Gator Country

The Gators have a break. What to do during an off week? It's probably as good a time as any to take off the orange and blue glasses and sneak a peek at the rest of the Southeastern Conference.

Six games are scheduled for Saturday. Here’s a brief look at each with a prediction.

Alabama at Ole Miss: Neither of these teams impresses me. There’s a reason the Rebels have yet to win an SEC game. Bottom line: I think Nick Saban’s a lot better coach than Ed Orgeron. Prediction: 21-17, Alabama.

Tennessee at Mississippi State: It’s in Starkville, so anything can happen. The Bulldogs play hard and they’re pretty stingy on defense, but Erik Ainge is just too good. UT will score enough to win. Prediction: 24-17, Volunteers.

LSU at Kentucky: This should set up nicely as a trap game, with the top-ranked Tigers coming off a dramatic win against Florida last weekend. LSU proved it could run the ball against Florida. The Tigers will do the same—and do it better - against the Wildcats’ defense. Prediction: 35-14, LSU.

South Carolina at North Carolina: Interesting non-conference game. South Carolina’s not real fun to watch. The Gamecocks’ are too pedestrian on offense, but Steve Spurrier will find a way to win, Prediction: 27-17, USC-E.

Georgia at Vanderbilt: Vandy beat Georgia between the hedges last year. My guess is the Bulldogs have not forgotten that embarrassing loss. After all, it was only the Commodores’ third win in the last 25 games between the two schools. Prediction: 30-21, UGA.

Auburn at Arkansas: After an early September swoon, Auburn has surged, toppling Florida two weeks ago and bludgeoning Vanderbilt last weekend. Arkansas can run the ball, but Auburn can stop the run. The Tigers’ defensive line and linebackers are suffocating, as the Razorbacks will find out Saturday. Prediction: 30-10, Auburn.

About the author

Mike Hodge

Mike is an award-winning writer who won Florida Press Club awards for sports column writing and sports news reporting while at the Ocala Star-Banner. He is now the editor of the Gator Country Magazine, an excellent publication in its own right!

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