Published September 15, 2011 - 7:17am
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Let’s face it, any underdog in the SEC can beat the favorite on any given day. We know this.
Here are three possible upsets for week three – from the most to the least likely:
1. No. 21 Auburn vs. Clemson
I have seen Clemson favored by anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 points heading into this game, even though Auburn is ranked in the top 25 and Clemson is not. I get the feeling Auburn loves the underdog role right now, and they will be an underdog for the majority of their games this season. Clemson has a lot of young, talented playmakers like Mike Bellamy and Sammy Watkins, and their offense should score points against this Auburn defense. We do know, however, this Auburn team will score points. They have hit into the 40s two weeks in a row, and they are getting ready to take on an ACC defense. I’ll take Gus Malzahn any day of the week in a shootout, and I think this one has the potential to be a shootout.
2. Tennessee vs. No. 16 Florida
While the Gators are the favorite heading into this showdown in Gainesville, Florida shouldn’t feel too confident just yet. The offense had its red zone struggles a week ago against UAB and arguably looks one dimensional with the running game at times. This Tennessee offense will test this virtually untested Gator defense. Right now, Florida is an 8.5-point favorite, and this will be a real test for Will Muschamp and the Gators. An upset here is a great possibility for Tennessee, and Florida’s six straight victories over the Vols are in jeopardy – as with every season. Florida fans better be loud on Saturday…I’ll be there.
3. No. 3 LSU vs. No. 25 Mississippi State
This game would have been much more sexy had State taken care of business down on the Plains; however, that did not happen, but this is still a real upset possibility for the Bulldogs. LSU is heading into Starkville on a Thursday night and bringing its very good defense, and State will be featuring their sick running game. LSU will be the favorites, but I have a feeling this one will be closer than what the experts claim. State does have a real shot to win this game, but I’m not sure how good of a shot. Nonetheless, LSU is still on upset watch this week in StarkVegas.
Do you think any of these will happen? Let me hear you.
Auburn has relished the underdog role for DECADES. That being said, I don’t really see an Auburn win Saturday night as an upset, per se. Vegas is just giving the fake Tigers the three points for home field advantage.
Hopefully, Auburn will get the running game going and mount some long drives to complement the quick-strike scores they will undoubtedly get and suck the life right out of the Clemson fans’ enthusiasm. Auburn’s special teams will continue to shine, and the defense should continue to slowly improve.
Auburn 38, Clemson 24
I can’t call the UT-UF game, there are simply too many unknowns for me at this point. New coaching staff for the Gators, and neither team has been tested this year. It’s a tossup to me.
The more I think about the LSU-MSU game, the more I think it’s going to be tough for State to win. Here are three factors that are influencing my opinion:
1) The ‘Dog defense gave up a ton of rushing yards against Auburn, and LSU’s running attack looks to be strong this year.
2) While State had plenty of success running on Auburn’s defense, they had a couple of key injuries that could slow them down. Also, the Bayou Bengals’ defense in undoubtedly better than Auburn’s at this point.
3) Special teams play – MSU allowed 179 return yards for Auburn, and was stopped inside their own 20 on kickoff returns several times. LSU usually has very good special teams play, and I see no difference so far this year.
IF State can improve in these areas, and IF Chris Relf can take the game on his back, Cam Newton style, the Bulldogs could pull off the upset. I did see resilience and poise in both their coaching staff and team when they fell behind 14-0 to Auburn last Saturday. That would be a testament to Dan Mullen’s coaching ability. I just don’t see it happening.
LSU 34, MSU 21
Ugh. Eating my crow. Defense MUST be able to tackle, young or not. War Eagle anyway.
If Mississippi State takes out LSU, the SEC West is going to get intense because every team except Ole Miss will have a shot at winning it.
State doesn’t win this game, however, I agree with William… Man if they win this game, you are going to see competition in the SEC West like there has never been before in a conference. It’ll definitely be intense, and we might even see some old school coaching styles come back (i.e. they won’t be as PC and vanilla as they have been lately).
TN.vs UF… now we’re talking. Finally, this game is back to where it has been in the past. This should be a good one, bc no one has ANY FREAKING CLUE on who might win this. In the past, it was like this bc both teams brought amazing talent to the field that was coached, in sync, and raring to go. This game will be a toss-up for different reason. To many questions: can UF’s secondary stand-up with Bray and his talented receivers, can TN’s O-line withstand the onslaught that is the Sharriff and company, can Sharriff and company put extremem pressure on a QB against an SEC O-line… and of course, who’s rushing game is going to come out on top.
As far as Clemson and Auburn, well Coach Gene will just wave his wand and pull out the rabbit just as usual.
Bruce Wayne, thank you for showing me there are level headed and decent Gator fans out there. You know I’m pulling for my Vols just like you are for your Gators, but it is very nice to read an analysis that sticks to facts and eschews the poor mouthing. Thank you and best of luck for the rest of your season except Saturday! ;-)
Well, you have to give Mullen one more year. I think next year he beats an SEC West team that’s not named Ole Miss.
Maybe Texas A&M?