The Crippler's Take on the Southeastern Conference
During the season starts, this page will have a detailed analysis and prediction for every game involving an SEC team so check back every week. It will be updated on Thursday afternoons
NOTE: Predictions are done based on the home team so inter-conference games, such as Clemson/South Carolina will only appear on the SEC Prediction page since USC is the home team but Vandy/Duke is on the ACC page because the game is at Duke.
Crippler's Prediction Results
| SEC Straight-Up |
50-16 |
| SEC Spread |
30-35 |
| Overall Straight-Up |
88-31 |
| Overall Spread |
57-52-1 |
GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 17
Tennessee (-18) at Kentucky
The Vols and Cats square off this week in Lexington. UK has slowly matured into a pretty good offense. Too bad they play no defense. UK will score some points but they won't be able to stop Clausen, Stephens and the rest of the UT offense. The Vols continue rolling into their season-ending matchup in Gainesville and remain in serious contention for a BCS bowl.
The Crippler picks TENNESSEE 45, KENTUCKY 21
Mississippi State at Arkansas (-8)
The season is almost over for Sherrill's bunch in Starkville, mercifully so. 2001 has definitely been a season to forget for the Bullies as they have been pushed around more times than I can remember in one season. This week, they travel to Arkansas to take on the Hogs, who have gained alot of respectability over the last half of the season and could find themselves in a minor bowl with a little luck. The Hogs will not need luck to win this one. MSU is starting a rookie QB and Arkansas' defense will make him pay.
The Crippler picks ARKANSAS 20, MISSISSIPPI STATE 10
Georgia at Ole Miss (-2.5)
The Dawgs and Rebs get together this weekend in Oxford in an important game as far as SEC bowl seeding is concerned and a very important game for Ole Miss as they still have a shot at the SEC Championship game. Can UGa's solid secondary control Eli Manning? If they do, Georgia walks away with a big win. If not, then Georgia could very well find themselves in Nashville for the Music City Bowl again this year. Ole Miss has a solid team but I see David Greene and Musa Smith picking apart the weak Rebel defense.
The Crippler picks GEORGIA 23, OLE MISS 20
Alabama at Auburn (-3)
The 2001 Iron Bowl kicks off in Auburn this weekend. Old rivals meet again and anything goes in this one. Auburn is the better team but as the case with most old rivalries, the better team does not always win. This year, however, I think Auburn will win. They have too much to play for and Alabama has to be a little disappointed at missing out on a bowl game again. It will be a good one but War Eagle will win out in the end.
The Crippler picks AUBURN 20, ALABAMA 14
Florida State at Florida (-15)
The Noles and Gators are ready for their annual war in Gainesville this weekend. This year's contest between the two doesn't have quite the national implications it usually does. Florida is still a top 5 team but they'll need some help to play for the national championship and FSU is just fighting for a Gator Bowl berth in the ACC. There's a reason for the disparity. Florida is a better team. FSU has too many young guys. They're talented but so is Florida and the Gators have the experience and poise and will win this one easily. This year's Florida team is easily the most talented team I have ever personally witnessed in my 20 years of attending college football.
The Crippler picks FLORIDA 31, FLORIDA STATE 14
Clemson at South Carolina (-4.5)
Carolina-Clemson...need I say more? Not to anyone who lives in or near the Palmetto State. These two bitter enemies meet for the 99th time. Clemson holds the overall edge in the series, including four in a row and six in a row in Columbia. USC fans have heard this all too often the past year after last year's controversial, yet heartbreaking, 16-14 loss to the Tigers. USC has some injuries to overcome, namely Kalimba Edwards but this year's Gamecock team is just better than Clemson. There's really no other way to put it. Both teams come into the game struggling. Clemson has lost 3 of their last 4 and USC has lost 3 of their last 5 but none of that will matter Saturday. This game, as it usually does, will come down to who wants it more. That is where USC has the advantage as they still have not fully let the sting go from last year. Payback will be sweet for Lou's boys.
The Crippler picks SOUTH CAROLINA 28, CLEMSON 20
GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 10
Memphis at Tennessee (-24)
Non-conference, in-state "rivals" get together in Knoxville this week when Tommy West's Memphis Tigers invade the Vol Navy. Memphis usually seems to play UT tough but then does something stupid and blows the game. Well, I don't even think they'll have that chance this year. The Vols should control this game from the very beginning and I'm sure Memphis will see enough Travis Stephens to last a lifetime. UT wins in an easy one, keeping alive their BCS hopes.
The Crippler picks TENNESSEE 28, MEMPHIS 7
Central Florida at Arkansas (-6.5)
The only question I see about this game is whether or not the Razorbacks have recovered from last week's marathon 7-OT win at Ole Miss!! Arkansas is tough at home and they are playing very well. UCF has a respectable team but they don't have what it takes to win in Fayetteville.
The Crippler picks ARKANSAS 24, CENTRAL FLORIDA 10
Middle Tennessee State at Louisiana State (-17.5)
MTSU invades the Bayou to take on the Bengal Tigers this week in a non-conference game. MTSU has a very underrated team and this game will not be altogether easy for LSU, who is not playing its best football right now. In any case, MTSU is no match for an SEC team (Vandy excluded) so LSU should wear down the Raiders and win this one comfortably in the second half.
The Crippler picks LSU 31, MTSU 13
Kentucky at Vanderbilt (-1)
The Battle for Bottom of the SEC kicks off in Nashville this weekend. I would say that gives Vandy the advantage over UK but we all know that there is no home-field advantage for Vanderbilt. Does anyone really care about this game? Well, look at it this way, ONE of these teams will actually get a conference win!!!! I have no real reason for picking the winner but something tells me that Kentucky is ready to take that next step and get the win.
The Crippler picks KENTUCKY 28, VANDERBILT 24
Mississippi State at Alabama (-11)
MSU finally came through for me last week with a win. Okay, I know, it was only over Kentucky but still, I had been predicting them to break out of their slump for a while and they always let me down. This week, the Bullies travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Tide. Neither team is really in bowl contention and honestly, neither team is very good so that makes for a competitive game, right? Now, that MSU has finally gotten the win for me, I can stop picking them. I think Bama wins this game, purely due to home crowd.
The Crippler picks ALABAMA 20, MISSISSIPPI STATE 13
Auburn at Georgia (-8)
Old friends get together this weekend when Auburn and Georgia meet this week. The Tigers are still in contention for the SEC West crown and Georgia is fighting for a good bowl berth so alot is on the line in Athens. This game could be one of the season's best. Of course, when these two meet, it usually turns out to be a classic game. I see alot of points being scored but I don't think Auburn's offense can match David Greene, Fred Gibson and company and I think the Dawgs pull away late.
The Crippler picks GEORGIA 31, AUBURN 21
Florida (-12) at South Carolina
The SEC East Division is on the line in Columbia this Saturday in this elimination game. The loser is out of the race and the winner is still very much alive. If Florid wins, the UT-UF game on December 1 is for the SEC East. If USC wins, then Florida is eliminated and USC goes to Atlanta if UF beats Tennessee. ESPN's Gameday makes an appearance in Columbia this weekend and you can expect a VERY hostile, loud crowd in a chilly night game. All of this bodes well for the Gamecocks but Florida has one of, if not THE best offense in the nation, coupled with an outstanding defense. On a talent-level, UF wins this game fairly easily but with Lou Holtz leading the Gamecocks, alot more than talent will go into deciding the outcome of this game. Hey, I havent gone against my Gamecocks yet, so I'm not changing now that the biggest game in school history is upon us!!!!
The Crippler picks SOUTH CAROLINA 24, FLORIDA 21
GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 3
Vanderbilt at Florida (-35)
Vandy travels to Gainesville to take on the Gators this weekend. Florida had last week off so they'll be fresh and ready to go this weekend. Vandy's only chance is that UF is looking ahead to next week's visit to South Carolina. Not likely. UF wins this one in a huge way.
The Crippler picks FLORIDA 45, VANDERBILT 7
Tennessee (-7.5) at Notre Dame
The Vols travel to historic South Bend to take on the Irish. This game could be a job-saver for Notre Dame Head Coach Bob Davies. UT is coming off of an emotional, hard-fought victory over South Carolina last week and will need to regroup in a hurry. The Vols are more talented than the Irish but it is never easy to win in South Bend and the Vols will find this out. I think UT wins but they'll have to scrap and claw to do it. Of course, that is exactly what this Tennessee team does best.
The Crippler picks TENNESSEE 23, NOTRE DAME 20
Kentucky at Mississippi State (-7.5)
Kentucky travels to Starkville to take on the most disappointing team in college football this season. The real question of this game has nothing to do with talent or anything on the field. It's all in the heads and hearts of the Bulldogs. Does MSU have enough heart and pride to even care about this season anymore? If they do, they will beat Kentucky. I'm not so sure they do, however but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt yet again.
The Crippler picks MISSISSIPPI STATE 24, KENTUCKY 14
Louisiana State at Alabama (-4.5)
LSU is another disappointing team this year. Many expected them to win the SEC West but after last week's loss to Ole Miss, that will not happen. Pride and possibly a minor bowl are on the line in Tuscaloosa when the Tigers and Tide get together. These two teams are pretty evenly matched and both are very streaky. You really never know which team will show up for either of them so I expect a close game with the home crowd playing a factor for Bama.
The Crippler picks ALABAMA 24, LSU 17
Arkansas at Mississippi (-6)
Who really expected the Ole Miss Rebels to contend for the SEC West title this year? Okay, no one but right now, they are in the driver's seat but they'll face a very tough defensive team in the Arkansas Razorbacks this week. Eli Manning will have to get going early as the Hogs defense gets tougher as the game progresses. If this game was in Fayetteville or Little Rock, it would have upset written all over it but in Oxford, I can't see it happening.
The Crippler picks MISSISSIPPI 21, ARKANSAS 14
Wofford at South Carolina (no line)
The Wofford Terriers travel to Columbia to take on the Gamecocks in a makeup game for the cancelled week back in September. Wofford moved the ball well against Clemson earlier in the year but Clemson's defense isn't half as good as South Carolina's. Congrats Wofford, you win a big paycheck. USC wins this one easily but in true Lou Holtz fashion, they will not run the score up too badly.
The Crippler picks SOUTH CAROLINA 38, WOFFORD 7
GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 27
Mississippi at Louisiana State (-10)
The 5-1 Rebels travel to the Bayou to take on the LSU Tigers. LSU must win this game to keep pace with Ole Miss and Auburn in the race for the West. The Rebels will need Eli Manning to really open up the LSU defense with his arm and the way he has been playing, there is no reason to think he won't do just that. LSU will need to try to keep Manning off the field by running Labrandon Toefield many times. I think the offenses are even but the difference lies in the defense. Ole Miss really doesn't have one and LSU has a pretty good one.
The Crippler picks LSU 27, OLE MISS 14
Auburn (-1.5) at Arkansas
SEC West leader, Auburn leaves the Plains this weekend to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. Auburn is the only SEC team without a conference loss. Arkansas, on the other hand, is just fighting to possibly sneak into one of the SEC's lower-tier bowl ties. Arkansas has a dominating defense but no offense. Auburn does everything well but not great..except kick field goals. This game will not doubt be a low-scoring affair which means the leg of Damon Duval will factor in greatly yet again.
The Crippler picks AUBURN 16, ARKANSAS 7
Vanderbilt (-7.5) at Duke
Conference cellar-dwellers meet in Durham this week as the ACC's worst meets the SEC's worst. Okay, honestly, who really cares who wins this game? There won't be anymore than 10-15,000 people in the stands and that is a generous estimate. Basically, nothing is at stake except maybe a little conference bragging rights (a very little!) and the SEC is the better conference so go with the Commodores in this one.
The Crippler picks VANDERBILT 20, DUKE 10
Florida (-19) vs. Georgia
The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is set to go this weekend in Jacksonville. Can the Bulldog defense slow down Rex Grossman and the Gator offense? Well, that's the question of the day. This game will go a long way in determining the SEC East pecking order with both UGa and UF having one conference loss a piece. The Dawgs are good and are hungry but the Gators are determined not to slip up again and Steve Spurrier always has something special cooked up for Georgia. The Gators win but the Dawgs give them all they want for a while.
The Crippler picks FLORIDA 28, GEORGIA 14
South Carolina at Tennessee (-7.5)
The Gamecocks and Volunteers get together this weekend in Neyland Stadium in another game that will go a long way in determining SEC East pecking order. Can the Gamecocks finally get over the hump and beat one of the big boys and make their mark on the conference or will the Vols show the dominance that they and Florida have had for several years now? Well, this game has turned into a bitter one the past couple of years and rest assured, there is no loveloss between these two teams. Expect both teams to come out ready to play and play hard. The difference may very well come down to who makes less mistakes and does not turn the ball over. If that is the case, I like USC to pull the upset because of the senior leadership on the team.
The Crippler picks SOUTH CAROLINA 20, TENNESSEE 17
GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 20
Kentucky at Georgia (-23)
The Cats invade Athens to take on a newly focussed Georgia team as the Dawgs now realize that they are right back in the thick of the SEC East race with Florida and South Carolina losing last week. All of this spells trouble for a bad UK team that really stood no chance of beating UGa anyway. Expect David Greene to have a very big day and Terrence Edwards will pretty much have his way with the undermanned UK team.
The Crippler picks GEORGIA 38, KENTUCKY 7
Louisiana Tech at Auburn (13.5)
The offensive explosion that is the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs travel to the Plains to take on the Auburn Tigers, who are still basking in the afterglow of their last second victory of the Florida Gators. People are starting to believe that Auburn might just be for real. Well, they are the only SEC team without a conference loss so there isn't much anyone can say to knock them. La Tech will score some points but they will also give up ALOT of points. Expect Auburn to come out sluggish as they are not fully focussed on Tech yet and who can blame them but they are better than La Tech and will pull away in the second half as the War Eagle keeps climbing.
The Crippler picks AUBURN 38, LOUISIANA TECH 21
Middle Tennessee State at Ole Miss (-12)
The MTSU Raiders take a trip to Oxford to take on the Rebels in a non-conference game. Ole Miss got a big monkey off their back and beat Alabama last week but I'm thinking Bama was, at least in part, looking ahead to this week's matchup with Tennessee. In any case, that was a big win for Ole Miss and should carry over to this week against an MTSU team that is good but not anywhere near SEC-Caliber, despite their victory over Vandy earlier, but then again, Vandy is not anywhere near SEC-Caliber either. MTSU keeps the game very respectable but they won't be able to keep Eli Manning down for long.
The Crippler picks OLE MISS 24, MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE 10
Tennessee (-2) at Alabama
The SEC Game of the Week is in Tuscaloosa this weekend as the Vols and Tide lock up in what will be a WAR! This game is pretty much a must-win game for both teams as UT cannot afford another conference loss with Florida and South Carolina still to come and Alabama cannot afford a third coference loss. The key to this game will be QBs and secondaries on both sides. Can Clausen be consistent enough to beat the susceptible Bama secondary and can Tyler Watts continue his hot hand and exploit UT's weak secondary? I think Freddie Milons can and will have a big day and the Tide will Roll this week.
The Crippler picks ALABAMA 20, TENNESSEE 17
Louisiana State (-2.5) at Mississippi State
The LSU-MSU game this week is not quite the game it was supposed to be before the season began. This game was supposed to be the one game, winner take all, Battle for the West but with LSU having 2 conference losses and MSU falling apart this season, both teams are looking up at Auburn. This is merely a pride game for MSU but it is a must-win game for LSU. I think that benefits the Bulldogs. The Dawgs have been awful all year but they are too talented not to have one game where they put it together and play well. I think this is the week. No real reason, just a hunch.
The Crippler picks MISSISSIPPI STATE 21, LOUISIANA STATE 17
Vanderbilt at South Carolina (-16.5)
The Commodores travel to Columbia to take on the Gamecocks this week. South Carolina will need to rebound from last week's upset at the hands of Arkansas. The Dores have not played badly this season but have only one win to show for it so far. Vandy has moved the ball up and down the field on just about everyone but haven't scored many points. USC, on the other hand, has not moved the ball all that well this season and are not scoring many points. The difference is USC's defense has been very good, while Vandy's has not. Expect some frustrations to be take out on the Dores this week, although USC will not cover the spread...because they rarely have covered the spread this season.
The Crippler picks SOUTH CAROLINA 28, VANDERBILT 13
Here are archived links to the Crippler's preseason preview as well as previous week's predictions
Crippler's Preseason Preview
Crippler's Archived Weekly Predictions from September 1 - October 13
Jump straight to The Crippler's SEC Previews
To The Crippler's NCAA Football Page
Note: All pointspreads are taken from USA Today and are a combination of all the major Las Vegas Casino odds. They are provided for entertainment purposes only and not meant to be used a tool for gambling.