ESPN and ABC will once again be home to college football’s best games during opening week.  No surprise, most of those games involve SEC teams.

The network announced the kickoff times for five season-openers featuring SEC teams this morning:

North Carolina at South Carolina — 6pm ET, Thursday, August 29th on ESPN

Ole Miss at Vanderbilt — 9:15pm ET, Thursday, August 29th on ESPN

Virginia Tech vs Alabama (in Atlanta) — 5:30pm ET, Saturday, August 31st on ESPN

Georgia at Clemson — 8:00pm ET, Saturday, August 31st on ABC

TCU vs LSU (in Arlington) — 9:00pm ET, Saturday, August 31st on ESPN

The network also announced that Kentucky’s game at Mississippi State on Thursday, October 24th will air on ESPN at 7:30pm ET.

CORRECTION – We initially listed the Clemson/Georgia game as being on ESPN… which would be rather tough since TCU/LSU is actually on ESPN.  A rushed error.  Our apologies.

There will be a full slate of SEC hoops action tomorrow with all 14 schools in action:

Tennessee (0-1) at Alabama (0-1) — 1pm ET

Auburn (1-0) at South Carolina (o-1) — 1:30pm

Mississippi State (1-0) at Georgia (0-1) — 1:45pm ET

Florida (1-0) at LSU (0-1) — 4:00pm ET

Texas A&M (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0) — 4:00pm ET

Vanderbilt (0-1) at Arkansas (0-1) — 6:00pm ET

Missouri (1-0) at Ole Miss (1-0) — 8:00pm ET

Wow.  Opening up the MrSEC.com inbox today it was clear that many, many, many of you wondered why the heck three SEC teams always have to duke it out with one another for television bowl ratings on New Year’s Day.  “Why do they put the Gator, Outback and Capital One bowls on at the same time?”

There are two main reasons for the placement of those SEC/Big Ten bowls:

1.  The BCS bowls all air with zero competition from the other bowls.  With the Rose Bowl going at 5pm ET and the Orange Bowl owning the primetime slot, the kickoff options for the SEC’s New Year’s Day bowls are limited.  They basically have a window from about 11am ET to 1pm ET in which to kick off.

2.  The media term for what the SEC and Big Ten do on January 1st is “roadblocking.”  Basically, if a college football fan wants to watch a game on New Year’s Day — as in actual day part of the day — that fan will be forced to watch the SEC battle the Big Ten.  He’s roadblocked into it.  Oh, sure, there’s now something called The Heart of Dallas Bowl during that window as well, but there aren’t many folks who’ll seek that one out.

So while an SEC or Big Ten fan might prefer having his favorite league’s games spread out, that’s really not an option unless one of those three games moves off of New Year’s Day altogether.  And no one wants to do that.  Also, the conferences themselves like knowing that when people think “New Year’s Day football” they automatically think “SEC versus Big Ten” by default.  That’s great branding and it’s great for recruiting.

That said, starting in 2014 you’ll have to get used to a whole new lineup of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day bowl games with new start times and new conference tie-ins.  Yay?

Tennessee has made it official - Derek Dooley will not return as coach of the Volunteers.  Athletics Director Dave Hart will address the media at 2:00 p.m. ET.  Dooley will not coach the Vols in the season finale against Kentucky. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney will serve as interim coach Saturday.

Here’s the complete schedule of SEC football games this weekend with details, analysis and a score prediction for each game.

My record last week picking SEC games was 6-1. My record after week 9, straight-up, is 65-11 (86 %.)

Schedule for Saturday, November 3

*Rankings are BCS

#16 Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 SEC) at #15 Mississippi State (7-1, 3-1 SEC)

12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT • ESPN

Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (55,082)

Vince’s Vibe: This was a game I struggled with. I don’t think the Bulldogs getting handled at Alabama means that this team is a fraud and will struggle from here on out. I think Mississippi State will account for itself well, but won’t be able to slow-down Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel. Only elite defenses have been able to adjust and get the better of “Johnny Football” in 2^nd halves of games, Florida and LSU. MSU isn’t stout enough on D to get enough stops in a close game.

Winner: Texas A&M 38-35

Missouri (4-4, 1-4 SEC) at #7 Florida (7-1, 6-1 SEC)

12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT • ESPN2

Gainesville, Fla. • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field (88,548)

Vince’s Vibe: Missouri starting QB James Franklin is back for the Tigers. Will he return to what he was last year? If he’s that kind of dynamic play-maker, that might be the only way Mizzou wins at Florida. I do think DT Sheldon Richardson can wreak some havoc on the Gators o-line. However, I expect Florida to pound the diverse run-game for four quarters (especially the 2^nd half) down Missouri’s throat. Will Muschamp knows his team has the size and physicality advantage, and he’ll coach to that. Barring a massive letdown, Florida wins going away.

Winner: Florida 30-10

Vanderbilt (4-4, 2-3 SEC) at Kentucky (1-8, 0-6 SEC)

12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT • ESPNU

Lexington, Ky. • Commonwealth Stadium / C.M. Newton Field (67,942)

Vince’s Vibe: Vanderbilt QB Jordan Rodgers hasn’t been spectacular this season, but he’s taking better care of the football and limiting negative plays (5 TDs, 2 INTs, 208 yds per game.) Commodores WR Jordan Matthews should have a big game against the UK defense. Vandy’s defense will create turnovers facing a bad offense. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kentucky battle again, as it did versus Georgia, but I think VU is a little better.

Winner: Vanderbilt 27-17

Troy (4-4) at Tennessee (3-5, 0-5 SEC)

12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m., CT • FSN

Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium / Shields-Watkins Field (102,455)

Vince’s Vibe: Troy has: ability on offense, some decent team speed, a veteran quarterback, players with ties to UT, a head coach with SEC experience and a history of beating heavily-favored BCS conference opponents. However, doing it on the road, coming off of a head-scratching loss to hapless FAU is tough to envision. Tennessee’s historically inept defense can certainly help Troy’s cause. Tennessee should have its way with Troy’s defense. I think Vols WR Justin Hunter has a big day on offense. I also think Cordarrelle Patterson has one, maybe even two, returns for touchdowns. Tennessee will outscore Troy in a high-scoring game. Derek Dooley might not want to lose this game. See Gene Chizik below.

Winner: Tennessee 42-28

Tulsa (7-1) at Arkansas (3-5, 2-3 SEC)

12:21 p.m. ET / 11:21 a.m. CT • SEC Network

Fayetteville, Ark. • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)

Vince’s Vibe: Arkansas got the ground-game going last week, as RB Dennis Johnson had a league-high 161 yds in the loss to Ole Miss. The problem is the Razorbacks had a tough time stopping the Rebels. Tulsa brings in the nation’s 9^th best rushing attack at 249 yards per game. The weakness on defense for the Razorbacks has been the pass. The run defense has been ok. That’s a plus for Arkansas. Tulsa might have the leaky pass defense that will allow QB Tyler Wilson and the passing game to put-up better numbers. It won’t be like recent years, and it won’t be easy, but Arkansas squeaks by.

Winner: Arkansas 37-34

New Mexico State (1-7) at Auburn (1-7, 0-6 SEC)

12:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. CT • CSS

Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium / Pat Dye Field (87,451)

Vince’s Vibe: Yikes. Good luck finding a game around the country with more bad stats stock-piled between the two teams than this game. Gene Chizik isn’t the lock to be fired that many think he is. But, if he loses this game at home, it’s not just a lock, its multiple deadbolts securing that bad-boy. I won’t take up much of your time with all the alarming stats. I will say this. I can’t pick a team with a head coach (DeWayne Walker) coming in with a record of 10-36 (22%) to win at an SEC team, regardless of how bad it has been for Auburn. No other thought process needed.

Winner: Auburn 31-13

Ole Miss (5-3, 2-2 SEC) at #6 Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC)

3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT • CBS Sports

Athens, Ga. • Sanford Stadium (92,746)

Vince’s Vibe: Ole Miss is a threat in this game. If you have breakdowns on defense, the drastically improved Rebels offense can make you pay. I’m so impressed with what Hugh Freeze has done with the team many pegged to be the worst in the league entering the season. Has Georgia re-found itself on defense after the dominating performance last week in the win over the Gators? It has the talent to continue to dominate, that’s for sure. Which Georgia team will show-up? Which Aaron Murray will show-up? If it’s somewhere in-between on both questions, Georgia will be able to out-talent Ole Miss to a win.

Winner: Georgia 31-20

#1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) at #5 LSU (7-1, 3-1 SEC)

8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT • CBS Sports

Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (92,542)

Vince’s Vibe: LSU has the talent to potentially pull the upset, if Alabama has an off-night and LSU plays its most inspired game of the year. The stud defensive ends at LSU have to not only get to AJ McCarron, but they must somehow rattle him and force game-changing turnovers. Yeah, when’s the last time that happened? I know, not likely. No INTs in 11 games for McCarron. LSU has to score on defense or special teams because I don’t see the offense being very effective against that Alabama defense. Look for Alabama WR Amari Cooper to have a big day with LSU selling-out to stop the run, and McCarron making the throws. The Bama run-game will rule the 4^th quarter to put a cap on the road win to keep the Crimson Tide undefeated.

Winner: Alabama 23-10

OPEN:  South Carolina (7-2, 5-2 SEC)

Follow me @VinceSports on Twitter and see everything I’m working on in sports. Download the WNML App for your mobile device, so you can hear the “News Sentinel Sports Page” radio sports talk show that I host (weekdays 10am-12pm ET/9-11am CT) at www.sportsanimal99.com.

Here’s the complete schedule of SEC football games this weekend with details, analysis and a score prediction for each game.

My record last week was 2-4. My record after week 6, straight-up, is 47-9.

Schedule of Saturday, Oct. 13 Games

*Rankings are AP first/Coaches second

OPEN:  #14/12 Georgia (5-1, 3-1 SEC)

Auburn (1-4, 0-3 SEC) at Ole Miss (3-3, 0-2 SEC)

12:21 p.m. ET / 11:21 a.m. CT • SEC Network • Sirius Channel 137 • XM Channel 199

Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium / Hollingsworth Field (60,580)

Vince’s View: Ole Miss has grown from a 1-point favorite to a 6-point favorite this week. Not bad for a team that has lost 16-straight conference games. What does that say about Auburn? The Rebels have shown fight and offense, two things that have been tough to find in Auburn blue. Auburn is 120^th in the country in turnover margin (-2.20), 117^th in scoring offense (15.4 per), 113^th in total offense (302.4 per), etc. Most importantly, the eye test isn’t in Auburn’s favor either. It is easy to see the letter when you cover either eye. The L is big and clear on the screen when it comes to Auburn football games this season.

Winner: Ole Miss 27-17

#1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC) at Missouri (3-3, 0-3 SEC)

3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT • CBS Sports • Sirius Channels 138 / 85 • XM Channels 198 / 85

Columbia, Mo. • Memorial Stadium / Faurot Field (71,004)

Vince’s View: The nation’s #1 defense gets a shot at a very disappointing Missouri offense that will be without starting QB James Franklin, not that Franklin was even playing well. Alabama has too much size, speed and physicality for Mizzou. I think Alabama is more focused and nasty on the road. That means a blowout on national television (CBS) for the 2^nd time this season for the Columbia crew.

Winner: Alabama 41-10

#4/6 Florida (5-0, 4-0 SEC) at Vanderbilt (2-3, 1-2 SEC)

6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT • ESPNU • Sirius Channel 137 • XM Channel 199

Nashville, Tenn. • Vanderbilt Stadium (40,550)

Vince’s View: Many expect a Florida letdown following the best win of the Will Muschamp era at Florida last week vs. LSU. I would expect the Gators to have an intensity drop-off, sure. However, Vandy is coming off of a big win at Missouri also. Can’t the Commodores have a letdown too, even at home? Vandy’s strength on defense is versus the pass. Florida is selective when it passes. The Gators defense and running game is too strong for Vanderbilt. Florida will get some points on defense and win going away.

Winner: Florida 31-13

Kentucky (1-5, 0-3 SEC) at Arkansas (2-4, 1-2 SEC)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • FSN • Sirius Channel 134 • XM Channel 200

Fayetteville, Ark. • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)

Vince’s View: Kentucky was already a mess offensively. Now it has to rotate freshmen QBs. Both have some ability, and are better than Morgan Newton, but are still green with limited weapons to help. Arkansas showed some life at listless Auburn last week. QB Tyler Wilson was uninjured in a car accident in Fayetteville this week. He’s a terrific leader. Arkansas isn’t back by any means but should beat another bad opponent with hot-seat talk around its coach.

Winner: Arkansas 34-17

#3 South Carolina (6-0, 4-0 SEC) at #9/8 LSU (6-0, 2-0 SEC)

8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT • ESPN • Sirius Channels 85 / 91  • XM Channels 85 / 91

Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (92,542)

Vince’s View: SC hasn’t been ranked this high (3^rd) since 1984. This is another assumed letdown game with the Gamecocks coming off of the emotional (and incredibly impressive) blowout of the Georgia Bulldogs. Plus, the team is on the road in a hostile environment against a talented team. All those are viable theories except, that we’ve been waiting way too long for LSU to show some offense, some play-calling feel, some adequate quarterback play, some emotion, some swagger, some championship focus and more. I’ve given the Bayou Boys the benefit of the doubt week after week. Now, I’m done. LSU’s offensive line has had a huge drop-off with the back-ups. The receivers aren’t as good as past years and are unreliable. The running backs aren’t running with authority. Those are all dangerous traits against Clowney, Taylor and that devastating D-line. It won’t be as pretty this week for South Carolina but it will be a win. Then, things turn ugly for Les Miles in LA.

Winner: South Carolina 20-9

Tennessee (3-2, 0-2 SEC) at #19/18 Mississippi State (5-0, 2-0 SEC)

9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT • ESPN2 • Sirius Channel 128 • XM Channel 197

Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (55,082)

Vince’s View: Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley will coach the game from the coaches’ box after having hip surgery this week. He will make all decisions, as is normal. The marquee match-up in this one is the Tennessee passing game versus the Mississippi State pass defense. One MSU assistant said of how complete and the skilled Tennessee receivers are, “If you order wide receivers out of a magazine, that’s what you’d get.” Another State coach said this head-to-head duel will be NFL players versus NFL players. Tennessee WRs Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson along with Mississippi State CBs Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay are all destined for the league. The last time the Vols faced a heralded secondary, UT torched NC State in the Georgia Dome. Two differences from that game: One, Tennessee hasn’t played as well since. Two, Mississippi State can get after the quarterback and tackle, unlike the Wolfpack. Will Tennessee’s defense tackle better coming off the open week and prevent the long touchdowns that have been back-breakers in the two Tennessee losses? If not, Mississippi State has the receivers (Chad Bumphis) and the running backs (LaDarius Perkins) to make Tennessee pay with the big play. Watch for MSU head coach Dan Mullen to dial-up some offensive and defensive schemes Tennessee hasn’t seen before. For Mississippi State on offense, I think you’ll see more zone-read and misdirection plays to exploit the Vols’ alarming inability to contain the edge on defense. Tennessee’s defense has also had trouble covering the TE some this season. Look for Mississippi State to throw to its TEs more this game (starter Marcus Green and talented Malcolm Johnson returning from injury.) I don’t have any examples to call upon that leads me to believe that Tennessee can win a close game on the road. In close games on the road, here’s who I don’t have confidence in for Tennessee: Tyler Bray, the kickers and the coaching staff. We have to see something we’ve never seen before for Tennessee to win. If so, you can scratch-off “never beat a ranked opponent” and “hadn’t won a SEC road game outside of the state of Tennessee” off the list of horrible stats that have hovered over the UT program for years. If not, it will be an all-out assault on his job by many fans to the media next week. It will also lead to Tennessee fans giving-up their tickets to Alabama fans next week, making a statement of red dominating Neyland Stadium loud and clear to administration. This is a must-win for Derek Dooley. Not must-win or get fired the next day but must-win or there’s no-way you win enough games by season’s end to keep your job another year.

Winner: Mississippi State 35-28

#22/21 Texas A&M (4-1, 2-1 SEC) vs. #23/24 Louisiana Tech (5-0)

9:15 p.m. ET / 8:15 p.m. CT • ESPNU • Sirius Channel 139 • XM Channel 201

Shreveport, La. • Independence Stadium (53,000)

Vince’s View: A battle of Top 25 teams? This is a much different looking match-up then when it was originally scheduled to be play in Week 1. Give the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs credit for beating BCS conference teams, and hammering them. This is a good team that can score. La Tech is 3^rd in the country in scoring offense at 53.2 points per game. The thing is Texas A&M can score points in bunches as well (8^th in the country – 44.6 per). I think the biggest mismatch is the A&M passing game with stud QB Johnny Manziel versus one of the nation’s worst pass defenses. Manziel can run too, and I think he will have success doing that as well. A&M will get more stops and win a high-scoring entertaining game late into the Louisiana night.

Winner: Texas A&M 49-35

Follow me @VinceSports on Twitter and see everything I’m working on in sports. Download the WNML App for your mobile device, so you can hear the “News Sentinel Sports Page” radio sports talk show that I host (weekdays 10am-12pm ET/9-11am CT) at www.sportsanimal99.com.

Here’s the complete schedule of SEC football games this weekend with details, analysis and a score prediction for each game.

My record last week was 10-0. My record after week 4, straight-up, is 39-5.

Schedule of Saturday, Sept. 29 Games

*Rankings are AP first/Coaches second

OPEN:  Auburn (1-3, 0-2 SEC); #11/12 Florida (4-0, 3-0 SEC); #19/21 Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0 SEC); Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-2 SEC)

Missouri (2-2, 0-2 SEC) at Central Florida (2-1)

12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT • FSN

Orlando, Fla. • Bright House Networks Stadium (45,301)

Vince’s View:  UCF is actually the favorite in this game, if you can believe that. UCF isn’t eligible for the postseason but it has generally still played hard. UCF has speed and athletes. UCF also won’t be greatly out-sized in this game like it would versus many other SEC teams. Missouri has been up-and-down this season. The Tigers have wins outside of SEC play, but both of those came at home. Mizzou has had field goal kicking issues. QB James Franklin is struggling. If he doesn’t improve this week, the Knights can win this game. He deserves the benefit of the doubt though.

Winner: Missouri 35-27

Arkansas (1-3, 0-1 SEC) at Texas A&M (2-1, 0-1 SEC)

12:21 p.m. ET / 11:21 a.m. CT • SEC Network

College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (82,589)

Vince’s View:  The Arkansas defense is going to have a tough time defending the Aggies, especially QB Johnny Manziel. Manziel is a dual-threat QB who has been poised and fantastic on third-down. Turnovers have killed the Razorbacks this year. A&M has been pretty good in that department. That will be the key in this one for the Aggies.

Winner: Texas A&M 41-27

Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) at #5 Georgia (4-0, 2-0 SEC)

3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT • CBS Sports

Athens, Ga. • Sanford Stadium (92,746)

Vince’s View:  Georgia’s defense is getting better every week. Now, it looks like it gets two more elite starters back this week in ILB Alec Ogletree and FS Bacarri Rambo. Georgia’s offensive line has been better than expected. The freshmen RBs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall have been as good, or better, than advertised. Tennessee has a puncher’s chance because of the passing game firepower when QB Tyler Bray and the talented receivers are on-point. The Vols have had issues with: knowing assignments due to communication breakdowns; tackling; speed in the secondary; converting in short yardage on offense; inconsistent running game; place-kicking; handling adversity when behind on the scoreboard; winning on the road outside the state of Tennessee in the SEC under Derek Dooley; and beating a ranked opponent under Derek Dooley. That’s a long list for UT to overcome, if it plays as we’ve seen this season. In order for Tennessee to win, this needs to be the single best game Tennessee has played in the Derek Dooley era. Plus, Georgia has to be disinterested and lose the turnover battle by two or more.

Winner: Georgia 35-14

Towson (2-1) at #3 LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • ESPNU

Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (92,542)

Vince’s View:  None needed.

Winner: LSU 59-0

#6 South Carolina (4-0, 2-0 SEC) at Kentucky (1-3, 0-1 SEC)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • ESPN2

Lexington, Ky. • Commonwealth Stadium / C.M. Newton Field (67,942)

Vince’s View:  South Carolina is playing terrific defense. Now, the Gamecocks get All-SEC safety D.J. Swearinger back from his one-game suspension. Also, CB Akeem Auguste will see some action in his return from injury. Not that SC needs the additional help. Kentucky should get starting QB Max Smith back this game, which will at least give the ‘Cats some sort of offense. Kentucky isn’t good enough to stop SC and win this game.

Winner: South Carolina 45-13

Ole Miss (3-1) at #1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC)

9:15 p.m. ET / 8:15 p.m. CT • ESPN

Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)

Vince’s View:  How dominant has Alabama’s defense been? The Tide defense has held opponents to less than 20 yards in 33 of 47 drives (70%) this season. Opposing offenses have been held to less than 10 yards in 24 of 47 drives (51%). Alabama is giving-up an average of only 5 points per game. That being said, as strange as it sounds, Ole Miss has the best offense (24^th in the country) Alabama has faced this year. Ole Miss’ defense can’t stop physical, balanced teams. QB A.J. McCarron is 4^th in the country in passing efficiency. The Tide RB stable is deep and talented. The offensive line is one of the country’s best units.

Winner: Alabama 38-10

Follow me @VinceSports on Twitter and see everything I’m working on in sports. Download the WNML App for your mobile device, so you can hear the “News Sentinel Sports Page” radio sports talk show that I host (weekdays 10am-12pm ET/9-11am CT) at www.sportsanimal99.com.

Here’s the complete schedule of SEC football games this weekend with details, analysis and a score prediction for each game. My record last week was 10-2. My record after week 3, straight-up, is 29-5.

Schedule of Saturday, Sept. 22 Games

*Rankings are AP first/Coaches second

Ole Miss (2-1) at Tulane (0-2)

12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT • FSN

New Orleans, La. • Mercedes-Benz Superdome (72,000)

Vince’s View: Tulane is off to an awful start under first-year coach Curtis Johnson. The Green Wave is 120^th in the FBS is rushing, averaging 7.5 yards per game; 120^th in total offense at 219.5 yards per game; 117^th in scoring offense at 11 ppg; 116^th in rushing defense at 257.5 ypg; etc. You get the point. Ole Miss will bounce back and even-out the stats after giving-up 66 points to Texas last week.

Winner: Ole Miss 45-10

Kentucky (1-2) at #14/14 Florida (3-0, 2-0 SEC)

12:21 p.m. ET / 11:21 a.m. CT • SEC Network

Gainesville, Fla. • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field (88,548)

Vince’s View: Kentucky is what we thought they would be. UK has some offensively ability against bad teams, and an inability to stop most everybody. After back-to-back tough, emotional conference road wins at Texas A&M and rival Tennessee the last two weeks, a little letdown in focus by the Gators is possible. Tough, talented QB Jeff Driskel and that excellent Florida defense will have more than enough to handle the ‘Cats.

Winner: Florida 38-13

Missouri (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at #7/8 South Carolina (3-0, 1-0 SEC)

3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT • CBS Sports

Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)

Vince’s View: This is the battle of QBs with shoulder injuries. Both Missouri’s James Franklin and South Carolina’s Connor Shaw are expected to start despite the shoulder questions. Other than the 4^th quarter vs. Georgia, Mizzou’s defense has done a nice job. SC’s defense has been strong throughout, although it will be without suspended safety DJ Swearinger. The 4^th quarter will again be the undoing of the Tigers against a tough, physical Gamecocks team playing at home.

Winner: South Carolina 27-17

Florida Atlantic (1-2) at #1/1 Alabama (3-0, 1-0 SEC)

5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT • PPV

Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)

Vince’s View: Alabama has obliterated every opponent, and this week will be no different. The biggest intrigue will be if Alabama can record its third-straight shutout for the first time since 1966. I’m going to guess FAU will have something go its way and then jump on any points within range to avoid the shutout.

Winner: Alabama 49-3

#2/2 LSU (3-0) at Auburn (1-2, 0-1 SEC)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • ESPN

Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium / Pat Dye Field (87,451)

Vince’s View: Much like Arkansas, Auburn must show some pride and elevate its play on Saturday night. If Auburn doesn’t show some fight early, LSU will squeeze the will out of Auburn and anyone in blue and orange down on The Plains. LSU’s rushing offense will have a big day. There will be plenty of enticing opportunities in the passing game for QB Zach Mettenberger as well. I’d be surprised if LSU’s talented secondary doesn’t pick-off Auburn QB Kiehl Frazier three or more times.

Winner: LSU 41-9

Rutgers (3-0) at Arkansas (1-2, 0-1 SEC)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • ESPNU

Fayetteville, Ark. • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)

Vince’s View: This would be a defense vs. offense match-up if everything was normal. Things are far from normal in Fayetteville. The Arkansas program has unraveled. QB Tyler Wilson has been cleared to play for the Razorbacks according to John L. Smith. Rutgers is 5^th in the nation in scoring defense and 9^th in pass defense. Offensively, I like the efficient play of QB Gary Nova vs. USF and the 41-carry workload of RB Jawan Jamison last week as well. More anger to come in the state of Arkansas.

Winner: Rutgers 20-17

South Alabama (1-2) at #23/23 Mississippi State (3-0, 1-0 SEC)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • PPV

Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (55,082)

Vince’s View: Mississippi State had a little letdown in a close win at Troy last week. I think MSU will be much better this week. South Alabama is having a tough time scoring in year-one of FBS play. It will be very tough to score Saturday. It won’t be so hard for the Fighting Mullens.

Winner: Mississippi State 45-6

South Carolina State (1-2) at Texas A&M (1-1, 0-1 SEC)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • FSN

College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (82,589)

Vince’s View: Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel is off to a great start. He is, on 3rd down this season, 14-of-15 passing with 10 1st downs & 3 TDs. This is a first-half stats game for Manziel and the starters before the reserves play a lot.

Winner: Texas A&M 66-3

Akron (1-2) at Tennessee (2-1, 0-1 SEC)

7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT • Neyland Stadium / Shields-Watkins Field (102,455)

Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)

Vince’s View: Tennessee LB Jacques Smith called this game a “recovery game” before returning to SEC play next week at Georgia. In perception, UT has nothing to gain and everything to lose from this game. If the Vols look good it could raise the confidence of the players. But, what good does that really do the team in preparing you for the big games that matter? None. First year Akron coach Terry Bowden led the Zips to the first win in nearly two full seasons. He said Tennessee will be ornery after the disappointing loss to the Gators. Akron is 5^th in the nation in passing, so it will be somewhat of a challenge to the Volunteers pass defense that lost leading tackler and DB-leader, safety Brian Randolph for the season. Look for true freshman safety LaDarrell McNeil to notch an interception. Also, watch for WR Alton “Pig” Howard to not only make his first college catch but score a TD in only his second game.

Winner: Tennessee 59-21

Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-1 SEC) at #5/6 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC)

7:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. CT • ESPN2

Athens, Ga. • Sanford Stadium (92,746)

Vince’s View: James Franklin made a QB switch last week vs. Presbyterian, going with Wyoming transfer Austyn Carta-Samuels over returning starter Jordan Rodgers. He’s not saying who starts Saturday, but why would he give Carta-Samuels the warm-up game if he wasn’t going to play him at Georgia. Bench Rodgers then stick him back in vs. Georgia? Not happening. It’s interesting, but in the end, it won’t matter. You’ll see the best defensive performance of the year for Georgia as DC Todd Grantham blends the previously injured and suspended players back in and they get into game shape.

Winner: Georgia 31-7

Follow me @VinceSports on Twitter and see everything I’m working on in sports. Download the WNML App for your mobile device, so you can hear the “News Sentinel Sports Page” radio sports talk show that I host (weekdays 10am-12pm ET/9-11am CT) at www.sportsanimal99.com.

Vince Ferrara

Here’s the complete schedule of SEC football games this weekend with details, analysis and a score prediction for each game. My record last week was 9-2. My record after week 2, straight-up, is 19-3.

Saturday, Sept. 15 Games

Louisiana-Monroe (1-0) at Auburn (0-2, 0-1 SEC)

12: 21 a.m. ET / 11:21 a.m. CT • SEC Network

Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium / Pat Dye Field (87,451)

Vince’s View:

Winner: ULM deserves a ton of credit and attention for shocking the college football world with an overtime win at Arkansas last week. But, let’s be honest, Arkansas’ lack of focus and respect for their opponent (see Nick Saban) is the biggest reason why ULM pulled the upset. Despite Auburn’s major issues throwing the football, the Tigers will be focused and desperate. An Auburn loss and the Tigers may wave goodbye to any bowl game hopes this season. ULM QB Kolton Browning was outstanding for the Warhawks last week. The most amazing stat from last weekend’s game: ULM was 14 of 30 on 3^rd and 4^th down combined. That, along with 2-to-1 time of possession should tell you why ULM came back from 28-7 down to win the game. Back-to-back wins at SEC schools should warrant another billboard (or 10) in Monroe, Louisiana. I don’t see that happening.

Winner: Auburn 30-16

Presbyterian (1-1) at Vanderbilt (0-2)

12:30 a.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. CT • CSS

Nashville, Tenn. • Vanderbilt Stadium (40,550)

Vince’s View:   Next game, please.

Winner: Vanderbilt 56-10

Alabama (2-0) at Arkansas (1-1)

3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT • CBS Sports

Fayetteville, Ark. • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)

Vince’s View:   Boy, how different does this game look from less than a week ago. QB Tyler Wilson is out and no one behind him is close to his level right now. No team leaves injured players in their wake more than Alabama. The Razorbacks defense has been on the field for 184 plays in the first two games, and now they have to face the bruising Bama run game? Yeah, good luck with that.

Winner: Alabama 41-10

Texas A&M (0-1) at SMU (1-1)

3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT • FSN

Dallas, Texas • Ford Stadium (32,000)

Vince’s View: This is the first time these two teams will play at SMU since 1990. After making progress on defense the last few years, SMU is off to a bad start on that side of the ball. The Mustangs will have difficulty with A&M’s fast-paced offense. Look for QB Johnny Manziel and RB Christine Michael to have big games in Dallas.

Winner: Texas A&M 42-20

Florida (2-0, 1-0 SEC) at Tennessee (2-0)

6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT • ESPN

Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium / Shields-Watkins Field (102,455)

Vince’s View: The heat and criticism will be at an all-time high for the loser of this game. The winner will be at the highest point in their tenure at that school and a legit contender for the SEC East title. The stakes are extremely high. This appears to me to be a much different Tennessee team than the one that started in similar fashion last year. This team is better-coached, more experienced, confident, aggressive and dynamic. New schemes and new players make the Vols look like they belong. There are still plenty of things for Tennessee to prove. Can Derek Dooley beat a ranked team and finally get that signature win? Will Tyler Bray play well against a good team? How will the team handle adversity? If Tyler Bray and the offense goes 3-and-out or can’t move the ball for 3-4-5 straight possessions, will he start forcing throws that leads to INTs and easy points for UF? Florida’s defense is outstanding, but they are banged-up. Florida isn’t as inept offensively as UT fans think they are. Jeff Driskel, Jordan Reed and Mike Gillislee can make plays and move the chains. How healthy is Gillislee? If he’s not able to go or be effective, that could be a big problem for the Gators. Will Driskel hold the ball too long as he has or will he be coached-up to run quicker? OC Brent Pease hasn’t given Driskel full-field reads yet. Will Tennessee DC Sal Sunseri scheme to make Florida pay for their simplicity? The one clear advantage Florida has is the kickers. I see Tennessee getting up big early and not needing a critical field goal. With a new kicker for the Vols, look for Dooley to go for it on 4^th and manageable in Florida territory rather than try long field goals. Both teams have great return games.

Winner: Tennessee 34-17

Mississippi State (2-0, 1-0 SEC) at Troy (1-1)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • ESPN3

Troy, Ala.  • Veterans Memorial Stadium (30,000)

Vince’s View:   Mississippi State is #1 in the country in turnover margin after two weeks. Troy throws the ball a lot, and looks to be a willing participant in the turnover-fest. A sluggish post-Auburn performance is possible, but MSU will still win.

Winner: Mississippi State 37-20

Arizona State (2-0) at Missouri (1-1, 0-1 SEC)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • ESPN

Columbia, Mo. • Memorial Stadium / Faurot Field (71,004)

Vince’s View:   Missouri’s James Franklin needs to play better. He hasn’t been bad but he needs to be dynamic for the Tigers to have great success. Missouri better win this game because SEC wins in the week-to-week grind will be tough to come by late in the year. Arizona State has looked fast and explosive this season. I’ll give Mizzou the benefit of the doubt that it bounces back from the loss to Georgia last week. I think this will be a wild, high-scoring game.

Winner: Missouri 45-38

Western Kentucky (1-1) at Kentucky (1-1)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • ESPNU

Lexington, Ky. • Commonwealth Stadium / C.M. Newton Field (67,942)

Vince’s View:   Western Kentucky showed it has ability by playing Alabama tough last week. WKU had six sacks against arguably the best offensive line in the country. Their problem is turnovers (108^th in the country.) Kentucky played as well as we’ve seen them in years on offense versus Kent State. QB Max Smith and the boys should play much better than they did the last time these two teams met a year ago in Nashville.

Winner: Kentucky 34-21

UAB (0-1) at South Carolina (2-0, 1-0 SEC)

7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • FSN

Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)

Vince’s View: The HBC will get his 200^th career coaching win. The Blazers rebuilding project is a big one that’s a long way away from being a threat to the Gamecocks. Question is, who plays QB for SC (Connor Shaw or Dylan Thompson), how will they look and how will Spurrier handle it moving forward if Thompson is effective again.

Winner: South Carolina 45-13

Florida Atlantic (1-1) at Georgia (2-0, 1-0 SEC)

7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT • CSS

Athens, Ga. • Sanford Stadium (92,746)

Vince’s View: FAU barely beat FCS team Wagner 7-3 and lost to Middle Tennessee, who did lose to a FCS school. Georgia gets players back from suspension and injuries. The Bulldogs should win big.

Winner: Georgia 42-0

Idaho (0-2) at LSU (2-0)

8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT • TigerVision PPV

Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (92,542)

Vince’s View:  Losing four academically ineligible players and Jordan Allen to injury won’t affect LSU considerably. The only difference is many of those players would have played a lot with the score out of hand in this game.

Winner: LSU 38-3

Texas (2-0) at Ole Miss (2-0)

9:15 p.m. ET / 8:15 p.m. CT • ESPN

Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium / Hollingsworth Field (60,580)

Vince’s View:   This is one of only eight games of 2-0 FBS teams squaring off. This is a more intriguing match-up now than what we may have thought before the season. Ole Miss is 9^th in the country in rushing, and QB Bo Wallace has played well to this point. Texas’ defense has been strong, and QB Davis Ash has been efficient. I trust Texas in turnovers and special tams a little more, so I’ll go Longhorns on the road.

Winner: Texas 27-17

Follow me @VinceSports on Twitter and see everything I’m working on in sports. Download the WNML App for your mobile device, so you can hear the “News Sentinel Sports Page” radio sports talk show that I host (weekdays 10am-12pm ET/9-11am CT) at www.sportsanimal99.com.

Well, the guy just doesn’t miss a trick.

Saturday, when Missouri hosts Georgia and Texas A&M hosts Florida in the two new schools’ SEC openers, league commissioner Mike Slive will be one hand.  For both games.  To conduct the coin toss.  At both games.

According to SEC spokesperson Chuck Dunlap, Slive will be on hand for the 3:30pm ET kickoff in College Station and then then 7:45pm ET kickoff in Columbia.

A&M and Mizzou fans, sleep well.  Your new commish loves you.

UPDATE – Slive spoke about the SEC’s two new members on Wednesday with Tony Barnhart.