Lane Kiffin (Hilary Scheinuk:The Advocate via AP, File)
Week 3 in the SEC is highlighted by a couple of teams kicking off conference play, non-conference P4 matchups, and this time, when Kiffin touches down in Oxford, he’s not coming for coaches or players he wants (what he believes to be) revenge.
(All times shown are EST)
Kiffin Returns to Ole Miss
#7 LSU at #8 Ole Miss
Time: 7:30
Where to Watch: ABC
Breakdown: Frat boys hired to heckle the LSU football team, listing the starting quarterback as questionable, then texting Pete Golding that Sam Leavitt wasn’t going to play Saturday. All things that Lane Kiffin has accomplished this week. What can he accomplish on the field Saturday night? There are two versions of LSU available: the one you saw last week against Louisiana Tech or the one you saw in Week 1 against Clemson. I am a believer in the Louisiana Tech version mainly because of Sam Leavitt’s turnovers. Louisiana Tech was not able to take advantage of them, and neither was Clemson, but Ole Miss can. I think the last time we saw Lane Kiffin like this was when he told us to “get our popcorn ready” in Tuscaloosa. Kiffin coached recklessly that day, and I think he might again. After all, he is the same old Lane.
Pick: Ole Miss
Teams Starting SEC Play
#2 Georgia at Arkansas
Time: 12 PM
Where to Watch: ABC
Breakdown: When Ryan Silverfield takes the sideline on Saturday, it will mark his third game as Arkansas’ Head Coach. Yet after last week’s blowout loss at Utah, the fans are already threatening/organizing an “empty out.” Safe to say Razorback fans are none too pleased with Silverfield’s first 2 games. The road doesn’t get easier for the Hogs on Saturday as they welcome Georgia and head coach Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs have looked a lot more like their 21′-22′ versions, albeit against lesser competition. Saturday continues what is likely to be a rough road for the Hogs as Georgia will be their second of 4 ranked teams faced in a 5-game stretch.
Pick: Really?
Kentucky at #9 Texas A&M
Time: 3:30
Where to Watch: ESPN
Breakdown: I must say that neither of these teams looked fantastic last week. The difference? Texas A&M won, and Kentucky lost. Now that’s a bit disingenuous of me because Texas A&M played Arizona State, and Kentucky played Alabama. Both relied on turnovers last week, but Kentucky needed them to even be in the ballgame during the first half, and Texas A&M used them to pull away from Arizona State. My point? Kentucky needed all the help in the world to give Alabama 2 1/2 quarters of competitive football while at home. Will Stein made it clear last week that he isn’t Mark Stoops; he is trying to win games, not keep them close. That leads to things being forced against higher-quality opponents in the second half of games. That’s exactly what A&M is: a higher-quality opponent. I think you get a similar-looking game to Kentucky’s game last week against Alabama.
Pick: Texas A&M
Mississippi St. at South Carolina
Time: 4:15
Where to Watch: SEC Network
Breakdown: This game has arguably the two most explosive quarterbacks in the SEC outside of Trinidad Chambliss, LaNorris Sellers and Kamario Taylor. But if I had to choose one or the other, I’m taking Kamario Taylor. I also like Mississippi State’s skill position players and their matchups against the South Carolina defense. Meanwhile, Mississippi State’s defense has a strong counter for South Carolina’s most dynamic skill position player, Nyck Harbor, in cornerback Kelley Jones, who can match Harbor’s 6’5 height since Jones is 6’4 himself. I think there is going to be more space and ultimately more comfort for Mississippi State on offense. Williams Brice is going to show up, but it won’t be enough.
Pick: Mississippi State
Florida at Auburn
Time: 7 PM
Where to Watch: ESPN
Breakdown: The three questions for Saturday night on the plains are: Can Florida stop Byrum Brown from running, how does Aaron Philo handle the pressure of a road environment, and does Jordan Hare turn into the house of horrors it can be? I think Florida is going to be willing to give up explosive plays in the passing game by stacking the box, and I don’t think that Byrum Brown can hit them. I also have a strong belief in the comfort that Aaron Philo has with Buster Faulkner, along with a run game that will travel in Jadan Baugh. The only thing that no one can calculate is the black magic that Jordan Hare provides the Tigers from time to time, but I can’t base a pick on that.
Pick: Florida
ACC-SEC Clashes
NC State at Vanderbilt
Time: 12:45 PM
Where to Watch: SEC Network
Breakdown: On Saturday, Vanderbilt will start 5-star true freshman quarterback Jared Curtis for the first time in his career. Last week, he took most of the snaps against Delaware, going 14/22 and throwing for 210 passing yards and a touchdown. He added 8 carries for 1 total yard and 2 touchdowns on the ground. This is a different level of opponent for Curtis and the Commodores, and a different type of offense they will have to score with. I don’t think that the freshman is going to be able to score with CJ Bailey, and after giving up 26 points to Delaware, I don’t think the Commodores can stop him on defense.
Pick: NC State
Florida State at #10 Alabama
Time: 3:30 PM
Where to Watch: ABC
Breakdown: At this point you just feel bad for Florida State fans. If this is anything other than a bloodbath in Tuscaloosa, I’d be shocked. Against SMU, Florida State won the turnover battle by 3; SMU had twice as many penalties as the Noles and missed a field goal. Yet SMU still won and had nearly 600 yards of offense in the process. Oh yeah, and Florida State was at home. But luckily for Florida State, Alabama found their offense in the second half against Kentucky last week and have their minds set on revenge for last year’s result in Doak Campbell.
Pick: C’mon it’s Alabama
They Play Someone
Ironically, there are a couple of spreads in here that are close to or lower than the spread between Georgia and Arkansas.
