(ATS) Southbound and Down Staff Pick Em: Week 9

By John Richardson | Oct 30, 2015

Before the 2015 SEC football season began, the staff here at Southbound and Down agreed to participate in a weekly Pick ‘Em of SEC games. We’ve had incredible and embarrassing stretches, filled with more slightly above average picks. Our heads up pick ‘em game is strong. Our picks against the spread (ATS) have been much more hit or miss.

Overall, though, you definitely would be sitting in the black had you actually bet following our picks. Now I’m not guaranteeing anything if you call up Vegas to lay your money down. I’m not encouraging you to put down your weekly salary. All I’m saying is we’re pretty dang good at this, especially since this is the first time doing something like this for most of us.

Many of us have heard from friends, families and strangers about how much better they could be doing if they were making the picks. While we can’t exactly make that a reality, it did spark an idea. For the first time ever, Southbound and Down readers can be a part of the Southbound and Down Pick ‘Em. If you think you’re up to the task, find more info and your opportunity to be a part of it here.

Week 8 Update

John: 5-1 ATS 3-3

Neal: 5-1 ATS 3-3

Ben R: 2-4 ATS 1-5

Andrew: 4-2 ATS 3-3

More from SEC Football

Overall Standings

John: 60-15 ATS 42-33

Neal: 61-14 ATS 39-35-1

Ben R: 56-19 ATS 40-35

Andrew: 40-18 ATS 28-28

Ben M: 19-2 ATS 16-7

Ryan: 32-13 ATS 21-24

Lee 30-7 ATS 23-16

The Games:

Spreads courtesy of teamrankings.com

Texas A&M (-16) @ South Carolina

Neal: *Early Kickoff **Bowl Ramifications

College Station, TX Forecast: Heavy cloud coverage. Scattered thunder storms. Wind 12 mph. Slightly cool temperature with high humidity

Texas A&M appears to have a quarterback controversy. All those high caliber quarterbacks, but no leader. Reminds

Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in action against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

me of the old saying: “Too many chiefs, and not enough indians. Whatever the case, the Aggies should get by South Carolina, but how difficult is it going to be for Kevin Sumlin to get his team to play passionately for 4 quarters. Good thing they won’t have to do that.

South Carolina 16 Texas A&M 33

Andrew: After consecutive blowout losses, I like A&M here — but not by 16 points. Aggies take care of Carolina 34-23.

Ben R: This is the last chance for South Carolina to salvage anything for their season, and they’ll cover, but A&M wins a close one

Ryan: Texas A&M covers spread in bounce back game for team.

John: South Carolina puts everything into this game. They make it closer than many expect but A&M pulls out the W.

Mississippi (-7) V Auburn

Neal: *Early Kickoff **Division Ramifications

Auburn, AL Forecast: Some cloud coverage. No projected rain. Wind 11 mph. Mild temperature. Noticeable humidity

What a thriller last weekend in Fayetteville. I called the game being a classic, but 4 overtimes certainly exceeded my expectations. How deflated will Auburn, and the home crowd be rolling into this 11:00AM kickoff? Ole Miss, and the Landshark Defense, found it’s 2014 self last weekend shutting A&M down, and I tend to believe this early kickoff favors the Rebels, not the Tigers. Give me the Rebels on the road.

Andrew: Auburn played well last week, but fell short against Arkansas in Fayetteville. The Tigers will play with some fire, but it won’t be enough to knock off Ole Miss. Rebels win 35-17.

Ben R: Ole Miss. Who are you? We count you out, you win big. We bet on you, you put up a stinker. I’m reluctantly saying you’ve turned the corner and that you will torch Auburn ‘ s defense. Ole Miss covers and wins I dont have any confidence on that pick at all.

Ryan: Mississippi wins but fails to cover – Auburn’s defense keeps it close.

John: Ole Miss is better than Auburn by two scores on a neutral field. On The Plains? Auburn makes this a game that goes down to the wire like last year. This time Ole Miss returns the favor and wins on Auburn’s field but doesn’t cover the spread.

Florida (-3) V Georgia

Neal: *Neutral Site **Rivalry Game ***Division Ramifications ****CBS Choice

Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Treon Harris (3) looks to pass against the LSU Tigers during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 35-28.Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville, FL Forecast: Mostly sunny. 10% chance of rain. Wind 11 mph. Mild temperature with moderate humidity

The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party has arrived, and with a lot on the line this year. Florida enters as the slight favorite, and that’s because Georgia hasn’t done themselves any favors this year. If the Bulldogs want to stake their claim on the SEC East, then Saturday is a must win. Of course, the same can be said for the Gators coming off their first loss against LSU. Something tells me the Bulldogs finding a way, and throwing a big wrench in the Eastern Division’s motor.

Georgia 31 Florida 28 (REGRET PICK)

Andrew: Finally, the Florida-Georgia match-up is exciting again. Treon Harris and Florida’s offense will make just enough plays to edge Georgia, 28-24.

Ben R: If you lose to LSU by a fake field goal touchdown in Death Valley at night with back up quarterback, I believe you can handle Georgia. UF wins and covers.

Ryan: Florida covers. Defense scores a defensive touchdown that swings the momentum in their favor.

John: All recent history suggests that I should go against my gut in this game. But with the way Florida played against LSU and the way Georgia was dominated by Alabama, there is no way I can pick against the Gators in this game. Florida wins and covers.

Arkansas (No spread available, -31) V Tennessee Martin

Neal: Tennessee Martin @ Arkansas *Bowl Eligibility Ramifications

Fayetteville, AR Forecast: Heavy clouds. Showers. Wind 10 mph. Cool temperature with strong humidity.

I don’t really know what to say about this one. The Razorbacks will win? OK. The rain means the Hogs can stay on the ground, and still win? OK. Will the Hogs win by 40? Possibly!

Tennessee Martin 10 Arkansas 58

Andrew: Nothing needs to be said here. Hogs win 48-6.

Oct 24, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) runs the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Ben R: Arkansas wins and covers

Ryan: Arkansas wins but no one watches and it’s closer than people would hope for a game featuring an SEC team that should dominate a lower-level football team.

John: Man I really hate these games. 31 points is a lot, no matter the level of competition. I’ll say the run-game for Arkansas explodes and they score far above their season average. Arkansas covers.

Houston (-12) V Vanderbilt

Neal: *Evening Kickoff

Houston, TX Forecast: Heavy clouds. Scattered thunderstorms. Wind 12 mph. Warm temperature with strong humidity.

Curse you Vanderbilt! Curse YOU! Every weekend you do the opposite of what I predict. I gave you a chance against South Carolina, and you blew it. I didn’t give you a chance against Missouri, and you surprise everyone, along with blowing a perfect heads up record for me last week. I’m not picking you here either. Go Cougars!

Vanderbilt 13 Houston 21

Andrew: Vandy got its first conference win in, what, three years? That’s great for the Commodores! Too bad they’ll follow that up with a blowout loss to a really good Houston team: 38-13.

Ben R: Houston, we have a problem. Just kidding, it’s the other team from Tennessee. Houston wins and covers.

Ryan: Vanderbilt covers spread but lose to Houston.

John: Props to Ben for his “Houston, we have a problem” joke. It’s difficult to make a cliché funny, but he pulled it off. Houston scores far below their season average against a solid Vandy D but Vandy continues kicking field goals and doesn’t even cover the spread.

Tennessee (-7) V Kentucky

Neal: *Evening Kickoff **Rivalry Game ***Bowl Eligibility Ramifications

Lexington, KY Forecast: Cloudy. No foreseen precipitation. Wind 9 mph. Cool temperature with slight humidity.

I like this game…I really like this game. Not from a betting perspective, but from a fan perspective. Tennessee is the more talented team, but Kentucky’s back is against the wall at home. Interesting..very interesting. Give me the Vols in a close one.

Tennessee 30 Kentucky 24

Next: SEC Viewer's Guide: Week 9

More from Southbound and Down

Andrew: This game looked more intriguing a few weeks ago. Now, it would appear that Kentucky is on the same path as last year (losing its last 6 straight). Tennessee gets a much-needed win in Lexington. CLOSE finish, though: 17-16.

Ben R: Betting on Butch not to butch this up is a risk, but Kentucky has burned me 2 weeks in a row. UT wins and covers.

Ryan: Tennessee covers spread against Kentucky. The Wildcats are looking really poor in recent SEC contests. Tennessee starts late season push to try and take the East if Florida & Georgia falter.

John: Kentucky. I had high hopes for you this season after the way you started. You’ve disappointed me week after week and I’m done giving you credit. Tennessee covers.

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