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DAVE AMMENHEUSER

SEC Week 8: Viewer's guide, picks

David Ammenheuser
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

The SEC football season begins its second half this weekend. Seven weeks gone. Six to go. Plus bowl games, of course.

Missouri students cheer for the Tigers during recent game.

Three teams are off this week, while LSU plays an interesting non-conference home game against Western Kentucky.

The other 10 teams are involved in SEC games, including Tennessee at Alabama and Missouri at Vanderbilt.

Dave Ammenheuser posted a 5-1 record last week, including coming close to picking the exact score of the Memphis upset over Ole Miss. Ammenheuser predicted 37-28. It was actually 37-24. Ammenheuser has a 50-14 record picking SEC games this season.


AUBURN (4-2, 1-2) at ARKANSAS (2-4, 1-2)

Oct. 24, 11 a.m in Fayetteville, Ark.

TV: SEC Network

The series: Auburn leads 13-10-1

Opening line:  Arkansas -5.5

Last week: Auburn beat Kentucky 30-27; Arkansas was idle

Ammenheuser says:  The winner will get a tremendous confidence boost. The loser will be in the SEC West basement, which is not exactly where their fan base had in mind when the season began. The home field advantage should be just enough in this one. ARKANSAS 28, AUBURN 24

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TENNESSEE (3-3, 1-2) at ALABAMA (6-1, 3-1)

Oct. 24, 2:30 p.m. in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

TV: WTVF-5

The series: Alabama leads 51-38-7

Opening line:  Alabama -15

Last week: Tennessee was idle; Alabama beat Texas A&M 41-23

Ammenheuser says:  Look for the difference to be the Crimson Tide's defensive line. If the Vols can find a way to avoid the pass rush and to find holes for their running backs, then they may be able to keep it close. The Tide were quite impressive in their win over Texas A&M last week. Tennessee has had two weeks to prepare for this one. ALABAMA 40, TENNESSEE 28

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MISSOURI (4-3, 1-3) at VANDERBILT (2-4, 0-3)

Oct. 24, 3 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

TV: SEC Network

The series: Tied 3-3-1

Opening line:  Missouri -2.5

Last week: Georgia beat Missouri 9-6; Vanderbilt lost to South Carolina 19-10

Ammenheuser says: Two teams who have had major trouble finding the end zone this season. Missouri had its opportunity to knock off Georgia last week, but could muster just two field goals. Vanderbilt's collapse at South Carolina has been well documented. Many folks will think I'm crazy. Upset. VANDERBILT 17, MISSOURI 13

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WESTERN KENTUCKY (6-1, 4-0 in Conference USA)  at LSU (6-0, 4-0) 

Oct. 24, 6 p.m., in Baton Rouge, La.

TV: ESPNU

The series: LSU leads 1-0

Opening line:  LSU -17

Last week: Western Kentucky beat North Texas 55-28 ; LSU beat Florida 35-28

Ammenheuser says:  Behind Brandon Doughty, the Hilltoppers are having a spectacular offensive season. Yet, they have not yet played a team of LSU's caliber. We are a week away from the LSU-Alabama showdown. LSU 49, WESTERN KENTUCKY 28

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TEXAS A&M  (5-1, 2-1) at OLE MISS (5-2, 2-1)

Oct. 24, 6 p.m. in Oxford, Miss.

TV: ESPN

The series: Texas A&M leads 6-1

Opening line:  Ole Miss -5.5

Last week: Texas A&M lost to Alabama 41-23; Ole Miss lost to Memphis 37-24

Ammenheuser says: Which team responds better coming off last week's losses. Ole Miss has struggled since beating Alabama the third week of the season. This is their game to prove that they still belong in the chase for the SEC West. OLE MISS 34, TEXAS A&M 27

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KENTUCKY(4-2, 2-2) at MISS. STATE (5-2, 1-2)

Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m., in Starkville, Miss.

TV: SEC Network

The series: Tied 21-21

Opening line: Miss. State -11

Last week: Kentucky lost to Auburn 30-27; Miss. State beat La. Tech 45-20

Ammenheuser says: This game shows the imbalance of the SEC divisions. Miss. State is an 11-point favorite, yet is in last place in the SEC West. Kentucky still has an outside shot at the SEC East title. Wildcat fans are wary that the Wildcats are on the same track as 2014 when they lost their final six in a row. That likely won't happen. But, they won't get a W this week. MISS. STATE 33, KENTUCKY 24

Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd.