Prognostications and Prophecies: Picking SEC Games Against The Spread, Week 2
Nov 1, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; The “SEC” logo on the chains and west stands at Kyle field during the fourth quarter of a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks. Texas A&M Aggies won 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
If you’re looking for an exciting weekend of college football, this is not the weekend for you. I pulled the games up to see what I would be picking, and I found a pile of just awful games. Honestly, the only really good games are Mississippi State’s game against LSU and Oklahoma traveling to Tennessee.
I picked games against the spread in 2013, and I decided to pick it back up this season. I’m not an expert, but honestly, who is when it comes to picking games against the spread. Vegas didn’t get to be wealthy by simply giving money away. They know how to entice gamblers just enough to make them plunk down money they know they shouldn’t. So if you’re using these picks as a basis of any actual cash wager, just don’t.
Georgia (-21) at Vanderbilt
Georgia has running back Nick Chubb. Vanderbilt is Vanderbilt. The Commodores lost to Western Kentucky and were NOT the favorite. 21 points is a lot, but you have to lay the points and pick Georgia here.
Prediction: Georgia 42 – Vanderbilt 7
Fresno State at Ole Miss (-29)
Ole Miss looked great against UT Martin, but that isn’t worth much of anything. Ole Miss will win this game, and they will win it easily. But am I confident enough to say they will win by 29 points? 29 points is a lot for any team to have to cover. So i am going to say no, but not be surprised if they are able to do it.
Prediction: Ole Miss 35 – Fresno State 10
Middle Tennessee at Alabama (-35)
Do you see what I said about Ole Miss right above this? Take the same advice here. 35 points is a lot to cover. If anyone can do it, Alabama could, but I have a hard time giving that many points to anyone.
Prediction: Alabama 45 – Middle Tennessee 14
Toledo at Arkansas (-21.5)
This is much more comfortable to me. Brandon Allen was really sharp in the Razorbacks’ first game. If he plays like that, and I think he will, the Razorbacks could roll up another monstrous win. Pretty certain that happens easily.
Prediction: Arkansas 48 – Toledo 10
Oklahoma (-1) at Tennessee
I am very cautious of all the hype surrounding Tennessee. I’m also very cautious of anything Oklahoma has done since they won the national championship so many years ago. Because they are a more proven commodity, I’m going to go with Oklahoma. I don’t feel confident about this pick at all though.
Prediction: Oklahoma 38 – Tennessee 35
Missouri (-10.5) at Arkansas State
Hey, Mississippi State isn’t the only school that is willing to go on the road to play a Sun Belt team! This should be an interesting game for Missouri. Arkansas State had a string of years where the head coach kept getting plucked by bigger schools because they were so successful. The Red Wolves aren’t bad at all. Good enough to win against Missouri? No, but good enough to keep it close.
Prediction: Missouri 28 – Arkansas State 24
Ball State at Texas A&M (-30)
Stupid 30 point spread. I was all set to go with Texas A&M and then I saw that. I just can’t give that many points.
Prediction: Texas A&M 52 – Ball State 28
East Carolina at Florida Gators (-20.5)
The Gators showed signs that they will actually be able to score in 2015 as opposed to most of their seasons. So with that in mind, I think you have to lay the points here.
Prediction: Florida 34 – East Carolina 10
Kentucky at South Carolina Gamecocks (-7.5)
Neither team looked really good last week. So picking one of these schools to win isn’t easy. But I think Kentucky could be headed in the right direction and South Carolina in the wrong direction. So with that in mind, I’m taking Kentucky!
Prediction; Kentucky 21 – South Carolina 17
LSU (-5) at Mississippi State
Did the oddsmakers not listen to Stingray? Do people not hear the words of wisdom flowing from his mouth? You don’t come into the new Davis Wade Stadium and just walk out with a win. You leave the field curled up in the fetal position with cowbells forever ringing in your ears.
Prediction: Mississippi State 31 – LSU 28