Week Two SEC Predictions

Week one of the SEC football season didn’t really bring any surprises (unless you count Western Kentucky beating Vanderbilt).

Outside of a big time non-conference matchup and a few conference games, this week is dominated by cupcake matchups.

Here are The Power T Report’s week two SEC predictions:

10 Georgia (1-0) at Vanderbilt (0-1)

(3:30, CBS)

As expected, Vanderbilt weighed down an otherwise stellar weekend for the SEC with a 14-12 loss to Conference-USA’s Western Kentucky.

The Commodores’ defense actually looked much improved against a high-powered Hilltopper offense, but the Vanderbilt offense struggled mightily against a Western Kentucky defense that finished last season ranked 122nd in the FBS in total defense.

Though Vanderbilt’s defense had success against Western Kentucky, Georgia could be a different story.

Georgia’s season opener was called with 9:54 remaining due to a second lightning delay, but the Bulldogs still steam rolled Louisiana-Monroe, 51-14.

Bulldog running back and Heisman contender Nick Chubb will follow up his 120-yard week one performance with a big day against the Commodores.

Georgia 30, Vanderbilt 3

Kentucky (1-0) at South Carolina (1-0)

(7:30, SEC Network)

Due to the weak nature of the scheduling for this week across college football, this is actually one of the bigger games in the country, which is why it earned the prime time slot on the SEC Network.

Kentucky and South Carolina both experienced close calls in week one, the only difference being the opponent.

The Gamecocks beat the fellow Power-Five member North Carolina, 17-13, while Kentucky needed all of four quarters to beat Louisiana-Lafayette, 40-33.

This game will have a big impact on how the SEC East standings look at the end of the season, as well as whether or not these teams become bowl eligible.

South Carolina quarterback Connor Mitch, who was unimpressive in the win over North Carolina, should be one week better in the Gamecocks’ home opener.

South Carolina 24, Kentucky 13

14 LSU (0-0) at 25 Mississippi State (1-0)

(9:15, ESPN)

Due to an extended lightning delay, LSU’s week one game against McNeese State was cancelled.

Though LSU likely would have dismantled McNeese State if the game had taken place, it makes the top 25 matchup between the Tigers and Mississippi State more interesting than it would have been.

Teams generally start slow in their first game of the season, but usually they are facing an FCS team and can afford a few slip-ups.

But LSU cannot afford this against a talented Mississippi State team in what should be an electric atmosphere at Davis-Wade Stadium.

Mississippi State will certainly experience a drop off this season after a historic 2014, but this week, the Bulldogs pull the upset.

Mississippi State 28, LSU 27

19 Oklahoma (1-0) at 23 Tennessee (1-0)

(6, ESPN)

For the first time ever, two of the most historic college football programs will meet in one of the most historic venues, Neyland Stadium.

This matchup will be the biggest game that the once mighty Tennessee football program has been a part of in at least a decade, and the mood around Knoxville is indicative of that.

This non-conference clash has been sold out for a while now, and on top of the crowd of 102,455 that will be present, Tennessee will be “checkering Neyland” for the second consecutive season.

On the field, Tennessee’s secondary is certainly a concern after they allowed 433 yards through the air to Bowling Green, but the Vols’ offense, specifically the backfield has a chance to be special this season after putting up 604 total yards.

I’ve been going back and forth all week of this game, but I’ve settled on a Vol win that puts Tennessee football back on the map.

Tennessee 31, Oklahoma 27

Other Picks:

6 Auburn 55, Jacksonville State 10

(12, SEC Network)

17 Ole Miss 41, Fresno State 20

(3:30, ESPN 2)

18 Arkansas 41, Toledo 17

(4, SEC Network)

2 Alabama 52, Middle Tennessee State 3

(4, SEC Network)

Florida 28, East Carolina 14

(7, ESPN 2)

21 Missouri 31, Arkansas State 13

(7, ESPN 3)

16 Texas A&M 63, Ball State 6

(7, ESPNU)

#sec #predictions