SEC Forecast - Week 6

Only five games line the docket for the Southeastern Conference in week six, which adds to the shallow pool to choose from leading to GameDay visiting Vanderbilt for the Auburn-Vandy game. So is the world we live in, a world where Houston Nutt takes Urban Meyer's manhood and Vandy has crept into the nation's top 20. I'll tell you what, if the Cubs can't win the World Series in a year where things like this occur, the Bleacher Bums need to find a different summer interest.

Last week, Alabama took Georgia to the woodshed and the 31-0 halftime score was more indicative than the 41-30 final lets on. It is by far the biggest win this program has had since the 31-3 drubbing Mike Shula handed Meyer in his first year at UF, but something tells me that the joy will be much more short-lived than Bama fans think. The last two times the Tide has produced a huge eye-opening victory under Nick Saban, the team has tanked the next week. Kentucky brings with it an opportunistic defense that bends but doesn't break, allowing a mere 5.5 points per contest through its run of non-conference foes. The Wildcats are good enough to beat Alabama if the Tide lets down its guard. When uncertain, err on the side of caution and use history as your guide. Rich Brooks pulls another upset out of his hat in Tuscaloosa this Saturday. Kentucky 21, Alabama 17.

Florida (4-1, 1-1 SEC) at Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC): Neither team played up to its capabilities last week in losses to Ole Miss and Texas. The difference? Florida has a lot of athletes, but Arkansas doesn't. The Hogs' lone chance at winning this game aside from the home field advantage will be to put the game in the hands of Michael Smith and let the running game get going. Limit Casey Dick's chances of making mistakes and hope to keep up with the Gators' offense. The plan worked to perfection for Nutt a week ago, but he's no longer calling the shots in Fayetteville. Bobby Petrino can outcoach Meyer if Nutt is capable of doing so, but it won't happen this season. The Gators will be angry and out to set the season back on its course. Florida 30, Arkansas 21.

South Carolina (3-2, 0-2 SEC) at Ole Miss (3-2, 1-1 SEC): Nutt finally provided the Rebels with a signature victory, the program's biggest since Eli Manning roamed behind center. Lose this game, though, and that Vandy loss looms larger in terms of gaining bowl eligibility. I don't think you can find any Ole Miss fan that would argue with 3-2 heading into October, and it means more to beat Florida than it does to lose to Vanderbilt, especially in the eyes of the national pundits. South Carolina has spent the last two weeks trying to correct all their issues that were displayed in losses to Vandy and Georgia. Turnovers and special teams miscues will not help matters in Oxford if they haven't been cleansed from the players' systems. Steve Spurrier needs this one more than Nutt. Home field prevails, though. Ole Miss 27, South Carolina 20.

Auburn (4-1, 2-1 SEC) at Vanderbilt (4-0, 2-0 SEC): The Commodores have sole possession of first place in the SEC East in October thanks to Ole Miss and Alabama's help over the weekend while they sat idly by and watched Auburn's offense tear up the Vols by a tune of 220 yards and a 14-12 score. It's hard to imagine that a week from now the Dores could be looking to wrap up its bowl eligibility in Starkville if they can continue their magical run with an upset of the Tigers. It's not going to happen, though. While the offense still has no identity, the last three defenses Auburn has faced have had a lot to do with that scenario. Vandy hasn't faced athletes on both sides of the ball that Auburn will bring into Nashville. As stated before, GameDay will be there and so will I. The Tigers will take care of business under the lights in the ship. Auburn 28, Vanderbilt 7.

Northern Illinois (2-2) at Tennessee (1-3, 0-2 SEC): Jonathon Crompton is really, really bad. As he goes so goes Tennessee. The defense has been put in awkward positions against UCLA and Florida, but it did a lot of good in the loss at Auburn a week ago. The secondary is tough, and the front seven should be able to bottle up the Northern Illinois ground attack much like it did UAB's. The Vols better win this one because it's going to be a few weeks before Mississippi State rolls into town. Tennessee 31, NIU 7.

Last week: 6-1
Overall: 34-9