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Ranking the SEC’s Week 8 games from toughest (Tennessee) to easiest (Alabama)
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Week 8 is not attractive to most SEC fans because of the lack of great conference games. Ole Miss and LSU will be the tightest of all SEC games, with the Tigers prevailing in Oxford.
Alabama is going to obliterate Tennessee at home, while Auburn will smash Arkansas on the road. Mississippi State gets back on track with a win against Kentucky, hurting the Wildcats’ chances of advancing to the SEC Championship.
Five SEC schools have a bye — Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. For the nine SEC teams in action this week, here are projections for margins of victory, ranked from losses/narrow wins to the biggest blowout.
9. Tennessee
Opponent: at Alabama
Bovada line: +36
Prediction: Tennessee loses by 38
Why: Tennessee hasn’t beaten Alabama since Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa. In four games under Butch Jones, the Volunteers have lost by 93 points combined. Even with Josh Dobbs, Tennessee got creamed last season at home.
Jones is as good as out the door. The demoralizing loss on the road will be the icing on the cake needed to send him away. Once again, the “Third Saturday in October” is a blowout.
8. Arkansas
Opponent: vs. Auburn
Bovada line: +16
Prediction: Arkansas loses by 24
Why: For a second consecutive week, Arkansas will be blown out by an SEC school in the state of Alabama. Last year, the Razorbacks were embarrassed on the road against the Tigers. In 2017, Arkansas will flounder at home.
The Razorbacks will be without senior quarterback Austin Allen, who gave them their only chance to win this game. Bret Bielema will move to 1-4 versus the Auburn Tigers since taking over at Arkansas in 2013. Cue the angry Arkansas fans who want him gone, because the reasons keep piling up.
7. Kentucky
Opponent: at Mississippi State
Bovada line: +10 1/2
Prediction: Kentucky loses by 14
Why: With the exception of the Florida game, Kentucky has found a way to win this season without a quality offense. Versus winning FBS teams this season, the Wildcats are averaging only 24 points per game. That output won’t be enough to win in Starkville.
Before last season’s victory, the Wildcats had lost seven straight to the Bulldogs. After Saturday, they will have lost eight of nine. This loss decreases their chances to win the SEC East.
6. Ole Miss
Opponent: vs. LSU
Bovada line: +7
Prediction: Ole Miss loses by 10
Why: The Ole Miss offense looked good against Vanderbilt last week in a 57-35 victory. Now, the Rebels head home for a date with the Tigers. In this series, the home team has won the past five years.
The streak will not continue. Ole Miss is giving up almost 300 yards on the ground to conference opponents. LSU is going to run all over the Rebels, even without Derrius Guice being at full strength.
5. LSU
Opponent: at Ole Miss
Bovada line: -7
Prediction: LSU wins by 10
Why: LSU picked up a monster win at home versus Auburn in Week 7 and will have confidence heading up to Oxford. The young defense is starting to find its rhythm, which could be scary for other SEC West teams. Dave Aranda’s squad already has 23 sacks, tied for fourth in the country.
Ole Miss has allowed 16 sacks in just six games. Shea Patterson will keep Ole Miss close, but the Tigers’ defense is the difference. Coach Ed Orgeron gets a win against his former team.
4. Mississippi State
Opponent: vs. Kentucky
Bovada line: -10 1/2
Prediction: Mississippi State wins by 14
Why: After two consecutive blowout conference losses, Nick Fitzgerald and the Mississippi State offense gained some confidence dominating BYU in Week 7. Dan Mullen is 3-1 against Mark Stoops while Stoops has been at Kentucky. Mullen will move to 4-1 after Week 8. Start ringing those Cowbells again, Mississippi State fans.
3. Missouri
Opponent: vs. Idaho
Bovada line: -14 1/2
Prediction: Missouri wins by 17
Why: Idaho (2-4) has given up more points than it has scored and is facing a Power 5 school for the first time this season. Missouri has a potent offense at times, as evidenced by it putting up numbers on Georgia. The Tigers win, giving fans a small sense of pride.
2. Auburn
Opponent: at Arkansas
Bovada line: -16
Prediction: Auburn wins by 24
Why: While the Tigers won’t crush the Razorbacks like in 2016 (56-3), they are going to win this game easily. Auburn has 19 sacks on the season and that number will skyrocket going against an abysmal Arkansas offensive line. Cole Kelly gets bashed for a second consecutive week.
1. Alabama
Opponent: vs. Tennessee
Bovada line: -36
Prediction: Alabama wins by 38
Why: Go ahead and light up those cigars, Crimson Tide fans. Jalen Hurts could throw three picks and Alabama would still win by four touchdowns. If Jarrett Guarantano thought he faced pressure in his first start, he has no idea what awaits him in Bryant-Denny Stadium. This win gives Alabama its 11th straight over the Volunteers.
Tye is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He works on-air for ESPN Arkansas in Fort Smith. You can follow him on twitter @TyeSportsRadio.
