SEC Predictions Week 5

Well Michael is on fire right now by picking the South Carolina upset and also alerting us on the LSU upset alert to roll his perfect record last week to an overall (31-3) mark, yet again extending his lead over Eddie at (28-6) and Jay at (27-7). This weeks schedule could see the gap widen or shrink with all the interesting games on the docket. On with the picks.

Michael McCoy's Picks:

Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
LSU at Georgia - Georgia
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt - Vanderbilt (upset special)
South Carolina State at South Carolina - South Carolina
Georgia Tech at Mississippi State - Georgia Tech (upset alert)
Texas A&M vs Arkansas - Texas A&M

Auburn at Tennessee:
September has been nice, but it's time to take this show on the road, which isn't always fun in the SEC. The jury is still out on Tennessee (and us for that matter), but this will no doubt be Auburn's toughest test of the year thus far in the hostile environment of Neyland Stadium. At best, it's been a mediocre start for the Vols. The high point has been a relatively close loss in Gainesville while the low points have been a home loss to UCLA and an uninspiring win over Ohio, not to mention the general play of quarterback Jonathan Crompton. He's been the missing link for the Vols up to this point. They play great defense and they can run the ball a bit, but Crompton's interceptions or lack of a viable passing threat have doomed Tennessee in its two losses. That said, the Vols represent some matchup problems for Auburn, especially with their defense. Eric Berry is a gamechanger and much of the rest of the defense can ball as well, though a rash of injuries may undermine things there. Monte Kiffin's defense is designed not to give up big plays, something Malzahn's offense has thrived on of late, so it will be important that Auburn remain patient and establish the running game and take pressure off of Chris Todd and the passing game, though I imagine we'll still take our shots downfield. On defense, Auburn has proved to be a little soft at times and despite the fact that they'll being keying on the run in hopes of forcing Crompton to throw, I think the Vols will still have some success on the ground. Both teams have looked vulnerable on special teams up to this point, so whoever can straighten up things there may gain a decisive advantage, but I expect both units to cancel each other out. I think this young Auburn team will be a little unsettled by the electrifying road atmosphere early on, but they'll battle back as they have all year and Malzahn's offense will start to control things. Still, I think Tennessee's defense and running game keep them in this game until the very end, the difference being one or two less mistakes from Auburn in key moments. I'll say Auburn 24, Tennessee 19.

Eddie McCoy's Picks:

Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
LSU at Georgia - Georgia
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt - Ole Miss
South Carolina State at South Carolina - South Carolina
Georgia Tech at Mississippi State - Mississippi State (Upset)
Texas A&M vs Arkansas - Texas A&M

Auburn at Tennessee:
Being a Chattanoogan native, I almost, not completely, enjoy beating the Vols as much as anybody and this trip is no exception. Tennessee is banged up on defense and is missing a key leader on the field along with being banged up at other positions. I look for Malzahn to have something a little different cooked up for this game along with a faster tempo for this game and I look for Auburn to move the ball efficiently and put some points up on the board while the defense is able to contain the potent Tennessee running game for most of the game. In the end, I like the Tigers to win somewhat comfortably, but mainly put the game away in the 4th quarter as they have done in other games this season. I like Auburn 27, Tennessee 19.

Jay Skipworth's Picks:

Alabama at Kentucky - Alabama
LSU at Georgia - LSU
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt - Vanderbilt
South Carolina State at South Carolina - South Carolina
Georgia Tech at Mississippi State - Georgia Tech
Texas A&M vs Arkansas - Texas A&M

Auburn at Tennessee:
Auburn feels like the Rodney Dangerfield of the SEC as they have lit up the scoreboard in every game of their 4-0 start. Truth of the matter is Auburn has scored loads of points on teams with mediocre to bad defenses. The Tigers defense (usually a strong point) has allowed three mediocre and one good offense to roll up yards and points. Tennessee has looked good in one win over a bad opponent, mediocre in another over a mediocre opponent, bad in one loss (UCLA), and promising in another (Florida). This is the first road game of the year for Auburn and will be the best defense they have seen so far. Tennessee’s passing offense is just not good but they have an adequate enough running game. Neither team has a real edge in special teams. This Vols defense will be the best Auburn has seen so far, but they can't do it alone. Plus, the loss of linebacker Nick Reveiz will give Auburn the opportunity to wear Tennessee down late in the game. That reason along with the chance for Auburn's defense to force a turnover from the Tennessee offense gives Auburn the edge in this one. Auburn 24, Tennessee 20.

You can find a more detailed review of Jay's picks at his column linked below:

http://blogcritics.org/sports/article/sec-week-five-previews-and-predictions/

Everyone that is going to be in Knoxville, make sure you show up for Tiger Walk and make it the best ever for a road game!

War Eagle!