SDS Mailbag: Picking fights with coaches, top-10 SEC teams on upset alert and UConn-Vandy pick

This week’s SEC schedule is absolutely loaded. We’ve made it through most of the nonconference slate, so we’ve finally got some high-caliber conference matchups on the slate.

Obviously, Ole Miss-Alabama and Arkansas-Georgia are the top-tier games. Florida-Kentucky and Auburn-LSU are in Tier 2.

But, don’t sleep on matchups like Tennessee-Mizzou and Mississippi State-Texas A&M. Those could be the surprises of the day.

And then there’s UConn-Vandy. That’s in like Tier 43. It might be the worst game of the year. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be entertaining!

Before we get to Saturday’s matchups, let’s take a look at your questions for this week’s Mailbag:

Shane:

Mike Wilbon picked a fight with Lane Kiffin and now has a standing invitation to go to an Ole Miss game. Which coach does that make you want to pick a fight with?

Well, going to an Ole Miss game and meeting Lane Kiffin sounds good to me. Hey Lane, you’re stupid and I think I’m a better football coach than you!

(Hopefully he reads that.)

In all honesty, though, I’m probably most likely to fire off a hot take about someone like Bryan Harsin. I don’t understand why he was the guy to get the job at Auburn this offseason.

But, I do think he’s a great speaker. He treats the media with respect. If he doesn’t understand a question, he asks for clarification instead of getting mad. And I think he has the support of the Auburn locker room.

I’m sure if I spent some time with him, I’d become a big fan of his. Just like I’m sure if Wilbon actually met Lane Kiffin, he’d become a fan of Kiffin and the Rebels.

Joe:

Which SEC top-10 team is most in danger of suffering an upset loss this week?

Here are the games that fit that criteria:

• No. 1 Alabama (vs. No. 12 Ole Miss)
• No. 2 Georgia (vs. No. 8 Arkansas)
• No. 10 Florida (at Kentucky)

That means there are 3 games where a top-10 SEC team could lose. That should make for an exciting weekend!

I know I’ll get hammered in the comments for this one, but I’m gonna put Florida on the biggest upset alert. I think Ole Miss will keep it within 2 touchdowns of Alabama, but the game being in Tuscaloosa gives the Tide the win.

As for Arkansas, I think the Hogs keep the game close, but my goodness, that Georgia defense is fierce. With KJ Jefferson and Treylon Burks potentially not at 100%, that could spell a long day for the Arkansas offense. I predict Georgia wins 24-10.

So, that leaves Kentucky over Florida. While I don’t necessarily think the Gators will lose, I will say that I think they are in the most danger. If Chris Rodriguez Jr. can hold onto the ball and if Wan’Dale Robinson puts up a couple of big plays, the Wildcats could pull off the upset.

Jamie:

There are currently 7 winless FBS programs. Which one would you most want to take over if you were a coach?

Let’s start by naming those 7 programs. The FBS teams without a win this year so far are UConn, Navy, Florida State, UMass, Ohio, UNLV and Arizona.

Next, we have to dive into what criteria I’m using to make my career choice. I have 3 different criteria here, and all of them lead to different answers.

If I’m picking solely on where I most want to live, give me UNLV. I’ve been to Las Vegas a few times and have always had a good time. I might lose all my salary gambling on the NFL, but hey, at least it’s warm year-round.

If I’m picking my job based on where I think I’d be able to hold onto my job the longest, I’m taking UMass. I’m not sure that school even realizes it fields an FBS football team. I figure I could last a decade there before anyone even realized I’d been hired in the first place.

And, finally, if I’m basing my choice on where I think I could win the most games, I’m going with Navy. Yes, it’s a down year for Navy. No, they don’t get the best recruits for obvious reasons. But, they’re a consistently tough squad with proud players who play hard. I’d be honored to coach there.

I want no part of FSU. Yes, I could make the most money there, but I’d be fired about 2.5 games into the season. Although, I’d probably have a $10 million buyout, so maybe that is attractive…

@Dobbe8:

Prediction for the UConn-Vanderbilt game?

I predict it will be bad. Does that count?

I’m actually kind of excited to watch this game. Yes, I know Florida-Kentucky and Auburn-LSU overlap with this disaster of a game, but that’s why God created multiple screens, right?

UConn is such a dumpster fire I’d be surprised if Vanderbilt didn’t win. And, if the Commodores do win, they’ll be sitting there at 2-3. Not bad! Of course, things would be a lot better if they just managed to beat ETSU in Week 1, but oh well.

The sad part is I know I’m going to be writing a story on Saturday about how embarrassingly sad the crowd is for this game. I’ve seen tickets as low as $1 for it, though. That’s a bargain!

I’d absolutely pay up to 3 U.S. dollars to watch this game live. Alas, I don’t live in Nashville.

(Oh, I didn’t make a prediction, did I? Give me Vanderbilt, 19-11. Yes, I know that’s an odd score, but I expect nothing less from this game.)

Have a question for next week’s Mailbag? Tweet at us using #SDSMailbag or email me at ASpencer@SaturdayDownSouth.com.

Adam Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 14 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.