Time for our weekly picks and bets from around the SEC. As always, SDS news desk editor Michael Bratton (@MichaelWBratton) and SDS senior national columnist Connor O’Gara (@cjogara) go head-to-head, picking every SEC game against the spread while sharing their thoughts heading into each matchup.

Here are our Week 9 SEC selections:

Arkansas at Ole Miss (-3.5)

Michael: At this point, I’ve given up completely on Arkansas. Last week should have been a game the Razorbacks threw all they had into in an attempt to save the season. Instead, the team quit in the second half, the best player on the team (Frank Ragnow) was lost for the season and promising freshman QB Cole Kelley appeared to regress significantly in his second career start. I’d feel much better about this game if Shea Patterson was playing but Jordan Ta’amu showed last week he’s capable of producing some offense for Ole Miss.

Ole Miss 27 Arkansas 13

Connor: After the Shea Patterson injury, I think Ole Miss is in for an awfully rough finish to 2017. Shocking, right? The Rebels’ inability to stop the run didn’t hurt them as much when they could have Patterson give them a two-score lead. But when they find themselves trailing, I see them not being able to get off the field or stop the clock. It wouldn’t surprise me to see David Williams have a career day for the Hogs to give them their first SEC victory of 2017.

Arkansas 35, Ole Miss 28

Georgia (-14) vs. Florida

Michael: Considering how much smack Florida has been talking this week, I feel that much more confident picking Georgia to destroy the Gators in Jacksonville. How this point spread is only two touchdowns is beyond me. I believe Georgia is playing better than any SEC team at the moment and Florida can’t seem to get anything positive going on or off the field. The Gators have yet to score more than 17 points in the month of October and will be going up against that only has a weakness down the field, something Florida can’t expose. This game could get ugly in a hurry.

Georgia 38 Florida 7

Connor: I’ve been saying for weeks that I don’t care about history in this game. I don’t think history will give the Gators an offense in Jacksonville. I don’t think history will slow down the Dawgs’ run game. I don’t think history will give Florida a chance to pull off what would be a stunning upset. Anyone who wants to ignore the actual matchup is welcome to do so, but I think they’ll be overlooking everything they’ve learned in 2017. That is, Georgia is a very good football team, and Florida is not.

Georgia 38, Florida 13

Vanderbilt at South Carolina (-7)

Michael: Both teams are coming off a bye but went into them in very different circumstances. Vanderbilt lost four in a row, while South Carolina won three of four prior to the off weekend. This is a dangerous game for the Gamecocks, especially considering Will Muschamp has publicly expressed concerns that his team could be overlooking the Commodores heading into this game. South Carolina is still a very young team that lacks depth, while the majority of Vanderbilt’s players are experienced veterans familiar with finishing a season strong. Don’t be surprised if the Gamecocks start slow and have to rally in this one. Stat of note in this game, these two teams have been the SEC’s worst two in offensive rushing yards this season.

South Carolina 23 Vanderbilt 20

Connor: Man, that’s a really interesting line for the Gamecocks. Part of me thinks that they’re a lock to cover against a Vanderbilt defense that’s been completely exposed in SEC play. But the other part of me knows that whenever I feel like South Carolina is primed for a blowout (with the exception of the Arkansas game), it doesn’t happen. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Jake Bentley struggle a bit with some pressure. I’m not sure I completely buy the Gamecocks’ offense ability to win in convincing fashion. For some stupid reason, I’ll take the Commodores to cover by a hair.

South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 20

Missouri (-12) at UConn

Michael: I mentioned last week how Mizzou likes to pile on the offense against weaker opponents and was proven correct 68 points later. UConn currently ranks dead last in the nation in pass defense, allowing 373 yards a game thru the air. Mizzou should have no problem exceeding its average of 314 passing yards a game. UConn has also allowed four opponents to score at least 38 points this season, including 70 at home against Memphis. Take those 12 points while you can get them.

Missouri 59 UConn 30

Connor: Conventional wisdom says Missouri is a lock to cover against a non-Power 5 team, right? After all, they won by a combined score of 140-64 in their two non-Power 5 matchups so far. There’s something else I like about the Tigers. They actually responded pretty well in October. And against real SEC teams, they weren’t a complete embarrassment like they were against Purdue. I think they figured some things out offensively that’s going to pay off big time against a UConn defense that ranks 121st in pass efficiency defense. I know it’s on the road, but I think Missouri is still able to throw the ball all over the field and keep the Huskies at a distance.

Missouri 45, UConn 28

Mississippi State (-1) at Texas A&M

Michael: This game could go far in determining how each team finishes out the season. Mississippi State destroyed a 5-1 Kentucky team last weekend in Starkville, while A&M was on a bye following a huge road win at Florida. This line opened in favor of the Aggies and has since flipped all the way in favor of MSU. Expect a tight game here between two teams that are currently run one-dimensional offenses led by run-first quarterbacks. If Mississippi State gets behind on down and distances, they have real issues moving the ball, something that could be a real issue against the SEC’s best pass rushing defense. I liked the line better with A&M favored, I’m taking the Aggies to win outright at home.

Texas A&M 24 Mississippi State 23

Connor: So if you’ve been paying attention, I’ve been an MSU apologist all year. While I think the Bulldogs have their deficiencies (they can’t play from behind, they have too much reliance on Nick Fitzgerald, etc.) I also believe that they’re one of the top two-loss teams in the country. I like the fact that they came out guns blazing off the bye week and won consecutive games by a combined score of 80-17. I know the Aggies have been tough at home, but I like this as a game in which MSU can establish balance and play with a lead. MSU wins its first SEC road game and the Aggies are eliminated from the division race.

Mississippi State 24, Texas A&M 21

Tennessee at Kentucky (-3.5)

Michael: It’s hard to tell which team is more dysfunctional at the moment, Tennessee’s issues are well publicized but those not paying attention outside of Lexington may be missing out on all the behind the scenes issues with the Wildcats. Kentucky may have a reputation as a solid running team but they are in fact a below average rushing offense this season — UK is averaging only 151 rushing yards and allowing over 183 in conference games this season. John Kelly will be out for this one, he was suspended following his Tuesday drug citation, which could be the difference in this game but I like Tennessee to finally get some offensive momentum and steal one away from Kentucky in this game.

Tennessee 23 Kentucky 20

Connor: A month ago, I pointed at this as Butch Jones’ final game at Tennessee. I didn’t think they’d make a move after Alabama because, let’s be honest, what else was going to happen? But with homecoming around the corner, I don’t think Jones survives another loss, especially not one to Kentucky. The Wildcats should be an angry team after they were stomped in Starkville last week. I expect that defense to play much better, which isn’t exactly good news for a Tennessee offense that’s beyond desperate for a touchdown. Even though there’s a tiny part of me that says this ends up being another one of those miracle finishes for Tennessee, I’ll stick with my original prediction.

Kentucky 20, Tennessee 14