As I do in the Big 12 each week I will take a look at SEC football and offer up some random thoughts and observations. I assure you I have no agenda or axe to grind. If I take a good natured jab at a team I lost a play on please take it in the spirit intended. I will not attack any program. That is simply not how I roll.
I will start at the top, with the best college football team in the nation. Alabama. Last week the Tide had a soft spot in the schedule and executed Kent to the tune of 48-0. It was 41 zip at the half and then Saban called off the dogs. The Tide could have obviously named the score here. Yes, Lousiville has been impressive. And much deserved props. I have heard some talk of whether they are the actual best team in the land. I don't think so. I think the top team is still down south in Alabama until proven different face to face. Heard a lot of the same noise last year with Clemson. And then they actually went toe to toe and Bama restored order. This week Saban's machine will grind up Kentucky like ground round in the market. I fully expect a rout here from the get go. So do the odds makers clearly with the number currently set at 35 points. Damn that is a lot of points for a conference game. Kentucky is capable of winging the ball some and had better hope to hit on some big plays to keep it respectable. That is the only legit hope I see as I do not see them driving the field much on that defense. No, I am not an alum of Alabama. I am a Mizzou guy. But I do call it the way I see it. No disrespect Wildcats nation. I would call this thing pretty much the same way if it were Missouri this saturday doing the death march down there.
Ole Miss came through for me last week in as they rolled all over Kirby Smarts Bulldogs. 45-14 in a game that could not have set well back in Athens. This week they have an intriguing game against a capable Memphis Tigers club. Tough spot for the Tigers playing the night game in Oxford. As I type this up I see the Rebels laying 14 and the dreaded hook. It is tempting to take Memphis but I can see the Rebels clearing the number here late. I can see this being a bit of a shock to the system of Memphis as frankly their schedule to date has been pretty soft. Southeast Missouri State, Kansas and Bowling Green. Not exactly daunting is it. Now they travel to Oxford at night to butt heads with Ole Miss. That big line is there for a reason guys. For those who love the air it out and light up the scoreboard type game I can see this being right up your alley. Kelly might throw for 400 yards here. I think the game is unbeatable. But the total has been bet up for a reason. Shootout in the works here.
Last weekend I once again missed the Mizzou home game. It was reunion weekend in my hometown. It was that or the Tigers game against Delaware State. I thought about it for about a half second a decided it was time to drive back home for the weekend. Reunion weekends are fun, but recovery is not the same now as it used to be. But sitting around the pool with a group of 12 old high school buddies and ex teammates is not a tough thing to take. Good times for the Moberly Spartans. As for the actual game Missouri won 79-0 in a game where the coaches and officials got their heads together at the half and decided to play ten minute quarters and run the clock in the second half. Basically a mercy decision. I talked to some friends who watched part of it before departing for the tailgating and they said it looked like a decent SEC caliber team playing a glorified high school club. I take nothing from this game. Circumstances could not be any more different this weekend as the Tigers travel down to Baton Rouge to meet LSU for the very first time since joining the SEC. Oh, they did play once before back in the Liberty Bowl in 1978 and Mizzou won the game 20-15. And yes, I was at that game actually. No secret of all the drama this week down there with LSU canning a very good, winning coach in Les Miles. And of course the usual speculations and psychological analysis of how the players will react. I don't know. Everyone has an opinion. Mine is Miles was a popular players coach. I doubt this went over well with them. How will they respond saturday night. NOBODY knows. It's all opinions guys. Hell, the coaching staff does not know. All I know is this, Missouri will be there. Be on time, and be ready to rumble. This team has more going for it than last year with all the BS distractions. Mizzou will not blink at anything they confront down there. LSU had better be ready to get it on, Mizzou will be. I know that sounds like homer talk but those who know me from my ten years here know I pick against Missouri about as often as I do on them. I call it straight. I expect Missouri to be ready to bring it this saturday night.
There is one team that is kind of flying under the radar on the national scale and that is Kevin Sumlin's Texas A&M Aggies. This years team can not just score but defend. God, I love balanced teams. The Aggies are off a VERY impressive win over a very good Arkansas team 45-24. Closer game than final would lead to believe. The Aggies left them in the fourth quarter. Very much a quality win. They have now notched two quality wins with both UCLA and the Hogs going down. I do not see South Carolina being much of a hurdle this this week. The Aggies are favored on the road here by a lofty 17.5 points. Barring turnovers I see them clearing it frankly. NOT a bet for me, I will share that. But in my opinion they do get over it. This is actually Muschamps first home game in league play and yes, I do expect the Gamecocks to battle here. But they just don't have enough sand in their pants yet. Texas A&M rolls.
Man, Florida has to be smarting and in a nasty disposition. I saw the score last weekend when I checked and they were up 21-0. I thought oh hell, Jones is in deep shit. Then later I saw the comeback and it was a head turner. I expect them to win this week at Vandy and do it by more than two touchdowns. I look for that Gator defense to come out frothing at the mouth to get that taste out of their mouths from that let down last saturday in Knoxville. Yes, Vany is at home. Nice there will be friends and family present for the execution. No, just kidding. It won't be quite that ugly but Gators will win here and I do not expect much drama.
Speaking of Tennessee much props, seriously. They were backed into a corner and they responded. VERY impressive win. Yes, I admit. I do think this team was overrated coming into the season. Yes, I think they read a lot of the preseason rags touting them. Yes, they were lucky as a cat getting by Appy State. BUT, to their credit they responded last week when a lot of teams would have folded. Now they get to show the world how they are mature and can handle such success. Now, they travel down to Athens after this incredible high and get to strap it on against a Bulldogs team that will have had Kirby Smart in their ear holes at practice all week. Could be interesting. More interesting than the Vol's want or bargained for.
Arkansas gets a chance to rebound this week. They play 1-2 Alcorn State. Oh great!
On the business side I have two featured releases lined up. One in college and one in league play. Last saturday I dropped the featured release on Oklahoma State. They should have covered but didn't. Will leave it at that. Those who watched know. Does not matter. You either get paid or you don't. Fumbles on the stinking one yard line happen. Dammit. With years of experience you learn how to deal with f cking bullshit like that, dammit.
Anyway, as we progress calmly forward. This week I do have one dog I love. It is my Triple Star Rabid Dog Game of the Year. Those who have followed over the years also know I have cashed many, many more of these than not. That Jack, is a fact. I also have an NFL Triple Star Rabid Dog loaded for sunday. Last week I had two featured releases in the NFL, both Triple Rabid Dogs like this weeks play, and yes, they both won easily. Patriots rolled over the Texans as I predicted and the Vikings soundly defeated the Panthers as I predicted. Since the 2011 season the NFL Rabid Dogs are actually 63-31, 67% winners. And yes, that is real talk about real numbers. Not scripted boiler room BS! And some of you know exactly what I am saying.
Okay, it's a new weekend. Hope everyone has a great one. Take care and enjoy the games. Please remember to bet within your means. If you are betting with mortgage, or household budget money please quit. Now. Just saying. Best regards.