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On paper, this week’s SEC slate is not as sexy as last week’s was, but there are some competitive matchups on Saturday. In the biggest contest of the week, Texas A&M visits Ole Miss in what is essentially an SEC West elimination game. Meanwhile, Auburn-Arkansas and Missouri-Vanderbilt could come down to the wire.
There are six games involving SEC teams this week, so let’s take a look at projected final scores for Saturday’s conference matchups, according to four different media outlets — tennessean.com, Bleacher Report, saturdayblitz.com and Fox Sports.
SEC PICKS BY TENNESSEAN COLUMNIST DAVE AMMENHEUSER
Arkansas 28, Auburn 24
Alabama 40, Tennessee 28
Vanderbilt 17, Missouri 13
LSU 49, Western Kentucky 28
Ole Miss 34, Texas A&M 27
Mississippi State 33, Kentucky 24
Note: Here is the most telling observation. Ammenheuser likes Vanderbilt not only to cover but to beat Missouri outright. The Tigers are favored by about a field goal. Plus, chalk players beware. The only two favorites he sees winning and covering are LSU, which is giving 17 points to Western Kentucky, and Ole Miss, which is favored by 5.5 over Texas A&M.
SEC PICKS BY BLEACHER REPORT
Arkansas 28, Auburn 24
Alabama 37, Tennessee 20
Vanderbilt 20, Missouri 13
Texas A&M 31, Ole Miss 27
LSU 41, Western Kentucky 27
Mississippi State 31, Kentucky 23
Note: A couple of results jump out here. Like Ammenheuser does, Bleacher Report predicts that Vandy will win outright as a home dog. It also has Texas A&M beating Ole Miss in Oxford. In addition, it sees Alabama being the only favorite to win and cover. The Crimson Tide is favored by 15 over Tennessee.
SEC PICKS BY SATURDAYBLITZ.COM’S NICHOLAS IAN ALLEN
Auburn 28, Arkansas 27
Alabama 37, Tennessee 21
Missouri 20, Vanderbilt 14
LSU 42, Western Kentucky 24
Texas A&M 35, Ole Miss 34
Mississippi State 30, Kentucky 24
Note: Hmm. We like a couple of ballsy picks. Allen likes two road dogs to win outright — Auburn and Texas A&M. Both teams are getting nearly a touchdown.
SEC PICKS BY FOX SPORTS
LSU 37, Western Kentucky 29
Alabama 28, Tennessee 23
Missouri 27, Vanderbilt 22
Auburn 29, Arkansas 26
Mississippi State 27.7, Kentucky 27.6
Notes: Each game in Fox Sports’ predictions is simulated 101 times, so these scores may actually turn out to be quite accurate. No Texas A&M-Ole Miss score is available, but of the remaining games, each one is expected to be a one-score affair.
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
