MSU v South Alabama

Ben Folds - Do It Anyway

Call it surrender but you know that that's a joke 

And the punchline is you were never actually in control 

But still, surrender anyway... 

Welcome back, once again... to the House of Hooch!  This week Mr. Hooch's beloved Bulldogs take on the Jaguars from the University of South Alabama, and so I tender the above lyrics as advice to USA.  Yeah, chances are you're going to get rolled, but hey! Do it anyway!

So, this week we will flip the script and let the Professor respond to my assessment of the upcoming SEC games this weekend (Note: this week Professor D's responses will be bold and italicized).  There are some promising matchups this weekend, and a few snoozers, so we'll take them in the order of entertainment value, from least to greatest... and away we go!

Bama v FAU

So apparently FAU, fresh off an SEC ass-whipping to the tune of 56-20 at the hands of Georgia, has decided that it's a good idea to wake the sleeping giant known as Alabama football.  Defensive end Cory Henry was quoted as saying, "They ain't what people think.  They're good and everything but they can be beat, too.  They just execute well.  They just execute and beat you." You can read some more brilliant musing by this future nobel laureate here. If Bama was going to sleepwalk through this one before, you can bet they'll be wide awake now.  Look for Bama to strike early, often, and brutally en route to this rout...

Bama 63 - FAU 14

It’s cute that you’re giving FAU 14 points. I like that. It’s about the only mercy they’re going to see this weekend as Goliath catches David’s puny rock and proceeds to step on him until you can’t tell the difference between his sling and his jock strap.

Bama 56 – FAU 3

OM v Tulane

What do you mean Mardi Gras?  This is just your average
Monday afternoon in September...

Ole Miss squares off against Tulane in what is likely to be one of the last potential wins for the Rebels this season, and we're only in week 4.  Tulane is 0-2 coming in to this game, and OM is desperate for a win after the beating Texas laid on them last weekend.  The Rebels should be able to handle their business, and as an added bonus they'll get to party in New Orleans afterwards! Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!

OM 42 - Tulane 24

Mr. Hooch is breaking out the French, and my Slidell roots appreciate it. This should be an exciting game. Will Ole Miss’ dynamic offense continue to roll up the yards after the beating they took at the hands of Texas? Will this defense finally be able to stop somebody? By conference I hope so. I’m looking for Ole Miss to take care of business and begin boarding up the windows for the rest of their schedule.

OM 38 – Tulane 28

SCSU v TAMU

Texas A&M will host South Carolina State in what is almost assuredly another win for the Aggies.  SC State is coming off a 56-0 gaff against Arizona, but things aren't going to get much better this weekend.  TAMU will be looking to lock down those OOC wins to improve their SEC street cred, and these Bulldogs are just another victim.

TAMU 45 - SCSU 24

I like that I get to yawn at this one. You go newbie, keep on representing.

TAMU 35 – SCSU 17

Tenn v Akron

The 2-1 Vols host the 1-2 Zips this weekend, and Akron will undoubtedly fall to 1-3 when the dust settles.  The only chance for Akron is if they catch Tennessee looking ahead to next week's SEC matchup against Georgia, but credit Derek Dooley with enough coaching know how to have his boys focused on the task at hand.  If this tune is getting a little played out then bear with me, but the level of talent in the SEC is just a cut above these OOC foes.  

Tenn 45 - Akron 13  

Is this what you wanted to see, Professor!?
Are you happy now???

I’m putting this game on upset watch. Don’t ask me why because I don’t have an answer for you. The feeling isn’t strong enough for me to pick Akron,  but I’ll be watching it close. Tennessee looks to be one of the only “middle of the road” teams in a top heavy SEC this year as Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky, and Missouri all appear to be down. Hopefully this game isn’t a step in the wrong direction

Tenn 28 – Akron 10

LSU v Auburn

It's Tiger versus Tiger as LSU and Auburn square off in LSU's first conference game of the season, and what is arguably their first true test of the season as well.  Auburn breathed a brief sigh of relief after pulling out the OT win against giant-killers ULM last week in their own house, but the reprieve was short-lived.  There's very little for Auburn to get excited about, but if there is any good news at all it's that 1) they play at home and 2) LSU is without their starting running back, Alfred Blue, who was injured in last week's game against Idaho.  Unfortunately depth has rarely been an issue for LSU, and this year looks to be no exception.  Backup RB's Kenny Hilliard and Jeremy Hill will share the load on the ground for the Tigahs, and Auburn's D will be hard-pressed to stop them.

LSU 50 - Auburn 24

Ow, stahp! STAAAAHHP!!

I’m so happy LSU is finally playing someone of merit! Oh wait… Auburn’s defense will be overmatched. They have a decent enough pass rush, but against LSU the pass is the last thing that you should be worried about. Did you hear Blue was out? Who cares? LSU fields like 90 running backs this year and my high schools punter could put up 100 yards with their offensive line. This is going to get ugly, quick, as LSU pounds Auburn on the ground. Kiehl Frazier is in for a long night. A really long, painful, night. Two Tigers will go into this game, and since it isn’t a fight to the death I guess two Tigers will come out, but one will be limping.

LSU 48 – Auburn 13

UK v Florida

The Wildcats travel south to the Swamp this weekend to take on the undefeated Florida Gators on Saturday.  Sophomore QB Maxwell Smith has nearly 1000 yards and 8 TD's already this season, and he will look to add to those numbers against a scrappy group of Gators.  Unfortunately for Kentucky, Florida holds the record for the nation's longest active winning streak in a current series over Kentucky, having won the last 25 (that's not a typo. TWENTY. FIVE.) games against the hapless Kitties.  Saturday will likely mark number 26.

UK 14 - Florida 35

I’m going to call Kentucky being up at the half, but the second half Gators have been unstoppable this year, and that is one hell of a streak they’re defending. I can’t wait for some of these good teams to start playing each other to get some real conflict and good back and forth going, but for now, I’m going to have to stick with Mr. Hooch’s picks and go with the Gators at home.

UK 24 – Florida 35

TWENTY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS!

Ark v Rutgers

Now we're getting somewhere... Arkansas hosts the Scarlet Knights, who are undefeated and have shown they know how to play on the road, boasting wins over Tulane and South Florida.  Arkansas is a shambles right now, both on the field and off.  After a gut-wrenching OT loss to ULM, injured Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson publicly criticized his teammates, accusing them of "giving up" in the 52-0 loss to Bama last week.  Also, interim head coach John L. Smith has recently filed for bankruptcy to the tune of TWENTY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS! (cue Dr. Evil)  If he wants to continue pulling a paycheck, Smith will make sure the Razorbacks get their game-snouts on and post a solid win over Rutgers... but it's not that easy.  Rutgers currently ranks fifth in the nation in points against, ninth in rushing defense and 12th in total defense... and that is with 2 out of 3 games being played on the road.  Chances are Wilson will still be sidelined this weekend, which leaves Brandon Allen under center.  The Hogs will need Allen to become something greater than himself if they hope to take this game over.  My SEC bias may be showing, but I think they can pull it off... it'll be a close one, though.

Ark 24 - Rutgers 21

Now this is a ball game! I smell blood in the water with this pick and I’m going to go for it. Rutgers is a good, solid football team. The talent will be in Arkansas favor, but as Rick Stansbury knows, talent is no substitute for playing as a team, and the Scarlet Knights defense is going to shut down Arkansas crippled offense.

Arkansas 14 – Rutgers 27

Mizzou v SC

The OTHER other Tigers are still seeking their first SEC win, having lost to Georgia 2 weeks ago.  South Carolina and the Old Ball Coach are undefeated and looking to stay that way, though.  The thing to watch in this game will be SC's QB (whether it's Conner Shaw or Dylan Thompson) versus Mizzou's pass defense.  The problem is that the Cocks also have a bruising ground game with all-star RB Marcus Lattimore. Missouri just isn't quite where they need to be in terms of depth, speed or execution yet, so they're going to struggle in a hostile environment.  That said, they will definitely put up a fight, and if they get a few lucky bounces anything is possible.

Mizzou 24 - SC 35

For your viewing pleasure...

You said it sir. Missouri is just not up to speed yet with the likes of South Carolina, no matter who the quarterback is. Maybe the Tigers (seriously? how many of these striped cats can one conference hold? Isn’t there a law against this or something?) will pull out a big win, but I just don’t see South Carolina stumbling just yet.

Mizzou 28 – SC 35

Vandy v UGA

The Commodores travel to Athens to take on the #5 Bulldogs, who are undefeated through their first 3 games of the season.  Vandy had a lovely exhibition against Presbyterian last weekend that ended with a 58 point shutout, but they're more likely to be the victim this Saturday.  Georgia's defense is going to be more than the Vanderbilt offense can handle, and things aren't going to be any prettier on the other side of the ball.  Aaron Murray and his receivers are going to slice the Commodores to ribbons through the air, and although there's not a single, dominant superstar Georgia has a solid stable of running backs as well.  

Vandy 21 - UGA 35

Vandy is improving, there is no doubt about that, but they are trying to do while the SEC is rolling around in their huge golden piles of talent in a party some teams just weren’t invited to. One of those teams was Vanderbilt. The Commodores are going to put up one heck of a fight, but they’re going to go down swinging against a Georgia squad I’m pleasantly surprised with.

Vandy 17 – UGA 27

MSU v USA

The Bulldogs were serviceable if not spectacular in last week's outing against the Trojans, and it earned them a #23 ranking in both the AP and USA Today polls.  This week they face another Alabamian school in USA.  Tyler Russell is around 10-15 passes shy of breaking MSU's record of consecutive passes thrown without an interception, and his passes are looking crisp.  If he had a little help from the receivers last week he would be much closer to that goal, but them's the breaks.  The Bulldogs are owners of a 12:1 turnover ratio on the season, and they will look to improve that number this Saturday.  LaDarius Perkins will keep USA's defense honest by pounding the ball on the ground, and with a little help from a solid offensive line he should easily tally 2-3 TD's.  Look for freshman Joe Morrow to have a good day as he tries to make amends for dropping everything that came his way at Troy.  Throw Chad Bumphis in the mix and things could get ugly quick.  Speaking of Bumphis, he is 1 TD away from breaking MSU's receiving TD record, and he will likely equal and then surpass that record by day's end.  The advantage of home field will be a nice, if not unnecessary, bonus, and the Bulldogs will go in to their bye-week 4-0 as they take the extra time to rest up and prepare for Kentucky the week after.

MSU 49 - USA 21

Now who among my readers will get this reference?
If you do, leave a comment!

These bulldogs are looking good. Yeah the Troy game could have been better, but this is possibly the most balanced team Mississippi State has ever fielded. They can run, pass, and play some good D. The only sore spot is special teams. I’m going to give Bell the benefit of the doubt AGAIN and call for him to have a good outing in the 1 field goal attempt he’s going to get against a SEVERELY overmatched USA. It will be interesting to see which of the multitude of targets at Tyler Russell’s disposal will get their number called this weekend. Will the freshman Morrow finally get his chance? Will the mighty senior Bumphis break into the all-time record books? Will Jonathon Banks have the second most receptions on the team? (Editor's note: LOL!!!) Will we finally see a punt return that goes more than 3 yards? Will we.. okay that’s enough. My point is, it is time for the Bulldogs to tune up the offense and get this defense some confidence going into the bye week. Additionally I’m going to start placing bets on which of the two stand out corners will get interceptions each game. I’m going with Banks in this one. Slay has proven that you’re just going to have to take a shot at his All-American counterpart, and I think, much to their demise, USA is going to try.

MSU 45 – USA 13

And thus we come to the end of another SEC preview brought to you by the House of Hooch. Thanks for reading, and make sure you like us and spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, etc. using the links below or at the top of the page on the right.  We'll be back next week with a recap of this weekend's action, and later in the week with an SEC preview for the upcoming weekend.  Cheers!