As SEC play starts for a few more teams this Saturday we will find out more about teams as we get closer to the end of September. It may not be the sexiest schedule, but there are a few interesting games including the primetime matchup in Norman that I will save for the end.
Week four SEC predictions
Akron @ South Carolina: This most interesting part of this game may be how does South Carolina look coming off the tough loss to LSU. Whether Sellers plays or not, Rocket Sanders should have a big day carrying the offense. The South Carolina defense should have no issues keeping the Zips in check. Have South Carolina winning 35-7.
Bowling Green @ Texas A&M: The Aggies are coming off a big bounce back in Week 3 in Gainesville and are looking to move to 3-1 on the young season. Bowling Green comes calling to College Station and it will be interesting to see if they give Texas A&M everything they want like they did at Penn State two weeks ago.
Also, it looks like we won't know which quarterback is starting for the Aggies as Coach Elko is keeping it close to his vest whether it will be Conner Weigman or Marcel Reed will get the start on Saturday. This game may be close for awhile, but the Aggies defense will be a little too stifling. Texas A&M pulls away late 35-24
Ohio @ Kentucky: This is another interesting game to see how Kentucky responds after having Georgia on the ropes last Saturday. Kentucky definitely needs a win after starting 1-2 on the season despite all the games being in Lexington. Expect a low scoring physical game with the Wildcats winning 20-10.
Georgia Southern @ Ole Miss: Despite the Rebels playing cupcakes to start their 2024 campaign they have looked very good having only given up 9 points on the season. Ole Miss is humming on both sides of the ball and expect more of the same with Ole Miss winning 56-10.
UL Monroe @ Texas: The most interesting part of this game is Arch Manning has been named the starter in Week 4 as Quinn Ewers continues to get healthy. The Longhorns have looked the part through three weeks of the season and expect more of the same Saturday Night in Austin. Texas rolls 56-7.
UCLA @ LSU: After a tough emotional come from behind win in Columbia last week playing the Bruins will seem like a cakewalk for the Tigers. UCLA got their doors blown off at home last week by Indiana and I'd expect more of the same Saturday afternoon in Baton Rouge. There should be little to no drama and should go much differently than the last time these two teams met on the gridiron. LSU 56 UCLA 10
Vanderbilt @ Missouri: The Tigers had their first challenge of the season coming back from 14-0 deficit to beat a tough Boston College team, while Vandy took their first loss of the season to Georgia State. The Commodores appear to be a much more competitive team than last season, but in the first SEC game for both teams the Tigers are just too talented. Clark Lea's bunch may be able to keep it interesting for a half but there is just too much talent in Columbia. Missouri 35 Vandy 10
Florida @ Mississippi State: As the beginning of the end of the Billy Napier era in Gainesville continues, this is a must win for the Gators if he wants to keep coaching this team past this weekend. It has been an disaster in Gainesville, but as bad as things have been there it has been even rougher for the Bulldogs.
Everyone knew Jeff Lebby had his work cut out for him in year one in Starkville but I'm not sure anyone imagined getting blown out by Toledo at home was in the bingo cards. Everything points to Florida rolling and the most interesting part of this game may be which Gators QB plays more. With that being in possibly their last guaranteed win of the season, Florida 42 Miss St 14.
Arkansas @ Auburn: This may end up being the most interesting game on the SEC Saturday slate. Hank Brown looks like he will be the Auburn QB going forward as it looks like the Payton Thorne era on the Plains has come to an end. Arkansas comes to town as a much-improved team, but Coach Pittman is still on the hot seat.
After coming up short in Stillwater this is the type of win he needs to continue being the Top Hog. Taylen Green is going to have a big day for Arkansas to pull off the big road win. Some of the excitement surrounding Hugh Freeze going into the season has worn off, especially after the Cal loss but winning their first SEC game will go a long way to keeping him off any hot seat list.
I am expecting a slow first half and a back and forth second half nail biter. This is the type of game that could make or break each program's season. Something tells me the Hogs find a way to pull off the win on the road late. Arkansas 21 Auburn 20
Tennessee @ Oklahoma: ESPN's College GameDay will be there, and the atmosphere will be electric in Norman. The storylines are abundant with Josh Heupel returning to face his alma mater. Once the game starts, I am not convinced the game will live up to the hype. Oklahoma struggled against Houston but looked better last week against a good Tulane team.
Tennessee comes into this game as possibly the most complete team in America. They run the ball well, have a plethora of good wide receivers, and an always improving defense. This is both team's biggest tests of the early season, but it won't be a very nice welcome to the SEC for the Sooners.
Oklahoma has a good enough defense to keep it close for a while, but their offense is still a work in progress and that will be the difference in this game. Expect the Vols to not only cover the spread but win the game by 2 TDs or more. Tennessee will put the nation on notice after a dominate road win Saturday night. Tennessee 49 Oklahoma 17