Week Nine SEC Predictions

For the second straight week, the SEC slate is a little bit weak, partially due to the fact that the two best teams in the conference (LSU and Alabama) are both off in preparation for their clash next week.

This week does feature a game between Florida and Georgia that is essentially the SEC East championship game, but other than that the big games are not present.

Here are The Power T Report’s week nine SEC picks:

South Carolina at Texas A&M

(12, SEC Network)

Last season, this game started South Carolina’s downward spiral that was the 2014 season, when the Aggies went on the road to upset the 9th-ranked Gamecocks, 52-28.

This season, South Carolina interim coach Shawn Elliot will be making his first road trip since moving into that position, and it will be to one of the toughest venues in the country.

The biggest thing to watch in this game will be the Texas A&M quarterback situation.

Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen have been splitting snaps, but offensive coordinator Jake Spavital needs to pick a starter and go with it if the Aggies hope to fix their offense that was horrendous last week against Ole Miss.

Texas A&M has had a disappointing last couple of weeks after starting the season 5-0, but a struggling South Carolina squad will help them get back on track.

Texas A&M 28, South Carolina 13

19 Ole Miss at Auburn

(12, ESPN)

This game matches up two teams in completely different places than they were just a week ago.

Ole Miss rebounded well last week against Texas A&M after they were upset by Memphis two weeks ago, winning 23-3 and getting their defense back on track.

Auburn continued their extremely disappointing season with a four-overtime loss to Arkansas, a week after they looked to be heading in the right direction after a win over Kentucky two weeks ago.

Right now for Auburn, it’s not really a specific issue – it’s deficiencies in multiple areas.

Ole Miss still controls their own destiny in the SEC West, and it will stay that way after this week.

Ole Miss 31, Auburn 20

Georgia vs. 11 Florida (in Jacksonville)

(3:30, CBS)

Before the season, this game wasn’t looked at as a SEC East deciding matchup, but fast forward to week nine and the winner of this game has the inside track to win the division.

Both teams had a bye week last week to prepare, making The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party all the more hyped.

Treon Harris, who took over at quarterback for the suspended Will Grier, should be settled in by now with a game against LSU and a bye week to prepare under his belt.

Georgia will hang with Florida for all four quarters, but not having a star player like Nick Chubb late in the game will hurt the Bulldogs, giving Florida an easy path to Atlanta.

Florida 30, Georgia 24

Tennessee at Kentucky

(7:30, SEC Network)

Tennessee wasn’t able to close out last week against Alabama, but the feeling among Vol fans is much more optimistic than it was when Tennessee blew leads to Oklahoma, Florida, and Arkansas.

This game could be the start of an end of the season winning streak for Tennessee.

The teams remaining on their schedule have a combined SEC record of 5-14, and the Vols will likely be favored in all of them.

However this game by itself will be won or lost by Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs.

Last time Kentucky faced a mobile quarterback (last week), Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott rushed for 117 yards and three touchdowns as well as throwing for 348 yards and three touchdowns.

Dobbs will put a tough game against Alabama behind him and put up one of the best statistical games of his career against the Wildcats.

Tennessee 42, Kentucky 20

Other picks:

Arkansas 45, Tennessee-Martin 7

(4, SEC Network)

Houston 27, Vanderbilt 13

(7, ESPN2)

#sec #predictions #weeknine