Week Eight in the SEC is already upon us, and it seems like we just ended the eternal wait of off-season with the start of two-a-days.
Time flies they say. When it comes to college football season, that is a no doubter.
I took two weeks off because Andy was so far behind in our competition that I needed to give him free games in a hopeful attempt he might be able to catch up and make this interesting.
I still don’t think he’s anywhere near me, though. Keep plugging along, Andy.
One thing is certain in the SEC this year: We are beating each other up, and there is no clear singular best team in the conference this year to carry the flag to the national championship game.
Let’s see who will get closer this weekend.
SEC Picks for Week 8
(10) LSU at (17) Vanderbilt – When was the last time the Tigers and the Commodores squared up and you thought, “Man, Vandy has a really good shot to win this one.”
Add to that, this is the first time the ‘Dores have been the spread favorite against a ranked team in four-and-a-half decades.
Granted, it is only 2.5-points, and my guess is if the game were anywhere else but in Nashville, the lean would be towards the Tigers.
This will either be a really close victory by Vandy or a blowout by LSU. Neither of the opposites will happen. I know the Commodores are a great team, but I do not think they can handle LSU, even at home.
And is it not ironic that former Vandy head coach James Franklin is having his name mentioned as a candidate for the same position that has not even been vacated by current coach Clark Lea?
That has to be tough for any staunch Commodores fan knowing their favorite university is not a long-term destination for any successful coach, so much that a coaching search has to begin when the team is winning.
Lea will not pad that resume this weekend. Tigers by 21.
(14) Oklahoma at South Carolina – Shane Beamer’s high-tide of success seems to have come crashing down, and they are hosting a Sooners team that is peaking in 2025. Granted, Oklahoma is still overrated, and their schedule is softer in reality than it is on paper.
But the Gamecocks are better than their record, and with they game being at Bryce-Williams, an upset is completely possible. These teams match well, but there has to be a winner. OU by 8.
(4) Texas A&M at Arkansas – I will cover this one in my weekly write-up.
(5) Ole Miss at (9) Georgia – This should probably be the GOTW, but I just do not think it will have the same appeal AFTER the weekend that Tennessee and Alabama will have.
Earlier, I stated the SEC has no clear-cut leader in 2025, but the Rebels are trying to take that helm. They are one of two overall undefeated teams and one of three in the conference.
The Bulldogs are not the same team from the previous four years, and they are not putting together a convincing campaign on the football field.
In fact, even prior to their first season loss to Alabama, Georgia had slipped in the polls.
My gut has not yet given me a solid selection on this one, but I think there will be an upset, and that is what I will go with. Maybe this one should be my GOTW. Rebels by 10.
Mississippi State at Florida – The Bulldogs looked like reborn dynamos four games into the 2025 season. But two games deep into conference play, and the luster wore off MSU. Or did it?
Florida plays each game for Billy Napier’s job, and I predicted over four weeks ago the Gators would need to win at least one of their next four to help him keep his job.
They accomplished that when they upset Texas, so Napier remains in Gainesville, but not secure. This game against the Bulldogs may be the precursor to his curtain call. Why? I’m calling the upset (even though I do not know why Florida is favored so heavily). State by 7.
“Good Grief Game”
(21) Texas at Kentucky – Outside of the cupcakes, the only game in which the Wildcats have even looked decent was a 30-23 home loss to Ole Miss.
Wildcats coach Mark Stoops is in danger of losing that $9-million salary despite being the savior of Kentucky football.
Texas is not as good throughout the stretch as they were to start the season. And it seems Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian knew what he was doing when he was benching Arch Manning in favor of Quinn Ewers during the 2024 campaign.
Despite Manning working on his sidearm, Kentucky has no chance. Longhorns by 20.
Pete’s SEC Game of the Week
(11) Tennessee at (6) Alabama – Watch this one. Trust me. Bama will need to bring their A-game to win against the Vols in Bryan-Denny.
This will be a night game, as well it should be. It may even be one of the top five games in the nation for the entire 2025 season.
I am not even going to try to break this down. I do not want to jinx anything. Lazy writing? Yes, but I do not care.
I want a down-to-the wire slugfest that will make Mike Tyson versus Evander Holyfield look like a recess scuffle. The tide gets the edge at home. Alabama by 3.
(16) Missouri at Auburn – I honestly think these two teams are pretty comparable talent-wise, but Auburn is pressing for the sake of their coach, Hugh Freeze, to keep his job. Look at the guy’s face; he is beyond stressed and riddled with anxiety.
I almost feel sorry for the guy. He may be a candidate for the Sun Belt after this weekend. Missouri has too much momentum right now. Mezzo by 17.
Please check out all the write-ups for this weekend’s game against Texas A&M, right here on HitThatLine.com. Enjoy the SEC, folks. It is the greatest conference in the nation.
Go HOGS!!!
