By By Austin Bishop / EMG regional sports director
Oct. 2, 2004
Wyoming? Maine?
What's next, USM losing to Rhode Island?
Well, good news for Ole Miss is that the Rebels aren't playing Wyoming this week and State fans should be giggling that the Maine game is in the past.
Thanks to Ole Miss' loss to the Cowboys, I went 3-1 in the picks last week, while my big buddy Al Brown (also my co-picker at large you figure that one out) went 2-2. He also missed Arkansas' win over Alabama.
So far this year I am a less than impressive 9-3, while Al is 7-5. In order to give Al a chance to pass me this week, I decided we would pick seven games.
So put on your helmet and join us for the ride.
State at Vanderbilt
Before the season started, most State fans were counting this one as a win.
I never really saw it that way. A potential win, maybe, a sure win absolutely not.
Vandy has struggled this year as well and hasn't performed as well as their fans had hoped.
The most stunning thing about this game is that the oddsmakers had Vanderbilt as a 12 1/2-point favorite. Who would have ever thought Vandy would be a 12-point favorite over any other SEC football team?
THE PICKS: Al says 24-17 Vanderbilt. I think he's got it about right. I'm going with Vanderbilt 20-10.
Arkansas St. at Ole Miss
This is one Ole Miss will win. Surely.
Some Ole Miss fans have shared with me their concerns about the Rebels potentially losing this game.
Save your worries for another day.
THE PICKS: Al says the Rebels win a close one 28-24; Austin says the Rebels roll 34-10.
USM at South Florida
This is truly a tough game to pick.
South Florida is very strong at home and the Bulls would like to make a statement before they exit Conference USA for the Big East.
Al sees no problems for USM down in Tampa. "Southern Miss will win this game easily," he says. "By the way have you seen the stats of points off of turnovers that Southern Miss has? It's in the top five in the nation."
THE PICKS: Al goes with USM 31-6. I don't see this game as a blowout either way. Austin gives USM the win in a slugfest 13-10.
South Carolina at Alabama
I'm not sure what to think about this one. If it was in Columbia I would certainly go with the Gamecocks.
I look for a low-scoring hard-hitting defensive game. Al thinks otherwise.
THE PICKS: Al says Bama wins 34-19. I take the Tide 17-13.
Auburn at Tennessee
I've already change my mind a half-dozen times on this one.
Something just tells me Tennessee wins in Knoxville. Something also tells me Auburn will have a big day running the ball and, if the Tigers don't shoot themselves in the foot, should dominate the game offensively.
The Vols will be starting a new quarterback in the game as well.
THE PICKS: Al says Tennessee wins 17-16. I agree. I'm picking the Vols 27-24.
LSU at
Georgia
Dang, there are some big games in the SEC this week.
There might not be more than three touchdowns scored between these two teams on Saturday.
THE PICKS: Al goes with Georgia 27-20. I'm just curious where he thinks all those points are going to come from. I pick Georgia to win 16-13 in a field goal fest.
Arkansas at
Florida
All I've got to say is I hope Arkansas enjoyed last week.
THE PICKS: Al goes with Florida 55-30. I say the Gators win 35-21.