LITTLE ROCK — This weekend’s slate of SEC games starts to get more interesting, especially with Missouri making its first road trip as a member of the SEC when it goes to South Carolina.
Had an OK week picking winners last week — went 8-4 to move to 27-10 on the season — although I would never have dreamed Western Kentucky would beat big brother Kentucky. Joker Phillips has to be feeling the heat.
Here are this week’s guesses:
RUTGERS AT ARKANSAS This is a must-win game for the Razorbacks before back-to-back road games. The Scarlet Knights have a good defense, especially up front, while their offense may be balanced but not especially exciting. They passed 42 times and ran 42 times against Central Florida. Jawan Jamison had 161 yards on 41 carries. The Hogs will have to stop him and cover receiver Tim Wright. Even if Tyler Wilson wasn’t expected to play, this one should be a home victory. Arkansas 28, Rutgers 17
ALCORN STATE AT ARKANSAS STATE The monsters, Oregon and Nebraska, are behind the Red Wolves, and Gus Malzahn has managed to keep his team healthy. This could and should be a high-scoring game for the home team. Arkansas State 49, Alcorn State 10
FLORIDA ATLANTIC OCEAN AT ALABAMA Not even Nick Saban can convince his team that this is a game to worry about. The Crimson Tide look to be the best in the country coming off the victory over Arkansas, and Saban’s biggest challenge may be keeping his team focused after this game until Nov. 3, when the Tide go to LSU. Alabama 49, Florida Atlantic Ocean 0
LSU AT AUBURN Down on the plains, fans should be starting to worry about Gene Chizik without Cam Newton. No doubt some folks there would still like to have Bobby Petrino. LSU is extremely talented and shouldn’t have any trouble moving to 4-0. LSU 35, Auburn 14
KENTUCKY AT FLORIDA If the Gators don’t win this game, Will Muschamp should have to wear an orange jumpsuit and pick up trash on the highway. Kentucky is terrible, and the Gators are looking a little better than expected. This is like the Gators getting back-to-back open dates. Florida 42, Kentucky 10
VANDERBILT AT GEORGIA The Commodores are going to give the Bulldogs a bit of a scare, but in the end the home team is going to 4-0 on the season. Vanderbilt is a team on the rise, but next year is when fans see the big improvement. Georgia 35, Vanderbilt 27
OLE MISS AT TULANE The Rebels have done exactly what they needed to, and no one should have expected a victory against Texas at home last weekend. Tulane is not very talented, deep or athletic.
Ole Miss 31, Tulane 6
SOUTH ALABAMA AT MISSISSIPPI STATE The Sun Belt has really held up pretty good this season against SEC teams. The Bulldogs are still in the shadow of Alabama and LSU, but they appear to be a very solid football team. Cow bells will be ringing. Mississippi State 35, South Alabama 10
MISSOURI AT SOUTH CAROLINA The Tigers get their first taste of SEC hospitality. While Gamecocks fans are supportive and can be loud, they do not create a hostile environment. It won’t matter this week. South Carolina 21, Missouri 10
AKRON AT TENNESSEE The Zips’ only victory came against Morgan State, 66-6, but they have lost to Florida International and Central Florida. Tennessee’s Derek Dooley needs a big victory here to get some fans off his back after the loss to Florida. Tennessee 49, Akron 3
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AT TEXAS A&M The Aggies get an open practice to prepare for the Hogs next week. This one is a gimme for the Aggies and a good payday for the Bulldogs. Just don’t expect A&M to show any new wrinkles as it prepares for the Razorbacks.
Texas A&M 42, South Carolina State 13
Sports, Pages 19 on 09/21/2012