Part Two:
I was taken aback when the Grand Geek handed me the Week One predictions for the Southeastern Conference football games. What usually fit on one page had grown significantly.
With the SEC expanding to 16 teams and each team playing a non-conference game, there were now 16 picks—the most ever for the Almost Perfect Picks Department.
Many of these matchups follow the tradition of SEC football’s “paycheck games,” where teams start the season with a softer opponent. However, credit goes to Florida for hosting Miami, LSU for traveling to Las Vegas to face Southern Cal, Texas A&M for hosting Notre Dame, and even Georgia for stepping up and playing Clemson in Atlanta.
There’s also a cautionary note from Week Zero—Florida State found another reason to complain after traveling all the way to Ireland, only to be upset by Georgia Tech.
Last year, the record stood at 102-21 for picking winners, 58-50 against the spread, and 51-66 on the over-unders (total points scored).
This week’s predictions kick off tonight, with betting lines and over-unders provided by Caesars Sportsbook in Las Vegas:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29
Here are predictions and storylines for the upcoming SEC games:
**Arkansas-Pine Bluff @ Arkansas**
*6:30 p.m. CDT, ESPNU*
**Arkansas favored by 49 ½ points (-49 ½), over-under 57 1/2.**
Coach Sam Pittman needs to show progress this season, starting with an impressive performance in this game. Bobby Petrino has been brought in to fix the offense, and possibly to step back into the head coaching role if the opportunity arises. Arkansas has a challenging stretch ahead with two of the next three games against Oklahoma State and Auburn, followed by Texas A&M and Tennessee. New quarterback Taylen Green, coming in from Boise State, is expected to have a big game, and the defense should dominate.
*Prediction: Arkansas 55, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3.*
**Murray State @ Missouri**
*7 p.m. CDT, SEC Network*
**Missouri -47 ½, o-u 57.**
While Missouri’s relatively easy SEC schedule has been a topic of conversation, the Tigers still have a strong program. They return key offensive players, including wide receiver Luther Burden and quarterback Brady Cook. Missouri is expected to start the season strong with a convincing win.
*Prediction: Missouri 49, Murray State 0.*
**FRIDAY, AUGUST 30**
**Temple @ Oklahoma**
*6 p.m. CDT, ESPN*
**Oklahoma -42, o-u 58 1/2.**
Oklahoma’s rich football tradition faces a tough SEC schedule this year, but they should handle Temple easily under third-year coach Brent Venables. Despite the loss of QB Dillon Gabriel, sophomore Jackson Arnold is expected to excel. The defense, bolstered by linebacker Danny Stutsman and Miami transfer Caiden Woullard, should shine.
*Prediction: Oklahoma 63, Temple 7.*
**SATURDAY, AUGUST 31**
**Clemson vs. Georgia in Atlanta**
*Noon EDT (11 a.m. central), ABC*
**Georgia -13 ½, o-u 48 ½.**
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney may avoid the transfer portal, but his team remains strong. Georgia, coached by Kirby Smart, dodged a tough non-conference game last year but faces a more formidable opponent in Clemson this time, albeit in “neutral” Atlanta. Georgia’s loaded roster is expected to dominate.
*Prediction: Georgia 35, Clemson 17.*
**Virginia Tech @ Vanderbilt**
*11 a.m. CDT, ESPN*
**Virginia Tech -13, o-u 50 1/2.**
Vanderbilt may be upgrading its stadium, but they’re still at the bottom of the expanded SEC. Coach Clark Lea has had some success, but Virginia Tech, with 19 returning starters and potential as an ACC champion, is a big step up. Vanderbilt’s home crowd might help, but the result is likely to disappoint.
*Prediction: Virginia Tech 35, Vanderbilt 14.*
**Chattanooga @ Tennessee**
*12:45 p.m. EDT (11:45 central), SEC Network*
**Tennessee -38 ½, o-u 56 1/2.**
Tennessee will showcase highly-touted quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who was the MVP in UT’s Citrus Bowl win over Iowa. The Volunteers outclass Chattanooga at every position and should dominate this game.
*Prediction: Tennessee 56, UTC 7.*
**Miami @ Florida**
*3:30 p.m. EDT (2:30 central), ABC*
**Miami -3, o-u 54.**
This is a tough opener for Florida, but they face even tougher games ahead. A win against in-state rival Miami, a contender for the ACC championship, would be huge for Coach Billy Napier and his Gators. Despite losing RB Trevor Etienne and having a porous offensive line last year, Florida’s defense is expected to be improved. The call is for a mild upset.
*Prediction: Florida 27, Miami 24.*
**Colorado State @ Texas**
*2:30 p.m. CDT, ESPN*
**Texas -32, o-u 60 1/2.**
Texas has some of the most anticipated games in its first SEC season, including hosting Georgia and visiting Michigan. This game against an overmatched Colorado State should serve as a warm-up, with backup QB Arch Manning likely to see significant playing time.
*Prediction: Texas 63, Colorado State 3.*
**Old Dominion @ South Carolina**
*4:15 p.m. EDT (3:15 central), SEC Network*
**South Carolina -21, o-u 52.**
South Carolina’s Shane Beamer will start LaNorris Sellers at quarterback, though former Auburn QB Robby Ashford is also an option. Old Dominion returns its quarterback and top defender but wasn’t strong last year. South Carolina has avoided major injuries in preseason and should win comfortably.
*Prediction: South Carolina 35, Old Dominion 13.*
**Eastern Kentucky @ Mississippi State**
*5 p.m. CDT, ESPN+*
**Mississippi State -25 ½, o-u 60 1/2.**
Mississippi State starts the Jeff Lebby era with what should be an easy win over Eastern Kentucky. The Bulldogs, without former star QB Will Rogers, will rely on Baylor transfer Blake Shapen.
*Prediction: Mississippi State 42, Eastern Kentucky 13.*
**Furman @ Ole Miss**
*6 p.m. CDT, SECN+*
**Ole Miss -42 ½, o-u 60 1/2.**
Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss team is riding a wave of preseason optimism. With a strong roster, including QB Jaxson Dart and a solid defense, they should easily handle Furman.
*Prediction: Ole Miss 53, Furman 10.*
**Alabama A&M @ Auburn**
*6:30 p.m. CDT, ESPN+/SECN+*
**Auburn -49 ½, o-u 58.**
Auburn, under new coach Hugh Freeze, is looking to bounce back from last year’s 6-7 record. With high expectations for QB Peyton Thorne and one of the SEC’s best running backs in Jarquez Hunter, Auburn should dominate Alabama A&M.
*Prediction: Auburn 55, Alabama A&M 0.*
**Notre Dame @ Texas A&M**
*6:30 p.m. CDT, ABC*
**A&M -3, o-u 46 1/2.**
In the game of the week, two ranked teams with a history of underachievement face off. Texas A&M, under new coach Mike Elko, is expected to win the battle at the line of scrimmage. With Kyle Field as a home-field advantage, the Aggies should edge out Notre Dame.
*Prediction: Texas A&M 24, Notre Dame 20.*
**Southern Miss @ Kentucky**
*7:45 p.m. EDT (6:45 central), SEC Network*
**Kentucky -28, o-u 50 1/2.**
Kentucky, with a mediocre record under Coach Mark Stoops, won’t be making any big changes this season. Beating Southern Miss won’t do much to alter the Wildcats’ trajectory, but they should win comfortably.
*Prediction: Kentucky 45, USM 10.*
**Western Kentucky @ Alabama**
*6 p.m. CDT, ESPN*
**Alabama -33, o-u 59 1/2.**
In Nick Saban’s first year after being replaced by Kalen DeBoer, Alabama fans are eager to see what the future holds. Expect a strong performance from the Tide, led by QB Jalen Milroe, before he takes a seat on the bench.
*Prediction: Alabama 41, Western Kentucky 7.*
**SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1**
**Southern Cal vs. LSU in Las Vegas**
*6:30 p.m. CDT, ABC*
**LSU -4 ½, o-u 64.**
LSU fans are optimistic, and for good reason. Despite the loss of Heisman Trophy-winning QB Jayden Daniels, LSU’s defense is expected to be much improved. USC, under Lincoln Riley, has also lost key players but will provide a tough challenge.
*Prediction: LSU 40, USC 35.*
