SEC Football: Southbound and Down Pick ‘Em Week 2

By John Richardson | Sep 10, 2015

Call up Vegas, tell them to back up the Brinks truck and load up your cash. Southbound and Down’s Weekly Pick ‘Em is here.

Here at Southbound and Down, we all consider ourselves avid SEC fans. As we admitted in week one, each of us may have a preferred team or two… but we all love the SEC. Now that SEC football is here, it is time that we put that fandom to the test.

We have now arrived at week two of the first annual Southbound and Down Staff Pick ‘Em. Many of the writers on staff will make weekly picks and we’ll keep track for bragging rights. Of course I think I’m going to win, but I’ll refrain from trash talking…unless provoked by the staff. Then…well…it gets even more fun.

More from SEC Football

A few of us will provide some commentary and explain our predictions. Some have dropped out of the race for SEC Pick ‘Em supremacy; others are supremely confident. As a side note, we may have occasional special pickers or have some staff members only participate sporadically.

We may not be perfect, but one thing is for sure: we know SEC football. 85-7 was our record in heads up picks and we managed a 59-32-1 record against the spread. Most importantly: no staff member had a losing record heads up or against the spread.

The moral of the story, besides bragging, you ask? There is no need in attempting bank robbery when you can practically open one yourself by following these picks for a few weeks. Bank on it.

Week One Results:

John: 14-0 ATS 8-6

Neal: 13-0 ATS 7-5-1

Ben M: 11-2 ATS 10-3

Ben R: 14-0 ATS 10-4

Ryan: 9-3 ATS 6-6

David 12-1 ATS 9-4

Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Lee 12-1 ATS 9-4

Saturday, September 4

*All times listed as central

#6 Auburn (-38) V Jacksonville State

11:00 AM, SEC Network/WatchESPN

John: This week’s version of Ole Miss-Tennessee Martin. Auburn covers, easy.

Neal: Auburn by 40. Here’s to a good game for Jeremy Johnson to work on his decision making.

Andrew (who says his picks are flawless): Auburn wins, covers

Ben R.: After facing a better than expected Louisville defense and working out the first game jitters, Jeremy Johnson gets in his groove that will last all season. Auburn covers.

#17 Ole Miss (-23) V Fresno State

2:30 PM, ESPN 2/WatchESPN

John: Ole Miss covers, quarterback battle officially ends with Kelly on top.

Neal: Ole Miss by 40. 76 last weekend. I think the Rebels will top 50 this time around. Fresno is a little more respectable than UT Martin…a little.

Andrew: Ole Miss wins, covers

Ben R: Ole Miss covers by another Nkemdiche touchdown.

#10 Georgia (-17.5) at Vanderbilt

Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

2:30 PM, CBS

John: Make no mistake, Vanderbilt’s defense is much improved with Mason calling the plays. But the ineptness of their offense is embarrassing. Georgia covers.

Neal: Georgia by 25. Too easy not to take the over. Vanderbilt is really really bad, folks.

Andrew: Georgia wins, covers

Ben R: Haha, Georgia covers.

#2 Alabama (-34) V Middle Tennessee State

3:00 PM, SECNetwork/WatchESPN

John: Alabama’s defense scores more than Middle Tennessee and they cover.

Neal: Alabama by 38. Is the Alabama offense of old reappearing?

Andrew: Alabama wins, covers

Ben R.: Bama Covers

#18 Arkansas (-21) V Toledo

Sep 5, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen (10) passes against the UTEP Miners during the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Razorbacks defeat the Miners 48-13. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

3:00 PM, SECNetwork/WatchESPN

John: Arkansas continues to impress and covers

Neal: Arkansas by 28, ground and pound style

Andrew: Arkansas wins, covers

Ben R.: Arkansas proved they can have a potent offense and I won’t doubt them again. Arkansas covers.

#19 Oklahoma (-3) at #23 Tennessee

5:00 PM, ESPN/WatchESPN

John: Tennessee will be hyped to play this game after last year. They find a way to keep it close. Oklahoma will win but Tennessee covers.

Neal: Oklahoma by 1. Very tough. Tennessee wasn’t overly impressive against Bowling Green, and Oklahoma as a national program is losing traction every year.

Andrew: Oklahoma wins by 4

Ben R.: I doubted Tennessee last week, and maybe I haven’t learned my lesson, but I’m taking Oklahoma to win and cover.

#16 Texas A&M (-26) V Ball State

Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

6:00 PM, ESPNU/WatchESPN

John: The sack fest continues for A&M’s new and improved defense. They cover easily.

Neal: A&M by 31. Let’s see what the defense can do this week. Not bad in week one.

Andrew: Texas A&M wins, covers

Ben R.: Welcome to the SEC Texas A&M defense! A&M covers.

#21 Missouri (-13) at Arkansas State

6:00 PM ESPN3

John: Mizzou is getting no respect here. I realize they’re not viewed as USC’s equivalent, but Arkansas State was embarrassed last week. The embarrassment continues here as Mizzou rolls.

Neal: Mizzou by 17…I’ll probably regret this pick

Andrew: Missouri wins, covers

Ben R.: Mizzou covers

Florida (-14.5) V East Carolina

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

6:00 PM, ESPN2/WatchESPN

John: Florida won this game by 8 in January. An improved Gator’s offense covers this spread.

Neal: Florida by 14. Just not very hot on Florida

Andrew: Florida wins, covers

Ben R.: Florida’s offense looked much better against a much lesser opponent, but progress is progress. Don’t look past ECU though. Florida wins, ECU covers.

Kentucky (+7.5) at South Carolina

6:30 PM, SECNetwork/WatchESPN

John: If Kentucky didn’t fall apart at the end of last week, I’d take Kentucky to cover this spread. Then again, the spread would probably be much different. I’ll take USCe to cover.

Neal: South Carolina by 5. -This may be a surprise match-up. Definitely worth watching.

Andrew: South Carolina wins, does not cover

Ben R.: USC wins and covers to avenge their OT loss from last year.

#14 LSU (-3) at Mississippi State

Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

8:15 PM, ESPN/WatchESPN

John: The hardest pick of the week. Mississippi State impressed no one but they were very vanilla. Their secondary looked suspect, but LSU’s quarterbacks don’t scare a high school team. I’ll take LSU by a touchdown in a game that goes to the wire.

Neal: LSU by 8. The Tigers didn’t play last weekend, but Mississippi State did. Blind in one eye now. Either Mississippi State is kinda bad, or Southern Mississippi’s heavy JUCO recruiting is paying off.

Andrew: LSU wins, covers

Ben R.: Another revenge game and MSU defense looked rough last week. LSU wins and covers…wait…they’re not the favorite. LSU wins.

Bonus Matchup (Double Points): #7 Oregon at #5 Michigan State

7:00 PM abc/WatchESPN

John: Neither team impressed with cupcake opponents in week one. When in doubt, take the home team or the defense. Michigan State has both those advantages, give me Sparty.

Neal (salty with this pick): Give me Oregon. I really don’t care.

Andrew: Michigan State Wins

Ben R.: Oregon gave up 35 to EWU last week, but remember that is where they got their new quarterback from. I suspect that offense could put up 35 on anybody if given the ball that many times. I talked myself into it. I’ll take Oregon, but I don’t feel good about it.

Games and viewing options from espn.com

Spreads from teamrankings.com

More from Southbound and Down

Home/SEC Football

Keep scrolling for more content below