South Bound & Down
Fansided

4 SEC football picks to hammer and one to avoid in Week 3

By Michael Collins

Sep 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban walks off the field following their 34-24 loss to the Texas Longhorns at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban walks off the field following their 34-24 loss to the Texas Longhorns at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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sec football
Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones (5) runs the ball up the sideline during the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Sept. 25, 2021.Flgai 092521 Ufvs Tennesseefb 47 /

LOCK: Florida +6.5 vs. Tennessee

After coming into the season with some high expectations, the Gators looked putrid in their opener against Utah, being manhandled by the Utes defense in a 24-11 loss on the road.

But this is the Gators’ SEC opener, in the Swamp, in prime time, against one of their big rivals.

This is ugly September SEC football, and the Vols are lined up for a road upset against a team that can’t afford to lose many more games this season.

Since 2003, the Gators have lost only one home game to the Volunteers, a 24-10 Tennessee win between two Top 20 teams. It has been utter domination for Florida at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium when the Vols come calling.

While it can be said this is a very different Tennessee team and a very different Florida team than past seasons, there are certain edicts that will always ring true. You don’t march into the Swamp in September and come out with a win, being one of them.

That said, the Vols record may remain unblemished after this game, but it will take a last-minute field goal or possibly overtime to get it done. Chances are, Florida has a victory that will buy head coach Billy Napier a little extra time this season.

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