Well here we go. Some people hate this league and to some it is a religion. As a Missouri guy I take issue with those who choose to take pot shots. Yes, Mizzou is down this year but has two East titles to it's credit. Yes, I know the east is the ugly duckling of the league compared to the west. Just look at the results of late. I think the east has won a couple of games in the last twenty or something crazy like that. But those who know me also know I have had deep respect for SEC football since well before the Tigers entered the league. I often catch hell for wearing a Bama ball cap around Columbia, Mo. But, my friends know I was a fan of the Tide clear back when the Bear was on the sidelines. I love my Missouri Tigers, but I have always been a Bama fan as well. As far back as Johnny Musso, and that's been a spell. I can see the younger guys googling now to see who the hell that was, lol.
Mississippi State will get things kicked off this week with an interesting match up out west against a solid BYU Cougars club. The Bulldogs are fighting their way through their initial season without Dak Prescott. The Bulldogs are better than many suspect. It is hard to look real good with that sausage grinder of a SEC schedule. That is the harder part. Anybody can get up for games here and there on the schedule. But the weekly grind of this league is on a different level. How will the Bulldogs fare at BYU. I think they will do just fine. One thing that concerns me some that kind of flies under the radar with most is the altitude. The Bulldogs are not used to this and it favors the Cougars clearly. NO, not an excuse. Just a realistic factor when capping the game. I am certain the hosts will be jacked up. An SEC team coming in for a prime time game. People who love to take shots at the SEC also get a hard on when they have an opportunity to square off with one of them. Just think about that and what it says. Another thing giving me some pause with the Bulldogs is their kicking game. Not good and bad kicking games do not tend to travel well.
There will be some snot bubblers being laid out saturday afternoon in Neyland Stadium as the Darth Vader of the league comes to Knoxville. Tennessee will be all worked up and frothing at the mouth waiting to try to knock off the Tide. Finally I might add, been awhile. A lot will be made of the home field edge here with the rowdy Vol's fans. I say humbug. Alabama gets everyones best shot week in and week out. Just goes with the territory. Jalen Hurts has been amazing as a true freshman QB. Good grief the upside with this kid is hard to even fathom. Tennessee had been like a cat with nine lives in some of their close games this year. That game at Georgia still blows my mind. And yes, they were SO fortunate to get by Appalachian State in the opener. But hey, they won. Last week ran into a tough one at College Station. I DO expect a closer game than many here. Frankly still weighing things with this one. Nick Saban against Jones is a no brainer. I am anxious to see the war in the trenches, Bama does not take the short end in those often. The Tide allows only 15 yards average per game and that offense can be so explosive, You can see I am still considering this game and cannot tip my hand. Sorry but clients take first priority.
Props to Georgia. No, I am being serious. That loss to the Vol's was just a stomach punch. They rebounded with a road win a South Carolina and also dealt with the schedule issues that Matthew presented. What was stunning to me, and yes that is a glaring way to state it, but I was stunned that Eason completed only five passes for 29 yards against the Gamecocks. WTH. Did his girlfriend wear this kid out or what. I know that used to be an issue with Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert at Mizzou. It's tough being the star QB at a major program. Some of the off the field responsibilities withe fairer sex can take it's toll. Lol. But seriously that was a head scratcher. Vandy off a loss to Kentucky in a game they would have loved to have taken. From what I can see typical Vandy, struggling offense and a respectable defense that is toting too much of the weight. I expect the Bulldogs to bounce back from that sluggish outing last time and clear this number down between the hedges.
Now I will get to my Missouri Tigers. I cannot recall the last time we were so actually embarrassed by a Tigers performance as last time out at LSU. I think the sight of the Tigers getting physically manhandled is what stuck with most of us. I am not going to go off on a rant here that most people don't give a rip about. Frankly the thought of Lock and his mediocre group of wide outs going up against that Gators secondary makes me cringe. I think Lock will be good for some picks in this one. I have a rotten feeling about this one. And the Gators, thanks to Matthew is also coming into this thing with two weeks rest. Lot of points here but they are there for a reason.
Ole Miss had a big game at Arkansas and will no doubt have some pay back on their minds. The Hogs were all riled up last week ready to rumble with the Tide. And as is often the case, be careful what you wish for as you might get it. And more. The Hogs got whipped by Bama, and now they get Bama lite as the Rebs come into town. Back to back losses to these heavyweights would do zero good for the esteem of the Arkansas program. Just saying. Kelly can be a head case at times but there is no denying the guys skill set. As I type this I see the Rebels laying a touchdown and the dreaded hook. I think this number is as sharp as Zorro's blade. I have no interest in it. None.
LSU is another rested team thanks to Matthew and no, I am not going to touch that whole scheduling spat. That subject has been beaten like a rented mule. But LSU will obviously be well rested this week as they take on Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles will be a trendy pick here I suspect. One of those games where to be candid the Tigers can cover if they want to bad enough. Frankly I will like the Eagles chances here more if Miles was still on the sideline for LSU but since they have opened up the playbook and dusted off the passing plays I can see Southern Miss taking an ass kicking along the lines that Missouri took. Trust me, this is still a very good LSU team. Better than many suspect.
That will do it for this weeks rants and very random thoughts. I must state once again I have zero agenda. I cannot throw stones at any program. I am a Mizzou guy, I have no right to be overly critical of any program. lol. Hopefully the Tigers show better this week in the swamp.
On the business side I cashed another featured release last night with Appalachian State easily handling business on the road. I have a baseball featured release loaded and ready. I have had a total of eight playoff selections and cashed on six of them. In football I have a pair of big plays loaded. One is for college saturday and one for league action sunday. In fact both are also Rabid Dogs. A lot of times people crow about long term results. I will openly admit my single star releases are filler. They are never featured releases. I have never once suggested my single star plays will perform as well as the higher rated selections. Duh! I have never once promoted any kind of single star as a featured release. Not one time in ten years. Anyway, as I stated both my featured releases this weekend in football are also Rabid Dog releases. The fact is, for those who do care about long term, some don't, I have cashed on 70% of these over the course of 458 games. That's not too bad. And every single team taking the field in the role of underdog. Plus, thus far in the NFL I have put out eight Triples and cashed on six of those. Both are loaded and ready. And no, they are not locks. If you are into that nonsense there is no shortage is sites ready to oblige you. They specialize in that clientele.
Many thanks as always for stopping by guys. Best of luck this weekend. Enjoy the games. Great time of year.