Week 9 was a reasonably solid one in the bold predictions department. Which probably means this group goes 0-for-the-week, if our usual consistency is any indicator. But hey, love it, hate it or just confused by it, you’re checking in … which means we’re going to keep doing what we do — making some unusual, unlikely or just plain random predictions for every SEC game of Week 10. Let’s dial it up.

Mevis outkicks UK

Kentucky and Missouri is a game made for 11 a.m. You know it’s a truly even matchup when the teams have scored exactly the same number of points. If you like defense, you will probably enjoy this game. And while Kentucky is a mild favorite, in a defense-heavy game it could well come down to a field-goal-kicking contest, which bodes well for Missouri. We’ll take Mizzou 15-12 in a game featuring only field goals. Think otherwise? Have you watched either of these offenses?

Gators upset the Aggies

Nobody who has watched either of these teams play can have a ton of faith in either. The difference? Florida is 3-1 this season in 1-possession games, while A&M is 2-4 (including its past 3 games). Which seems odder, A&M nearly beating Bama or Florida playing within a score of Tennessee? At the end of the day, this feels like a close game, and as noted above, that inherently favors the Gators. AR-15 leads a 2-minute drive to win this one, 28-24, and every Aggies fan you know can tell you exactly how much Jimbo Fisher’s buyout is.

Georgia rolls early, holds on late

Tennessee has had plenty of experiences this season, but a quick gut punch is one it hasn’t managed. Georgia has spent all week hearing about how dangerous the Vols are, and how explosive they are. But they aren’t the only team in this game. Your bold prediction is that Georgia shows its own early offensive explosion, courtesy of a chip-on-the-shoulder performance from Stetson Bennett IV. UGA leads UT 24-7 at the half and looks like it’ll roll. The Vols come back late, because it’s what they do. UGA wins 31-21, and next week, Georgia is the talk of the nation.

Arkansas trails at halftime, rallies late over Liberty

Arkansas could be guilty of overlooking Liberty, which would be a mistake. The Flames are 7-1, with the only loss a 1-pointer at Wake Forrest. Given how hit-and-miss the Arkansas defense has been, we’ll take the Flames by 10 at halftime, with an angry and inspired Arkansas offense turning the game around in the 3rd quarter. KJ Jefferson throws 3 TDs, and the Hogs win by 10.

Bama blows out LSU

We’ve talked before about how every time we’ve got an idea of what LSU is doing, it does the opposite. That should be good news for the Tigers this week, because facing an angry Alabama team coming off a bye doesn’t seem ideal to us. Back-to-back 40-point games coming in have Tiger nation fired up, but considering the way that Alabama dropped a bomb on Mississippi State’s offense in its last game, it could well do the same thing to the Tigers. We’ll take Bama by 28, in a game that underlines that while Brian Kelly’s getting the job done, he isn’t getting it done THAT fast.

Speaking of Mississippi State …

What happens to an Auburn program without a coach? It can go many, many ways, but considering how hard the Tigers have underachieved all season, it seems a pretty good guess to expect that trend to continue. It’s tempting to note that Auburn has defended the pass pretty well, and indeed, compared to being last in the SEC in run defense, it has. But this just feels like a game where 1 team will turn around some recent disappointments, and Auburn isn’t that team. State by 21, as Will Rogers passes for 400 yards.

MarShawn Lloyd downs the Dores

Somehow, Vandy is only a touchdown underdog against South Carolina. Admittedly, the Gamecocks aren’t going to be mistaken for a CFP squad anytime soon. But they do have MarShawn Lloyd, at least assuming he works out his thigh bruise issues and plays. When Carolina gets him the ball 15 times, it is 3-0. When it doesn’t, it’s 2-3. Lloyd has rushed for 80 or more yards in 4 of the Gamecocks’ past 5 games, and we’ll take him to rush for 125 and 2 scores against an outmanned Commodores team. Carolina 31, Vandy 10.