SEC Forecast - Week 3

The best part of football season to me, aside from being inside a stadium watching 22 players battle it out on the gridiron, is the routine that sets in over the course of my week. In college, we honed a perfect formula that worked and followed the schedule to a "T" during those 13 weeks spanning from Labor Day until the first weekend in December. This is something that has followed me into adulthood, and I'm sure that as long as my superstitions continue will be habitual the rest of my days.

The winning combo so far this year has been as follows: Sunday, pack up everything for the weekend (which has included doing laundry). Monday, go to work and set up the timeline for the weekend as I begin to formulate the Plan to Win for our tailgate. Tuesday, write this column to set up my picks and mentality for the season. Wednesday, finalize the Plan to Win and write the review from the previous week's tailgate. Thursday, get everything ready for the trip on Friday. Friday, wear my white Under Armour AU polo to work and change into my Kodi Burns/Wes Byrum jersey and blue jeans for the game I'm covering that night as well as the travels that await to get to the game.

With that being said, it's time for the third installment of 2008 picks. Highlighting the Southeastern Conference schedule for this weekend is South Carolina's tilt with Georgia. The 'Dawgs got surprised by Steve Spurrier's resilient bunch last season in Athens, and the Cocks cost UGA a likely chance at Ohio State in the Superdome with their 16-12 victory. In one of two revenge games for the weekend, Georgia should win this one handily - especially considering USC's stellar offensive performances in games 1 and 2. Spurrier still has some tricks up his sleeve, though, and I feel like they've been sand-bagging a little bit waiting for this one. He does, after all, have Georgia's number. The visitors will receive a scare in Williams-Brice, but they're more likely to be dethroned from the top-5 when Alabama comes to town in two weeks than either of these next two ball games. Georgia 20, South Carolina 10.

UAB (0-2) at Tennessee (0-1): Last time we saw the Vols, they were finishing off a choke job of epic proportions in Los Angeles. In their final tune-up before the Gators come calling, they should have no problem with an atrocious UAB (which has surprisingly put up 30-plus in both of its games thus far). Those of you dedicated enough to watch this on Raycom's 11:30 a.m. kickoff are a little too starved for football after two weeks. Tennessee 38, UAB 7.

Arkansas (2-0) at Texas (2-0): Talk about deceptive records. I did not think Arkansas would struggle in their first two games, but they found a way to make them interesting. Is Bobby Petrino really having that much trouble there? Methinks they were hiding a lot of their play book for this weekend's nationally-televised trip to Austin, where Mack "I can't find my own defensive coordinator without Tommy Tuberville's help" Brown will look to erase the memory of Arkansas' last game in Darrell K. Royal Stadium. Texas will win, but barely - just like the team's last mele in 2004. Texas 31, Arkansas 28.

Auburn (2-0) at Mississippi State (1-1): How do you spell "revenge"? If not for five turnovers in last year's game, Auburn would have gone into Gainesville without the right offensive line and without having tested Kodi Burns at all. So, I guess AU can thank State for that. "Knowing we turned the ball over five times leaves a sour taste in my mouth when I think about that game," Tuberville said in the presser this week. You're not alone, Tubs. This one will be over by halftime simply due to this fact: Mississippi State's offense is terrible, while Auburn's defense is top-notch. Auburn 42, Miss. State 10.

Middle Tennessee (1-1) at Kentucky (2-0): You know, this one could be a lot better (and a lot closer) than people would think looking at the game on paper. Kentucky has appeared solid in its two victories this season, especially considering Curtis Pulley was removed from the team days before the opener at Louisville. Never to fear, though, for Dicky "Nittany" Lyons, Jr., will save the Cats Saturday night in the Commonwealth. Kentucky 38, MTSU 21.

Samford (2-0) at Ole Miss (1-1): The Rebels did everything right in losing at Wake Forest last weekend, but their defense was, unfortunately for them, the last ones out on the field. Samford has been putting up serious points under first-year head coach (and one of Auburn's Heisman Trophy winners) Pat Sullivan. They'll probably score a few Saturday night in Oxford, too. It's just Ole Miss will score more...a lot more. Ole Miss 45, Samford 24.

Rice (2-0) at Vanderbilt (2-0, 1-0 SEC): Raise your hand if you thought, on Sept. 9, that Vanderbilt would be leading the SEC East. That's right, America, if the SEC title game were to be held tomorrow, it would feature the 'Dores and OPEN (the SEC's most common out-of-conference foe, as fate would have it). So far, Vandy has been the thorn in my side as far as picks go. I'd like to pick them for Saturday, but Rice's offense is good...real good. Surely, the run has to end at some point since they are Vandy, right? If not, look at it this way 'Dore fans: I'm doing my part to get you to a bowl. Rice 31, Vanderbilt 24.

Western Kentucky (1-1) at Alabama (2-0): This game should not be close, and I have a feeling UAT's offense will put up more than 51 yards through three quarters Saturday under the lights at the big red top. The Tide running backs should have a handful of the "best damn 3-yard runs in the history of college football" against the Hilltopers. Alabama 31, Western Kentucky 14.

North Texas (0-2) at LSU (1-0): North Texas was supposed to be the Tigah's third and final tune-up on the spread attack before traveling to Auburn next weekend, but Gustav had other plans for the Pelican State. Now, this game's location is up in the air while LSU officials watch Ike's path. The distractions won't matter in this contest as LSU is really, really good and North Texas is really, really bad. I can only hope that they will come up and bite the Geaux Tigers next week in Auburn, though. (Disclaimer: please do not read this as me hoping for destruction from Ike or any other hurricane. I hope any and all Louisiana, Texas and Mexico natives are safe and free from the storm's path.) LSU 41, North Texas 6.

Last week: 8-1
Season: 16-5