SEC Preview Part 2: Best Games of 2013
By Adam Zimmerman
While the recent SEC era has taken national championships away from the rest of the country, it has gifted everyone with seasons full of memorable games. College football played at the highest level. The best players playing in front of the biggest and loudest crowds. There is a lot to choose from but here's an early look at what should be the best of the best each week...
Most people in the South will assume LSU will take care of the Frogs the same way it did against Oregon in 2011. Even those who follow college football and know about the new(ish) brand of football that Gary Patterson has brought to Ft Worth will take the absence of DeVonte Fields as a reason to write off TCU. Unfortunately, ESPN is letting David Pollack pick where GameDay goes so this game will not get the national attention it deserves.
Prediction: TCU 31, LSU 24
The loss of Fields will not be as much of an issue as Frogs fear. TCU's secondary prevents LSU from getting the passing game going but the Tigers should find success running the football. However, the new LSU defense won't be able to slow down Captain Chaos and Waymon James.
Runner-Up: Ole Miss at Vanderbilt (A season with high expectations for the Rebels gets off on the wrong foot in Nashville)
Septempber 7, South Carolina at Georgia
Aaron Murray vs. JeDeveon Clowney. If UGA's offensive line holds up and Clowney doesn't break the Georgia quarterback's...everything, then this will be a match-up of the first and second picks of the 2014 NFL Draft. I've already called my shot that Georgia is Pasadena bound but this is a very early test between the hedges.
Prediction:UGA 35, South Carolina 21
Coming off a big win against Clemson the week Georgia will finish off the Carolina portion of the schedule and avenge their embarrassing 2012 loss in Clemson. Todd Gurley's ability to run over the Gamecock defense (and away from Clowney) takes the pressure of Murray who will have a big day and be the first player to take a lead in the Heisman talk.
Runner-Up: Florida at Miami
September 14, Alabama at Texas A&M
Prediction: Texas A&M 31, Alabama 24
Kid can play. JFF is able to improvise his way over and around the Bama defense that I think will crack under the pressure Coach Saban is putting on this game. In the biggest upset of the night however, it is Coach Sumlin, not Manziel, who steals Katherine Webb from AJ McCarron.
Runner-Up: Vanderbilt at South Carolina
September 21, Tennessee at Florida
With most of the conference playing exhibition non-conference games, this rivalry game is hands down the most exciting game of the weekend, even if it's a lopsided match up. I'd like to say that with these teams you can throw the record books out the window but this year Tennessee will be coming off Sept. 7 game in Eugene, Oregon and could still be catching its breath.
Prediction: Florida 35, Tennessee 17
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| Butch Please |
Runner-Up: Auburn at LSU
September 28, LSU at Georgia
Ole Miss at Alabama is a tempting pick here because of the tailgate/post-game atmosphere that could even turn Tim Tebow straight. The game in Athens wins because by now, the Murray and Gurley Show will have the nation's attention. Georgia could come in at #1 (unless A&M is there) and will have to face a young, but now experienced LSU defense.
Prediction: LSU 30, Georgia 27
Don't sleep on the Mad Hatter. LSU's defense keeps things close and leaves thing open for classic Les Miles late game magic.
Runner-Up: Ole Miss at Alabama
October 5, Georgia at Tennessee
Another slow weekend in the SEC, another chance for everyone to watch Tennessee get overmatched by a longtime rival. NFL Scouts will be watching to see how Aaron Murray responds after a tough loss - if they lose like I predicted above (even if Georgia doesn't lose to LSU, scouts will still be watching to see Murray). I'll be back in Knoxville this weekend, but luckily I've learned how to drink past the losses.
Prediction: Georgia 38, Tennessee 21
I don't who, between Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley, the Vols will be able to stop, but the other one will have a big day as the Dawgs win easily.
Runner-Up: Kentucky at South Carolina (tune-in to see if they charge Clowney for the murder of a Kentucy quarterback)
October 12, Texas A&M at Ole Miss
I've already called my shot here and picked Oxford as the site that will see Johnny Football's magic carpet ride come to an end. What may be better than Saturday's game will be seeing the Aggie quarterback on Oxford's Square on Friday night. Smart Ole Miss students should make sure to not turn Manziel away from any party and do all they can to drain his cell phone battery.
Prediction: Ole Miss 35, Texas A&M 17
JFF breaks the record for highest BAC at kickoff and can barely even field a snap. He's good, but he's no Tim Riggins. Coach Sumlin makes Manziel walk back to College Station.
Runner Up: Florida at LSU
October 19, LSU at Ole Miss
For the second straight weekend, Ole Miss fans might actually have more fun in the stadium than in the grove.
Prediction: Ole Miss 28, LSU 17
Runner-Up: South Carolina at Tennessee (Clowney vs. the frontrunner for first offensive tackle taken in 2014 Draft, Tiny Richardson)
October 26, Tennessee at Alabama
I swear I'm not just picking Tennessee games because I want to watch them. The other choices this week? Kentucky at Mississippi State, Furman at LSU and South Carolina at Missouri. At least this game features one of the best rivalries in the SEC.
I swear I'm not just picking Tennessee games because I want to watch them. The other choices this week? Kentucky at Mississippi State, Furman at LSU and South Carolina at Missouri. At least this game features one of the best rivalries in the SEC.
Prediction: Alabama 41, Tennessee 17
And those 17 points come late in garbage time.
Runner-Up: None. Believe me, I would've picked it over highlighting another Tennessee loss.
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| Maybe she'll be there at least |
Runner-Up: None. Believe me, I would've picked it over highlighting another Tennessee loss.
November 2, Florida vs. Georgia
The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is the clear winner this week. Should be one of the best offenses (Georgia) facing one of the best defenses (Florida) in the country. Coach Mark Richt has coached against Florida every year since 1990, dating back to his days on Bobby Bowden's staff at FSU. He loves this game.
Prediction: Georgia 24, Florida 21
In the game that will ultimately decide which SEC East team goes to Atlanta, Gurley makes a difference in the receiving game this time as Richt figures out Muschamp's defense and Georgia wins an Instant Classic. Dozens of players from both teams arrested after the game, Urban Meyer is reportedly to blame.
Runner-Up: Auburn at Arkansas
November 9, LSU at Alabama
While this game won't get the same hype as it has the last two years because of Bama's A&M game, and I don't think either team makes it this far without a loss, this is still must see TV for any football fan.
Prediction: Alabama 31, LSU 19
Ever since the loss to the Aggies, the Tide have a very favorable schedule that should allow them to get their momentum going. AJ McCarron will throw for 3 touchdowns as Alabama pulls away late.
Runner-Up: Vanderbilt at Florida
November 16, Florida at South Carolina
The Ol' Ball Coach hosting Florida. We'll see if Jeff Driskoll is quick enough to escape the Carolina pass rush.
Prediction: Florida 24, South Carolina 10
Ultimately the Gator defense will prevent the Gamecocks from doing anything on offense and a blocked field goal and punt return for a touchdown swing the game Florida's way.
Runner-Up: Auburn at Georgia
November 23, Texas A&M at LSU
This is the last significant hurdle for the Aggies before the SEC championship game, with only lowly Mizzou (yeah, they're in the SEC. I forgot too.) Kyle Field may sway during the Aggie War hymn but Tiger Statidum will be shaking as LSU fans welcome Johnny Manziel to Death Valley.
Prediction: Texas A&M 27, LSU 16
Despite making it a return trip to Bourbon Street the night before the game, Johnny has learned from his mistakes and learns to play through the shakes. The only thing bigger than his game against the Tigers will be his bar tab that night.
Runner-Up: Tennessee at Vanderbilt
November 30, Florida at Florida State
Both SEC divisions should be decided by this time. Most of the teams expected to be in the hunt have easy conference games in the final week. While it won't affect their SEC standings, Florida could get a big help in the BCS standings with a late win over a potentially top 10 Florida State team.
Prediction: Florida 28, Florida State 24
Or something like that.
Prediction: Georgia 24, Florida 21
In the game that will ultimately decide which SEC East team goes to Atlanta, Gurley makes a difference in the receiving game this time as Richt figures out Muschamp's defense and Georgia wins an Instant Classic. Dozens of players from both teams arrested after the game, Urban Meyer is reportedly to blame.
Runner-Up: Auburn at Arkansas
November 9, LSU at Alabama
While this game won't get the same hype as it has the last two years because of Bama's A&M game, and I don't think either team makes it this far without a loss, this is still must see TV for any football fan.
Prediction: Alabama 31, LSU 19
Ever since the loss to the Aggies, the Tide have a very favorable schedule that should allow them to get their momentum going. AJ McCarron will throw for 3 touchdowns as Alabama pulls away late.
Runner-Up: Vanderbilt at Florida
November 16, Florida at South Carolina
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| Spurrier poses with his Heisman Trophy he won playing QB at Florida |
Prediction: Florida 24, South Carolina 10
Ultimately the Gator defense will prevent the Gamecocks from doing anything on offense and a blocked field goal and punt return for a touchdown swing the game Florida's way.
Runner-Up: Auburn at Georgia
November 23, Texas A&M at LSU
This is the last significant hurdle for the Aggies before the SEC championship game, with only lowly Mizzou (yeah, they're in the SEC. I forgot too.) Kyle Field may sway during the Aggie War hymn but Tiger Statidum will be shaking as LSU fans welcome Johnny Manziel to Death Valley.
Prediction: Texas A&M 27, LSU 16
Despite making it a return trip to Bourbon Street the night before the game, Johnny has learned from his mistakes and learns to play through the shakes. The only thing bigger than his game against the Tigers will be his bar tab that night.
Runner-Up: Tennessee at Vanderbilt
November 30, Florida at Florida State
Both SEC divisions should be decided by this time. Most of the teams expected to be in the hunt have easy conference games in the final week. While it won't affect their SEC standings, Florida could get a big help in the BCS standings with a late win over a potentially top 10 Florida State team.
Prediction: Florida 28, Florida State 24
Or something like that.
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