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SEC Football Preview: Predictions, Game Times and TV for Week 3

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:03 p.m. ET

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Sep 19, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze reacts with his defense after they intercepted a pass late in the game and went on to defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Rebels defeated the Tide 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

SEC football looked much better in week two with some easier games, but here we’ll take a look at what’s on the schedule for week three.

After a slow start, SEC football went 10-0 in out-of-conference games during week two with a couple of big wins over power five conferences.

That’s much better than week one when the SEC was 6-6 in out-of-conference games with some losses in marque games.

Arkansas got the upset in overtime against number 15 TCU, and now the Razorbacks jump into the Top 25. Tennessee struggled early again, but got the win in the Battle at Bristol over Virginia Tech.

Mississippi State bounced back with a conference win over South Carolina. Florida destroyed Kentucky in its opening conference game.

This week we get into the more meaty games on the conference slate. Ole Miss will try to beat Alabama for the third straight season. Texas A&M plays Auburn in a game that could determine the future of the respective coaches.

LSU and Mississippi State will clash as well in an important conference game, while Georgia travels to face Missouri.

There aren’t many big out-of-conference games. Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech should be pretty good, and look out for East Carolina against South Carolina.

Overall, this is really good slate of games for SEC football this weekend with three marque matchups in the conference, specifically in the SEC West. The Vanderbilt and South Carolina games will give the bottom of the conference a chance to pick up some solid out-of-conference wins.

Let’s look at each matchup and see who we think will win.

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart reacts on the sidelines during the third quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

SEC East

Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs for a short gain while being tackled by Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Terrell Edmunds (22) during the first half at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio at Tennessee – 11 a.m. CT – SEC Network

The Volunteers have gotten out to slow starts in their first two games. We’ll see if they can jump out on a Bobcats team that gave up 56 points to Texas State in week one.

Ohio has scored 54 and 37 points in their first two games, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Tennessee defense pitches a shutout in this one to make a statement.

This will be their last warm-up game before taking on Florida next week. Vols fans better hope they don’t look ahead too early and play another sloppy game.

Prediction: Tennessee – 41 Ohio – 6

Sep 10, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Ralph Webb (7) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Middle Tennessee Blue during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech – 11:30 a.m. CT – ACC Network or Watch ESPN

This game is actually very interesting to me. No one is really sure how good, or bad, either of these teams are. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a disastrous season, but they’re out to a 2-0 start this year.

Vanderbilt squandered a great opportunity to beat South Carolina in week one, but bounced back with a good win over Middle Tennessee.

I think the Commodores have a really good chance of coming out of Atlanta with a win. They could catch the Jackets sleeping with that early kickoff.

Prediction: Vanderbilt – 24 Georgia Tech – 21

Sep 10, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates defensive back Corey Seargent (5) celebrates East Carolina Pirates victory over North Carolina State Wolfpack at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. East Carolina Pirates defeated the North Carolina State Wolfpack 33-30. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

East Carolina at South Carolina – 3 p.m. CT – SEC Network

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for both East Carolina and South Carolina with new head coaches.

The Gamecocks got out to a good start with a win over Vanderbilt, but were humbled against Mississippi State last weekend.

Meanwhile, the Pirates are out to a 2-0 start with a huge win over N.C. State last weekend.

South Carolina will have to find some offense, but I think they keep East Carolina off the board just enough to win this game.

Prediction: South Carolina – 20 East Carolina – 17

Sep 10, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops looks on against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

New Mexico State at Kentucky – 3 p.m. CT – SEC Network or Watch ESPN

No one has had a more difficult start to the season than Kentucky.

After blowing a huge lead to Southern Miss in week one, they were embarrassed by Florida in week two.

They’ve now lost to the Gators 30 straight times!

New Mexico State lost their opener to UTEP, but bounced back with a huge win over New Mexico at home.

Mark Stoops pretty much has to win this game, and that’s the only reason I’m picking Kentucky in this one.

Prediction: Kentucky – 34 New Mexico State – 17

Sep 10, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) drops back against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

North Texas at Florida – 6:30 p.m. CT – ESPNU

The Gators are becoming one of the scariest teams in the SEC in my opinion.

They struggled in week one against UMASS, but Luke Del Rio looked much more comfortable against Kentucky.

If they can get good quarterback play, this will be one of the best teams in the country.

Their defense is second to none. It will get ugly in the swamp this weekend.

Prediction: Florida – 45  North Texas – 10

Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) and running back Nick Chubb (27) shake hands after Chubb scored a touchdown against the Nicholls State Colonels during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia at Missouri – 6:30 p.m. CT – SEC Network or Watch ESPN

I’m really not sure what to think of the Bulldogs right now.

They started out the season with a big win over North Carolina, only to go to the wire with Nicholls State.

If they don’t get that quarterback situation figured out, things could unravel quickly.

Missouri lost on the road to a good West Virginia team in week one, but came back and put up 61 points at home against Eastern Michigan.

If this were an early kickoff, I’d be much more worried for Georgia, still I’m going with the upset.

Prediction: Missouri – 27 Georgia – 24

Sep 10, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) throws the ball during the first half against the Wofford Terriers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

SEC West

Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks back at Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) during the game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide defeated the Hilltoppers 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama at Ole Miss – 2:30 – CBS

The revenge game part two.

Everyone thought Alabama would exact revenge against Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa last year, but somehow the Rebels beat Nick Saban two straight years.

Now this matchup goes back to Oxford where Alabama will try to avoid losing to Ole Miss for the third straight year.

As much as I want to believe it will happen, I just don’t see how Nick Saban can lose to the same team three years in a row.

Prediction: Alabama – 31 Ole Miss – 17

Sep 10, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs players celebrate after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State at LSU – 6 p.m. – ESPN2

Very intriguing matchup here as both teams suffered terrible defeats in week one.

The Bulldogs came back and got their first SEC win of the year against South Carolina last week.

It seems like they’ve settled on a quarterback after Nick Fitzgerald rushed for almost 200 yards last week.

LSU has also settled on a quarterback going with Danny Etling over Brandon Harris. We’ll see if that gives the offense a little more stability.

Prediction: LSU – 24 Mississippi State – 17

Sep 10, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers receiver Will Hastings (33) celebrates a touchdown with receiver Tony Stephens (8) during the second quarter against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M at Auburn – 6 p.m. CT – ESPN

I think this will be the best game in the SEC this weekend – obviously no bias there.

These two teams are very similar and seem to be evenly matched.

Both coaches are trying to resurrect their once promising careers. Everything will be left out on the field when this one is over, and I can’t wait to watch!

Prediction: Auburn – 31 Texas A&M – 27

Sep 10, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks players celebrate with fans after the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Texas State at Arkansas – 6:30 p.m. CT – SEC Network or Watch ESPN

This could be a letdown game for the Razorbacks after a huge overtime win against a ranked opponent last week.

Texas State put up 56 points on Ohio in week one, and then had a bye week, so they’ll be rested and ready for Arkansas.

Much like Georgia, I think it benefits the Razorbacks that this game is at night and not one of those terrible 11 a.m. kickoffs.

If Arkansas doesn’t come out prepared, Texas State will give them a fight.

Prediction: Arkansas – 37 Texas State – 28

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