get a chance to hone their skills before the Arizona State game.

9/13 @ South Carolina

The first of 4 very tough road games for Georgia which doesn't even count the game in Gainesville. South Carolina's defense should be improved over the injury decimated performance throughout the 2007 season. Georgia however should be able to defensively control the Gamecocks at this early point in the season. Georgia wins in a close one.

9/20 @ Arizona State

That's a hell of a turnaround for Georgia. Get back from the game in Columbia, get maybe three days of good practice in and then fly cross country. That being said, I think the Georgia defense will be able to wreak havoc on the Sun Devils. Pair that with a strong rushing performance and the Dawgs should be able to stay in control most of this game. It should be battle but I think Georgia pulls out there second straight tough road win.

9/27 bama

Georgia returns home to Sanford Stadium at 4-0 and still #1 in the country to face Nick Saban and the tide. The crowd alone should carry the team on to a win. Breaking it down, bama doesn't have the linebackers to keep up with Knowshon Moreno all day. He'll break off at least a couple of huge gainers. Defensively Georgia should have the pass rush to cause the tide fits all day. Dawgs roll.

10/11 Tennessee

After a very much needed off week, the Vols roll into town. This seems like a game where UT is able to open an early lead, possibly 10-14 points at half time. Then the team wakes up at half time and comes storming back. Georgia ends up wining by 7-14 points.

10/18 Vanderbilt

This is the mental break Georgia needs. Theoretically this would be a trap game, but Georgia is so physically dominant compared to Vandy they can somehow manage to win this game. Mainly this is a game that Georgia doesn't have to emotionally get up for. They stay undefeated and get ready for another monster matchup.

10/25 @ LSU

LSU has the defense and the athletes on offense. They lack the QB. LSU should be able to pull through several games based on talent and fear alone. But I think they will struggle in these big time matchups. Georgia also gets the break by this game supposedly being on CBS instead of a Death Valley night game. Stafford and Moreno will need to have good games but Georgia's offensive line will have to be outstanding to pull out the victory. The Georgia bandwagon hits full capacity after this win.

11/1 The World's Largest Outdoor Coke Orgy

Obviously Georgia will not be overlooking Florida. But I think they could get too hyped for this game and press too much. Matt Stafford passes up the easy dump off and forces a deep throw. The cornerbacks gamble too much and go for picks or the linebackers key on Tebow too much. It's just too much too ask of Georgia. Look at their schedule in 2002 when they went 13-1. Do you see how much easier that was? Georgia may face up to 8 ranked teams when they meet this year. Up to as many as 5 top 10 teams. It's hard to play mistake free for 5 games. I think Stafford throws a couple picks, maybe some other unlucky plays or calls and the Bulldog balloon is busted.

11/8 @ Kentucky

You have to rebound quick before you lose your season. It's gotta be tough to focus that next week but you need to take your anger out on someone. Getting out of town might help a little as well. UGA finds a way to get the victory in this one.

11/15 @ Auburn

Two one loss teams fighting for a chance to stay alive in the national championship picture. Which depending on the rest of the national scene, means it probably has a little less anticipation than the 2004 game. Auburn will be looking for redemption after two crushing losses in a row. The 2006 game was a blood bath and the 2007 game was a 4th quarter explosion. Auburn has retooled the offense and defense this year partly in response to those two games. I think Auburn has the attitude and the talent to pull out a victory. Could be a classic in the mold of the 4th quarter finishes in 2005 (AU) and 2002 (UGA).

11/29 Georgia Tech

Paul Johnson needs another year before he's ready to compete in this game.

SEC: 6-2
Season: 10-2

It's not what I would call a disappointment, though I know many will feel that way after the early expectations. It's just a bit too much schedule to handle.

SEC Schedule a Day: Florida

Year four of the Urban Meyer regime in Gainesville. At this point he should basically have the type of players he wants to run his offense. And I'd would say with the influx of running backs into the program this year we really will see how this offense will perform.

8/30 Hawai'i

You're impressed with my use of the apostrophe aren't you? You won't be impressed with Hawai'i though. The Gators won't be as amped up as Georgia was in the Sugar Bowl, but they won't have to be. Florida wins by 30 or more.

9/6 Miami

It's now been a few seasons since Miami has looked potent. I think it's asking a bit much for the transformation to happen this early in the season. The Hurricanes could have a chance by really attacking Florida's secondary, but I'm not totally sold on their offense yet. Florida wins by 14-20.

9/20 at Tennessee

The Vols will have already unveiled their new look on offense in the UCLA game. Florida will have proven their merit or not as well in the Miami game. Since Jonathan Crompton doesn't have much experience I will give him a little advice. If UT gets up in this game he needs to resist all urges he has to do the chomp before the end of the game. I've heard that doesn't turn out well. I think Tennessee will be solid on both sides of the ball but probably not special on either. Florida's now dynamic offense helps them pull out the tough road victory.

9/27 Ole Miss

I feel that Ole Miss will be much improved this year. But not so much that they can pull off a road victory like this. Florida wins this one by putting up 40 or so points.

10/4 @ Arkansas

The Hogs really are going to suck this year. Weren't Meyer and Petrino both considerations for the Notre Dame job a few years ago. I'd say that Meyer has had the better time since then. Cam Newton could start this game and Florida would win.

10/11 LSU

Is there a way LSU can win this games without a quarterback? They have a stable of running backs, a beastly defensive line, and talent spread all over. I'm guessing they don't. If they lost two games last year, and they aren't as good this year, I don't know how they could win a road game like this. And Les Miles is crazy. Florida becomes a definite national title contender once they get through this game.

10/25 Kentucky

It's not such a bad thing to have an off week after facing LSU. Let the bruises heal and then you're also treated to a declawed Kentucky team. Last year was a fun run for the Wildcats but they lack the offensive firepower this year. Gators win.

11/1 The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party

You think there will be a lot of buildup for this one? After last year's game and the likelihood that both teams will undefeated it should be. I'd say that Florida will have the slight better offensive team and Georgia will have the better defense. So this game comes down to the big plays, emotion, etc. It could easily go either way. I just feel like the emotion will be on Florida's side. Until they start losing this game regularly I'm going to give Florida the advantage.

11/8 @ Vanderbilt

I think Vandy has slipped into another boring era. They lack the friskiness of the Jay Cutler years and their defense is not likely to thwart you like the Woody Widenhofer era. Seems like the Raycom early game where Florida is unimpressive but pulls out the victory.

11/15 South Carolina

USC has been shockingly competitive in this game recently. I'm not quite sure how they do it. You know.. other than Spurrier. It's like he picks out 4-5 games a year he really cares about and then sleeps through the Arkansas and Vandy games. Florida will be all grows up and all grows up by this point in the season. The secondary holds up and holds on for the win.

11/22 Citadel

Remember when Auburn missed out on the national championship game in part because they played the Citadel? I'm just pointing that out. Play hard for a quarter then enjoy victory.

11/29 @ Florida State

You know how every year there is one top 5 team that loses a completely inexplicable game. I don't even think Florida State will be decent this year. But couldn't they put it all together for just one game? Run off the emotion of the home field crowd and the desire to regain some pride after recent futility. I think it's possible. FSU shocks the world.

SEC: 8-0
Season: 11-1

SEC Schedule a Day: bama

Nick Saban took over a difficult situation. Mike Shula left the cupboard bare, if not talent wise than character wise. Then he was left to deal with a rabid fan base who just paid him $4 million a year. So you know... they want results at some point. I though all along that "the process" would take at least three years. Another 7-6 season would really put the pressure on for next year. Though it's not like they can fire him at that salary.

8/30 Clemson (Georgia Dome)

The Clemson Tigers play their second straight game in the Georgia Dome against a team from Alabama. They also hope to kick off their national championship question on a big stage. Gameday will be in town and I'm sure we'll somehow getting treated to a "Bama's Back" segment for about the 8th time in the last decade. Clemson is bringing an explosive offense into the season. The tide has some talent on the line and in the secondary but the linebackers, especially in Saban's 3-4 system, are depleted to say the least. Offensively I expect bama to have success this year. An experienced line and QB always helps. I'm expecting a shootout but I'm giving the defensive edge to Clemson. Tigers start off on the good foot.

9/06 Tulane

Tulane is not quite as frisky as they used to be. bama rolls.

9/13 Western Kentucky

Unfortunately for Western Kentucky, this is not a basketball game. WKU has been playing the role of SEC whipping boy for a few seasons now. Which I guess is worth it when you get that paycheck. Again bama wins easily

9/20 at Arkansas

This is a must win game for bama. It's the easiest road game on the season and starting off the year 2-2 would definitely create an angry fan and media response. Luckily for bama, Arkansas sucks this year. The tide should be able to move the ball at will and then take it easy in the 4th quarter.

9/27 at Georgia

The last time Nick Saban brought his team to Athens in 2004 he got torched. Big time. I think Fred Gibson and Reggie Brown are still catching fly routes down the sideline. And thus began the futility of Nick Saban and his pupil Will Muschamp against Richt and UGA. UGA is going to put up some points either through the air or on the ground. Though it'll probably be both. It'll be tough for bama to keep it close. UGA wins

10/04 Kentucky

Kentucky doesn't intrigue me at all this year. Probably because I know nothing about them. But that's also a bad sign. If no one whatsoever is talking about you than you probably don't have much going for you. bama wins.

10/18 Ole Miss

I think it's quite possible that Ole Miss has a season like Miss State did last year. Which would include beating bama. And I see that happening. The Rebels should have the defensive line to hold up to bama offensive line. The Ole Miss offense should be able to put up some points, and I could see bama's depth being a little thin by this point in the season. And once again, my illogical "off week then playing at home" rule. Ole Miss pulls out the victory

@ Tennessee

It's the third Saturday in October and seasons lie in the balance. I feel like UT has underperformed in recent years of this rivalry. And a home game is a great way to shake the trend. Arian Foster puts up huge numbers on the way to victory.

1/1 Arkansas State

bama wins

11/08 @ LSU

There are a lot of weird coaching situations this year. Nutt heading back to Fayetteville, Petrino/Tuberville, and then this ginormously uncomfortable situation. You never want to give LSU fans a reason to get angry drunk. And when that atmostphere hits in Baton Rouge, it's a scary place to be. I'm assuming that LSU will have some sort of QB situation figured out by this point in the year. At that's really the only thing holding them back. LSU sets the field on fire as the demolish bama.

11/15 Mississippi State

Playing Miss State before or after LSU the last few years has definitely contributed to the Bulldogs recent success. But I just don't see MSU winning this game three years in a row.

11/29 The Iron Bowl

Seven in a row is going to be a tough pill to swallow in Tuscaloosa. I imagine that bama will pull out all the stops to somehow win this game. It's that important. But on the field I think that Auburn has the advantage on offense, defense, and special teams. The one shot for bama is that Auburn's secondary continues to pile up injuries and bama is just able to air it out all day. But I'm not willing to take that leap in logic. Auburn wins. I can't even think of a gimmick with 8 in a row yet.

6-6 seems a bit low. bama will actually take one of the Ole Miss or Tennessee games. If they took both it'd be a pretty good season for them. I might change this later in the week.

SEC: 3-5
Season: 6-6

SEC Schedule a Day: Auburn

This seems like about the 12th straight year that at least one of Auburn's coordinators is new. But since it's an olympic year they decided to pull the double swap. Will Muschamp made the lateral move to Texas and Al Borges is somewhere in a Hawaiian Shirt. The good new is for Auburn is that it's an even numbered year and the SEC slate is more favorable.

8/30 Louisiana Monroe

Seriously? bama actually lost to Louisiana Monroe? Was there starting QB hurt? No? hmm... that's gotta sting. Auburn unveils The System under new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. Which will be a pretty good indicator right off the bat. In recent even numbered years Tuberville has kept everything basic the first two games in order to prevent LSU from picking up too much film. And in general, it seems that Tubbs has also strongly encouraged the offensive coaches to play close to the vest in general. If Auburn comes out in the first game and slings the ball around and tries to put 40 in the first half it will be an exciting year. If they pull the typical limited playbook, work on the ground game game plan, then I'll have my doubts about this new offense. But yeah, Auburn wins.

9/06 Southern Miss

Brett Favre is not walking through that door. It's a nice little warmup for the LSU game though. Being a night game on ESPN it should get the crowd a little more into things than they should for this game. Auburn rolls.

9/13 @ Mississippi State

So sadly, Starkville is a game I haven't attended (along with tuscaloosa) in the SEC. Last year's game broke up a run of absolute futility by the Bulldogs against Auburn. After the loss I ventured back to Atlanta and hung out with some UGA fans. I decided to take the positive approach and focus on the Kodi Burns and Mario Fannin coming out party. It's quite possible that those two could actually dominate this game. I actually think this is one of those games where teams play better on the road. It's really hard to overlook and opponent on the road compared to the sleepy showing in a home LF/JP/Raycom 11:30 game. I think it's back to normal and Auburn wins by 21 or more.

9/20 LSU

The last four games in this series have been epic. Last second occasions featuring rekicked field goals, 5 missed field goals, a red zone stand at the buzzer, and the most successful bonehead clock management in history. After seemingly the last 50 games of this matchup in Auburn being daytime affairs, ESPN rolls in to town for night time kickoff. Things might get a little crazy. This game (and season) feels a lot like 2004. LSU had the defense and the uglies on offense to be good in their repeat MNC bid. However they didn't have the QB. Turns out the Auburn coaches might have been on to something when they quit recruiting Ryan Perriloux. I say Auburn moves the ball through the air and the Bayou Bengals get their ground game working. I'm thinking Auburn wins 27-24. I'll set the odds at 100% that I won't be able to drive back to Atlanta after the game.

9/27 Tennessee

Burnt Orange is better than Creamsicle. I expect UT to be one of those teams that is really good but for whatever reason doesn't throw up great results. I'm taking Auburn based on home field advantage and the three game streak in the Tigers' favor.

10/04 @ Vandy

Playing at Vandy and going to the spring scrimmage are very similar affairs. The attendance, the pressure, the ability to play 3rd stringers. So Vandy's best chance is to catch Auburn sleeping, which is certainly a possibility. However I don't think the Dores have the fire power to hold onto a half time lead. Tigers lead.

10/11 Arkansas

No Fred Talley, No Matt Jones, No Houston Nutt, No Kryptonite. Auburn wins this one with ease.

10/23 @ West Virginia

Can't wait to head up to Morgantown for this Thursday night showdown. This should be an absolute brawl. I don't think the Mountaineers will have quite as much consistent firepower as they've had in the past. But Noel Devine or Pat White are going to rip off a big play or two before the game is over. I would typically give the advantage to Auburn. But without using stats to back my theory up, I always take the road team when both schools have an off week heading into the game. Auburn wins the game and enters the media circus by at least reaching the top 4.

11/01 at Ole Miss

Yeah so, I think the Houston Nutt curse transfers to Ole Miss. Physical power running team that punches a speed based and undersized Auburn defense in the mouth. The tradition of Auburn losing with the national spotlight on them continues. Ole Miss wins by a field goal.

11/08 UT-Martin

If you didn't know, Auburn used to be with Russell Athletic before switching to Under Armour. Well UT-Martin pulled the high school move and uses Auburn's old uniform design. So It's going to be a weird sight on the field at Jordan Hare. But as usual this is a game to see the players of the future. Auburn puts it out of reach in the first half.

11/15 Georgia

Between Will Muschamp and Brandon Cox moving on, that's like Auburn automatically gaining about 35 points against the dawgs. Once again this season really reminds me of 2004. UGA entered the season gaining much of the press with David Greene and David Pollack entering their senior seasons. Auburn got some pub but was ranked a good bit lower in the polls for most of the season. Auburn then completed one of the most textbook wins I've ever watched. This year will be a repeat. Auburn recovers from their Ole Miss loss and tempts me with national title hopes that will somehow fall through.

11/29 Iron Bowl



SEC: 7-1
Season: 11-1