SEC+3: 2022 Week One Picks

 For 2022 Week One College Football picks, go to:

https://secplus3.blogspot.com/2022/09/sec3-2022-week-one-picks.html

SEC+3: Rivalry Week Picks

 

As I write this post, I can't help but how bittersweet my feelings are going into "rivalry week." One one hand, I'm excited, as this weekend showcases great rivalries across the country. On the other hand, it also represents the last "full slate" weekend of college games until bowl season kicks off.

Last week, I went 10-3 with my picks. This brings me to 90-34 on the season!

I was on a trip for most of the week, so I missed out on the Egg Bowl (Ole Miss defeated Mississippi State) and Arkansas/Missouri. Sorry about that!

Let's see if I can add some more wins with this week's picks:

#1 Georgia (-35) @ Georgia Tech

I don't see the Bulldogs having much trouble in this one. The Georgia defense will be up to the task.

The Pick: Georgia 42 Georgia Tech 10

Florida State @ Florida (-3)

This game will be an exciting one to watch Saturday, as both of these teams are seeking win number six to qualify the victor for a bowl game. I'm going to go with the team that has more stability with coaching at the moment, which is the Seminoles. If Florida State drops this rivalry game, I think we might see a coaching change in Tallahassee. Perhaps, Deion Sanders might be called upon as the next Florida State coach?

The Pick: Florida State 21 Florida 20

#3 Alabama (-20.5) @ Auburn

Saturday writes another chapter in the storied "Iron Bowl." There aren't too many rivalries that stack up against this game, and this year should be another exciting edition.

The Pick: Alabama 34 Auburn 23

Vanderbilt @ Tennessee (-31.5)

Tennessee wins big in a rivalry that's oddly had a 5-5 record for each team over the last 10 seasons.

The Pick: Tennessee 45 Vanderbilt 13

#15 Texas A&M (-6.5) @ LSU

A sad farewell for Ed Oregeron, as the Aggies defense will be just too much for LSU. I do expect the Tigers to keep it close for a while, though.

The Pick: Texas A&M 31 LSU 20

#23 Clemson (-11.5) @ South Carolina

Shane Beamer's team has won some games that the Gamecocks weren't supposed to win. My "crazy Gamecock pick" carries over, as last week, South Carolina was able to take a huge step forward in a win against Auburn. The Gamecocks have played like a different team at home this season.

The Pick: South Carolina 24 Clemson 23

Kentucky @ Louisville (-3)

Kentucky started off strong, and the Wildcats defense will carry Kentucky to a big win against a bitter rival.

The Pick: Kentucky 27 Louisville 23

Plus 3 Games:

#14 Wisconsin 21 Minnesota 17

#7 Oklahoma State 34 #10 Oklahoma 31

#11 Oregon 31 Oregon State 21

As always, thanks for reading! Enjoy rivalry week! We'll see you come bowl season!

SEC+3: Week 12 College Football Picks

 

This week is what I consider my "bonus round" of the season. A lot of SEC programs like to schedule "gimme" games the week prior to "rivalry week."

I had a pretty solid week 11, posting a record of 8-3. For the 2021 season, I'm currently sitting at 80-31, and I'm now just 20 correct picks away from a season goal of 100 correct picks.

Let's get into the "bonus round" of games and the rest of the week 12 picks:

Charleston Southern @ #1 Georgia (no line)

Not much to say here, other than Georgia gets a nice tune-up prior to the rivalry game against Georgia Tech. This game provides Kirby Smart a chance to play some seniors that rarely see the field, but have endured the grind of the season.

The Pick: Georgia 63 Charleston Southern 6

Prairie View A&M @ #16 Texas A&M (no line)

One thing is guaranteed in this game: the Aggies will win. No, but seriously, Texas A&M will win this game big.

The Pick: Texas A&M 52 Prairie View A&M 13

Tennessee State @ #25 Mississippi State (no line)

The last of our games without a point spread from Vegas. The Bulldogs get a breather after an incredible comeback win against Auburn last week, which one of my three week 11 misses from last Saturday.

The Pick: Mississippi State 59 Tennessee State 6

New Mexico State @ Kentucky (-36)

The last of my "gimme" games here. Kentucky improves to eight wins and covers the spread in this one.

The Pick: Kentucky 48 New Mexico State 10

#21 Arkansas @ #2 Alabama (-20.5)

Nick Saban has Alabama refocused on a playoff run, and this will be a test to see if Alabama will be capable of knocking off a physical team like Georgia in the SEC Championship. First, the Tide will have to get past a tough Arkansas team that will be looking another signature win in 2021.

The Pick: Alabama 38 Arkansas 23

Florida (-8.5) @ Missouri 

Missouri shocked me with the way the Tigers were able to outplay South Carolina at the line of scrimmage last weekend. This is an important game for both teams, as both squads are seeking win number six to become bowl eligible. In the end, Florida will have just a bit more firepower on offense, and this might be a game where it comes down to which defense can make one stop.

The Pick: Florida 42 Missouri 38

Auburn (-7.5) @ South Carolina

South Carolina just plays different at home it seems like. Call me crazy, but this will be my one dumb Gamecocks pick of the year.

The Pick: South Carolina 27 Auburn 26

Vanderbilt @ #12 Ole Miss (-36.5)

It's very rare that you see an almost 40-point spread in a SEC game. Perhaps the conference needs to use Premier League Soccer rules and relegate Vandy for another team.

The Pick: Ole Miss 63 Vanderbilt 17

South Alabama @ Tennessee (-28)

Former Gamecock quarterback Jake Bentley goes into Knoxville to face a Tennessee team that he defeated as a freshman at South Carolina in 2016. That memory will be a distant one come Saturday.

The Pick: Tennessee 42 South Alabama 13

Louisiana-Monroe @ LSU (-29)

The Ed Oregeron farewell tour is almost at its end. The Tigers will be inspired to play a good game for their departing coach, and I expect a big game offensively from LSU.

The Pick: LSU 35 Louisiana-Monroe 14

Plus 3 Games

#4 Ohio State 34 #7 Michigan State 20

#10 Wake Forest 31 Clemson 21

#3 Oregon 24 #23 Utah 10

As always, thanks for reading! Enjoy this week's games!