LCB Picks: SEC Games of the Week

South Carolina vs. Arkansas @ 12:21 on :
Langston: This is a match-up of two teams who have squashed lesser opponents and struggled against everyone else. Arkansas comes into the game 1-4 in the SEC, with their lone win coming against Auburn. South Carolina comes into the game 3-3 with their lone marquee win coming against a struggling Ole Miss team, and will be trying to rebound after a beatdown at the hands of Tennessee. South Carolina has had a tough time on the road thanks to their stumbling offense and special teams. That's not good news for a team facing the Hogs in Fayetteville, where the home team averages 540 yards per game on offense. I like Arkansas to get their first win against an above average opponent, making USC's 5-1 record seem like ages ago. Arkansas 24, USC 17.

Teach: Axl Rose once sang, "all we need is just a little patience." Well, Bobby Petrino's crew has had to wait through eight games of this football season, observing close calls and glimpses at greatness, with only a .500 record to show for it. This week Arkansas goes above .500 and finally gets a signature win for their 2009 campaign, only the signature win is a lot like Chinese Democracy, dramatically delayed and drastically unsatisfying because, let's face it, a win against South Carolina just doesn't have the same bite as a win against Florida would have had. Arkansas 28, South Carolina 17.

LSU vs. Alabama @ 3:30 on CBS:
Langston: This may be the toughest game to gauge all season in the SEC, and that says a lot considering it is the one conference where the "any given Saturday" cliche is absolutely true. Though I am picking Alabama to win the game, and for more reasons than just Mount Cody. Apart from the UT game, Alabama has won by 14 points or more in each game. LSU has only beat three opponents by more than 14 points. Those opponents; Louisiana-Lafayette, Tulane, and Auburn. Both of these statistics are important because if Alabama takes control early, the game will essentially be over. If LSU gets ahead early, Bama should stay within striking distance throughout giving them and Heisman candidate Mark Ingraham the chance to steal the game at any moment. Bama 42, LSU 28.

Teach: During the first five games of the season, 'Bama's offense was at high tide, scoring over thirty in all of those games, but, in their last three, the tide has started to go out. Alabama has averaged only 18 points in those last three games, bottoming out with a mere 12 points against Tennessee last week. This week against LSU I'm betting on a low tide. The Tigers are rolling right now. Since losing to Florida 13-3, this team has defeated Auburn 31-10 and Tulane 42-0. At some point, Alabama will pay for the play of quarterback Greg McElroy, and that time has come. LSU 17, 'Bama 13. (And somehow I still think 'Bama is the best team in the nation.)

Deckfight's Game of the Week
Vandy vs. Florida @ 7:15 on :

"A fool is wise in his eyes." --King Solomon

Florida 36, Vandy 10