SEC Week 9: Viewer's guide, picks
The SEC East title could be up for grabs this week when Florida and Georgia meet in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday. If the Gators win, the division is all but wrapped up.
The SEC West is a much different story. And next week the schedule gets interesting as probably the biggest game of the season will take place in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where the Crimson Tide will host LSU. Both programs are idle this week.
Dave Ammenheuser correctly picked the winners in all of last week's SEC games, including Vanderbilt's upset win over Missouri. Ammenheuser has a 56-14 record (80 percent) this season.
The games:
SOUTH CAROLINA (3-4, 1-4) vs. TEXAS A&M (5-2, 2-2)
Oct. 31, 11 a.m. in College Station, Texas
TV: SEC Network
The series: Texas A&M leads 1-0
Opening line: Texas A&M -14.5
Last week: South Carolina was idle; Texas A&M lost to Ole Miss 23-3
Ammenheuser says: Texas A&M's offense is suddenly slumping. Can South Carolina retain the energy it showed against Vanderbilt when the Gamecocks played under interim coach Shawn Elliott for the first time? Not likely. TEXAS A&M 33, SOUTH CAROLINA 24
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OLE MISS (6-2, 3-1) vs. AUBURN (4-3, 1-3)
Oct. 31, 11 a.m. in Auburn, Ala.
TV: ESPN
The series: Auburn leads 29-10
Opening line: Ole Miss -7
Last week: Ole Miss beat Texas A&M 23-3; Auburn lost to Arkansas 54-46 (4 OT)
Ammenheuser says: Both teams posted much-needed wins a week ago.The Rebels still have a legitimate shot at the SEC West with a home game against LSU scheduled for Nov. 21. (LSU and Alabama meet Nov. 7). OLE MISS 35, AUBURN 32
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FLORIDA (6-1, 4-1) at GEORGIA (5-2, 3-2)
Oct. 31, 2:30 p.m., in Jacksonville, Fla.
TV: WTVF-5
The series: Georgia leads 50-41-2
Opening line: Florida -2.5
Last week: Florida and Georgia were idle
Ammenheuser says: The winner takes a giant step toward the SEC East title and a berth in the conference championship game. A victory would give the Gators a two-game edge with three to play. Georgia hasn't been the same since Nick Chubb was injured. FLORIDA 38, GEORGIA 28
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UT MARTIN (5-2, 4-1 in OVC) vs. ARKANSAS (3-4, 2-2)
Oct. 31, 3 p.m. in Fayetteville, Ark.
TV: SEC Network
The series: First meeting
Opening line: No line
Last week: UT Martin beat Murray State 52-45; Arkansas beat Auburn 54-46 (4 OT)
Ammenheuser says: The Skyhawks are riding a four-game winning streak. But we all know that the OVC is not the SEC. Arkansas gets back to .500. ARKANSAS 44, UT MARTIN 17
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VANDERBILT (3-4, 1-3) vs. HOUSTON (7-0, 4-0 in American Athletic West)
Oct. 31, 6 p.m. in Houston
TV: ESPN2
The series: Vanderbilt leads 1-0
Opening line: Houston -13
Last week: Vanderbilt beat Missouri 10-3; Houston beat Central Florida 59-10
Ammenheuser says: Classic matchup of a really good defense against a superb offense. It's a good bet that the Commodores will keep Houston below its 47.7 per game scoring average. But can the Commodores score enough points to keep the game close? HOUSTON 28, VANDERBILT 14
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TENNESSEE (3-4, 1-3) at KENTUCKY (4-3, 2-3)
Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m. in Lexington, Ky.
TV: SEC Network
The series: Tennessee leads 77-24-9
Opening line: Tennessee -7.5
Last week: Tennessee lost to Alabama 19-14; Kentucky lost to Miss. State 42-16
Ammenheuser says: Crucial game for both programs' drive for a bowl berth. Tennessee needs to win three of its final five, while Kentucky needs two more wins. Both have dates coming up against Vanderbilt, who could play bowl-bid spoiler. TENNESSEE 31, KENTUCKY 21
Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd.