There is nothing like a dream to create the future. That dream, the dream of a National Championship resting in Baton Rouge this year is all but over, and now the LSU Fighting Tigers look to salvage their season in Oxford. But a new dream has emerged; that of a new coach to lead the Bayou Bengals back to glory as Les Mileserables throne begins to warm. As the Mad Hatter holds his court he asks, "Is it true that I am to be released?" The LSU faithful can only wonder, "God knows how I've lasted living with this bastard in the house!" While releasing him might not be the wisest of decisions, fear naught LSU, for even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.
This week in the SEC sees only a couple decent games, with the Bayou Bengals heading north to home of William Faulkner, and the Bulldogs of Starkvegas heading to Walmart U, where Arkansas suddenly looks like a tough out for anyone. The season is almost coming to an end with only 2 weeks left of regular season games, so let's take a look at Week 12.
FAU
at Florida -30.5
The FAU Owls are 2-8, while the Gators sit at 9-1. The outcome has already been decided, but what people are really interested in is whether or not Florida will cover, or will they sleepwalk through the game looking to FSU next week. I think McElwain has got the Gators focused to get as many wins as possible as they hope to knock off Alabama in the SEC Championship to slide into the College Football Playoff. They'll take care of business against the Fighting Archimedes and cover. Florida 45 FAU 10.
The Citadel
at South Carolina
There's not really a line for this game. So, let's just keep this one brief. South Carolina wins. It's a game no one outside the Palmetto State really cares about. South Carolina goes to 4-8 before they get trounced by Clemson next week. South Carolina 34 Citadel 17.
LSU
at Ole Miss -6.5
The CBS game of the week sees the Fighting Tigers head to Oxford to take on the Rebels in the Magnolia Bowl. I've been to this game the last 2 years, the 2013 game being one of utter jubilation followed by confusion.
While, the 2014 game was one of awkward silence as I walked from Tiger Stadium to my car and drove back to New Orleans as fast as possible....thanks Bo Wallace.
But, this year I'll be watching from my home with my wife, an LSU fan. That should be interesting. Both the Rebels and Tigers are coming off losses to an Arkansas team they were favored against, and have seen their seasons crushed like one of Rust Cohle's beer cans.
Courtesy of the lifesentence.net
If LSU is going to win this game, it's going to win it on the arms and legs of Brandon Harris. They've become one dimensional and when they've been unable to run the ball as they have the last 2 weeks, they're incapable of scoring. Ole Miss will do the same thing Alabama and Arkansas did and stack the box against Forunette, and while he'll have a better game than he did against Alabama and Arkansas, I'm not sure that he runs for 200 yards against the Ole Miss front line. But based on the luck Ole Miss has had this year, I'm going with the Tigers to get a last second win in Oxford.
I think the game comes down to the last drive the way it has the last couple of years. Les Miles losing 3 games in a row doesn't sound like a strong possibility. I hope I'm wrong and Ole Miss wins in a blowout, but after that crazy loss to Arkansas I think this team feels a lot like they did after the loss to Auburn last year, which isn't good. Even with 2 weeks to prepare, they'd need to win out and Bama to lose the Iron Bowl to go to Atlanta and unless Cam Newton's under center for Auburn, that ain't happening. LSU 34 Ole Miss 31.
Charleston Southern
at Alabama -38.5
Nick Saban was not happy when reporters asked him how much playing time some of his younger players were going to get in this game. The Tide should win this game and cover 52-7. But, the big story this week revolved around rumors that if Charlies Strong heads to Miami, would Texas make another run at Saban, and even if they don't, does Saban look to head to Indy to join Andrew Luck and the Colts with full autonomy in a Belichick like role. The Tide faithful sure are hoping they're just rumors, because they're starting to get nervous that their beloved coach may leave Tuscaloosa.
Idaho
at Auburn -34
The Vandals head to The Plains this weekend to take on a resurgent Auburn team that will get bowl eligible this week. It's pretty evident the Tigers will get to 6-5 this week before the Iron Bowl, but I'm not sure they cover against Paul Petrino's Vandals. The Vandals have been giving up a ton of points lately, but I think they'll be able to score enough to cover the spread. Auburn pulls away in the 2nd half, and wins 42-17.
Mississippi State
at Arkansas -5
Arkansas has been baffling this year. They've lost games to Toledo and Texas Tech, and then they've beaten Ole Miss and LSU. Mississippi State on the other hand has been pretty consistent; they've beaten the teams they're supposed to and lost to teams most analysts expected. Fayetteville is a tough place to go to and get a win, and right now Brandon Allen might be having the best QB play of anyone in the conference. State will put up a much better fight than they did last week, but I think Arkansas still gets a win at home and covers, 35-28.
Georgia Southern
at Georgia -13
Georgia Southern is a good football team. While the Bulldogs likely aren't in too much danger of losing this game, the 13 point line shows that Vegas respects the Eagles. Georgia Southern runs the triple option, which means the Bulldogs will see the this offense for 2 straight weeks, as they face Georgia Tech next week, and that offense is tough to defend. This game is close for a while, but Georgia scores a late touchdown to barely cover the spread. Georgia 35 Georgia Southern 21.
Tennessee -6
at Missouri
Mizzou won last week based largely off emotion. They won't be as lucky this week when the Vols come to town. While Mizzou could get bowl eligible on Saturday night, they'll likely have to wait another week. Tennessee didn't exactly dominate North Texas 2 weeks ago, or South Carolina the week before, but they still got wins, and they've had 2 weeks to prepare for Missouri. Josh Dobbs will have his work cutout for him, but I think the Vols are just the better team. They get a win in a hostile environment on a cold November night, and Mizzou will head to Arkansas next week needing a win to get to a bowl. Vols 28 Tigers 20.
UNC Charlotte
at Kentucky -24.5
Kentucky will get 1 game closer to bowl eligibility this week against Charlotte. The 49ers have only 2 wins this season, and have lost 8 in row, while Kentucky has dropped their last 5 games. Mark Stoops's Wildcats will win, but I'm not a believer in them covering a spread of 24.5 points against anyone, even a bad UNC Charlotte team. A big factor could be the weather, with a 70% chance of rain/snow and temperatures that could dip down around freezing, so I think that could keep the score lower than it normally might be. Wildcats 27 49ers 13.
Texas A&M -6
at Vanderbilt
Derek Mason has done a better job than most people expected at Vandy this year. I thought they'd struggle to get 2 wins, but the Commodores are sitting at 4-6 with an outside chance to make a bowl. I don't think that'll happen, but I also don't think Texas A&M blows them out in Nashville. Texas A&M gave all 3 of their QBs starting reps this week, which proves they don't have a QB. If you're opening up the QB competition in Week 12, when all 3 are healthy, you've got some serious problems. Despite their issues under center, I think the Aggies are still the more talented team and will get a win in Nashville as they edge out Vandy, but just barely. Aggies 24 Commodores 21.
Cheers to the Weekend. Hotty Toddy Y'all!
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