Predicting the SEC 2016 - Week 2

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Week One of the 2016 SEC Football campaign is in the books, and already we are off to a rocky start. No, I’m not talking about how the mighty SEC Football Powerhouse did outside of its conference this past weekend.

I am referring to our predictions from last week. 9 – 4… But who would have ever guessed that Mississippi State would play too kind of a host to South Alabama? And while Kentucky losing to Southern Miss was no surprise, Wisconsin downing LSU on the (not yet) frozen tundra may have been… unless you’re a Badger fan. But let’s digress. Week 2, here we go.

Nichols @ (9) Georgia – The once SEC East Mighty Georgia made Kirby Smart’s coaching debut much more pleasant than some of the critics had predicted. Granted, they did wait until the fourth quarter to confirm that it would not be an unpleasant start for Coach Kirby and the 2016 season. This week the newness and the nerves are gone. Bulldogs by 22.

Western Kentucky @ (1) Alabama – No disrespect, but if USC couldn’t even begin to hang with the Tide, the Hilltoppers do not even deserve to take the field. No further analysis is necessary. Alabama by 52… if they try.

Kentucky @ Florida – Ah, Kentucky, your state looks to you to redeem its football ways. Last week was a fluke, right? No. You started the 2016 as 0-1… You’ll continue to struggle this week as the Gators look to avenge being dropped out of the Top Twenty-five despite their win over a decent UMASS team. Florida by 24.

Wofford @ (19) Ole Miss – “We had them” has probably never been muttered throughout the Grove at Oxford more than it has after the Rebels’ 34-45 “loss from ahead” to Florida State this past Monday. In fact, even the Oxford PD had to troll itself just to stomach the 2nd half 360. The Black Bears won’t suffer that fate this weekend as they easily trump the Terriers (which is the mascot feared only by George Mason’s Gunston) by 31.

Middle Tennessee @ Vanderbilt – The team from Nashville looks to get back on the winning track against a school that probably hitchhiked their way up I-24 to save on expenses. The Blue Raiders might make a game of it, however not for all four quarters. Commodores by 8.

Nov 1, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Austin Allen warms up before the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas @ (15) TCU: Game of the Week – Ah, the good old days of the SWC, where Arkansas played one representative of Texas right after another. This match-up gets GOTW honors because, basically, the SEC lineup is of low-caliber competition for Week 2. That being said, the HOGS look to make a game of this as well as a name for themselves. They stumbled a little in Week 1 by barely edging LA Tech. This week will be way tougher. Homer pick aside, Austin Allen’s arm throws well in white, and the Razorbacks find some way to get it done. Arkansas by 3.

South Carolina @ Mississippi State – We’d like to say that Mississippi State bounces back and proves that it has something to bring to the stable that is the SEC. We’d also like to say that the notoriety that I will gain writing for this site will afford me a new Ferrari Enzo. Guess what? Neither of these are going to happen. The Gamecocks by 17.

Jacksonville State at (21) LSU – All that I can say is “yikes”! The Badgers stepped on the Tigers’ Tail, and the Gamecocks are standing directly in front of where the beast feeds. College does not have a mercy rule, however, by halftime, Jacksonville State will be praying that one gets adopted. Tigers by 35.

Arkansas State @ Auburn – Gus Malzahn welcomes to the plains the first team to give him a NCAA head coaching position. Will he offer grace to the small number of the players he mingled with during his time in Jonesboro? While little brother (Arkansas State) is said to hate big brother (Arkansas), many Razorback fans will be rooting for the Red Wolves. Several may also believe that this game could be on ‘Upset Alert’. Unfortunately, Blake Anderson’s team has reportedly sent twelve players to the hospital within the past week with a virus. Tigers by 14.

Eastern Michigan @ Missouri: Upset Alert – After their struggles with West Virginia, many expect this Tiger team to feast on EMU meat this week. The point spread gurus are predicting a somewhat easy victory for Mizzou. However, the Eagles are no slouch and proved so by easily dismantling Mississippi Valley State last Friday, 61 – 14. Thoughts may also be that Barry Odom & Co. can devise a plan to slice through E Michigan’s [Everyone sounds so technologically advanced these days.] defense. Chris Creighton’s group does everything that they can to keep this “payday” close. Missouri slips away by 4.

Virginia Tech @ (17) Tennessee – Tennessee sure looked good last week against Appalachian State…. on a few plays. Virginia Tech hopes for more plays like that this weekend. New head coach Justin Fuente has to know that it is a “Hokie” [See what I tried to do there?] tradition to lose a game very early in the season. Playing on a neutral site (which is also an ongoing challenge for VT) will be of no help. The Volunteers are trying to look like they did in the glory days. They’re not quite there yet, however they get a little closer this weekend, winning by 17.

Here’s to hoping that the SEC fares much better than they did last week. If not, we are in for a long season and an unlimited amount of bashing from the haters.