SEC Prediction Week 13

This is the final week of the Regular season and Michael McCoy has won the pick'em. Michael currently has an overall mark of (76-12) followed by Jay Skipworth at (72-16) with Eddie McCoy pulling up the rear at (66-22). Let's get on with the picks:

Michael McCoy's Picks:
Clemson @ South Carolina- South Carolina
Ole Miss @ Miss St- Ole Miss
Florida State @ Florida- Florida
Tennessee @ Kentucky- Tennessee
Arkansas @ LSU- Arkansas
Georgia @ Georgia Tech- Georgia Tech

Iron Bowl:
As Kenny Loggins once sang, this is it. Outdated clichés abound about the Iron Bowl, but that's okay. History actually shows that the better team does usually win this game, but there are exceptions. Will 2009 be one of those? We'll find out. There's no doubt Alabama brings the superior team into Jordan-Hare on Friday, but Auburn comes in with a far better team than a year ago that's also in a far better frame of mind. The facts are these...like any good SEC rivalry (and this one's the best), this game will be decided by who controls the line of scrimmage (duh) and who makes the fewest mistakes (i.e., turnovers and penalties). Alabama has faced some dynamic offenses this year, but Auburn's is probably the most balanced that they've seen. Failure to establish the running game was a huge factor, though, in Auburn's offense losing the spark it carried early on in the Georgia game. That can't happen against Alabama. The bigger key for the game may be whether or not Auburn's defense can slow down Mark Ingram. If Auburn can, this will be a tight game where anything can happen. In the end, I expect that Auburn will come out inspired and carry this game into the fourth quarter, but Alabama will tack on a late field goal to ice it. Auburn can win this game, but I'll say Alabama 29 Auburn 20.


Jay Skipworth's Picks:
Clemson @ South Carolina- Clemson
Ole Miss @ Miss St- Ole Miss
Florida State @ Florida- Florida
Tennessee @ Kentucky- Kentucky
Arkansas @ LSU- Arkansas
Georgia @ Georgia Tech- Georgia Tech

Iron Bowl:
Auburn’s ranking as one of the top offenses in the SEC is fraudulent. The Tigers have put up points and yards on mediocre or worse teams and have struggled against better defenses. The Alabama defense can and will neutralize every position with a strong run-stopping front line, a ferocious pass rush, and a ball-hawking defensive backfield. Alabama’s offense is roughly the same as last year – run the ball a lot, throw to the tight end and occasionally hit the long ball. The biggest difference is Alabama has more playmakers on the two-deep roster than anything Auburn has on defense. Auburn’s defense is actually worse this year. In fact, statistically, it’s the worst Auburn defense in their history. There have been consecutive shutouts in this series (1905-1906, 1959-1962) and Alabama was on top in those cases as well. This one will give another meaning to “Black Friday” as the Crimson Tide will steamroll their in-state rival for the second year in a row. Alabama 34, Auburn 0.


Eddie McCoy's Picks:
Clemson @ South Carolina- Clemson
Ole Miss @ Miss St- Ole Miss
Florida State @ Florida- Florida
Tennessee @ Kentucky- Kentucky
Arkansas @ LSU- Arkansas
Georgia @ Georgia Tech- Georgia Tech

Iron Bowl:
This is the first Iron Bowl that I can remember in my lifetime that I just don't feel like we have a shot at winning. I'll be showing up with ironically "Livin' on a Prayer" in my head. For the most part, everytime it seems like a blowout is certain it seems like the opposite happens. I'm hopeful that it can happen tomorrow and that Auburn will be able to move the ball and put up some points on this tough Bama defense. The task is very difficult but it could be the biggest upset in Iron Bowl History if it could happen. I'll be showing up hoping for that while realistically expecting the Auburn defense to get beat down with the Bama running game and clock control as the Auburn Offense will probably be inconsistent thru out the game. I believe Auburn will keep it close early on but Alabama will pull away in the second half. I expect the score to be something like Alabama 34, Auburn 19.