It
is finally here…
By
Jeff Sallas
Auburn at
Bama – The game of the week
(Saturday at
2:30 CDT on CBS)
The Iron
Bowl. The game returns to Tuscaloosa
for the second time in the modern era.
This will be the first time both teams come in with a winning record
since 1996. Bama came into the game
with losing records in 1997, 2000 and last year. Auburn had losing records in 1998 and 1999. Last year, however, was the first time the
team with the losing record won. The
defeat still stings for Auburn as the 4-5 Bama team came in and annihilated the
7-2 Tigers. Tommy Tuberville has
coached in the shadow of that game ever since then and will probably continue
to do so.
This year the
tables are turned. Auburn comes in with
a respectable 7-4 record but Bama comes in 10-2 and ranked in the top 10. The Tide’s biggest injury is to DL Kenny
King. He is still questionable for
Saturday. Auburn comes in a bit more
beat up after a tough game with Georgia.
However Auburn’s improving lines seem to be at full strength. Auburn’s OL has stayed healthy and the DL
which has been banged up most of the year seems fairly healthy as well. The big injuries are at RB where starters
Ronnie Brown and Brandon Johnson are questionable for Saturday. I think Brown will play. If not Auburn is in trouble.
However I do
think Auburn’s best chance in this game will be to spread the field and attack
Bama with a short passing game and then pick their spots to run. Georgia used this strategy very successfully
against Bama earlier this year. Auburn
must also capitalize on their opportunities.
They cannot squander them and turn the ball over as they did against
Georgia. The Bama defense is currently
#1 in the nation and Auburn has several weak points the Tide defense will try
to exploit. Auburn true freshman tackle
Marcus McNeil will be a target as will sophomore QB Jason Campbell. Campbell must play better than he did last
week.
The Tide’s
strength lies in the trenches where their OL and DL has dominated in most of
their wins. I expect the Tide offense
to show a few new wrinkles and mix things up.
However sooner or later they will start handing the ball off to Shaud
Williams and Santonio Beard behind that big OL. Both backs went over 100 yards against LSU. Obviously Auburn will try to load up to stop
the run as that has been a Tuberville trademark. Bama will look to burn Auburn at those times and they might be
some of the biggest plays of the game.
Last year
Bama obliterated Auburn in the trenches and Auburn seemed to roll over. I don’t think that will happen this year but
Auburn will still have a tough task holding the line. Auburn has shown a lot of heart coming back each time they have
been knocked down. However Bama hasn’t
even had a close game since the Georgia loss.
Bama obviously looks much stronger and is at home. I think it will take a flawless performance
by Auburn and especially by young QB Jason Campbell to pull off an upset. I just don’t think they are there yet. However I don’t think the game will be as
easy as many Bama fans think. I look
for a close game early with Auburn maybe even leading but I don’t think they
can do it for 60 minutes...
BAMA OVER
AUBURN
South
Carolina at Clemson
(Saturday at
6:45 CST on ESPN)
Both of these
teams stagger into this game with disappointing seasons. Both teams expected better. South Carolina is trying to avoid a losing
season at 5-6 and Clemson is barely better at 6-5. Both coaches are feeling a little heat and could really help
themselves by winning this game. The
Gamecock offense has continued to struggle and get worse. South Carolina has not scored over 16 points
in a game since beating Miss St the first week in October. They have lost 4 in a row. Clemson is just slightly better. Surprisingly the Tigers have had problems on
offense as well. No one has really
stepped up at RB and QB Willie Simmons has been a bit of a disappointment. The defenses are probably the best units on
the field so it will probably be a low-scoring game. I think Holtz will have South Carolina ready but I will give
Clemson a slight edge being at home...
CLEMSON OVER
SOUTH CAROLINA
Ole Miss at
LSU
(Saturday at
7:30 CST on ESPN2)
An
interesting matchup as the Rebels knocked off LSU last year. Somehow the Rebel defense, the worst in the
SEC for the last 2 years, was able to slow down Rohan Davey and Josh Reed who
absolutely torched everyone else after that.
Go figure. Ole Miss comes in
after a much needed open week. The
Rebels are trying to regroup after getting creamed by Bama, Arkansas, Auburn
and Georgia. Even Eli Manning had a bad
outing two weeks ago at Georgia. Ole
Miss hasn’t been able to muster much of a running game to help out.
LSU meanwhile
comes in after nearly losing 3 in a row themselves. Other than the Kentucky miracle, the Tigers were whipped by
Auburn and Bama. LSU still controls
their own destiny in getting to Atlanta though. They beat Ole Miss and Arkansas and they are in to defend their
title. Neither of these teams have
looked good in recent weeks but I think LSU will be able to run on the Rebels
and take the pressure off beleaguered freshman QB Marcus Randall. If the defense can slow down Manning I think
that LSU should take this one.
LSU OVER OLE
MISS
Tennessee at
Vandy
(Saturday at
11:30 CST on Jefferson Pilot)
The “huge”
state rivalry is back in Nashville this year.
Vandy will have the “homefield” advantage. Vandy fans are nearly outnumbered when Bama or Auburn come up to
Nashville I can’t imagine how bad things are going to be against UT. This game is important to UT as closing the
season with a win this week and next will give the Vols 8 wins and probably
send them to the state of Florida to go bowling. There has been a lot of the same old talk about Vandy “being
tough” but once again they are without an SEC win. I sure don’t see that changing even with UT down some...
Arkansas at
Miss St
(Saturday at
1:30 CST)
The only game
not televised but a major game nonetheless.
Arkansas can play LSU next week at home for the SEC West title if they
can pull this one out. State is still
winless in the SEC but I think they are very dangerous. They have some talent but have just not been
able to put it together and keep shooting themselves in the foot. However I would think Jackie Sherill would
remember and tell his players how Arkansas ruined State chances for an SEC West
title in 97, 99 and 2000. State had
very good teams each year and had very good shots at getting to Atlanta until
Arkansas ruined it for them. The
Bulldogs should look for a little payback here. Unfortunately their best player on defense, Mario Haggan, is
hurt. I think the Bulldogs put up a
good fight but I think the potent Razorback rushing attack will break through
sooner or later. I will take Arkansas
in a close one...
ARKANSAS OVER
MISS ST
Florida, Georgia
and Kentucky are open this week.
Overall picking SEC vs. SEC/BCS opponents I went 3-2 last week picking LSU (youch) and Auburn. Overall I am 40-15. Overall including patsies I went 4-2 and am at 69-17.