Week 7 in the SEC has arrived, bringing with it six more conference games. Georgia’s roll should continue at home against Missouri, and Vanderbilt may finally get that running game cranked up in what should be a close game in Oxford. But we’ve got bigger fish to fry. Let’s get on with this week’s official foursome of picks.
Last week’s record: 3-1
Season record to date: 18-6
Auburn (5-1, 3-0) at LSU (4-2, 1-1)
Auburn certainly looks like the better team, but here are three reasons why LSU could pull this one off: The game is in Baton Rouge, where Auburn hasn’t won since 1999; LSU might have salvaged its season—at least temporarily—with last week’s 17-16 win in The Swamp; and this will be the best pass rush Auburn has faced since the 11-sack debacle at Clemson.
Despite all that, though, Auburn is a touchdown favorite on the road for a reason—namely a defense that figures to give LSU’s still struggling offense all sorts of problems. Plus, even in beating Florida last week, LSU showed some vulnerability on defense against the run. This will be Jarrett Stidham’s first real prove-it game since Clemson, but he should be up to the challenge.
The Pick: Auburn 27 LSU 17
Arkansas (2-3, 0-2) at Alabama (6-0, 3-0)
A slew of defensive touchdowns turned what was a close game for Arkansas at South Carolina last week into a rout, but the bottom line is the Razorbacks just aren’t very good. Coming off a blah offensive showing in College Station, Alabama should resume juggernaut mode this week.
The Pick: Alabama 42 Arkansas 10
South Carolina (4-2, 2-2) at Tennessee (3-2, 0-2)
Are we to the point where every single week is now a referendum on Butch Jones’ job in Knoxville? Either way, Tennessee sure could use their first conference win. Coming off the bye week against a South Carolina offense that’s still rather pedestrian without Deebo Samuel, we’ll say they circle the wagons and get it.
The Pick: Tennessee 27 South Carolina 24
Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1) at Florida (4-2, 3-1)
If the normally reliable Eddy Pineiro doesn’t miss an extra point last week, the Gators very possibly finish off a comeback win over LSU. But he did, they didn’t, and now Florida faces a game it must win if it hopes to keep any semblance of pressure on Georgia in the East race.
Texas A&M looks like the better team, and true freshman quarterback Kellen Mond has some special in him. But beware the post-Alabama hangover, and beware young quarterbacks in hostile road environments. Pineiro redeems himself this week with a game-winner.
The Pick: Florida 23 Texas A&M 21
