SEC Week 4: Viewer's guide, picks
There are quite a few intriguing matchups this week.
Can Tennessee stop its losing streak to Florida? Will Auburn and South Carolina's quarterback switches get them out of their slumps? Will Texas A&M remain unbeaten? Does Vanderbilt have a realistic chance in Oxford?
After Saturday, the regular season is already a third over. Yeow.
Columnist Dave Ammenheuser has posted a 26-7 record picking games involving SEC teams this season.
SOUTHERN (2-1) at GEORGIA (3-0)
When: Saturday, 11 a.m. in Athens
TV: SEC Network
Last week's games: Southern beat Jackson State 50-31; Georgia beat South Carolina 52-20
All-time series: First meeting
The line: No line
Ammenheuser says: Georgia definitely has the look of the best team in the SEC East. Quarterback Greyson Lambert completed 24 of 25 passes for 330 yards against South Carolina. He's the same guy who struggled to complete 11 of 21 for 116 yards against Vanderbilt. That may tell you something about the Commodores defense. Or South Carolina's defense. Or both. Georgia 49, Southern 10
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LSU (2-0) at SYRACUSE (3-0)
When: Saturday, 11 a.m., in Syracuse
TV: ESPN
Last week's games: LSU beat Auburn 45-21; Syracuse beat Central Michigan 30-27 (OT)
All-time series: Tied 1-1
The line: LSU -23
Ammenheuser says: The Leonard Fournette show goes to the northeast this week. While the Orangemen have surprised some with their 3-0 start, their schedule (Rhode Island, Wake Forest, Central Michigan) doesn't compare to LSU's (wins over Auburn and Miss. State). LSU 44, Syracuse 14
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CENTRAL FLORIDA (0-3) at SOUTH CAROLINA (1-2)
When: Saturday,11 a.m. in Columbia
TV: ESPNU
Last week's games: Central Florida lost to Furman 16-15; South Carolina lost to Georgia 52-20
All-time series: South Carolina leads 4-0
The line: South Carolina -14
Ammenheuser says: if the Gamecocks struggle on this one, coach Steve Spurrier's coaching future in Columbia may get a tad shaky. Earlier this week, he announced he is going to start freshman Lorenzo Nunez at quarterback. Nunez, who rushed for 76 yards against Georgia, was one of the few bright spots in the loss last week. South Carolina 35, Central Florida 10
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TENNESSEE (2-1) at FLORIDA (3-0)
When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. in Gainesville
TV: WTVF-5
Last week's games: Tennessee beat Western Carolina 55-10; Florida beat Kentucky 14-9
All-time series: Florida leads 25-19
The line: Florida -1.5
Ammenheuser says: Is this the year the Vols' losing streak to the Gators stops? If the Vols again trust Josh Dobbs to throw the ball downfield, Tennessee has a chance. If they remain too one-dimensional on offense, the losing streak may reach 11. Upset. Tennessee 24, Florida 22
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LA.-MONROE (1-1) at ALABAMA (2-1)
When: Saturday, 3 p.m. in Tuscaloosa
TV: SEC Network
Last week's games: La.-Monroe was idle last week; Alabama lost to Ole Miss 43-37
All-time series: La. Monroe leads 1-0
The line: Alabama -38
Ammenheuser says: When's the worst time to play Alabama? Immediately after it has lost an SEC game. The Warhawks are in for a long afternoon in Tuscaloosa. Alabama 66, La.-Monroe 10
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VANDERBILT (1-2) at OLE MISS (3-0)
When: Saturday 6 p.m. in Oxford
TV: ESPNU
Last week's games: Vanderbilt beat Austin Peay 47-7; Ole Miss beat Alabama 43-37
All-time series: Ole Miss leads 49-38-2
The line: Ole Miss -28
Ammenheuser says: The Commodores took a major step forward in their lopsided win over Austin Peay. But it was Austin Peay, winners of one of its last 26 games. Headed to Oxford to play arguably the best team in the country is a tough task. Quarterback Johnny McCrary can't afford to make any of his "bonehead" plays. The Commodores are quite undermanned on the lines. Ole Miss 42, Vanderbilt 14
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TEXAS A&M (3-0) vs. ARKANSAS (1-2)
When: Saturday, 6 p.m. in Arlington, Texas
TV: ESPN
Last week's games: Texas A&M beat Nevada 44-27; Arkansas lost to Texas Tech 35-24
All-time series: Arkansas leads 41-27-3
The line: Texas A&M -7
Ammenheuser says: When the season began, Arkansas was a trendy pick to move upward in the SEC West standings. Thus far, the Razorback season has been a disaster. Texas A&M has been one of the SEC's biggest surprises. Kyle Allen continues to impress. He accounted for five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) in the Aggies' lopsided win over Nevada. Texas A&M 34, Arkansas 24
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MISSOURI (3-0) at KENTUCKY (2-1)
When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. in Lexington
TV: SEC Network
Last week's games: Missouri beat Connecticut 9-6; Kentucky lost to Florida 14-9
All-time series: Missouri leads 3-2
The line: Kentucky -2
Ammenheuser says: Neither team can be pleased with their Week 3 efforts. For Missouri, nine points were enough to win. Despite not playing well in three consecutive games, the Tigers have found a way to get to 3-0. For Kentucky, nine points weren't enough to stop its losing streak to Florida. Both teams need a lot more out of their quarterbacks (Maty Mauk, Patrick Towles) than they got last week. Kentucky 24, Missouri 20
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MISSISSIPPI STATE (2-1) at AUBURN (2-1)
When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. in Auburn
TV: ESPN2
Last week's games: Miss. State beat Northwestern State 62-13; Auburn lost to LSU 45-21
All-time series: Auburn leads 61-25-2
The line: Auburn -3
Ammenheuser says: Critical game for both teams. Tigers fans are still waiting for Gus Malzahn's high-powered offense to show up. Auburn switches to redshirt freshman quarterback Sean White, replacing Jeremy Johnson. Johnson threw six interceptions in the first three games. Is that enough to boost them past the Bulldogs? Auburn 31, Miss. State 28
Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd.