SEC Game Projections For Thursday 9/1/11

There are two games on the schedule tonight and below is a quick look at each:


Mississippi State at Memphis
8:00pm ET on SportSouth

Why It Matters:  MSU wants to keep last season’s forward momentum rolling forward.  A rebuilding team like Memphis can’t be allowed to become any kind of speedbump.

What Vegas Says:  MSU by 31

What We Say:  It’s hard to imagine Dan Mullen’s club improving on a 9-4 mark in the brutal SEC West, but there’ll be backsliding tonight.

Prediction:  MSU 38, Memphis 13

Fired-up Bulldogs open tonight

Dogs’ attitude adjustment in full bloom in Starkville

Mullen has built expectations in Starkville



Kentucky vs Western Kentucky in Nashville, TN
9:15pm ET on ESPNU

Why It Matters:  Joker Phillips needs to win over some fans in Year Two.  That means beating all of the Cats’ non-conference patsies.

What Vegas Says:  UK by 18

What We Say:  The Wildcats shouldn’t miss Mike Hartline, Derrick Locke or even Randall Cobb against at Hilltopper defense that held only three teams below 27 points last year.

Prediction:  Kentucky 49, WKU 17

Kentucky football hoping change is for the better on opening night

Kentucky defenders passing on co-defensive coordinator Rick Minter’s “class”

Youth will be served but Kentucky needs time to grow