By
Brian Harbach
Who better to make SEC predictions than someone who knows and loves SEC football, each Friday morning my picks will be up to be judged or praised. In weeks like this one where the SEC will be playing on Thursday Night, the picks will be posted Thursday morning. I will keep a tally at the bottom to keep track of my record through the season.
NC State at South Carolina
Thursday, August 29th
Background
The Gamecocks kick off the 2008 College Football season on ESPN’s Thursday night football. Spurrier’s fourth season in Columbia brings a great defense with a ton of questions on offense.
What’s Looking Good
Jasper Brinkley returns to the Gamecocks after missing last season with a knee injury, Eric Norwood was been moved from DE to LB this offseason and those two should provide plenty of headaches for the visiting Wolfpack.
What’s Looking Bad
Carolina Quarterbacks have been struggling through out the entire Spurrier era, Tommy Beecher will start this game, but the question is if he will finish it.
Bottom Line
South Carolina playing at home will be enough to push the Gamecocks to victory, the score will look closer than the game actually is, but it should help build some confidence for the Carolina offense.
Predicted Score
NC State 10
South Carolina 19
Vanderbilt at Miami (OH)
Thursday, August 28th
Background
The second SEC Thursday night game puts the Vanderbilt Commodores on the road for their season opener. This isn’t your Dad’s Vanderbilt and games like this are ones that Bobby Johnson’s bunch should win.
What’s Going Good
The quarterback position for Vandy is looking good, but undecided. McKenzie Adams and Chris Nickson are both quality starters and should provide good leadership for the Commodore offense.
What’s Looking Bad
The Vandy schedule is tough as usual, but if they can win this game there is a chance they can get to six wins and a bowl.
Bottom Line
Even on the road, the experience at quarterback should help Vanderbilt win this game in the 4th quarter and start their season off on a good note.
Predicted Score
Vanderbilt 31
Miami (OH) 27
Hawaii at Florida
Saturday, August 30th
Background
The SEC favorites open at home against a name that used to be big, but now has lost all its luster. Hawaii’s best team was rolled by UGA last year, it won’t be easy for them against the SEC’s best this year.
What’s Going Good
Florida’s offense scored over 40 points a game last year and it would be shocking if they did not increase that this season. With better running backs Tim Tebow should be able to take less beatings late in games and be fresher for the big games down the road.
What’s Looking Bad
Secondary depth for the Gators is looking very thin, but there are still 3 of 4 starters returning. The secondary won’t be a problem in this game, but depth is becoming a question mark for Florida.
Bottom Line
Hawaii is going through some turnover in coaching and at the quarterback positions, the Gators are just too good to let this be a game. This one will be over by halftime.
Predicted Score
Hawaii 14
Florida 51
Georgia Southern at Georgia
Saturday, August 30th
Background
Georgia starts up its 2008 Championship run with a pesky challenge from Georgia Southern. It is always risky to play a school from your state that would love nothing more than to go Appalachian State all over you, but UGA is no Michigan.
What’s Going Good
Disrespect…for a team ranked #1 in both polls, UGA is hearing an awful lot about how terrible they are and how much better Florida is. This should keep them focused for the first month of the season.
What’s Looking Bad
Georgia Southern has eight players suspended for this game and while there was not a big chance for them to beat the heavily favored Bulldogs, the suspensions have destroyed any slight chance of an upset happening.
Bottom Line
UGA will get to play a lot of backup players in the second half of this game, I would be surprised if Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno had their pads on in the second half.
Predicted Score
Georgia Southern 6
Georgia 52
Appalachian State at LSU
Saturday, August 30th
Background
David vs Goliath Round II will take place in Baton Rouge and while ASU will not be afraid of the Bengal Tigers, they are in for a much larger test than the Michigan Wolverines offered them last season.
What’s Going Good
The LSU defensive line loses its best player to the NFL this past April, but is probably better in 2008 than it was in 2007. The group of defensive tackles LSU will play in this game could be the best group the SEC has ever had.
What’s Looking Bad
Who is going to play quarterback for LSU? The best QB on the field will be Armanti Edwards of ASU and the Tigers might play as many as 3 quarterbacks in this contest..
Bottom Line
This is not the Big House and LSU is not Michigan. I can see Appalachian moving the ball, but they will get stalled in the red zone. Knowing they can’t kick field goals to win the game they will turn the ball over on downs a couple times and LSU will pull away in the second half.
Predicted Score
Appalachian State 21
LSU 41
Mississippi State at LA Tech
Saturday, August 30th
Background
State prepares to open its season on the road against Louisiana Tech. After a successful 2007 season, the Bulldogs have expectations of a repeat performance in 2008.
What’s Going Good
The MSU running game should be special again this year with the return of Anthony Dixon. Dixon, a bruising back, should get a lot of carries and allow State to control the clock and keep the Tech offense off the field.
What’s Looking Bad
Not having your best player on defense and special teams is never a good way to go into the first game of the year, especially not on the road. Derek Pegues is suspended for the season opener and it will be felt in the Bulldog secondary.
Bottom Line
Sylvester Croom’s teams have always been physical at MSU, this year is no different. It won’t be pretty, but State gets the win in a game that will go all 4 quarters.
Predicted Score
Mississippi State 24
LA Tech 17
Western Illinois at Arkansas
Saturday, August 30th
Background
All eyes are on two people, new Head Coach Bobby Petrino and quarterback Casey Dick. Dick has been the scapegoat for years at Arkansas while never really getting to show how good he is. Petrino is going to challenge him to be a QB, not just someone handing the ball off.
What’s Going Good
Once again Arkansas should have a dominant offensive line, Michael Smith and the younger running backs should have plenty of room to run in any game they play.
What’s Looking Bad
Arkansas’ defense is pretty thin and it has hurt with a number of suspensions and players removed from the team in the off-season. Petrino has his work cut out for him on both sides of the ball in his first year as the Razorback head coach.
Bottom Line
Western Illinois can’t match what any SEC team brings to the field, the Arkansas fans will see more passes than in the past because Houston Nutt would have ran the ball 80 times in a game like this.
Predicted Score
Western Illinois 13
Arkansas 56
LA Monroe at Auburn
Saturday, August 30th
Background
The Spread Offense has come to Auburn and while we got a small look at it in Auburn’s bowl game, Tony Franklin’s offense has now had a full spring and summer to go along with the 8 bowl practices that led to the victory in the Peach Bowl.
What’s Going Good
The Tiger defense looks pretty salty this year with new defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads taking over, the front seven will be a force and the strong point of the team.
What’s Looking Bad
Rotating QB’s does not work in college football, this may be fine for the first couple games, but Auburn needs to go with one starter and the other to come in to play in specific situations. A QB cannot be afraid to make mistakes and playing two risks making them both timid.
Bottom Line
Auburn’s defense will lead the way in this game and give the offense opportunities to play in a short field. LA Monroe will come in with confidence from beating Alabama last season in Tuscaloosa, but that will not happen to Auburn.
Predicted Score
LA Monroe 7
Auburn 42
Memphis at Ole Miss
Saturday, August 30th
Background
Houston Nutt coaches his first game for the Ole Miss Rebels and with all the talent previous coach Ed Orgeron recruited, Nutt is sitting prettier than some people think.
What’s Going Good
Jevan Snead and Enrique Davis should be a great combination, both of them should carry the ball a lot in the opener and Davis will take his first step at being an SEC star against Memphis.
What’s Looking Bad
The Rebel defensive line is getting banged up at the wrong time, Greg Hardy will be out for about 2 months, Peria Jerry will miss 4 games as well and the defensive line that once looked like a strength now has a lot of questions.
Bottom Line
The crowd should be great in this game, Ole Miss/Memphis is a close rivalry game with a lot of kids recruited by both schools. With Ole Miss being at home gets they have to get the nod and the win starts Houston Nutt off on the right foot in Oxford.
Predicted Score
Memphis 20
Ole Miss 23
Alabama at Clemson (Atlanta, GA)
Saturday, August 30th
Background
For the second year in a row Alabama will play an out of conference game in a neutral site, last year they played Florida State in Jacksonville. This is probably the best game of the weekend and should be a good one in prime time for ABC.
What’s Going Good
Alabama Freshmen playing well in preseason will now become a huge part in this game, Julio Jones and Dontae Hightower are starters, but many more true freshmen will play a big part of this game.
What’s Looking Bad
Alabama’s front 7 is young and not very good right now. With an experienced group of running backs to go up against, this could be a key factor in who wins the game. If Bama can stop the run game or at least limit it, they should have a chance.
Bottom Line
Tommy Bowden with a good team, in a game he is supposed to win, when Clemson is predicted to have a good season. How can you not pick Alabama in this one, I would take Nick Saban over Bowden every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Predicted Score
Alabama 28
Clemson 27
Kentucky at Louisville
Sunday, August 31st
Background
You want a rivalry game with your opening weekend of College Football, you got it. Kentucky and Louisville will be battling it out for the Governor’s Cup in what should be a pretty competitive game. Louisville holds the edge in wins for the Governor’s Cup with a 9-5 record over their instate rivals.
What’s Going Good
Kentucky has some real studs on defense that should play great in this game. Guys like defensive end Jeremy Jarmon, linebacker Micah Johnson and defensive back Trevard Lindley should be bright spots for the Wildcats.
What’s Looking Bad
The Kentucky offense lost a lot of players from the 2007 team to the NFL and with Curtis Pulley kicked off the team, the quarterback competition turned into a QB coronation. Mike Hartline will get his first start on the road.
Bottom Line
Louisville played terrible last year, but removing a number of bad seeds should help team chemistry and they should take a step forward in 2008. Kentucky is rebuilding and a young offense opening on the road is not a good start.
Predicted Score
Kentucky 21
Louisville 31
Tennessee at UCLA
Monday, September 1st
Background
Tennessee makes their second straight trip out west for the season opener to be play UCLA, last season they opened at Cal.
What’s Going Good
The Tennessee running game is going to be great this season, Arian Foster is very underrated and the offensive line will be dominant. The Vols should be able to run the ball very effectively in this game and control the ball for most of it.
What’s Looking Bad
UCLA’s quarterback situation is looking terrible as it seems to every year, Ben Olsen is hurt again, Patrick Cowen was hurt months ago and now the third string QB, Kevin Craft will get the ball for this game.
Bottom Line
UCLA has a new coaching staff, new quarterback and Tennessee returns a lot from their 2007 SEC East championship team. The Vols should be able to control both lines of scrimmage and coast to a pretty easy victory.
Predicted Score
Tennessee 31
UCLA 14
If you don't like the picks let me know what is really going to happen. E-mail
me Brian Harbach
Y’all Play Nice, August 28, 2008
The SEC Bachstory, August 25, 2008
Y’all Play Nice, August 21, 2008
The SEC Bachstory, August 18, 2008
Has Spurrier Failed at USC?, August 15, 2008
The SEC Bachstory, August 11, 2008
The SEC Bachstory, August 3, 2008
Harbach's Top 5 SEC Offensive Players by Position, July 27, 2008
Harbach's Top 5 SEC Defensive Players by Position, July 27, 2008
Harbach's Top SEC Games, July 13, 2008
Championship Game Hurts SEC, July 6, 2008
Harbach's 2008 SEC Preview, June 30, 2008
Let's Get This Started, June 9, 2008
|