A bold prediction for every SEC game in Week 3
Week 1 was insane, Week 2 was pretty predictable, but we’re going bold every week, including SEC Week 3. We bring you a bold prediction for each game involving an SEC team in Week 3.
Kylin is stylin’ for 200 yards
Last year, Mississippi State went to K-State, played as an 8-point favorite and crushed the Wildcats by 21, with Kylin Hill rushing for 211 yards. Why would this year be different? Somehow, State is only an 8-point home favorite. I think they win by about 21, and Kylin Hill goes for 200 yards again. Whether Tommy Stevens plays or rests, Joe Moorhead will want to keep the focus on the ground game, which should be pretty simple.
Kentucky shocks the world — again
Sure, losing Terry Wilson took Kentucky from the glamorous upset pick to one that nobody quite wants to bite the bullet on. But if UK could win last year in The Swamp with a guy in his 2nd game as UK’s starting QB, why not win at home with a veteran guy in his 1st UK start? Sawyer Smith is a better pure passer than Terry Wilson. Kentucky is still underrated, and Florida hasn’t been on the road yet. It probably won’t be pretty, but the Wildcats find a way to nab this one.
Nick Starkel goes for 300
This Colorado State game is one Arkansas can’t lose, and the switch to Nick Starkel assures that they won’t. We’ve expected big things from the Arkansas ground game, but this time, it’s going to be a shoot-out. Put us down for a 42-35 kind of game, with Starkel throwing for 300 yards and Arkansas getting it done.
Alabama covers that 25.5 point spread — by halftime
Got to be honest. It’s hard to imagine Alabama struggling with a South Carolina team that lost to UNC in Week 1. Yes, Ryan Hilinski is a step in the right direction, but this is the game where USC learns that they still have a long way to go. Bama rolls by 40 or so and covers that total point spread by halftime. Look for Jerry Jeudy to go off in the 1st half, maybe 7 catches, 150 yards kind of day.
Georgia gets 2 defensive scores
If Georgia had a problem in last week’s thrashing of Murray State, it was some struggle in pass defense. Another week of practice will be taken out on Arkansas State. We foresee a J.R. Reed pick-6 and a scoop and score by somebody in the front 7. That aside, another 46-point win (last week’s margin) sounds about right.
Ty one on at UT
This is obviously UT’s get-right week. While building up the passing game’s confidence would help, look for a lot of Ty Chandler. Given the Murderer’s Row schedule coming up in Knoxville, Jeremy Pruitt will start thinking about eating clock and keeping possession, both things Chandler can help with. Look for 150 rushing yards and 3 scores for Chandler as UT rolls.
Passing fancy at Ole Miss
Fresh of a confidence-building SEC win, look for the Rebels to go for a big week from Matt Corral against Southeastern Louisiana. He’ll throw for over 200 yards in the 1st half, and an early hook is all that will keep him from 300 yards. Scottie Phillips had a good week in the run game last week, but look for him to add a 50+ yard score in the air this week. Corral will take easy throws and his receivers will make them into big gainers. Rebels roll easily on the strength of the passing game.
Auburn blanks Kent State
The Auburn offense has been sluggish, but playing a Kent State team that has been outgained by nearly 200 yards per game by Arizona State and Kennesaw State will get things right in a hurry. Meanwhile, it’s the defense that has kept Auburn afloat so far, and there’s no reason to think that a team averaging 268.5 yards per game against the teams listed above will change that. The Auburn defense pitches a shutout, and the offense will pile up some points.
Isaiah Spiller emerges as the next A&M star back
With the loss of Jashaun Corbin, A&M will simply hand the ball to their next great back, true freshman Isaiah Spiller. Spiller popped an 85 yard run in week one against Texas State, and he has the home-run ability that he’ll show against Lamar this week. Spiller might not be the equal of Corbin between the tackles, but his explosive style might be a better fit for a playmaker-starved Aggies offense. Spiller will run for 150, and here’s an early, early prediction: He’ll have a 1,000-yard season for A&M.
LSU will outscore Northwestern State on offense, defense or special teams
Look, this game is a mismatch. Northwestern State lost to Midwestern State (Division II) by 26 points. LSU could pick the score. The guess here is that not only with they crush Northwestern State, but they’ll be diverse enough about it that the defense or the special teams will outscore the Demons. Yes, defensive scores, or touchdowns generated by special teams (returns, blocked-kick returns, etc.) will outnumber scores by Northwestern State.
Two 100-yard backs for Mizzou
Yes, Kelly Bryant sells tickets, but the 1-2 ground punch of Larry Rountree and Tyler Badie will win football games. Last week against West Virginia, the two combined for 175 yards. This week, each will get 100 rushing yards as Mizzou rolls.