This week provides us with a lot of interesting games that will shape the race to Atlanta and the SEC Championship. Hurricane Matthew affected some of the games and even led to the cancellation of the matchup between LSU and (18) Florida. Officials at the University of South Carolina moved the Saturday night contest between the Gamecocks and Georgia Bulldogs to Sunday afternoon.
Keister went 11-0 last weekend and created a tie for the first place spot. Here's our standings going into week six:
Griff: (52-14)
Keister: (52-14)
Godsey: (51-15)
Here's our picks for week six:
Auburn vs. Mississippi State
Keister: Auburn has been playing well the last couple games, but the Tigers stagnant offense will get the best of them Saturday at Davis-Wade stadium. Auburn will feel the bite of the athletic play-making ability of Nick Dylan Fitzgerald and the Bulldogs offense.
The Pick: Mississippi State 24 Auburn 20
Godsey: Auburn has gotten better each week, and the Tigers have figured their identity. My concern is if the Tigers can score touchdowns in the red zone. Auburn has one of the best, if not the best, kicker in the nation, but field goals won’t win every game, especially this Saturday.
The Pick: Auburn 31 Mississippi State 27
Griff: Auburn comes into Starkville riding the momentum of a two-game win streak. The Tigers will use a combination of stingy defense and a powerful ground game to pull out a close, low-scoring game against the Bulldogs.
The Pick: Auburn 17 Mississippi State 13
(9) Tennessee vs. (8) Texas A&M
Keister: Tennessee has come off two big wins, and takes that momentum into College Station for a top 10 showdown. Both Joshua Dobbs and Trevor Knight will put up big numbers at the quarterback position. Tennessee will use the running game to control the time possession and get a huge win against the Aggies.
The Pick: Tennessee 27 Texas A&M 21
Godsey: Although this isn’t a divisional contest, this game is huge for both team and has playoff implications. This game will start off slow but take off in the second half. Tennessee will get behind and won’t be able to recover. The 12th man and A&M defense takes the Aggies one step closer to controlling the West.
The Pick: Texas A&M 41 Tennessee 31
Griff: The Vols pulled of a miracle in Athens last weekend against Georgia with Josh Dobbs 43-yard last-second toss that gave Tennessee the victory. Tennessee will run out of luck this weekend. Texas A&M brings back a lot of players from injury that didn’t play last weekend against South Carolina. The winner of this game will be the clear-cut number two team behind Alabama.
The Pick: Texas A&M 35 Tennessee 24
Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky
Keister: Vandy's offense, or lack thereof, won't help them at Commonwealth Stadium, and "Boom" Williams will have a big day for the Wildcats.
The Pick: Kentucky 27 Vanderbilt 10
Godsey: Even though Kentucky is much better at home, Vanderbilt will pull this one out in a close one.
The Pick: Vanderbilt 33 Kentucky 31
Griff: Both teams are desperate for a win in this game. Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson will use his legs to hand the Commodores another disappointing loss.
The Pick: Kentucky 28 Vanderbilt 24
(1) Alabama vs. (16) Arkansas
Keister: The Razorbacks will come out fast and strong in Saturday's game likely taking a 10 to 14 point lead. Both depth and strong defensive play as time carries on the contest will propel the Crimson Tide into an easy Saturday victory and ruin John Gault's upset special of the week.
The Pick: Alabama 45 Arkansas 23
Godsey: The Tide are playing really good football right now and I can’t pick against them and it be truthful. I don’t think they are invincible either. There might be two or three other teams that can take Alabama down, but that team isn't Arkansas.
The Pick: Alabama 28 Arkansas 14
Griff: Alabama starts a vicious three-game stretch of the 2016 schedule. A lot of folks are saying that this could be a trap game for the Crimson Tide. Nick Saban’s squad won’t overlook the Razorbacks and win easily in Arkansas after the game stays close in the first half.
The Pick: Alabama 38 Arkansas 17
Georgia vs. South Carolina
Keister: The Gamecocks come off an improved look performance after an 11-point loss last week, while Georgia is nursing the wounds of a last second loss at home. As long as Nick Chubb returns to carrying the bulk of the workload for the Bulldogs, Georgia will grind out a ground-and-pound victory in Columbia.
The Pick: Georgia 31 South Carolina 20
Godsey: Georgia has been throttled the last two weeks and if they don’t play a solid game, they will drop this week as well. I know last week the score was close, but they were throttled. I don’t think they are as healthy as they would like to be but I think they are just good enough to edge South Carolina.
The Pick: Georgia 38 South Carolina 35
Griff: Hurricane Matthew made officials at South Carolina move the start time of this game to Sunday afternoon. Georgia gets Nick Chubb back in full force this weekend, and he will be the difference maker in a game that’s going to be close down to the final whistle.
The Pick: Georgia 23 South Carolina 20
(20) Oklahoma vs. Texas
Keister: This "back against the wall" game is a must needed win after losses to Cal and Oklahoma State. This makes for a perfect scenario for Charlie Strong, and the power running game of Texas will launch the Longhorns into a big win Saturday.
The Pick: Texas 33 Oklahoma 24
Godsey: The Longhorns started the season about as hot as possible but have really slipped the last two weeks, losing two games in a row. The Sooners had a lot of control in the Big 12 race until last week, but a win over Texas would improve Oklahoma's situation. As for Oklahoma, they are on the upswing and catch Texas at a good time. The Sooners will take Texas by at least 10.
The Pick: Oklahoma 38 Texas 24
Griff: Charlie Strong needs to lead the Longhorns to a big victory against the Sooners. The Longhorns have found ways to beat Oklahoma when the Sooners were favored, and that will be the case again this week.
The Pick: Texas 31 Oklahoma 30
(25) Virginia Tech vs. (17) North Carolina
Keister: Virginia Tech has quietly played sound football all season long, and Saturday will be their first big win in the Justin Fuente era. The Hokies will get solid Quarterback and skill player performances in Saturday's contest.
The Pick: Virginia Tech 27 North Carolina 24
Godsey: There’s not much I can say about Virginia Tech. I don’t think the resume fits the ranking. North Carolina will win this game with a better defense
The Pick: North Carolina 34 Virginia Tech 21
Griff: Justin Fuente's Hokies have played solid defense for most of the season. This will disrupt the quick North Carolina offense attack and give Virginia Tech a big conference win.
The Pick: Virginia Tech 24 North Carolina 17
(23) Florida State vs. (10) Miami
Keister: Mark Richt's Hurricanes will be amped up for the big in-state rivalry with the visiting Semioles, and much like Mitch Trubisky last week, Brad Kaaya will find success early and often through the air against a struggling Florida State pass defense. Florida State will keep it close but won't be able to overcome an early first half deficit.
The Pick: Miami 31 Florida State 23
Godsey: I’m not sold on Miami, even though I thought the Hurricanes had a chance of winning the ACC. Florida State hasn’t shown me much either, other than a close game with North Carolina and a really good second half against Ole Miss. I am going to take Miami because of Hurricanes home field advantage and better defense.
The Pick: Miami 37 Florida State 17
Griff: It's been fun to watch Mark Richt work his magic at his alma mater. The Hurricanes have proven to the rest of the ACC that they deserve respect. Florida State is in a "must win" situation, and the Seminoles win a close game where Miami misses a field goal late. Perhaps another wide right scenario?
The Pick: Florida State 23 Miami 21
As always, thanks for reading! Be sure to follow the blog on Twitter @GSL_SECPlus3 and on Facebook (Facebook.com/GriffinsStartingLineup). You can also follow Griff on Twitter @griffaldo.
The Pick: Tennessee 27 Texas A&M 21
Godsey: Although this isn’t a divisional contest, this game is huge for both team and has playoff implications. This game will start off slow but take off in the second half. Tennessee will get behind and won’t be able to recover. The 12th man and A&M defense takes the Aggies one step closer to controlling the West.
The Pick: Texas A&M 41 Tennessee 31
Griff: The Vols pulled of a miracle in Athens last weekend against Georgia with Josh Dobbs 43-yard last-second toss that gave Tennessee the victory. Tennessee will run out of luck this weekend. Texas A&M brings back a lot of players from injury that didn’t play last weekend against South Carolina. The winner of this game will be the clear-cut number two team behind Alabama.
The Pick: Texas A&M 35 Tennessee 24
Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky
Keister: Vandy's offense, or lack thereof, won't help them at Commonwealth Stadium, and "Boom" Williams will have a big day for the Wildcats.
The Pick: Kentucky 27 Vanderbilt 10
Godsey: Even though Kentucky is much better at home, Vanderbilt will pull this one out in a close one.
The Pick: Vanderbilt 33 Kentucky 31
Griff: Both teams are desperate for a win in this game. Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson will use his legs to hand the Commodores another disappointing loss.
The Pick: Kentucky 28 Vanderbilt 24
(1) Alabama vs. (16) Arkansas
Keister: The Razorbacks will come out fast and strong in Saturday's game likely taking a 10 to 14 point lead. Both depth and strong defensive play as time carries on the contest will propel the Crimson Tide into an easy Saturday victory and ruin John Gault's upset special of the week.
The Pick: Alabama 45 Arkansas 23
Godsey: The Tide are playing really good football right now and I can’t pick against them and it be truthful. I don’t think they are invincible either. There might be two or three other teams that can take Alabama down, but that team isn't Arkansas.
The Pick: Alabama 28 Arkansas 14
Griff: Alabama starts a vicious three-game stretch of the 2016 schedule. A lot of folks are saying that this could be a trap game for the Crimson Tide. Nick Saban’s squad won’t overlook the Razorbacks and win easily in Arkansas after the game stays close in the first half.
The Pick: Alabama 38 Arkansas 17
Georgia vs. South Carolina
Keister: The Gamecocks come off an improved look performance after an 11-point loss last week, while Georgia is nursing the wounds of a last second loss at home. As long as Nick Chubb returns to carrying the bulk of the workload for the Bulldogs, Georgia will grind out a ground-and-pound victory in Columbia.
The Pick: Georgia 31 South Carolina 20
Godsey: Georgia has been throttled the last two weeks and if they don’t play a solid game, they will drop this week as well. I know last week the score was close, but they were throttled. I don’t think they are as healthy as they would like to be but I think they are just good enough to edge South Carolina.
The Pick: Georgia 38 South Carolina 35
Griff: Hurricane Matthew made officials at South Carolina move the start time of this game to Sunday afternoon. Georgia gets Nick Chubb back in full force this weekend, and he will be the difference maker in a game that’s going to be close down to the final whistle.
The Pick: Georgia 23 South Carolina 20
(20) Oklahoma vs. Texas
Keister: This "back against the wall" game is a must needed win after losses to Cal and Oklahoma State. This makes for a perfect scenario for Charlie Strong, and the power running game of Texas will launch the Longhorns into a big win Saturday.
The Pick: Texas 33 Oklahoma 24
Godsey: The Longhorns started the season about as hot as possible but have really slipped the last two weeks, losing two games in a row. The Sooners had a lot of control in the Big 12 race until last week, but a win over Texas would improve Oklahoma's situation. As for Oklahoma, they are on the upswing and catch Texas at a good time. The Sooners will take Texas by at least 10.
The Pick: Oklahoma 38 Texas 24
Griff: Charlie Strong needs to lead the Longhorns to a big victory against the Sooners. The Longhorns have found ways to beat Oklahoma when the Sooners were favored, and that will be the case again this week.
The Pick: Texas 31 Oklahoma 30
(25) Virginia Tech vs. (17) North Carolina
Keister: Virginia Tech has quietly played sound football all season long, and Saturday will be their first big win in the Justin Fuente era. The Hokies will get solid Quarterback and skill player performances in Saturday's contest.
The Pick: Virginia Tech 27 North Carolina 24
Godsey: There’s not much I can say about Virginia Tech. I don’t think the resume fits the ranking. North Carolina will win this game with a better defense
The Pick: North Carolina 34 Virginia Tech 21
Griff: Justin Fuente's Hokies have played solid defense for most of the season. This will disrupt the quick North Carolina offense attack and give Virginia Tech a big conference win.
The Pick: Virginia Tech 24 North Carolina 17
(23) Florida State vs. (10) Miami
Keister: Mark Richt's Hurricanes will be amped up for the big in-state rivalry with the visiting Semioles, and much like Mitch Trubisky last week, Brad Kaaya will find success early and often through the air against a struggling Florida State pass defense. Florida State will keep it close but won't be able to overcome an early first half deficit.
The Pick: Miami 31 Florida State 23
Godsey: I’m not sold on Miami, even though I thought the Hurricanes had a chance of winning the ACC. Florida State hasn’t shown me much either, other than a close game with North Carolina and a really good second half against Ole Miss. I am going to take Miami because of Hurricanes home field advantage and better defense.
The Pick: Miami 37 Florida State 17
Griff: It's been fun to watch Mark Richt work his magic at his alma mater. The Hurricanes have proven to the rest of the ACC that they deserve respect. Florida State is in a "must win" situation, and the Seminoles win a close game where Miami misses a field goal late. Perhaps another wide right scenario?
The Pick: Florida State 23 Miami 21
As always, thanks for reading! Be sure to follow the blog on Twitter @GSL_SECPlus3 and on Facebook (Facebook.com/GriffinsStartingLineup). You can also follow Griff on Twitter @griffaldo.
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