Reader's Choice

This week, I'm giving you, the readers the honor of predicting the outcome of Saturday's games in the SEC. Let's be honest. My picks have been stinkin' up the place, just a bit. Maybe, I'll spray them with Febreeze before I post 'em next week. Anyway, a breathe of fresh air would be quite refreshing. Here's the list. Send me an email, and I'll post your thoughts.

Bama @ South Carolina.

Petrino's Pigs @ Florida.

Kentucky @ Auburn.

Georgia is the Homecoming opponent for Vanderbilt. 'Nuff said.

UAB @ Ole Miss.

Mississippi State @ Middle Tennessee.

*Florida and UT have a bye.

Thanks for your time,
Rob.

WTF

What The Football? Last week, I wrote an article titled, "Disappointed But Proud." Well, I couldn't have been more wrong in my analysis. So, here's what I'd like you to do. Grab a sheet of notebook paper, wad it up, and throw it the hell away! You see, this blog could use a ceremonial cleansing from that erroneous post. Now that we've gotten that outta the way, let's talk football.

On Saturday, the national champs faced a tough challenge in Death Valley. But, their defense and previously seriously concussed QB Tim Tebow led the Gators to victory. That ain't good for Gator haters. Why? Because there are zero formidable foes left on the UF schedule. Looks like the chumps will be undefeated in December, when they play in the SEC Championship Game.

As far as UGA goes, many of you are wondering what I have to say about the nightmare in Knoxville. Well, I'm gonna take my mother's advice on this one. She often told me, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
So, I ain't sayin' shyte about those dogs.

Staying inside the league, Arkansas stunned my senses, by blowing out the resurgent Auburn Tigers and Vandy let me down...again. I should have known better, but they were playing ARMY! Come on, Commodores. Just please don't upset me this Saturday.

Back to Georgia for a minute. I don't call for coaches to get fired, but you can click on the title of this post, to hear what most UGA fans want to say to their Defensive Coordinator.

See ya'll later.

October 10 in the SEC

Vanderbilt @ Army. 12:00, no coverage. Vandy wins.

Auburn @ Arkansas on ESPN and ESPN360.com at 12:00. Tigers roar to 6-0. Afterward, they'll roll Toomer's corner.

Georgia @ Tennessee. 12:20 on SEC Network (WPCH in metro Atlanta area). Dawgs throttle Vols.

Houston @ Mississippi State at 12:30 on ESPNU. Don't know the true identity of either team. When in doubt, pick the SEC. So, I'll take Mullen's Dogs to win at home.

Kentucky @ Sloth Carolina. 12:30 on ESPN360.com. Rich Brooks is in trouble. Gamecocks win.

Alabama @ Ole Miss on CBS at 3:30. An upset would be sweet. But, it ain't gonna happen. Tide rolls the Rebels.

#1 Florida @ #4 LSU on CBS at 8:00. LSU don't lose underneath the lights in Death Valley. Florida will lose and Tebow's health will not be an issue. After the game, #15 will issue another apology to Gator Nation. What will UF fans think? Click on the title of this post to get the answer.

As the SEC Turns

As I type this article, every team in the SEC has already begun preparing for the second week of football in October. That means the season is getting late. Here's how the league currently stands.

SEC East:
#1 Florida 2-0 in SEC, 5-0 overall.
#25 South Carolina 1-1 in SEC, 4-1 overall.
UR Georgia 2-1 in SEC, 3-2 overall.
UR Kentucky 0-2 in SEC, 2-2 overall.
UR Tennessee 0-2 in SEC, 2-3 overall.
UR Vanderbilt 0-3 in SEC, 2-3 overall.

As of today, only 2 teams in the East are ranked in the top 25. Who would have thought Sloth Carolina would one of them? Evil Steve lost to Georgia, but that hasn't taken the wind out of South Carolina's sails. The Gamecocks host Kentucky on Saturday, then lose to 'Bama on October 17. Sloth Carolina could be 6-2 in league play, when they travel to Knoxville on Halloween.

SEC West:
#3 Alabama 2-0 in SEC, 5-0 overall.
#4 LSU 3-0 in SEC, 5-0 overall.
#17 Auburn 2-0 in SEC, 5-0 overall.
#20 Ole Miss 1-1 in SEC, 3-1 overall.
UR Miss State 1-2 in SEC, 3-2 overall.
UR Arkansas 0-2 in SEC, 2-2 overall.

With Ryan Mallett at the helm, many experts thought Arkansas could be a serious threat in the SEC West. But, an 0-2 start in league play has proven Petrino's Pigs to be the real fraud of the West. So far, the biggest surprise in this division is the Auburn Tigers. They are off to an incredible start. Honestly, I'm stunned by the immediate success Gene Chizik has seen on the plains. Looking at their schedule, Auburn should be 7-0 when they travel to Baton Rouge on October 24. But, this is the SEC. Stuff happens.

This Saturday, #1 Florida goes to Death Valley to face the #4 LSU Tigers. Who am I gonna pick to win? Click on the title of this post for a hint.

Disappointed But Proud

Although the final score of the Georgia-LSU game was something I didn't care to see, I saw something more important on Saturday night. I saw a Bulldogs squad that is worth believing in. I couldn't say that on September 6th. But, these Dawgs are different. Their abundance of inexperience on the field is diminishing more and more every week. We continue to see young guys, such as Rantavious Wooten, Orson Charles, Marcus Dowtin, and Brandon Boykin step up and make an impact.

On Saturday, the Dawgs were manhandled in the first half of football. But, despite LSU's constant presence deep within Georgia territory, the Bulldog defense hunkered the hell down. The Dawgs made some tremendous plays in crucial moments, that kept the Tigers stuck on 6 first half points. During the 4th quarter, Georgia got up off the mat, one more time. After a devastating Tigers touchdown put LSU ahead 12-7, UGA responded. With 7 seconds shy of 3 minutes remaining, a previously inept offense flew down the field and reclaimed the lead at 13-12. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to beat LSU.

I'm disappointed, but as a Georgia fan, I am very proud of this team. They continue to fight through adversity, regardless of the situation. This team plays with a lot of heart. You see, they've got some JunkYard Dog-ness in 'em. Such tenacity and fire will serve them very well in the future. Look for the Dawgs to bounce back this week with a victory over Tennessee.

Go Dawgs!!

October 3 in the SEC

Alabama @ Kentucky. 12:21 on ESPN360.com, ESPN Game Plan and possibly on SEC Network. Kats begin looking forward to basketball season.

LSU @ Georgia. 3:30 on CBS. I'm about to toss a coin. Heads is for LSU, tails means Dawgs win. Drum roll....Didn't like the first bounce. Decided to go 2 out of 3. Heads landed twice, so I'm picking the Tigers to upset Georgia in Athens.

Ole Miss @ Vanderbilt. 7:00 on ESPNU. Rebels win. If Vandy hadn't burned me a couple times, I might have called for an upset.

South Carolina State @ Sloth Carolina. 7:OO, no coverage or prediction.

Arkansas vs Texas A&M. 7:30 on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com. Don't know much about the Aggies, so I'll take the Hogs to win this one.

Georgia Tech @ Miss State. 7:30 on ESPN360.com and ESPN Game Plan package. Jackets defeat Dan Mullen's Dogs.

Auburn @ Tennessee. 7:45 on ESPN, ESPN360.com. UT desperately needs this win. But, they ain't gonna get it. War Eagle!

Florida has a bye.

SEC Today

In what is becoming a rainy day throughout the southeast, a couple of SEC teams have already kicked off.

LSU is leading Mississippi State 23-14 in the 3rd quarter in Starkville. Game is being shown on SEC Network (WPCH in metro Atlanta area).

At 3:30, Arkansas travels to Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide. The game will be shown on CBS. Tide barbecues Petrino's Pigs.

Kentucky hosts the Flu fightin' Gators at 6:00 PM on ESPN2. Kats will feel sick after Florida stomps 'em.

Ohio University takes on the Vols in Knoxville at 7 PM on ESPN30.com. Kiffin can sing Rocky Top tonight. Vols will win.

Auburn is home versus Ball State at 7PM on ESPN360.com. Auburn will have the game won by halftime.

Arizona State battles the Dawgs in Athens at 7 PM on ESPNU. Jawja wins.

Vanderbilt is at Rice. Kickoff is set for 8PM. There is no coverage of the game.

Notes:

I guess I should mention that South Carolina pulled of a huge upset Thursday night, when the Gamecocks beat Ole Miss 16-10.

In ACC action, FSU has looked lousy all day, but true freshman Greg Reid just returned a punt deep into South Florida territory. 2 plays later, FSU has scored. USF leads 14-7 with 12 minutes to play in Tallahassee.

On the flats, GT leads UNC 17-7. Jackets have the ball with about 9 minutes left in 4th quarter. Roddy Jones just got a 1st down. Jackets are at midfield.

September 19 in the SEC

Louisville @ Kentucky. 12:00 on ESPNU. Kats kick Cardinals azz.

North Texas @ Bama. 12:20 on ESPN360.com and SEC Network. NP.

Tennessee @ Florida. 3:30 on CBS. Vols win!! Just kidding. I ain't wearing the "crazy hat" this week. If UT can beat Florida, then I can date Paris Hilton. Sorry, Lame Kiffin (and self), it ain't happenin! Gators win 357- 7. And, the only song Kiffin will be singin' is the Rocky Top Blues.

Georgia @ Arkansas. 7:45 on ESPN and ESPN360.com. Rested Hogs destroy Dawgs.

West Virginia @ Auburn. 7:45 on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com. Tigers go 3-0.

Louisiana Lafayette @ LSU. 7:00 on ESPNU. NP.

Southeastern Louisiana @ Ole Miss. 7:30 on ESPN360.com. NP.

Mississippi State @ Vanderbilt. 7:00 on ESPN360.com. Commodores beat Dogs.

Last week, I predicted that Vanderbilt would knock off LSU...in Baton Rouge. Click on the title of this post to see how I'm feeling after that pick.

*NP = No prediction.

Happy Birthday, Sammy!

September 12 in the SEC

Florida International @ Bama. 7PM on ESPN360.com. No prediction. We already know the outcome.

Mississippi State @ Auburn. 7PM on ESPN360.com Tigers go 2-0.

Troy @ UF. 12:21 on ESPN360.com. (Not sure about this, but there are rumors that TBS might carry the game throughout the south) No pick. Ain't necessary.

South Carolina @ UGA. 7PM on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com. After their poor showing vs Oklahoma State, I'm very nervous about predicting these Dawgs to beat anyone. If that subpar performance is a true indicator of what UGA is capable of, then I'd be afraid of Marietta High School. But, Georgia never goes 0-2 to start the season. So, (deep breath) I'm picking the Bulldogs to win an ugly game.

Vandy @ LSU. 7PM on ESPNU. Look out for the upset. Commodores ain't 'sposed to win. So, they will. This is a reach, but I'm willing to say that LSU's season begins to unravel in Death Valley. Sorry, JD. If I'm wrong, you can call me crazy.

UCLA @ Tennessee. 4PM on ESPN and ESPN360.com. Kiffin's Vols are vastly improved from the un-UT-like squad we saw in '08. Tennessee will be singing Rocky Top all night long. Will the coach save his energy for Florida? Doesn't matter. Vols win.

Arkansas (hosts UGA on 9/19/09), Kentucky, and Ole Miss have a bye this week.

Saturday is just hours away. It's time for some teams (UGA are you listening?) to MAN UP!! Click on the title of this post. Here's a hint. Steve Spurrier is coming to Athens.

September 5th in the SEC

Although South Carolina defeated NC State 7-3 on Thursday, the real SEC season begins on September 5th. Here's the lineup:

UGA @ Oklahoma State. 3:30 ET on ABC. Dawgs destroy Cowboys.

Alabama vs Virginia Tech. 8:00 ET on ABC. ESPN GameDay will be live from Atlanta, as fans await the Chic-Fil-A Kickoff Classic. Tide rolls.

LSU @ Washington. 10:30 ET on ESPN and ESPN 360.com. LSU slaughters Huskies.

Missouri State @ Arkansas. 7:00 ET on ESPN 360.com. I'll refrain from making a prediction. Too easy.

Louisiana Tech @ Auburn. 7:00 ET on ESPNU. Dooley's Dogs upset the Tigers.

Charleston Southern @ UF. 7:00 ET on ESPN360.com No prediction. Once again, too easy.

Kentucky @ Miami of Ohio. 12:00 ET on ESPNU. Kats win.

Jackson State @ Mississippi State. 3:30 ET on ESPNU. MSU holds up their end of the bargain, as no Dogs lose this Saturday.

Western Kentucky @ Tennessee. 12:21 ET on ESPN360.com Kiffin gets 1st win.

Western Carolina @ Vandy. 7:30 ET on ESPN360.com The Commodores rock.

*Ole Miss travels to Memphis on Sunday September 6. 3:30 ET on ESPN and ESPN360.com. Rebels prevail.

Click on the title of this post, if you missed the South Carolina Vs NC State Game. ESPN provides the highlights.