A Look at Week 4 in the SEC

I continued my trend of missing on two games per week in Week 3. I missed on Auburn and Kentucky. I knew that the Kentucky game would be a coin toss, and unfortunately I chose the wrong side of the coin. However, I did not expect what I saw from Auburn against Clemson on Saturday. The defense looked atrocious. The main causes for that seem to be poor tackling, bad angles, and inexperience. Auburn's defense have looked bad for the last three years, and would have been a lot worse last year if not for Nick Fairley and an experienced group of seniors. No one knows whether to place the blame on Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof, or Head Coach Gene Chizik because he is known to be a defensive mind. Regardless, if things don't change this season I think it's likely that Roof will be relieved of his duties in the offseason.

Now on to Week 4...

Game of the Week

Alabama's secondary will
try to shut down Tyler Wilson

#14 Arkansas at #3 Alabama (3:30 PM, CBS): Bobby Petrino's hogs will look to bring their high powered air attack to Tuscaloosa and pull out a win. In my Summer SEC West Predictions, I had Arkansas finishing above Alabama in the West standings. However, the loss of Knile Davis to an ankle injury after I wrote that has made Arkansas too one dimensional. I no longer see Arkansas being able to finish higher than Alabama. This game sets up to be very entertaining though, as it's strength on strength with Arkansas' passing game against Alabama's defense. If you remember last year, Arkansas had Alabama on the ropes early in that game in Fayetteville, but I don't see that there's any way Arkansas can upset Alabama in Bryant-Denny this year. Alabama's secondary is too good, and Tyler Wilson is too inexperienced in big games to be able to defeat a good Alabama team in a hostile environment. Alabama's defense wins out.
    Prediction: Alabama 27-17


Top Tier Games

LSU's Tyrann Mathieu

#2 LSU at #16 West Virginia (8:00 PM, ABC): LSU faces a difficult non-conference road test this week in having to travel to 16th ranked West Virginia. LSU needs to step up and win this game to prove that they are truly a national championship contender. I felt like LSU had a good chance to win the SEC and make the national championship before the season, and I still feel that way. Their defense really has looked phenomenal, and Jarrett Lee is doing enough to win. As Edward Aschoff of ESPN writes, LSU should continue to start Lee even if Jordan Jefferson comes back from suspension. He is not making many bad mistakes so far this season, and that's all they really need. Also, playmaker Russell Shepard is set to return from suspension this week, and that is big for LSU. He is by far their most dynamic offensive player and should make their offense better immediately.
    Prediction: LSU 28-10

Vanderbilt at #12 South Carolina (7:00 PM, ESPN): Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina? A top tier game? It looks to be so this year. Vanderbilt has looked very impressive in route to three straight wins to opens the season. They absolutely stomped Ole Miss last week 30-7. If South Carolina looks past Vanderblit because they have been a gimme in the past, they may be in for a surprise. However, I think South Carolina should be passed that by now after having a scare from Navy last week.
   Prediction: South Carolina 27-21

Second Tier Game
Georgia at Ole Miss (12:30 PM, SEC Network): This is a battle between two 1-2 teams that seem to be flailing right now. Georgia got their first win of the season last week against Coastal Carolina, and that may be what they needed to get back on track. Ole Miss has looked absolutely horrendous so far this season. If Georgia loses to Ole Miss then the fire Mark Richt train will be in full motion if it already isn't. But I don't expect that to happen.
    Prediction: Georgia 31-17

Bonus Non-SEC Game
#7 Oklahoma State at #8 Texas A&M (3:30 PM, ABC): This game is going to be exciting to watch as two top ten Big 12 members face off. Oklahoma State has looked very impressive so far this season. Senior quarterback Brandon Weeden has thrown for over 1,100 yards in just three games, and has arguably the best receiver in the NCAA at his disposal in Justin Blackmon. Texas A&M has looked good as well, stomping SMU and Idaho in the first two games of their season. However, I'm going with the Oklahoma State Cowboys and their top three ranked offense.
    Prediction: Oklahoma State 31-21


The Rest
FAU at Auburn (7:00 PM, FSN): 44-17 Auburn
LA Tech at Mississippi State (7 PM, ESPNU): 31-10 Mississippi State
#15 Florida at Kentucky (7 PM, ESPN): 38-7 Florida

Lucas' Week 3 Record: 7-2
Lucas' Season Record: 25-6