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SEC Football: Week Seven Predictions

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:32 p.m. ET

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Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) rushes against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. SEC Football. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

After six long weeks, I finally delivered on my guarantee to break the .500 mark. In fact, I would’ve posted a perfect week if it wasn’t for the whiff on the Arkansas-Bama game. Thanks, Razorbacks and welcome to my doghouse.

However, there is no time to bask in last week’s predictions as week seven brings yet another set of tricky games to predict. Can the Tennessee comeback kids end Bama’s winning streak? Is Chad Kelly ready to brawl his way through the Hogs? I believe I know the answers and I’m ready to ride the momentum from last week to a perfect record against the spread this week.

Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) intercepts a pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks and returns it for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Alabama defeated Arkansas 49-30. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Alabama (-13) over #9 Tennessee, Saturday 2:30 PM (CT), Neyland Stadium

When was the last time the stakes for the Third Saturday in October were this high? For that matter, when was the last time this rivalry was actually played on the third Saturday in October? This very well may be the biggest home game for Tennessee in the last 10 years as the Vols playoff and SEC Championship hopes could very well be on the line.

Unfortunately, the Vols are absolutely decimated by injuries and have continued to strongly along the trenches. This is less than optimal for the Vols as Bama’s defensive line is one of the best in the country and their offensive line is coming off it’s best game of the season. The Vols have also struggled to protect the football as they turned the ball over 7 times last week. Couple that with the fact that Bama excels at forcing turnovers and we have the recipe for a disaster for the Vols.

Despite their performance last week, I still have my doubts about Bama’s offense. However, with the absences on the Tennessee defense, the Tide should be able to put up points. Picking Arkansas to cover last week was my only miss and I’m not going to make that mistake again here. Expect Bama to force several turnovers from Josh Dobbs and continue to improve running the football as the Tide rolls to another dominant victory. Alabama 34, Tennessee 14

Sep 17, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) drops back during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the North Texas Mean Green 32-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

#18 Florida (-13.5) over Missouri, Saturday 3:00 PM (CT), Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

This could be a deceptively challenging game for Florida. While Missouri hasn’t been very good this season, they could have the advantage of facing a distracted Florida team as the controversy surrounding the canceled Florida-LSU game continues to swell. Missouri also enters off an embarrassing loss to LSU and had the benefit of having a bye week before this game.

The good news for the Gators is that QB Luke Del Rio is set to return after missing the last few games due to a knee injury. Del Rio’s return should spark a Florida offense that has struggled mightily in his absence. Missouri will likely do enough to keep the game close for a while, but Florida will ultimately pull away in the second half. Florida 35, Missouri 20

Oct 1, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze looks onto the field during the second quarter of the game against the Memphis Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

#12 Ole Miss (-7.5) over #22 Arkansas, Saturday 6:00 PM (CT), Razorback Stadium

I gave Arkansas a little too much credit last week. I thought the Hogs could do enough to keep the game close. Unfortunately, I failed to realize just how bad the Razorbacks have been on defense this season. Arkansas has given up a ton of points to every decent team they have played this season. I don’t see that changing with Chad Kelly and Co. coming to town,

The bright side for Arkansas is that the offense under Austin Allen has been able to put up a lot of points and should be able to find some success against the Ole Miss secondary. However, much like Alabama, the Rebels have a defensive line that can pressure the quarterback. I believe that will be the difference in this one. I expect Ole Miss to force a few costly turnovers in what’s sure to be a high scoring game. Ole Miss 52, Arkansas 42

Elsewhere around the SEC:

BYU (-7.5) over Mississippi State

Georgia (-14) over Vanderbilt

LSU (-25.5) over Southern Mississippi 

Record: 28-27 ATS, 46-9 Straight-up

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