SEC+3: Week Four Picks

 

2021 Record: 24-9 in 33 picks

So far, I'm 24-9 with my picks for this young 2021 season. Let's see what week four has in store:

#2 Georgia vs. Vanderbilt

Georgia could probably sleepwalk through this game and still be fine. I'll personally be surprised to see if Vanderbilt can accumulate over 100 yards of total offense in this game. Georgia is bigger, more athletic, and not going to lose in Nashville this Saturday. I'm very hesitant to give Vandy three points in my pick, but I don't want to be insulting to the Commodore faithful.

The pick: Georgia 42 Vanderbilt 3

LSU vs. Mississippi State

Both of these teams are trying to find some footing in the most competitive division of any conference in the FBS, the SEC West. Both teams also need a win really bad in this matchup, so this game has the potential of being one of the most competitive. The Bulldogs are coming off of a tough, two-point loss to Memphis last weekend, and LSU is coming off of a tune-up game against Central Michigan. 

I really think the difference in this contest will come down to something really simple: who is going to have success running the football? I think the answer is going to end up being LSU. Another reason I like the Tigers, is that LSU has some playmakers in its' secondary. Against Mike Leach's offense, LSU will need to make all the plays it can, and this one might have the most dramatic finish of the games kicking off at noon, Saturday.

The pick: LSU 27 Mississippi State 26

Missouri vs. Boston College

Missouri takes a road trip to visit an undefeated Boston College squad for an interesting early-season ACC/SEC matchup. Even though, at the time of me writing this, Missouri is favored by 1.5 points, I would take Boston College as underdogs to cover in this one. I don't think Missouri will be able to execute a plan to stop Boston College from scoring, and I think the Boston College defense will be up to the task. Definitely think we see some points in this game.

The pick: Boston College 45 Missouri 24

#7 Texas A&M vs. #16 Arkansas

This game will be in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. #7 Texas A&M looked much better in it's rout of New Mexico last weekend, and the Aggies have won 10-straight games in this series. 

That being said, Arkansas is probably my favorite underdog of the weekend. Texas A&M is favored -4.5 points over the Razorbacks, and this matchup is for sure the "game of the week" for the SEC. I think Arkansas gets it done on the ground and on defense this week, and Texas A&M will drop down in the rankings this week.

The pick: Arkansas 28 Texas A&M 24

Georgia State vs. #23 Auburn

Auburn is coming off a rough weekend, and the Tigers welcome Shawn Elliot's Georgia State team to Jordan-Hare this weekend. Auburn might start slow, but the Tigers will score plenty of points in this game to try to move up a couple spots in the top 25. Luckily, the Tigers can rebound from a loss to Penn State, but Auburn will have to take a step forward by beating a decent Georgia State opponent.

The pick: Auburn 48 Georgia State 10

Tennessee vs. #11 Florida

The Volunteers come into "The Swamp" after a nice tune-up against Tennessee Tech last weekend. Florida, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to #1 Alabama, where the Gators came back from an early deficit to almost pull off the upset of the year. 

I think Tennessee has a chance to make this a game early on, at least. The Gators ultimately have the more experienced team, and pull out a nice victory Saturday.

The pick: Florida 31 Tennessee 17

Kentucky vs. South Carolina

The Gamecocks host the Wildcats for an evening matchup in Williams-Brice. South Carolina will have to create opportunities in the passing game, and this game could come down to a couple of big plays for either side. Kentucky got caught looking forward a little bit by barely edging Chattanooga in last week's game. 

I think whoever has the ball the longest, will end up winning this one. I think South Carolina will have the advantage of the crowd, and the Gamecocks will be able to create more opportunities with the help of the home crowd.

The pick: South Carolina 31 Kentucky 23

Southern Miss vs. #1 Alabama

The Crimson Tide will take a lot of frustration out on Southern Miss, after almost giving Florida a shot at an upset last weekend. The Tide shall "roll" in this one!

The pick: Alabama 44 Southern Miss 6

Plus 3 Games

Here's our three game out of conference this week!

#12 Notre Dame vs. #18 Wisconsin

The pick: Wisconsin 21 Notre Dame 10

#9 Clemson vs. North Carolina State

The pick: Clemson 27 North Carolina State 17

West Virginia vs. #4 Oklahoma

The pick: Oklahoma 31 West Virginia 28

As always, thanks for reading!

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @griffaldo.

As always, don't spend all your money on parlay cards, and keep the change ya filthy animals!