Gamecocks-Tigers highlight SEC slate this week

Missouri at South Carolina - Quarterbacks Connor Shaw (South Carolina) and James Franklin (Missouri) are both nursing sore shoulders but are expected to play Saturday. The Tigers are playing their first conference game on the road and desperately seek a better showing than what they put up against Georgia. Franklin missed last week's win over Arizona State and with their signal caller back under center, Missouri should have enough firepower to outlast Steve Spurrier's fun-and-gun attack - Missouri 31-24

Akron at Tennessee - Zips coach Terry Bowden was never able to beat Tennessee while coaching at Auburn, going 0-2 against the Volunteers. He came close in the 1997 SEC Championship Game but Peyton Manning's late 73-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Nash gave the Vols their first conference title game victory. Akron earned its first victory under Bowden last week with a 66-6 thrashing of Morgan State but Tennessee is coming off a tough defeat to Florida and should rebound with an easy win over the visitors from the MAC. Tennessee 41-3

Ole Miss at Tulane - The Green Wave will take the field for the first time since the tragic injury to teammate Devon Walker and will look to win for their fallen brother. The Rebels suffered their first loss last week when they were throttled by Texas at home but should pick up their first road victory in nearly a year. Ole Miss 24-10


FAU at Alabama - The defending national champions vs. a 1-2 Sun Belt team coming off two straight blowout losses. This was sure to be a snoozer until the Owls' Cory Henry woke up the sleeping giants by telling the media the Crimson Tide could be beat. Yes, they can be beat, but it won't be this week.  
Alabama 63-7

LSU at Auburn - The battle of two Tigers usually produces memories but the only thing to be memorable about this is how much the Bayou Bengals unload on Auburn. LSU has too much speed, too much strength and too much depth. Auburn, meanwhile, is showing early signs of having the season spin out of control, being taken to overtime by Louisiana-Monroe before earning its first victory. LSU 34-10

South Alabama at Mississippi State - The Bulldogs are riding high with a 3-0 start and host a South Alabama team struggling to form an identity. The is the first time the Jaguars have faced a rank team but the fledgling program can only hope to gain big-game experience along with the paycheck. - MSU 31-0

Vanderbilt at Georgia - Both teams are coming off blowout wins against lesser teams. The difference is that the Bulldogs' was against an FBS school. No. 5 Georgia, winners of 13 straight, has its sights on big things after starting 3-0 while the Commodores are still trying to remain relevant. The Commodores, coming off a 58-0 thrashing of Presbyterian College, is looking to right the ship after two close losses to open the year but this isn't the week to do it. - Georgia 44-23

Kentucky at Florida - The Gators have won 25 straight in the series and look to be headed in the right direction after a few down years. The Wildcats are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Sun Belt's Western Kentucky but lead the SEC in passing and broke a long losing streak to Tennessee last season. Florida is coming off back-to-back road victories are should stay in control of the SEC East with an easy victory if it keeps its focus. - Florida 44-10

Rutgers at Arkansas - Tyler Wilson is expected to return for the Razorbacks and it couldn't come at a better time. Arkansas is skidding out of control after a chaotic offseason, a stunning loss to underdog Louisiana-Monroe and a humbling defeat to Alabama in which Wilson accused his teammates of quitting. The Hogs can go in one of two directions: Rally behind their leader or wilt in the face of his criticism. I expect the latter. Rutgers 31-21

South Carolina State at Texas A&M  - The Aggies say they aren't overlooking the Bulldogs but South Carolina State has done little to prove it deserves to be taken seriously. Texas A&M, led by true freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel throttled old Southwest Conference foe SMU last week, and should do more of the same this week. - Texas A&M 40-0