LCB SEC Picks: Games of the Week

(12) Arkansas v (7) Auburn @ 3:30 on CBS
Langston: The first BCS standings of the season come out Sunday, and they will for the first time in what will seem like ages have no SEC teams in the top 3. With Alabama losing last week to SC, Auburn and LSU hold all the hopes to continue the SEC's dominant national title run. LSU has done it with defense and a little bit of luck. Auburn has made it here behind the arm and feet of Cam Newton, and mostly in the fourth quarter. If Auburn can win the next two against Arkansas and LSU it sets up an Iron Bowl with a ton on the line, the SEC West and a possible National Championship berth. This is what I'm hoping for, but unlike Teach I feel like Ryan Mallett is more of a Gus Frerotte, playing his best when you least want him too and playing his worst when the most is on the line. I see this game being an explosive race to the finish, and in the end it will have the Hogs bringing down the SEC's unbeaten total to one lucky team in LSU. I hope I'm wrong. Arkansas 38, Auburn 35.

Teach: No one really mentions Auburn. I think people should mention Auburn. I think people should mention that they are undefeated, have a great quarterback, and that Auburn frequently posts undefeated seasons when no one is watching. The only real question is are the Tigers allowed to post an undefeated season without being on probation because that seems to be the only glitch to a magical season for them, well, that and the fact that their remaining schedule still includes Arkansas, LSU, and Alabama. Today, the Tigers march on and live to be caught cheating another day (sorry, it was too easy).  My main reason for picking the Tigers is Ryan Mallett: I don't trust him. There's something about Ryan Mallett that reminds me of Ryan Leaf or Jeff George, and the moment I discovered this I was no longer able to bet on the Razorbacks. Auburn wins 28-24. 

Mississippi State v (22) Florida @ 7:00 on ESPNU
Langston: A couple of years ago, Dan Mullen promised John Brantley he would blitz the hell out of him when they played. John Brantley added confidently that "He hasn't forgotten that..," as if his team in the midst of a two game losing streak (after losing just two in two prior seasons) has nothing to worry about and is on the verge of making Coach Mullen pay for this statement made years ago. However, Florida is a team that everyone wants to beat and their injury report clearly shows that. Essentially, they are the Lakers of the SEC, they get everyone's best game. And while the Gators may want to use this game as a chance to prove they haven't dropped to Earth, Mississippi State will use this game as a press conference to announce their arrival as a conference contender, bringing the heat with the blitz and stuffing the ball down the much maligned Gators. State 28, Gators 24.

Teach: The odds just seem stacked against the Bulldogs.  If there was a year for them to upset the Gators, it would definitely be this year, because these are not the Gators of yesterday.  The problem is the Gators have are coming off two straight losses to the likes of Alabama and LSU.  If the Gators lose to Mississippi St., then there the feeding frenzy is on in Gainesville, where the chum actually get a chance to chomp the Gators.  I don't see it happening.  I don't see Urban Meyer allowing it to happen.  The Gators win 21-10 and keep their chances of winning the SEC East just barely alive, but alive none the less.