SEC PICKS: Anything possible in LSU-Georgia matchup

EDITOR’S NOTE: Opelika-Auburn News sports designer Tim Cottrell picks the winners for this week’s SEC games.

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 7-0
SEASON RECORD: 26-7*

Imagine Mike Tyson right after he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear off getting into a fight with Ron Artest right in the middle of the Pacers-Pistons brawl.

If you can imagine that, you might have an idea of what today’s tilt between No. 4 LSU and No. 18 Georgia could look like.

The Bulldogs have been unbelievably unpredictable, scoring in bunches when they shouldn’t and failing to score when they should.

The Tigers, on the other hand, now completely out of Nick Saban recruits, are showing the fruits of several years playing for Les Miles.

While the talent level in Baton Rouge is still high, the team’s play is erratic, at best. How many teams can you think of would force four turnovers against Mississippi State in the first half, then need a miracle goal-line stand to win?

That being said, the Tigers seem to have the edge in manpower, but are going on the road and do have a disadvantage in coaching (though not a big one, as Georgia isn’t exactly well-coached).

You could find any number of reasons to think anything could happen in this game. And all of them would make sense.

For now, I’ll go with the Bulldogs in a close one.

The pick: Georgia 24, LSU 21.

No. 3 Alabama at Kentucky
Kentucky gave Bama fits last season in Tuscaloosa, and now an improved Wildcats team welcomes the Tide to Lexington.

There are some reasons to think upset, but, pound-for-pound, Bama is just better.

The pick: Alabama 24, Kentucky 13

No. 21 Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
Here will be the big test of just how wrong everyone was about Ole Miss.

Will they continue to middle along? Will they fall apart? Or will they come out and dominate?

I wouldn’t be surprised with any of the results.

Vandy has always given the Rebels a tough time, and for now I’m going to say this year will be no different.

The pick: Ole Miss 23, Vanderbilt 10

No. 25 Georgia Tech at Mississippi State
Just let me tell you: Don’t go around thinking upset here.

Paul Johnson is way too good to let that happen to the Yellow Jackets.

The pick: Georgia Tech 24, Mississippi State 10

Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (at Arlington, Texas)
Two old Southwest Conference rivals get back together.

A&M was pretty awful last year, but looks better this year. But I’m still a big believer in the Hogs.

Well, maybe not big.

The pick: Arkansas 38, Texas A&M 24

Auburn at Tennessee
The Tigers have looked great so far, while the Vols have been pretty terrible offensively.

It would make you think that, even with the great defense they have, they wouldn’t be able to keep up with Gus Malzahn’s Magical Mystery Tour Offense.

However, the Tigers are still very young, and are still very low on depth. They’re due to get somebody hurt, and they’re going on the road for the first time. Not exactly easy on a bunch of youngsters.

Most signs point to Auburn. I will, however, stick with my policy of reserving judgment until they get through this game and the next one.

The pick: Tennessee 24, Auburn 20

South Carolina State at South Carolina
I’m not even going to bother coming up with something to say here.

The pick: South Carolina 34, South Carolina State 3

Tim Cottrell is sports designer of the Opelika-Auburn News. He writes a weekly column on college football during the season. You can also read him on the O-A Sports Blog at oanow.com. He can be reached at 737-2511 or tcottrell@oanow.com.

*-To view an explanation of this record, click here.