A Look at the SEC Bowl Season

We officially have a rematch in the National Championship game. It's going to be LSU vs. Alabama for the Rematch of the Century, I guess that's what we're going to call it. My only question is if LSU loses, do they get a do over? I'm joking of course, but personally I would have rather seen Oklahoma State get a chance in the title game. Alabama already had their chance and lost, at home nonetheless. Oklahoma State has more top wins than Alabama, dismantled a good Oklahoma team in the Big 12 Championship, and their only loss came the day after a tragic plane accident shook the entire university. But I'll get off my soap box now. 


The SEC had 9 of its 12 teams make to bowl games this year. It should have been 10 if Tennessee did not blow it against Kentucky in its last game of the year. The only teams not to make it to bowls were Ole Miss, Kentucky, and Tennessee. It has been a very good year for the conference, punctuated by two of its teams making it in the National Championship. That guarantees that the National Champion will be an SEC team for the sixth straight year.


Let's try our hand at some predictions...


Music City Bowl (Dec. 30)
Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State
Mississippi State didn't quite live up to its preseason expectations and finished the season losing four of its last five. Both teams finished 6-6 just barely making postseason play. Mississippi State has not been good this season, but appear to be the stronger team in this particular matchup. 
    Prediction: Mississippi State 21-13


Liberty Bowl (Dec. 31)
Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt will be playing in its first bowl game since 2008. That is a big accomplishment for first year coach James Franklin. Cincinnati has a better record than the Commodores, but that doesn't mean much being that Cincy plays in the weak Big East. Vanderbilt will be ready to play this game and will get its third bowl victory in its history.
    Prediction: Vanderbilt 28-24


Chick-fil-A Bowl (Dec. 31)
Virginia vs. #25 Auburn 

Freshman Tre Mason will take over RB
duties after Mike Dyer's suspension

Auburn has had a tumultuous few weeks since the end of the regular season. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof left to take the same job at UCF, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has accepted the head coaching position at Arkansas State, and star running back Michael Dyer has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. Michael Dyer's absence will hurt the Tigers, but they have capable backups in homerun threats Onterrio McCalebb and Tre Mason. Gus Malzahn will coach one final game for Auburn, but Ted Roof will not be coaching this game. Instead, head coach Gene Chizik has taken over defensive coordinator duties for the time being. Look for a renewed sense of enthusiasm on defense with Chizik manning the unit and also expect Gus Malzahn to empty his playbook for one last show. The Tigers take the orange and blue showdown.
    Prediction: Auburn 31-23


Gator Bowl (Jan. 2)
Ohio State vs. Florida
Some in the media have dubbed this one the "Urban Bowl" as Urban Meyer's old team, Florida, takes on Ohio State, who he has agreed to coach next season. Florida lost its offensive coordinator Charlie Weis to a head coach position at Kansas, and the Gators will have a different coach calling plays for the bowl game. Ohio State has a lame duck staff with Urban Meyer appointed as the new head man. There are many issues with both teams, but Ohio State will take this game as the Buckeyes will play hard for Luke Fickell's last game as the head coach.
    Prediction: Ohio State 21-17


Outback Bowl (Jan. 2)

Georgia QB Aaron Murray

#17 Michigan State vs. #16 Georgia
Michigan State is coming off a ten win season and is very experienced. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been one of the best in the Big Ten over the past few years. However, Georgia had a ten win season of its own and quarterback Aaron Murray will be looking to punctuate it with a bowl win. Both teams have top defenses, Georgia is ranked third in total defense and Michigan State is two spots below at fifth. Georgia wins in a tight one.
    Prediction: Georgia 24-21


Capital One Bowl (Jan. 2)
#20 Nebraska vs. #9 South Carolina
Both teams have shown flashes at times and have struggled at others. South Carolina QB Connor Shaw has played well in his last few games and will try to build on that success in the bowl game. Nebraska has shown the ability to run the ball, averaging 223 yards per game, but South Carolina's defense is stout and is ranked fourth in the nation in total defense. South Carolina wins this one.
    Prediction: South Carolina 24-17


Cotton Bowl (Jan. 6)
#8 Kansas State vs. #6 Arkansas
Kansas State has played well for most of this season. Dual threat quarterback Collin Klein has been a man among boys at times with 1745 yards passing, 1099 yards rushing, and 28 total touchdowns. However, Arkansas's offense is about as high powered as they come, averaging 37.4 points and 445.8 yards per game. Arkansas will be able to outscore the Wildcats and do enough on defense to earn the victory.
    Prediction: Arkansas 31-21


BCS National Championship (Jan. 9)
#2 Alabama vs. #1 LSU
The rematch for all the marbles. LSU won the much talked about first matchup 9-6 in overtime. That game featured several Alabama special teams miscues, including four missed field goals. It was played in Alabama's house, and LSU was still able to win. This game is on a neutral field and is close to Baton Rouge, but that's not likely to matter as it will probably be a 50-50 crowd split. It is always difficult to beat any team twice in a season, and especially a team as talented as Alabama. Nonetheless, I predicted LSU to be in the National Championship this past summer, and I expect them to win it now just as I did then. However, I do expect this game to be more high scoring than the first. LSU's vaunted secondary will make it difficult for Alabama QB AJ McCarron to move the ball, and their front seven will be able to corral Trent Richardson enough to win. LSU is as talented as it gets and has won its last two National Championships at the Sugar Bowl, and the Tigers will get another on January 9th. 
    Prediction: LSU 20-17




Lucas's Season Record: 85-15

A Look at the SEC Championship

Last week I was 6-2 with my predictions. Tennessee unexpectedly lost to Kentucky, which was the first time the Wildcats have beaten the Vols since 1984. This is a definite low point for the Vols program, and it has a lot of people doubting the direction it is going under head coach Derek Dooley. I also predicted that Clemson would beat South Carolina, but was incorrect. Clemson has really worn down as the season has gone on. They do not look like the same team they did at the beginning of the year, and I think they will lose to Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship.

Now let's take a look at Week 14...

The SEC Championship

Morris Claiborne leads a talented
LSU defensive backfield.

#14 Georgia at #1 LSU (4:00 PM, CBS): This game surprisingly has very little meaning in the National Championship scheme this year. BCS Experts believe that LSU is so far ahead, that even if the Tigers were to lose they would still be ranked #1 or #2 and be in the National Championship. But I doubt that is what LSU is thinking about, as they want to be able to hoist that SEC Championship trophy up on Saturday. LSU is better than Georgia in all facets of the game other than quarterback. Georgia has cruised to an SEC East title by not playing any of the top three teams in the West, and I think that has given the Bulldogs a false sense of security. Their confidence is sky high right now, but they are simply not a better team than LSU. Georgia's defense has played really well this season, and Georgia is a hot team right now. After losing their first two games, the Bulldogs have rattled off 10 wins in a row. However, as good as UGA's defense is, LSU's is that much better, and the Tigers have more depth on that side of the ball. Look for LSU to shut down Georgia's offense. The game may be close at halftime, but eventually LSU's talent and depth advantage will wear down the Bulldogs and they will pull out the win. As LSU showed against Arkansas last week, they are just that good. Look for quarterback Aaron Murray to turn the ball over against LSU's talented secondary and LSU's quarterback Jordan Jefferson will make just enough plays to get the victory.
     Prediction: LSU 27-17

Lucas's Week 13 Record: 6-2
Lucas's Season Record: 84-15