SEC Picks: TNJN roundtable for week eight

No. 6 Texas A&M at No. 1 Alabama

Bradford – Alabama. I refuse to pick against Alabama ever again. The fact that the Crimson Tide are nearly three-touchdown favorites over the sixth-ranked team in the country shows how much of a machine they are. While I don’t think Alabama wins by three scores, they’ll control this game for its entirety. Texas A&M’s offense is dependent on the big play, especially through the legs of Trevor Knight. Although Knight had success against Nick Saban’s defense in the 2014 Sugar Bowl, his inconsistencies as a passer — along with the Crimson Tide’s dominant rush defense — will prevent him from making enough plays to truly challenge Alabama. Give me Roll Tide, 34-17.

Milliken – Alabama. It seems like David has seen the error of his early-season ways. He’s right about this game. Although the Aggies’ offense has been potent so far in 2016, they haven’t yet played a defense like Alabama’s. As the Tide showed last week, they’re excellent at shutting down an opponent’s rushing attack – something that A&M relies on heavily. Alabama will be in full control throughout this one and they win, 35-24.

Odom – Alabama. The last time we saw Texas A&M’s defense, it gave up 684 yards of offense to a Tennessee offense missing key pieces along the offensive line. Trevor Knight has run the Aggie offense well so far this season, but the offense isn’t good enough to knock off an Alabama team playing as well as we’ve seen an Alabama team play in years.

No. 17 Arkansas at No. 21 Auburn

Bradford – Auburn. Auburn is my favorite team. They aren’t a great team, but they’re my favorite team. They also have one of the SEC’s top defenses and an underrated home-field advantage. While it’s ridiculous that they’re favored by ten points, they’ll win this game because they’ll control the line of scrimmage and prevent Austin Allen (who happens to be the conference’s most prolific passer this season) from impacting this game. Two words: War Eagle.

Milliken – Arkansas. Arkansas fans can relate to Vol fans when it comes to an incredibly difficult stretch of consecutive games. Like Tennessee’s “Four-game stretch of doom”, the Razorbacks are currently in the midst of what could be called their “five-game stretch of doom”. Although all but this game are in Fayetteville, Arkansas is in the middle of a stretch that sees them play Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida and LSU. After a close win over Ole Miss, the team is 1-1 so far in that stretch. This is a game Arkansas needs more, and the team has shown that they are very good when they’re on and focused. The Hogs will defeat the fake tigers of the SEC.

Odom – Arkansas. Consider Auburn’s offense a less-explosive Ole Miss offense. Then remember that Arkansas shut down the Rebels’ offense last week en route to the Razorbacks’ first SEC win. If Arkansas’s run defense, which has been up-and-down this season, can stop Auburn’s running game, the Razorbacks should leave Auburn with a win.

No. 23 Ole Miss at No. 25 LSU

Bradford – LSU. As talented as Ole Miss is, they can’t be trusted, especially at night in Death Valley. Plus, LSU gets Leonard Fournette back. Even without him, the ground game was in excellent shape. Chad Kelly shows flashes of brilliance, but against a ball-hawk Tiger defense, he’ll make enough mistakes to cost the Rebels the game.

Milliken – LSU. Ole Miss is probably the best three-loss team in the country. They can’t say that for long, though, because the Rebels will have four losses after Saturday night. Coming off of a tough loss at Arkansas, Ole Miss must now travel to Death Valley for a night game – one of the best home-field advantages in college football. Since Ed Orgeron has taken over, LSU’s offense has looked much better, while the defense has continued to look stout. The real tigers of the SEC will be too much for the Rebels to overcome. LSU gets it done.

Odom – LSU. Like Adam mentioned, a night game in Death Valley is one of the most challenging off-the-field obstacles in college football. Couple that with a Tiger team that looks rejuvenated under interim coach Ed Orgeron, and Ole Miss is looking at trouble. The Rebels are staring 3-4 in the face unless they can slow down LSU’s suddenly-hot offense.

Other games:

Massachusetts at South Carolina

Bradford – South Carolina

Milliken – South Carolina

Odom – South Carolina

Middle Tennessee at Missouri

Bradford – Missouri

Milliken – Missouri

Odom – Missouri

Mississippi State at Kentucky

Bradford – Mississippi State

Milliken – Mississippi State