SBD Staff Pick 'Em (ATS): Week 4 SEC Games

In the last 3 weeks, we’ve introduced you to this series, prematurely told you to ring up Vegas and been wildly average. It’s been more of a roller coaster than Alabama-Ole Miss was. I don’t know how to more appropriately describe our stretch last week than wildly average. Not one of our pickers was below .500 picking the SEC Games . . . but not one of them was better than 6-4 against the spread (ATS).

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Our record heads-up, however, is beyond repute. Each week we consistently have a field day picking the winners in this series. Most of our staff even called the Ole Miss upset over Alabama last week.

No one is satisfied with just breaking even, however. This week we’re determined to put forth some solid picks to help make you money. It’s not like you need to doubt us. If you’ve been riding with our picks, you’re likely still in the black from the stash of cash you brought home in week one.

Welcome to week four 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.

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. Additionally, we may have occasional special pickers or have some staff members only participate sporadically.

Week Three Results:

John 8-2 ATS: 6-4

Andrew 7-3 ATS: 5-5

Ben R: 7-3 ATS: 5-5

Ben M: 8-2 ATS: 6-4

Ryan: 9-1 ATS: 5-5

Neal: 6-4 ATS 5-5

Overall:

Kudos to the every week pickers

John: 31-4 (freakin’ Notre Dame) ATS 16-20 (freakin’ Notre Dame)

Neal: 28-7 ATS 16-18-1

Ben R: 29-6 ATS 20-15

Andrew: 17-7 ATS 10-12

Ben M: 19-2 ATS 16-7 (missed the insanity of week 2 . . . yes, I’m jealous)

Ryan: 18-4 ATS 11-11(also missed week 2)

David 12-1 ATS 9-4

Lee 12-1 ATS 9-4

Saturday, September 26*

*All times listed as Central Time, times and viewing option from espn.com

#7 Georgia (-50) V Southern

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

11: 00 AM, SEC Network

John: Georgia could win this game 56-7 and that wouldn’t cover. I think Georgia handles them by a huge margin, but -50 makes this a toss-up ATS. I’ll take Southern to cover by scoring against Georgia’s third team defense.

Andrew: Georgia wins 54-14, does not cover.

Ben R: Lambert has found a groove and Nick Chubb is out to prove he’s the best SEC running back. 50 is a lot, but I’ll take Georgia to win and cover.

Lee: The ‘Dawgs cover the spread with the second string after the half. Perhaps they should call this one early.

Neal: Georgia 55-7 (DNC)

A tune-up for the Dawgs before Alabama visits Athens next weekend

South Carolina (-14) V Central Florida

11:00 AM, ESPNU

John: South Carolina makes a stand here against a team that lost to Furman. USC isn’t very good, but they’re not that bad. USCe manages to cover.

Andrew: South Carolina wins 24-21, does not cover.

Ben R: South Carolina you fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. South Carolina wins but UCF covers.

Lee: The Gamecocks’ 2015 train is running off the tracks right now, and a game against the Knights provides the perfect opportunity for a temporary fix. Let Lorenzo Nunez run the option with Brandon Wilds and Pharoh Cooper, and pray for the defense. Take South Carolina and the points.

Neal: South Carolina 35-17 (Covers)

The Gamecocks should get back on track against Central Florida. Basically, South Carolina just needs to build a little confidence.

#8 LSU (-24) V Syracuse

11:00 AM, ESPN

Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

John: Fournette dominates and sits midway through the third quarter. Syracuse scores a garbage time touchdown to cover the spread and upset a lot of people.

Andrew: LSU wins 41-10, covers.

Ben R: Fournette wins and covers

Lee: The Bayou Bengals travel to the Empire State after exploding overrated Auburn, and Leonard Fournette runs the Orange out of the Dome. Take Les Miles and the point.

Neal: LSU 31-10 (DNC)

Look for LSU to take it easy in this game. Fournette should still hit the century mark early before being taken out.

Tennessee (+2) @ Florida

2:30 PM, CBS/WatchESPN

John: Tennessee impressed with their resilience last week. These Volunteers have yet to play in a big road game this year and I think it bothers them early. Florida’s defense is the truth, even missing a cornerback. I think this game goes to the wire. Give me Tennessee and I’ll gladly take the points.

Andrew: Florida wins 21-20, does not cover (Go Gators!).

Ben R: This is a huge match up on the SEC East and after the preseason story lines and Florida’s struggles with “lesser” teams, I’m surprised to see Florida as a favorite. I’m going to roll with Vegas and give the nod to home field advantage, Florida wins and covers.

Lee: Tennessee is due for a big win, and they haven’t beaten Florida since 2004. The Vols win by three.

Neal (with his weekly regret pick): Florida 24-21 (covers)

Maybe I wrote Florida off too early. This is a hard game to pick. I’m taking Florida by a field goal, but I may regret this one Sunday morning.

#12 Alabama (-28) V Louisiana Monroe

3:00 PM, SEC Network

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

John: Alabama jumps out early and leaves in their starters longer than usual to work some kinks out. Bama by 35.

Andrew: Alabama wins 49-0, covers.

Ben R: Alabama has a national championship in mind still and they know they have work to do in this one. Alabama wins and covers.

Lee: After the Tide cover the spread against ULM, their fans still won’t be able to get over a loss to Ole Miss. Sorry, ‘Bama.

Neal: Alabama 41-6 (covers)

Alabama needs to stick with Coker, and give him the entire game to get comfortable as the starter. Alabama should jump out to an early lead, and use the game to get their mind right before their trip to face Georgia next weekend.

#14 Texas A&M (-6.5) V Arkansas

6:00 PM, ESPN/WatchESPN

John: Vegas is loving the hype Arkansas got before the season. There is no rational reason that Arkansas should only receive 6.5 points. TAMU clears this spread early and never looks back.

Andrew: Texas A&M wins 37-21, covers.

Ben R: I’m rolling/agreeing with Kingsbury! A&M wins and covers.

Lee: A&M is on an offensive roll, while the Pigs have lost two straight to Toledo and Texas Tech. I’m just surprised that the spread isn’t higher. Obviously, I’m going with the Aggies to cover the spread.

Neal: Texas A&M 35-20 (covers)

Arkansas is really bad, and the Aggies seem to have a decent defense now. This game should never be in question.

#3 Ole Miss (-26) V Vanderbilt

6:00 PM, ESPNU

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

John: It is tempting to say that Ole Miss sleep walks to a 21 point victory, but this offense is potent. Vandy will trim the lead late but Ole Miss still covers.

Andrew: Ole Miss wins 31-10, does not cover.

Ben R: Ole Miss offense is on a roll and Vandy can’t do anything about it. I think Ole Miss will put up another 50 and cover.

Lee: Mississippi returns home after stomping ‘Bama at Bryant-Denny for the first time since the Ronald Regan era. Unfortunately, Ole Miss covering the spread shouldn’t be too exciting this weekend.

Neal: Ole Miss 55-17 (covers)

The Ole Miss offense is a scoring machine, and the Ole Miss defense is a turnover machine. Note: Vanderbilt has found a little life lately, and I was bad wrong last week picking them to lose to Austin Peay. I apologize, Vandy.

Mississippi State (+3) @ Auburn

6:30 PM, ESPN2

John: There are too many changes going on at Auburn this week to have a clue how this game will pan out. I’ll go with the safe pick and take MSU + the points.

Andrew: Mississippi State wins 28-21

Ben R: There is no way in hell Auburn wins this game. With these odds, bet the house on it. Seriously, get an apartment lined up just in case if it makes you feel better l, but bet the friggin’ house on it. Jeremy Johnson was throwing balls 10 yards short to wide receivers 8 yards down field and that defense is about to get torched again. Yet he started two games. Sean White can’t be that much better. Mississippi State with the win and of course that means I’m taking them to cover too.

Lee: Auburn hasn’t proved anything and I can’t believe that they’re favored in this contest. Dak Prescott and Mississippi State lost a nail biter to LSU, but at least they’ve shown some mettle. The Bulldogs win this one by at least a touchdown.

Neal: Mississippi State 27-21 (covers)

Either I believe in Mississippi State in this game, or I have no faith in Auburn. I’m not quite sure. Jeremy Johnson may get it right one day, but it’s not going to happen over one week. Especially from the bench. Mississippi State is more consistent as a program, and Auburn is too volatile. Safe pick is the Bulldogs.

Kentucky (-3) V Missouri

6:30 PM SEC Nework/WatchESPN

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

John: Kentucky is better than we expected, but not that good. Mizzou is worse than we expected, but they’re still winning. I think that stops this week. Give me Kentucky to cover.

Andrew: Kentucky wins 27-20, covers.

Ben R: This looks like Kentucky ‘s year. This does NOT look like Missouri ‘ s year. Mizzou is worse than we all thought. UK wins and covers.

Lee: In a battle of mediocre teams, I’ll take the Wildcats with the field goal. While Kentucky hasn’t proved much, they’ve fared better against tougher competition\

Neal: Kentucky 20-14

Missouri’s offense is no threat any more. I like Kentucky at home, and the Wildcats will find 6 wins this year.

#9 UCLA (-3.5) @ Arizona

7:00 PM, ABC

John: UCLA covers this one with relative ease. They win by a two score margin.

Andrew: I’m taking UCLA over Arizona 35-17, covers.

Ben R: UCLA quarterback seems to be everything Brett Hundley was supposed to be, and I’m a believer. Give me the Bruins to win and to cover.

Neal: UCLA 30-23 (covers)

Game times and viewing options taken from ESPN.com http://espn.go.com/college-football/schedule

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SBD Staff Pick ‘Em (ATS): Week 4 SEC Games

By John Richardson | Sep 25, 2015

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