SEC Game Predictions – Week 15

Well, well, well, the season’s not quite over.  Even my Bulldogs who got taken behind the wood shed by the Rebels are in the hunt for a good coach.  I have no idea who but Chris Petersen from Boise State is a hot rumor today.  Last week, some great games were played and I was shocked to see Arkansas, especially, beat LSU and to see that Auburn, Tennessee and MSU all are looking for coaches.

But let’s get down to it. 

The SEC Championship Game

12/5/08

Alabama vs. Florida

This is the game of games in the SEC.  This should be one great game.  The winner should head on to the National Championship game.  It’s all up for grabs.  Florida’s coming on strong with Tebow at the helm, ever since losing by 1 to a very good Ole Miss team.   Florida really had no business losing that game but it may have been exactly what they needed.  They put it in overdrive after that game and have been playing lights out.

Alabama has been steady all year long and bring their number one ranking into the game.  Bear Bryant isn’t strolling the sidelines but you can bet there are people that finally feel like the Tide is back to its glory days.  John Parker Wilson has been about average as far as quarterbacks go, but the big thing is that he hasn’t made a lot of mistakes while his team manhandled their opponents.

As much as I’d like a back-and-forth-bruise-’em-up kind of game, this may just be decide by a couple of big plays.  Florida’s going to have to keep the ball out of Javier Arenas’s hands and cover Julio Jones tighter than a tick.  Alabama’s going to have to put the pressure on and blitz Tebow if they have a shot.  I think in the end, though, the Tide will be using a little tissue on this one as the Gators walk away with the win.

The only question after this game will be, “Should Alabama and Florida play in the national championship game against each other?”

Florida 38  Alabama 34

Last week 4-4

This year 70-26

SEC Game Predictions – Week Fourteen

Ahhhhhh.  There’s nothing like rivalry week in the SEC.  This time of year these are always great games filled with a lot of emotion and usually enough bitterness to last half of the teams until the start of the next year.  Not a whole lot will be decided this week as far as the SEC.  But Alabama and Florida do need to make sure they don’t stumble, otherwise any shot at the National Championship will be out the window.  I hope you enjoy the turkey this week and hopefully I’ll kill a few deer.

11/28

MSU at Ole Miss – Houston Nutt came to Mississippi and blew away 1st year expectations.  Nutt has his team looking right in the face of not just a bowl game but a good bowl game.  MSU’s offense finally decided to come out of the locker room and put up their best numbers of the year last week.  This game is always close and filled with a lot of emotion and will be this weekend.  MSU going to a fired up Ole Miss team and fanbase might just spell disaster, as much as I hate to admit it, though I still can’t pick Ole Miss.  MSU 24 Ole Miss 21

LSU at Arkansas – Both losers last week, these two come in to this game looking to salvage something.  For Arkansas, it’s a bowl game.  For LSU, it’s avoiding a lower tier bowl game and maintaining some semblance of pride.  Arkansas has been bright at times but I don’t think they’re much of a match for LSU.  Tigers 38  Arkansas 20

11/29

Georgia Tech at Georgia – I think this may be one of the most interesting games this weekend.  Georgia Tech’s had some really nice games this year and has the ability to get some yardage.  Georgia will be in another good bowl game this year, though not the one they wanted to be in when the season began.  There just might be a lot of offense in this game but ultimately, I’ll give the nod to Georgia Tech.  Tech 38 Georgia 35

South Carolina at Clemson – Clemson all but tanked this year, starting off ranked pretty high but sinking pretty quickly to the point of having to let Tommy Bowden go.  South Carolina has come on pretty steady this year and will come in to Clemson fired up.  South Carolina 28 Clemson 17

Auburn at Alabama – Speaking of tanking … Auburn is staring their worst season in while right in the face while their rival in-state is staring the National Championship game in the face.  This is usually a tossup game but I just don’t see Auburn having enough to roll past the Tide.  Alabama 27 Auburn 13

Florida at Florida State – This is not the game it used to be.  There was a time when this game was anyone’s guess.  While Florida State has improved, they’re not the caliber team that Florida is, even at home.  Tebow’s team has to be playing as good as any other team in the nation and they just seem to be running on all cylinders.  Florida State hangs for a little while but Florida’s superior players will eventually take over and wear down the Seminoles.  Florida 32 Florida State 21

Kentucky at Tennessee – Ouch, Tennessee faces a decent hungry Kentucky team coming in to Knoxville looking to rub it in as Tennessee’s laying back licking its wounds.  Vol fans don’t really know how to react and might just be out hunting deer instead of cats this weekend.  Their players may not be far behind either.  History wants me to pick Tennessee but heart wants me to pick Kentucky.  I’ve always had a weak spot for following my heart.  Kentucky 21  Tennessee 17

Vandy at Wake Forest – Wake Forest has had some decent wins as has Vandy.  This game feels like a tossup though Vandy probably should have one or two more losses than they do have.  Vandy’s going bowling in the first time in a loooooong time and are playing with some confidence.  Still I think Wake Forest at home might just be a little too much this weekend.  Wake Forest 34 Vandy 19

Last Week 2-2

This Year 66-22

SEC Game Predictions – Week Thirteen

I almost forgot to post my picks.  That’s what happens when your team keeps losing.  Last week, I was perfect in the predictions.  This week continues to bring a few interesting games as teams jockey for bowl position at the end of the year.

11/22

Arkansas at Mississippi State – This is the battle for last in the SEC West as the loser will probably wrap up that distinction.  But Arkansas still has a shot at bowl eligibility with a win today over my Dawgs.  MSU is fighting for ….  Hmm….  Well…. MSU 24 Arkansas 21

The Citadel at Florida – The Citadel will take a beating behind the woodshed but they’ll leave with some cash in the pocket.  For Florida, the important thing will be to not get anybody hurt as they push for a national title shot.  Florida 59  Citadel 0

Ole Miss at LSU – This should be a fun game to see.  At least I’ll have someone to cheer for today.  Ole Miss is bowl eligible and has a chance to have a good season if they beat LSU today and MSU next week.  But, the Tigers are the Tigers and the Rebels are the Rebels.  LSU  27 Ole Miss 17

Tennessee at Vanderbilt – When was the last time Tennessee and Vandy played and Vandy was in a bowl game and Tennessee home watching?  Vandy is actually playing for something while the Volunteers are watching the end of a legend as Fulmer leaves at the end of the  year.  Vandy 24  Tennessee 20

Last Week 6-0

This Year 64-20

SEC Game Predictions – Week Twelve

The season’s winding down and we’re getting a good feel of what the SEC Championship Game will look like.  It should be a great game and I’m confident it will be Alabama and Florida with the winner having a great shot at playing in the National Championship game.  There are a couple of interesting games this weekend.

11/15/08

Mississippi State at Alabama – Alabama ought to be paying money to MSU for this game.  On paper, this one’s a blowout.  State usually plays Alabama pretty well though.  They beat them once before when Alabama was #1 and Dawg fans are looking for a miracle win this weekend.  It hurts but I’m going with what’s on paper.  Alabama 37 MSU 13

Georgia at Auburn – This usually is a fun game to watch but it seems like this year there’s no fun on the plains.  Auburn is just about awful, at least from what Auburn’s put on the field the last decade.  This game has often been a big one but this year, well, it’s just another game.  Georgia 31 Auburn 12

South Carolina at Florida – The ‘Ol Ball Coach is coming back to the swamp.  Florida’s playing as well as anyone in the country.  This ought to be a real fun game to watch.  I think South Carolina will give it a shot and make Gator fans a little nervous but I just see Tebow coming out on top.  Florida 24 South Carolina 20

Vanderbilt at Kentucky – Vanderbilt is still on a quest for that elusive bowl-eligible win, sitting on 5 wins.  Kentucky’s at 6 and could really use another win.  This game’s really a tossup but the edge would go to Kentucky as Vandy as fallen down the last several weeks.  But … something tells me maybe the Commodores will dig deep here and surprise the Wildcats.  Vanderbilt 21 Kentucky 20

Troy at LSU – Ouch.  This won’t be funny.  Troy doesn’t have a chance in this one.  LSU’s been better in previous years but still will be a pretty tough opponent.  LSU 42 Troy 10

Louisiana Monroe at Ole Miss – Here’s another laugher.  As much as I’d love to see the upset here and see Ole Miss struggle coming down the stretch, this is just like guys on girls playing tennis. (Well, I did get beat 6-0 6-0 against a girl once and Billie Jean King beat what’s his name so I guess anything is possible but that’s a different story).  Ole Miss 45 ULM 13

Last Week 5-1

This Year 58-20

SEC Game Predictions – Week Eleven

Not a bad week last week as far as my picks  …  except my Bulldogs and John McCain.  Picking some losers here, huh?  Well, it’s the same ‘ol shoulda with my teams.  Last week, 6-1 thanks to my Dawgs, shouldda been 7-0.  Oh well, at least I won’t get my Dawgs pick wrong this week.  Anyway, there are some big games this week, Alabama and LSU has to be at the top. 

11/8/08

Alabama at LSU – Bama may finally be ready to move beyond the Bear.  LSU is definitely beatable and Saban’s going to know what it takes.  This should be a really fun game to watch and I’m sure more than one drunk Tiger will make this a rowdy crowd.  Maybe Bama will stumble but I just don’t see it.  Alabama 27 LSU 24

Arkansas at South Carolina – The Gamecocks have played a pretty good season.  Arkansas?  Well, they’re about where everyone predicted – which has SC fans happy that a losing team’s coming in.  The hogs still could have a shot at a bowl game and would have to have this game to have a shot.  But they don’t.  South Carolina 31 Arkansas 14

Tennessee-Martin at Auburn – I’m not so sure that Auburn can beat a cupcake anymore.  They’re in a place they haven’t been in a long time – outside looking in for a bowl game.  Fortunately for them, though, this game will make them bowl eligible, though it may be the last game they win this year.  Auburn 42  UT-Martin 0

Florida at Vanderbilt – Oh Vandy had such high hopes starting off with a great run.  They’re still sitting on five wins and need one more to get bowl eligible.  It just doesn’t seem right for the Commodores to have to play in the SEC.  But they do and they’ll lose to a surging Gator team.  Florida 38 Vandy 17

Georgia at Kentucky – Georgia’s a long way from that NC game they had their sights on when the season started.  But they’ve recovered okay and are in great position for a nice bowl game.  Going to Kentucky, who’s bowl eligible will be a bit of a challenge but doable.   Georgia 28 Kentucky 13

Wyoming at Tennessee – Well Fulmer didn’t get the axe.  He announced his resignation at the end of the season.  You just can’t get much love at Rocky Top if you don’t continue producing, at least that’s how it looks to me.  And at 3-6 and probably out of a bowl game for the first time in forever, I can’t say there’s a lot of love to go around.  Tennessee 37  Wyoming 10

 

Last Week 6-1

This Year 53-19

Is Martin Luther King, Jr. Rolling Over in His Grave?

The election has come and gone and Barack Obama is President-Elect of the great United States of America.  Many are cheering not only here but all over the world at the elevation of this man to the post of the most powerful and influential person in the world.  It is a great achievement, no doubt about it.  He ran a stunning campaign that dwarfed any we’ve seen at least in my lifetime of voting.

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream that all people would be treated equally, not based on their color but on their character.  In fact, he said in his “I Have a Dream” speech, perhaps one of the greatest speeches ever, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

I know that Civil Rights leaders and defenders of freedom and equality all over the world are joyful today about Obama’s victory and the fact that Americans seemed to have progressed beyond racism to elect a black man to the Presidency.  But I wonder if Martin Luther King, Jr. would be turning over in his grave, if he could.  King dreamt of a time when his children would be seen, not for their color, but for their character. 

What’s been striking about this election is the perception among many that anytime character issues come up with Obama, they are pushed aside, not investigated, claimed as racist and relegated to the back burner.  For many, Obama received a vote based on the color of his skin and not the content of his character.  Surely, there are many who voted for Obama because of their ideological beliefs and that is what should be done and that is Democratic and should be respected.

But when 93% of African Americans (reported exit polling data from North Carolina) vote for Obama and many others vote for him (including high ranking politicians) on the basis of his skin color, doesn’t that fly in the face of that for which King stood for and gave his life?  Would King not be shouting from the grave, “You still haven’t gotten it!  It’s equality based on our rights as humans and the magnitude of our character that counts, not the tone of our skin!“ 

When I voted for Alan Keyes in the Presidential primary several years ago, I did so not because he is black, but for the content of his character.  Sad, how there was never enthusiasm for him and there was never any major celebration of the achievement of a black man running for President just a few years ago.  But then again, it was not about color but character.

Congratulations to Barack Obama for his victory.  He inherits a big mess and a lot of problems.  He has given many people hope and that should be commended.  Our country continues to be divided and seems to have lost its moral compass.  Let’s hope from here on out, judgments, opinions and commentary will be made based on the character and man that one is and one becomes, not on the shade of skin color.

America at a Crossroads

On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, we’ll go to the polls here in the great USA.  Perhaps more than anyime in the last 50 years, America is smack dab in the middle of an intersection.  Will we turn to the right or turn to the left?  I think America is at a crossroads and the outcome of this election will set the stage for life in America for possibly the next 20 years or more.  Not only do we face to stark constrasts for President, the stage is set for a possible Democratic super majority.

The Republicans have had an opportunity and wasted it.  They’ve wasted their opportunity, not to advance Republican ideals, but to make a real and lasting positive difference in America and the world.  Now, the Democrats are giddy about controlling all of the government.  Without taking political sides, what we face is the prospect of one ideological party effectively making the decisions for life in America for years to come.  The issues that the new Congress and President will govern include taxes, immigration, abortion, gay rights, international relations, terrorism, not to mention the probable Presidential appointment of at least one Judge to the Supreme Court.  These are big issues.

Is life about to change in America?  One way or another, it has to, for the good of our country and for the good of the world.  For too long we’ve basked in the sunlight of our riches, which has only been an illusion based on credit and debt.  We have to stop bowing to what’s within us that demands more, bigger and better.  We’ve selfishly taken advantage of the blessings of wealth, however contrived they’ve been.  We’ve taken advantage of our world and have been poor stewards of the world in general, whether it be our international relations or the abundant but strikingly decreasing natural resources. 

Somewhere down the line, we’ve seemed to piece-by-piece, throw out the window that which made us the greatest country in the world.  We are becoming mediocre in many ways.  We are not first in many things.  We are not first in the world in education, in safety, in financial stability and, in the world’s largest and possibly most advanced health care system, we are not first in the health of our citizens.

America, though, in my opinion, is still the greatest country in the world when all of its parts are added.  The sum of our parts is great.  But America has to be a respected leader again.  I think the world is looking to America as a leader and I hope that each of us has the intestinal fortitude and the wisdom to actually use our noggins, think hard, analyze the possibilities and pray diligently.  America is at a crossroads and her future depends as much on each of us as it does on whoever will lead us for the next few years to come.

SEC Game Predictions – Week Ten

Well, about now, every week is a tough week to pick games in the SEC.  But I’m starting to get sad that the season is getting toward the end.  Still, Basketball’s right around the corner and that should be another exciting season of SEC sports.

11/1/08

Arkansas State at Alabama – Alabama’s on a roll, no pun intended.  Undefeated, #2 in the nation and AR State coming to town?  If I were Arkansas State, I’d go ahead and take the check, not show up and save the players from injury and embarrasment.  Alabama 45 Arkansas State 0

Tulsa at Arkansas – This is an interesting game.  Tulsa is in the top 20 and Arkansas owns the cellar in the SEC West.  On paper, Tulsa should win.  But, I just have this feeling the Hogs will pull this one out.  Arkansas 27 Tulsa 24

Auburn at Ole Miss – Tuberville coming to Nutt’s house is another interesting game.  Auburn is tanking in a bad way and Ole Miss not only hates Tuberville but they’re looking at that rare bowl possibility this year.  I wonder if the Tigers haven’t already thrown in the towel.  The grove will be fired up this week (not from smoking).  Ole Miss 24 Auburn 14

Florida vs. Georgia (Jacksonville) – You just have to love weeks like this where good solid teams play some college football.  This one’s a toss up.  Tebow’s playing well and Moreno is also playing pretty well.  I’m not sure who really to pick in this one.  I guess I’ll give the edge to Florida on behalf of my friend preacherpen.  Florida 34 Georgia 31

Kentucky at Mississippi State – This game will be decided by which team the respective University decides to bring.  I keep waiting for Mississippi State to step it up a notch and I’m hoping this will be the beginning.  Kentucky’s no slouch and is playing for a bowl game.  MSU 21 Kentucky 14

Tulane at LSU – I can’t believe anyone at Tulane thinks they have a shot at this one.  Root for the underdog but expect LSU to wear ‘em out.  LSU 52 Tulane 3

Tennessee at South Carolina – What can I say?  Tennessee all but stinks this year (though they did end up blowing my Dawgs out).  The Gamecocks are playing decent, better than TN, anyway.  SC will be at home for this one and I think the Vols are looking ahead to a new coach.  South Carolina 27 Tennessee 21

Last week 5-2

This year 47-18

SEC Game Predictions – Week Nine

For the second week in a row, I didn’t come out too well on my predictions.  For a while, it looked like I had a good shot at the LSU game and an outside shot at the MSU game.  But by the time those games were in the record book, I was 2-3 and an upset MSU fan.  All wasn’t lost as I found myself spending the weekend at the Sheraton right next to the SEC office in Birmingham.  Throw in the shopping with the missus, eating out and going to the Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman concert (mine and my wife’s respective favorite singers) and I had a great weekend.  This week, it’s back to normal life for me.

10/23

Auburn at West Virginia – Auburn is dropping like a brick and desperately needs to start winning to have a shot at even a bowl game.  After this game they still have a difficult schedule, with only one gimme game left.  At 4-3, that makes this a much win against a 4-2 but undefeated-in-conference West Virginia who will be at home on my brother’s birthday.  WVU just may play their best game of the year.  West Virginia 24  Auburn 17

10/25

Alabama at Tennessee – Fat Phil’s hourglass is about empty as the Volunteer fans are getting anxious.  Sure they beat a mediocre Mississippi State team last week by a lopsided score.  But that game really wasn’t decided until early 4th quarter when UT put up two quick TD’s on pick-6’s.  Alabama will be a much tougher foe, coming in undefeated and #2 in the nation.  Saban 27 Fulmer 13

Ole Miss at Arkansas – This is an interesting game.  The Rebels have won a couple of good games and lost a couple of tight ones.  Arkansas has been slapped around but has also done a little slapping itself.  Houston Nutt comes to his former digs after being unrespected for what he brought Arkansas.  Look for Nutt to go all out to beat the Razorbacks.  Ole Miss 31 Arkansas 21

Georgia at LSU – I’m not sure if LSU is getting better during this season.  They got a close one last week at South Carolina but did come out with the win.  Georgia will be coming to LSU where they stand to face a tougher team than what showed up in South Carolina.  This one may just decide the SEC Championship fate of one of these two teams.  LSU 24  Georgia 20

Middle Tennessee at Mississippi State – My Bulldogs could use 12 of these games a season.  That seems to be the level of competition that they’ve been putting out, if you judge them by the numbers.  But MSU is better than what they’ve played and will be coming home to the friendly confines at Scott Field for a homecoming night game.  MSU 31  Middle Tennessee 13

Duke at Vanderbilt – Both of these teams have been somewhat surprising this year, especially Vandy.  After a couple of tough losses, Vandy would really like to get that 6th win and be bowl eligible for the first time this century.  Good thing they’ll be at home, otherwise, I don’t know.  Vandy 34 Duke 17

Kentucky at Florida – Well, Kentucky started off good but after hitting the meat of the SEC, they’ve begun to work themselves down the conference leaderboard.  Now they have to go into the Swamp against a superior Florida team.  I don’t give KY a shot as I’m sure 99.9% of the sporting world.  Florida 34 Kentucky 10

Last Week 2-3

This Year 42-16

The Fat Lady is Singing

She’s on the stage and she’s on the last chorus.  The fat lady is singing and we’re heading down the Obama crevasse.  I admit I’m voting for McCain though I’m not real fond of him.  But if he could just halfway be charismatic and put a few sentences together without mumbling or stumbling so much, he’d have a great shot at winning this election.  If he were Ronald Reagan, this election would be over.  Shoot, I think Ross Perot, Mitt Romney or even Mike Huckabee could have torn Obama apart.  But McCain?  He’s pushing the fat lady out on stage, giving her a mike and turning up the volume.  Here’s five areas of discussion that McCain could have targeted this summer and hammered away at for the last two months, showing point by point how he’s different and how he would change thing.  The result?  Well, I’m sure his poll numbers would be better for one.  He is losing by at least five percentage points and as high as fifteen in nearly every poll.  The electoral college is painted blue and it’s looking like it’s all over except the victory speech.  Those five areas?  Here they are:

1.  Socialist tendencies

2.  Governmental control and programs

3.  Increased taxes on businesses

4.  Lack of respect for the unborn

5.  Potential abandonment of Israel

And one to grow on … his link and support of specific Democrats who are co-guilty with Republicans in the whole economic crisis we’re experiencing.