We did it! We finally did it! The staff managed to win more than we lost. The total record came in at 28-20. Having 58% of our picks correct is really impressive for one week, but it does only bring the full season percentage to 44.8% (233-287). This week Tom led the way at 7-1 with Shawn close behind at 6-2. Those two are still at the bottom for the season, but they get their day in the sun now. Import and VU ‘04 both came in 5-3 while I was a lackluster 5-3. CDA brings up the rear at 2-6. Unfortunately and ironically in the week that the total picks go over .500 for the week for the first time, my total for the season went under .500, now standing at 43-44.

In a break from the norm, the games picked 5 to 1 were mostly good. There were 4 such games and only Penn State-Minnesota went the wrong way unless you are Import. LSU-Alabama, Missouri-Georgia, and Appalachian State-South Carolina all went the way of the majority with CDA missing on the first two while I missed the last one. Kentucky’s failure to score any points after the 1st quarter against Tennessee helped out Tom and VU ‘04. VU ‘04 and I also had too much faith in Arkansas as 1.5 point favorites before their 26-point loss to Western Kentucky. The Vanderbilt-Florida and New Mexico State-Ole Miss games were even splits in the picks, but the games were lopsided to the favorites.

With a number of teams coming off big wins and losses, whether literally on the scoreboard or figuratively in terms of who they beat, it can be difficult to decide who keeps the momentum rolling versus maybe relaxing too much along with the teams rebounding from those losses. Alabama and LSU are both big favorites as they head to The Magnolia State to face Mississippi State and Ole Miss, respectively. The staff thinks both of them will respond properly and take care of business. The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry is a 3-point spread, and the picks are split 3 and 3. Missouri is getting 7 points, but 5 of the 6 pickers do not think that is enough while hosting Florida. The Game Penises get 10 points going to College Station, but only 2 staffers are taking SC. Our Commodores have equally divided opinions on whether they can stay within 8.5 of the incoming Wildcats. Likewise, the Big XII battle between 9.5-point road favorites Oklahoma and Baylor is an even split.

The Rules

1. All SEC games against FBS competition will be picked. FCS games are excluded since lines are often not available until very late in the week or even the morning of the game.
2. One other game, typically a matchup of Top 25 teams, will be part of the picks.
3. The picks will be made AGAINST THE SPREAD. Too many games are easy to pick heads up. Also, this will serve as a PSA for why you should not get into sports gambling if Tennessee (or wherever you reside) makes it legal.
4. The lines will be taken from ESPN Oddshark (because ESPN was not updating by Monday morning) sometime Monday, so they may not match what is listed at the time this article is published.

The Standings

The Picks

GAME	DotP	Shawn	Tom	VU04	CDA	Import
Kentucky (-8.5) @ Vanderbilt
Georgia (-3) @ Auburn
Alabama (-20) @ Mississippi State
Florida (-7) @ Missouri
LSU (-21) @ Ole Miss
South Carolina (+10) @ Texas A&M
Oklahoma (-9.5) @ Baylor