Grass’ Guesses – Week 13
Last Week: Against The Spread 2-3, Straight Up 4-1
Overall: Against The Spread 10-8, Straight Up 13-5
Another week has come and gone in the SEC, and we now only have two left. I took a small step back last week, but I feel confident in my ability to recover. Not so confident that I would encourage you to use these picks as the basis of any actual cash wager.
Oct 26, 2013; Columbia, MO, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier watches the team warm up before the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Coastal Carolina at South Carolina (-34.5)
I have always said, and I will continue to always say how much I hate spreads like this. The only way SC doesn’t cover is if Spurrier decides to let his foot off the gas before the Gamecocks are up by 35 points. Considering that Spurrier really doesn’t do that, I look for the Gamecocks to cover.
The Guess: South Carolina 48 – Coastal Carolina 10
Chattanooga at Alabama (-49)
See what I just wrote about the South Carolina game and apply it to this one as well. Will Alabama cover the spread. Sure, why not?
The Guess: Alabama 56 – Chattanooga 3
Georgia Southern at Florida (-27.5)
Take three about covering really large spreads against inferior opponents. I didn’t realize there were so many bad games this week until I started making my picks for this column. Florida gets one more lopsided win before the big showdown with the Seminoles.
The Guess: Florida 42 – Georgia Southern 17
Texas A&M at LSU (-4.5)
Nov 9, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A
Hey, the good games. Finally! I honestly have no idea what to expect in this game. Neither team has been as good as it would like. I think there are going to be a lot of points scored, as neither team has done much on the defensive side of the ball. Manziel and Mettenberger are going to trade blows repeatedly and it may come down to whoever has the ball last. If that’s the case, I think Manziel will have it last and pull the mild upset.
The Guess: Texas A&M 45 – LSU 42
Kentucky at Georgia (-23.5)
If Georgia had pulled off that win against Auburn, I might would have thought that Kentucky would be capable of giving the Bulldogs of Athens a scare. They didn’t, and now I think they will be looking for someone to take it out on. The Wildcats seem to be the perfect opponent for such a task. Aaron Murray has a big game and the Bulldogs roll.
The Guess: Georgia 38 – Kentucky 7
Vanderbilt at Tennessee (-3)
I am a little surprised that Vandy is an underdog here. The only thing I can attribute it to is the fact that Tennessee pulled out a huge upset at home against South Carolina. Vanderbilt is playing well, and I believe they will continue that trend against the Vols. It will be close, and I think it will be one of the more underrated games of the weekend. Look for Vanderbilt to pull off the upset.
The Guess: Vanderbilt 27 – Tennessee 21
Missouri (-2.5) at Ole Miss
Not going to lie, I really want Ole Miss to lose this game. I want all of the Ole Miss love I constantly hear about to start to die down. The Tigers get Franklin back, and I really believe that will be the difference. Ole Miss has a defense that gets pressure on the quarterback, but they also give up a lot of points. Look for Missouri to pull away late.
The Guess: Missouri 41 – Ole Miss 31
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Mississippi State (-1.5) at Arkansas
Something has to give in this game. Will we lose to a coach in his first year at Arkansas? Will Arkansas lose to State for the first time in the state of Arkansas? If we had Dak or Tyler without question, I don’t think the Razorbacks would stand a chance against us. Honestly, I think neither play this weekend. Mullen is starting to turn into Belichick when it comes to reporting about injuries. I could be wrong (and I hope that I am) but I think he is being so cryptic because neither of them are going to play. Williams may end up being a great quarterback, but he hasn’t gotten that many reps over the course of the year, and going on the road to a place where Mississippi State has never won before is a tall order. Does that mean I think State will lose? Not hardly.
I don’t know if you noticed, but Arkansas is terrible. I might be tempted to say they are worse than Kentucky. If Williams gets all the snaps, I think Mullen just pulls out the Chris Relf play book since he is built kind of like him and he wears Relf’s number. It will be close, but I think that State will get their first victory in Arkansas.
The Guess: Mississippi State 28 – Arkansas 24