Picking the SEC: Week 4

Last week was a rough weekend for the picks. And by rough, I mean I've never missed so many games in my life. Between horribly picks, injuries and backdoor covers I was 3-11 against the spread a week ago which brings me to 7-15 on the year. But it's a long season, and it's time to start the rally.

Clowney and the Gamecock defense will try to blow up Missouri's spread attack this week.

The Headliners

Missouri at South Carolina (-10.5)

At some point, I'll probably stop picking Missouri, but this isn't that point. I'm not a huge fan of South Carolina like some are, and I think the Tigers can go into the other Columbia and make a run at it.

LSU at Auburn (+20.5)

This is the line of the week to me. I'd be tempted to place a bet on Auburn to win straight up because this game has potential upset written all over it. Either way, I think Auburn's defense holds LSU better than most expect, and I wouldn't be surprised if the final score is within single digits.

Vanderbilt at Georgia (-15.5)

James Franklin's team can do mysterious things when they're in Nashville, but between the hedges is a different story. Georgia, and by a lot.

Rutgers at Arkansas (-9)

Derek Dooley and the Vols had a rough game a week ago, but his orange pants still looked tremendous.

We're going to find out just how important Tyler Wilson is to the Razorbacks this week. My gut says he's pretty important. Look for Arkansas to easily cover at home.

Kentucky at Florida (-24)

After two tough games on the road where they kept the offensive game plan tight, the Gators are going to open it up on Kentucky and blow away the outgunned Wildcats.

The Rest

Ole Miss at Tulane (+25.5)

This is a battle of two pretty bad teams, but Ole Miss is a pretty bad BCS team where Tulane is just a pretty bad team in general. I'm taking the Rebels to win and win big, but a line this big with Ole Miss involved is all sorts of bad news.

Florida Atlantic at Alabama (-49)

I'm not a huge fan of 40 point lines, and this one is almost 50. I'm taking FAU to pull this one back within 'half a hundred' late.

Is FSU really back? Will we ever really know since they play in the ACC?

South Alabama at Mississippi State (-34)

Cupcake city.

Akron at Tennessee (-33.5)

Rocky Top bounces back with an obliteration of Akron, or at least Derek Dooley better hope they do.

Non SEC Games

The Game(s) of the Week

Clemson at Florida State (-14)

This one is a tough, and if I were actually betting, I would stay far away from this line. Clemson's offense makes them a tough bet. It takes a bit for that kind of offense to get up to speed against a defense that's much faster than anyone they've seen. That's why I'm taking Florida State to win by more than two scores, but barely.

Kansas State at Oklahoma (-14.5)

You remember that time Bob Stoops lost at Oklahoma at home to a ranked team? No, you don't, because it's never happened. Oklahoma isn't a perfect team this year, but they're going to blow away the Wildcats.

Random Road Upset Special

Louisiana Tech at Illinois (-3)

This isn't a huge line so I'm not exactly stepping out on a limb here, but I think the Bulldogs take this one from a Big Ten team on the road.

Late Night Wildcard of the Week

Arizona at Oregon (-26.5)

I'm at least giving myself props for predicting that BYU-Utah would be a crazy game. Any time the fans rush the field three times it certainly counts as crazy. This week the late night special is Arizona at Oregon, which kicks at 9:30 central. I'm going with Oregon here, but the real winner in this game is the over/under, which is a measly 79.