Looks like I did pretty well last week, with the exception of the Georgia/Florida game. I'm torn because as much as I like seeing Florida lose, if they had won it helps Tennessee. Again, it was one of those games that if a big sinkhole could open up and swallow both teams, I'd be happiest. OK, now that I've offended both UGA and UF fans, let's move onto this week's picks...
1. Notre Dame at Tennessee (3:30 p.m. EST, CBS)
The Vols are spectacular in November under Phillip Fulmer, compiling a truely staggering record. Of course, part of that is they get to play Vandy and Kentucky every November. But equally impressive is the non-conference competition they schedule each year in November. And this year is no different as the Vols renew their rivallry with Notre Dame. But which Notre Dame will the Vols get--the one that looked great against Michigan or the one that looked just so-so against Boston College? Notre Dame can be a Jekyll and Hyde type of team this year. I'm hoping Hyde shows up and the Vols romp. The Vols don't have the luxury of the two-quarterback system with Shaeffer out and hurt. Eric Ainge has to be the man. I think he'll do it.
Tennessee 28, Notre Dame 17
2. Arkansas at South Carolina (12:30 EST, JP Regional Game, ESPN GamePlan)
Two teams fighting to become bowl eligible. South Carolina is trying to avoid a repeat of last year's November slump. Arkansas had a week off to help Matt Jones get healthy. If Jones can play the whole game, Arkansas has too much for South Carolina.
Arkansas 28, South Carolina 20
3. Georgia at Kentucky (12:30 EST, JP Regional Game, ESPN GamePlan)
Georgia beat Florida last week and they play Auburn next week. Could they be in the position to overlook an opponent? That might be true if they weren't playing Kentucky.
Georgia 49, Kentucky 7
4. Florida at Vanderbilt (2 p.m .EST)
Of all the games this week, this is the hardest to figure out. On the one hand, it's Vandy playing Florida. On the other hand, Florida is sinking fast in the East and you have to wonder if this is just that year that Vandy pulls the upset. If they don't do it now, they never will. What the heck, I'm gonna open myself up to Vandy disappointing me again, but if I get this one right, I look like a genius.
Vanderbilt 20, Florida 17
5. Mississippi State at Alabama (6:30 p.m EST, ESPN 2)
Of all the games this week, outside of UT/Notre Dame this one has the most interest for me. Sylvester Croom returns to Bama to play his old alma mater. Two weeks ago, I'd say Bama rolls, but with the confidence builder against Florida and Bama's loss to Tennessee, anything can happen. This one is gonna be fun to watch though.
Alabama 21, Mississippi State 20
posted by Michael Hickerson at 11/05/2004 05:01:00 PM |
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