Week 14 in the SEC
Nov 24, 2012; Clemson, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Dylan Thompson (right) carries the ball during the second quarter of the game against the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
The last day of the regular season. Sad. But at least the best is always saved for last. Gotta love rivalry week. Two games down (Hail State), but seven more today.
11:00 – #2 Florida State (-27.5) at Florida, ESPN
The over/under for this game is only 44. For a spread that big, that’s incredibly low. They are basically saying it will be 35-7 or 35-10. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s much worse than that. Florida State has been pounding teams into submission – they’ve won their last three games by at least 56 points. This version of the Noles is similar to Bobby Bowden’s teams in the 1990s that creamed every team in the ACC with with little challenge. The difference here is Florida is not what they were in the 90s, or the 00s, or the 80s. The Gators are 4-7 with a FCS loss. It’s rumored that Will Muschamp will keep his job no matter what but you have to think if they just lay down in this one he’ll be fired.
11:21 – Wake Forest at Vanderbilt (-14), SEC Network
Vandy has an incredible opportunity to go 8-4 for the second straight year. James Franklin has really taken that program to new heights – they haven’t won eight games in back-to-back years since the 1920s, and they’ve never won nine games in back-to-back years. The ‘Dores have beaten Wake Forest the last two years by a combined score of 96-28.
2:30 – Georgia at Georgia Tech (-3.5), ABC
UGA has had a disappointing season, and now they’re without Aaron Murray who tore his ACL last week. Hudson Mason has been backing Murray up for the last four years and will take the reigns in Atlanta. Both teams come in with a 7-4 record – the Yellow Jackson have won 4 of their last 5. Paul Johnson is looking to beat Georgia for the first time since his first year at GA Tech, 2008. The Bulldogs have won 11 of the last 12. Mark Richt has owned this series; GT had won three straight prior to his arrival.
2:30 – #1 Alabama (-10.5) at #4 Auburn, CBS
Here’s the big one. For only the second time in Iron Bowl history both teams are ranked in the top 5. There’s still some skepticism of whether Auburn is really that good or if they’ve caught a number of breaks to get to this point. There’s also still some skepticism of whether Bama is as good as past Tide teams, although that may not really matter because they are obviously really good. Auburn is 7-5 on the plains since the Iron Bowl moved to campus. The winner goes to the SEC Championship Game, it doesn’t get much better than that.
6:00 – Tennessee (-4) at Kentucky, ESPNU
I’m not even sure UT and UK fans are going to tune into this one. The Wildcats did break their insanely long losing streak against the Vols the last time this game was in Lexington, and they may be able to muster another one. We’ll see.
6:00 – #6 Clemson at #10 South Carolina (-5.5), ESPN2
Another great game. Clemson hasn’t won this game since Dabo Swinney was the interim coach in 2008. The series has really been elevated over the last few years. It was a top 25 game in 2011, then top 15 last year, now top 10. Could the Tigers capitalize on the Gamecocks’ mindset, which may be watching that Missouri score? If A&M beats Mizzou then USC goes to Atlanta – this game is just for Palmetto bragging rights. I doubt South Carolina would be doing that, but after losing four straight I’m sure Clemson wants this pretty bad…and a win would likely secure a BCS bowl game.
6:45 – #21 Texas A&M at #5 Missouri (-4.5), ESPN
This isn’t a top 10 game like USC/Clem but it’s the 2nd biggest of the day. Missouri wins and they capture the SEC East. A&M is on the heels of a bad loss to LSU, and they’ll have to regroup to salvage the season a bit. 8-4 would have to be a disappointment after the expectations of the season, although it’s not like their losses (Bama, Aub, LSU) are that bad. Johnny Football is always fun to watch and this should be an exciting game.