By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports
Below are my Week 7 SEC football predictions.
This season, I’m sharing my picks both against the spread and straight-up.
Check back on my “Vince’s View” blog page for future posts including weekly SEC football and NFL game predictions. Bookmark my blog page and check back often.
Week 5 Straight-Up Record: 6-1 (86%)
Week 5 vs. Spread Record: 5-2 (71%)
2021 Season Straight-Up Record: 48-14 (77%)
2021 Season Straight-Up Record: 32-30 (52%)
2020 SEC Season Prediction Record Straight-Up: 66-12 (85%)
FULL SLATE OF CONFERENCE GAMES IN WEEK 7
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16
Auburn (4-2, 1-1 SEC) at Arkansas (4-2, 1-2 SEC)
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)
Noon ET • CBS
Series: AU leads, 18-11-1
Last: AU, 30-28 (2020 at Auburn)
CBS: Noah Eagle, Aaron Murray, Rick Neuheisel, Jenny Dell
Sirius: 111/81 • XM: 192/81
Point Spread: Arkansas -4
Vince’s View: KJ Jefferson is really playing well and gives Arkansas the QB advantage at home.
Vince’s Pick vs. the line: Arkansas -4
Score Prediction: Arkansas 35 Auburn 28
Florida (4-2, 2-2 SEC) at LSU (3-3, 1-2 SEC)
Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (102,321)
Noon ET • ESPN
Series: UF leads, 33-31-3
Last: LSU, 37-34 (2020 at Gainesville)
ESPN: Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Molly McGrath
ESPN Radio: Sean Kelley, Barrett Jones, Ian Fitzsimmons
Sirius: 85/138 • XM: 85/191
Point Spread: Florida -12
Vince’s View: The LSU body language in the whoopin’ it took at Kentucky was concerning. The Florida rushing attack should have a field day, even on the road.
Vince’s Pick vs. the line: Florida -12
Score Prediction: Florida 41 LSU 21
Texas A&M (4-2, 1-2 SEC) at Missouri (3-3, 0-2 SEC)
Columbia, Mo. • Faurot Field (62,621)
Noon ET • SEC Network
Series: TAMU leads, 8-7
Last: MIZ, 34-27 (2014 at College Station)
SECN: Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb, Alyssa Lang
Sirius: 119/137 • XM: 202/190
Point Spread: Texas A&M -9
Vince’s View: Missouri is flawed, but there’s a huge concern of a letdown for the Aggies after upsetting. This will be a huge test for A&M having truly turned the season around.
Vince’s Pick vs. the line: Missouri +9
Score Prediction: Texas A&M 27 Missouri 20
Kentucky (6-0, 4-0 SEC) at Georgia (6-0, 4-0 SEC)
Athens, Ga. • Sanford Stadium (92,746)
3:30 p.m. ET • CBS
Series: UGA leads, 60-12-2
Last: UGA, 14-3 (2020 at Lexington)
CBS: Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, Jamie Erdahl
Sirius: 138/81 • XM: 191/81
Point Spread: Georgia -23
Vince’s View: I think Kentucky will come back down to earth against the nation’s top-ranked team. Yes, Georgia’s handling the #1 ranking is a thing, but I believe that’s more of a fan concern than a team concern. I do think the number is a touch too big though, but we’ll know the better team throughout.
Vince’s Pick vs. the line: Kentucky +23
Score Prediction: Georgia 38 Kentucky 17
Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-2 SEC) at South Carolina (3-3, 0-3 SEC)
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559)
4 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Series: SC leads, 26-4
Last: SC, 41-7 (2020 at Nashville)
SECN: Dave Neal, Deuce McAllister, Andraya Carter
Sirius: 111/137 • XM: 192/190
Point Spread: South Carolina -18.5
Vince’s View: That’s a lot of points for a struggling, low-scoring South Carolina team to cover. Then again, how do you have any belief in Vanderbilt, who hasn’t scored in two SEC massacres?
Vince’s Pick vs. the line: South Carolina -18.5
Score Prediction: South Carolina 24 Vanderbilt 0
Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (3-2, 1-1 SEC)
Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (61,337)
7 p.m. ET • ESPN
Series: UA leads, 83-18-3
Last: UA, 41-0 (2020 at Tuscaloosa)
ESPN: Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy, Katie George
Sirius: 84/138 • XM: 84/191
Point Spread: Alabama -17
Vince’s View: This is clearly a get-focused game for Alabama. I think you’re see a dominant Tide team. If not, the flaws we’ve seen in this team will be real.
Vince’s Pick vs. the line: Alabama -17
Score Prediction: Alabama 42 Miss State 17
Ole Miss (4-1, 1-1 SEC) at Tennessee (4-2, 2-1 SEC)
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (102,455)
7:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Series: UT leads, 44-19-1
Last: UM, 34-3 (2014 at Oxford)
SECN: Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic
Sirius: 81/137 • XM: 81/190
Point Spread: Ole Miss -2.5
Vince’s View: So many storylines in this one with Lane Kiffin returning for the first time as a head coach, Checker Neyland, orange britches and the opportunity to elevate the season potential after two dominant SEC wins. Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker has been tremendous and the catalyst to the two game win streak. Hooker is #1 in the SEC and #5 in the nation in passing efficiency. One thing to watch is the possibility for Hooker to pass for 300 yards, which has been a rare mark since 2012. UT has only had 10 passing games of over 300 yards in the last 104 games. That’s only happened 5 times in the last 54 games. To keep-up with Ole Miss, that may need to happen today, especially if UT isn’t healthy at running back. I think this could be the game where injuries catch-up with the Vols. UT needs RB Tiyon Evans. These are the top two teams in plays per minutes in the country, so be ready. My concern with Ole Miss is that the Rebels defense has looked like last season’s D the last two games. Offense galore in Knoxville. A key stop or two and turnovers should swing a close game.
Vince’s Pick vs. the line: Ole Miss -2.5
Score Prediction: Ole Miss 45 Tennessee 41
