From: mm42@prism.gatech.EDU (Mark Mitchell)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: SEC Preview (Oct 1 and 3)
Summary: Gators visit Starkville, Vols travel to LSU
Date: 28 Sep 92 16:43:12 GMT
Organization: Ramblin' Wrecks from Georgia Tech

October 1

FLORIDA (1-1) visits MISSISSIPPI STATE (2-1):  The Gators are coming
                                               off only their 2nd
loss in the conference since Steve Spurrier took the coaching reins,
while the Bulldogs should be pumped up for their first home game 
after a grueling 3-game road trip to start the season.  These teams have
been shaky so far, with Florida looking only so-so against Kentucky
and poor against Tennessee, while MSU blitzed Texas before a lousy
showing at 1-3 LSU and a squeaker over 1-3 Memphis State.  If State
can keep from turning the ball over they can make a game of this
one.  Florida hasn't been to Starkville since 1987, so I'm betting
that will make the difference in this one: Mississippi State 24-21.
J.J. Clyde's Pick: Florida 34-24
Series record: Florida leads 29-15-2
Last meeting: Florida won 29-7 (1991)
TV: ESPN, 8:00 PM ET

October 3

ALABAMA (4-0) hosts SOUTH CAROLINA (0-4) at Birmingham:  The Crimson Tide
                                                         face another 
2nd-rate opponent at home, and about the only mystery here might be over
whether or not the 'Cocks will net positive rushing yardage.  I'm 
guessing they won't, and: Alabama 27-3.
J.J. Clyde's Pick: Alabama 28-3
Series record: Alabama leads 7-0
Last meeting: Alabama won 17-0 (1967)

ARKANSAS (1-3) hosts GEORGIA (3-1):  The Dawgs stumbled early in their
                                     first road trip this season (to
South Carolina), but adjusted and poured it on in the second half.
They are playing better ball now, however, and seem to have eliminated
the costly turnovers which plagued them in the first 2 outings.  
Arkansas is just not ready for the multifaceted Georgia offense,
but could make some headway against their inconsistent D: Georgia 31-14.
J.J. Clyde's Pick: Georgia 24-16
Series record: Arkansas leads 2-1
Last meeting: Georgia won 20-17 (1987 Liberty Bowl)
TV: JPT, 12:30 PM ET

AUBURN (3-1) hosts VANDERBILT (2-1):  The Commodores and Tigers played 
                                      a tight contest last year in Nashville,
won in the final minutes by Auburn on a field goal.  Vandy looks to be
improved once again this season, with their only loss so far a game in which
they continually self-destructed at Alabama.  The home team also looks
better than last year, however, since the disasterous start in Oxford.
This could be one of the better games of the day, with Vandy's improved
rush giving Stan White fits while Auburn's talented linebackers stymie
Marcus Wilson's options.  Take the home team in a close one: Auburn 16-14.
J.J. Clyde's Pick: Vanderbilt 21-12 
Series record: Vanderbilt leads 19-13-1
Last meeting: Auburn won 24-22 (1991)

KENTUCKY (3-1) visits OLE MISS (2-2):  The Rebels return home after a
                                       demoralizing road trip in which
they dropped 2 league games by a combined score of 68-20.  The 'Cats 
ended a ten game drought in league play last week with an unimpressive
win over winless South Carolina.  My gut tells me Kentucky is better
than they played last week and that Ole Miss is as well.  Expect the
Rebel defense to rebound from the 2 miserable showings, and just
enough to pull this one out: Ole Miss 13-10.
J.J. Clyde's Pick: Ole Miss 31-27
Series record: Ole Miss leads 22-11-1
Last meeting: Ole Miss won 35-14 (1991)

LSU (1-3) hosts TENNESSEE (4-0):  Historically the Vols have had little 
                                  trouble with the Bayou Bengals, even 
in Baton Rouge.  Tennessee has been surprisingly strong so far this season,
while the home team is coming off a stunning upset at the hands of previously
winless Colorado State.  I just can't see the musical QB's of LSU doing
damage against a defense which so thoroughly shut down Shane Matthews, and
I also think the Vols' balanced offense and possession receivers will
wear down the Tiger defenders: Tennessee 27-15.
J.J. Clyde's Pick: Tennessee 34-10
Series record: Tennessee leads 16-3-3
Last meeting: Tennessee won 45-39 (1989)
TV: ESPN, 7:30 PM ET

I was 6-1 picking the winners last week, bringing my season total
to 26-5.  J.J. Clyde was 5-2 in his first week of prognostication.

-- 
Mark Mitchell           Georgia Tech            mm42@prism.gatech.edu
 "What's that he's tearing apart with his claws and his teeth?"        
                           "That's his faithful teenage sidekick Buddy!"                          
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college