Randy Smith: SEC Picks Week 10 - Including Tennessee Over Georgia

  • Thursday, November 3, 2022
Randy Smith
Randy Smith
I have now picked winners in the SEC correctly 90 percent of the time after going 4-1 again last week. My only miss was Missouri's win at South Carolina. It's hard to believe this week is week 10 in SEC play and boy do we have a huge contest in Athens, GA. Top Ranked Tennessee, (CFP Standings) at 2nd ranked Georgia....but more on that one later. Ole Miss is off this week.

Alabama at LSU
This game is a battle for the SEC West Championship.
Even though LSU has one league loss, the Bengals would own the tiebreaker over 'Bama with a win. Alabama is beatable. They should have lost at Texas and at home against Texas A&M, but they persevered. In their 52-49 loss at Tennessee, the Crimson Tide committed 17 penalties....more than any Nick Saban coached team ever at the Capstone. If the tide doesn't correct those mistakes, there is no way they can win in Baton Rouge. It's a Saturday night game, the fans will be "all hooched-up" and it is going to be tough to get a win. Since being drubbed by Tennessee 40-13 on October 8th, LSU has been one of the hottest teams in the SEC. The Tigers are 4-1 in SEC play and boy do they want a win badly this weekend. It could happen!
Alabama 38 LSU 28

Auburn at Mississippi State
As I have written several times this season, Brian Harsin was really close to being fired and after an embarrassing loss at home to Arkansas last week, Auburn officials had seen enough. The Tigers are 1-4 in SEC play and 3-5 overall. It's very unlikely the Tigers will get to play in a bowl game this season. State on the other hand was off last weekend after being clobbered 30-6 by Alabama two weeks ago. The Bulldogs are no longer in play for a title but they should get a win this week at home
Mississippi State 37 Auburn 17

Liberty at Arkansas
This game is -not- a cupcake game for the Hogs. Liberty is currently ranked 25th in the country and the Flames' only loss was a 37-36 decision to Wake Forest. This is a good football team. In their last game, the Flames destroyed BYU 41-14. If you believe in comparative scores, which I don't, Arkansas beat BYU 52-35. So, if comparative scores mean anything Liberty should win by 10 points. Regardless it should be a great, high scoring football game. Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze signed an eight year contract extension, which goes through 2030. He and his team have no fear of Arkansas, and rightly so. Arkansas is the only SEC team playing a non-conference game this week and it's not gonna be easy.
Arkansas 44 Liberty 40

South Carolina at Vanderbilt
Vandy is 3-5 but still winless at 0-4 in SEC play. South Carolina was playing pretty well until the Gamecocks laid an egg at home last week to Missouri. USC is 5-3 overall and just one win away from being bowl eligible. Could Vandy actually win this game? No....not a chance. The Gamecocks have at least won a couple of league games. They've been a real Jekyll and Hyde team so far in 2022. They've either been pretty good or they've been awful. Take your choice this weekend.
South Carolina 30 Vanderbilt 13

Kentucky at Missouri
The Wildcats were absolutely out gunned and out classed in their 44-6 loss at Tennessee last week. They caught the Volunteers as they played their most complete game of the year. That game and the way Tennessee played is what catapulted them into the number one spot in the CFP poll. This week provides another opportunity to play and, while Missouri isn't as good nor explosive as Tennessee, the 'Cats have a real chance to win. Missouri is coming off their big win at South Carolina last weekend and the Tigers are hoping the momentum stays with them. This one is tough to call.
Kentucky 28 Missouri 24

Florida at Texas A&M
There are still rumblings and grumblings about Coach Jimbo Fisher after the Aggies suffered their fourth straight loss of the year. It's hard to tell if A&M has given up on the season. If they truly have folded up they will have no chance against the Gators. Florida was drubbed by Georgia last weekend 42-20. Both teams are 1-4 in SEC play and you could say they each have had disappointing seasons, especially Texas A&M. Florida wasn't supposed to be that good but the Aggies were a top ten team in the pre season polls. One of these teams will still be disappointed when this game ends.
Texas A&M 27 Florida 20

Tennessee at Georgia
In the early part of the season, fans from both schools were circling November 5th as being a very important college football game in Athens. Now that we're almost there, this game has become a contest of gigantic proportions. Tennessee is ranked number one in the first College Football Playoff poll and Georgia is second. This could be the game of the year in college football. The last time Tennessee was ranked this high was also the last time the Vols were 8-0. That was in 1998 when Tennessee won the national championship. I believe everyone is really surprised that Coach Josh Heupel has turned the Tennessee program around this quickly. We all thought the Vols would be a lot better than a year ago but nobody saw this coming. Realistically if Georgia wins Tennessee will still be in playoff contention if they win their last three games against Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt, which they will be favored to do. Georgia is an eight point favorite in the game which is a bit surprising. It could give the Big Orange a chip on their shoulders and a bit more incentive....as if they need anything else to motivate them. This should be a classic contest and I'm going out on a limb here.
Tennessee 42 Georgia 37

* * *
Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com
Sports
UTC Sofbtall Hosts ETSU In Friday Doubleheader
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga softball team returns to Frost Stadium for a seven-game home stand that begins Friday afternoon against East Tennessee State in Southern Conference action. The Mocs are 21-8 ... more

Covenant Men's Tennis Loses 6-3
  • 3/28/2024

The Covenant Scots looked to boost their nonconference tennis resume with a win on the road at Oglethorpe. Covenant was unable to get the job done, as it fell 3-6. Final: Covenant 3, Oglethorpe ... more

7 Football Mocs Participate In Annual Pro Day
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs had a 7-man contingent go through their paces in front of NFL scouts at the annual Pro Day. It started in the Wolford Family Strength & Conditioning Center before shifting ... more