SEC+3: Rivalry Week Picks

We hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving Holiday! Here's our picks for week 12:

LSU vs. Texas A&M

Godsey: After losing last week to Florida, the chances of Ed Orgeron getting hired on as the LSU coach are bleak at best. I don’t know that winning this week will help, but it certainly won’t hurt. It's very possible that two coaches will get the axe after this game, or at least their fates will be sealed. This is one of those games that’s hard to call. Neither is playing at their best right now or healthy. I’ll give the nod to the LSU ground game and the defense.

The Pick: LSU 31 Texas A&M 24

Griff: The Tigers head into this game after losing back-to-back games at home for the first time since 2001. LSU's running game will be too much for the Aggies to handle.

The Pick: LSU 35 Texas A&M 28

Arkansas vs. Missouri

Godsey: I don’t understand Arkansas. They alternate their gameplay from bad to good to bad and so on. I think they can play just well enough to down the Tigers in Columbia though.

The Pick: Arkansas 27 Missouri 13

Griff: Missouri is too beat up on defense to stop any team right now. The Razorbacks get the win on the road by using a physical ground game that will limit Missouri's offensive possessions.

The Pick: Arkansas 31 Missouri 21

Georgia Tech vs. Georgia

Godsey: Both teams come in with even records and have had similar seasons when comparing wins and losses. I’m going with the Bulldogs in this one, but it’ll be pretty close.

The Pick: Georgia 35 Georgia Tech 31

Griff: This game provides us with a little good ole fashioned hate and is a tough game just about every year. Georgia's defense will give the Bulldogs the edge in a game that could improve each team's season by adding a quality win.

The Pick: Georgia 27 Georgia Tech 20

Kentucky vs. (11) Louisville

Godsey: The Cardinals were drummed last week but will do some drumming of their own this week.

The Pick: Louisville 38 Kentucky 14

 

Griff: Lamar Jackson and Louisville will get back on track by taking down the in-state, SEC rival. Louisville's loss last week will have the Cardinals out trying to prove something.

The Pick: Louisville 35 Kentucky 17

(13) Auburn vs. (1) Alabama

Godsey: The Tigers have arguably the best shot at beating the juggernaut otherwise known as Alabama. A lot of things would have to happen for the Tigers to down the Tide. At the end of the day, the Alabama defense is too fast on the corners and too well stacked in the middle. I don’t think Auburn will be able to run the ball as well as they would need to control the game. Don’t be surprised if the Tigers jump out for an early lead. Alabama is a second half team, and only the score at the end of the fourth quarter matters.

The Pick: Alabama 36 Auburn 24

Griff: This game would be a "play-in" game, if Auburn was able to take care of business against Georgia a couple weeks ago. Alabama plays the best defense in the country, and that will show against Auburn Saturday.

The Pick: Alabama 35 Auburn 17

Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss

Godsey: This season was filled with ups and downs for both teams, more downs than ups, though. While the Bulldogs won’t get to compete in a bowl game, they will make this Egg Bowl a really good game.

The Pick: Mississippi State 28 Ole Miss 24

 

Griff: The Rebels have had trouble stopping the run all season, and Nick Fitzgerald leads the way in a big win for Mississippi State

The Pick: Mississippi State 24 Ole Miss 13

 
South Carolina vs. (4) Clemson

Godsey: Since this is a rivalry game, throw records out the window. I think South Carolina will hang with the Tigers for a while but I expect Clemson will pull away in the fourth quarter.

The Pick: Clemson 35 South Carolina 24

Griff: I think the spread of 24 points in this game is a little ridiculous. South Carolina has done a great job this season creating turnovers in the red zone. Call me "crazy" or a "homer," but the Gamecocks win in a shocker.

The Pick: South Carolina 31 Clemson 30

(17) Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt

Godsey: The loss to Missouri two weeks ago has put Vanderbilt in a “win or no bowl” scenario. I just don’t see them having a postseason.

The Pick: Tennessee 38 Vanderbilt 20

 

Griff: The Vols offense will get the job done in Nashville, and Butch Jones' "Champions of Life" will gain some traction heading into bowl season.

The Pick: Tennessee 35 Vanderbilt 17

(15) Florida vs. (14) Florida State

Godsey: Florida is a team that’s on sometimes and off sometimes. Lets face it, they’re not beating Alabama in Atlanta, so they need to be on this Saturday and break this losing streak to FSU. Unfortunately, I don’t think they can do enough offensively to outlast the Seminoles.

The Pick: Florida State 28 Florida 27

 

Griff: The Gators' defense is good enough to stop the Seminoles and Dalvin Cook from scoring too much.

The Pick: Florida 24 Florida State 17

(5) Washington vs. (23) Washington State

Godsey: Defense is key in this matchup between two teams who offense both average more than 40 points a game. Fortunately for the Huskies, their defense tends to stand a little stronger so I’m going with Washington.

The Pick: Washington 37 Washington State 27

 

 Griff: Washington's defense gets the job done against the Cougars' air raid attack.

The Pick: Washington 34 Washington State 24

Notre Dame vs. (12) Southern Cal

Godsey: Notre Dame is terrible this year and a rivalry can only even two teams out so much.

 

The Pick: Southern Cal 34 Notre Dame 20

Griff: The Trojans are one of the hottest and most dangerous team in the country right now. Notre Dame's defense won't be able to handle the task of stopping Southern Cal from scoring.

The Pick: Southern Cal 42 Notre Dame 24

(3) Michigan vs. (2) Ohio State

Godsey: Who benefits most in this game? The answer is we do! I can’t think of a better Saturday than this one. We have two teams that hate each other and who stand in each other’s way on the road to glory. Ohio State, that is who will be in the playoff.

The Pick: Ohio State 27 Michigan 24

 

Griff: Ohio State's defense has improved since the Buckeyes lost in Happy Valley weeks ago. Michigan hasn't looked the same since dropping its game with Iowa. Buckeyes win a close, hard-fought game.

The Pick: Ohio State 28 Michigan 25