SEC+3: Week Nine Picks

 Last week, I went 7-1 with my only miss being my pick of Oklahoma State to beat Iowa State. This ups my 2021 season tally to 61-22.

Week nine presents us with another popular "bye" week among the teams in the SEC. In fact, more teams have this weekend as an open date than in week eight.

That being the case, here's my picks for week nine. I hope you enjoy!

Missouri (-16.5) @ Vanderbilt

I would say that this game is to avoid the bottom of the SEC East standings, but South Carolina's big loss to Texas A&M last week puts the Gamecocks as a contender. Missouri still has yet to "show me" (see what I did there) that the Tigers can play defense, and Vanderbilt has been...well, typical Vandy. Missouri has enough offensive firepower to get a big win in Nashville.

The pick: Missouri 31 Vanderbilt 17

#1 Georgia (-14) vs. Florida

I definitely thought both teams would enter this game ranked, but the Gators losing to Kentucky and LSU in back-to-back weeks have really put a damper on things. As usual, this game will be played in Jacksonville, Florida, and the road to the SEC Championship will be impacted by this game (as usual...again). Georgia has a defense that will get the Bulldogs not only to Atlanta, but to the College Football Playoff.

The Pick: Georgia 34 Florida 24

#10 Ole Miss @ #18 Auburn (-2.5)

Say what you want about Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, but he's really got the Rebels scoring a lot of points. I don't understand why Auburn comes into this game favored, but I can imagine it has to do with the Tigers being a bit more capable on defense. Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral could be a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, and he's got an opportunity to impress voters Saturday in a hostile Jordan-Hare Stadium. I like Ole Miss in this game, just because of the inconsistent performances the Auburn offense has had at points this year, but this game has potential to be an instant classic.

The Pick: Ole Miss 31 Auburn 30

#12 Kentucky @ Mississippi State (-1)

This game has become a physical contest in the last couple years, but this year's game will definitely be interesting if anything. Starkville, Mississippi will be jumping as the Bulldogs will be hosting a top 15 Kentucky team that fans didn't see coming looking at the schedule before the season started. Up to this point, the Wildcats have passed all tests (with the exception of Georgia), and Mark Stoops really has the Kentucky defense playing at high level. This will be a good bounce back win Kentucky, and the Wildcats special season continues.

The Pick: Kentucky 27 Mississippi State 23

Plus 3 Games

Clemson 23 Florida State 21

The Tigers will need to bounce back, or things might begin to unravel, as Clemson honors the late Bobby Bowden this Saturday. Clemson is one of two teams in the FBS that have not covered a single spread this season.

#6 Michigan 20 #8 Michigan State 17

This will be a classic Big 10 battle, where a few big plays will determine the winner.

#5 Ohio State 35 #20 Penn State 21

Another top 25 game in the Big 10 makes my "plus 3" this week, as these two programs are going in different directions at this point in the season.

As always, thanks for reading! Be sure to give me a follow on Twitter (@griffaldo).