First of all, I would like to say that I am excited to be joining the fine folks at 4 Down Territory.  Sam can’t pick better than 33% against the spread, so he called in reinforcements.  That’s where I come in.  I am by no means an avid bettor, but I do know football and watch a lot of football on any given Saturday so here goes nothing.

All the below spreads are from Bovada so if you don’t agree with them, well blame them.  Keep in mind that these picks are against the spread, not necessarily who wins or loses.

TENNESSEE @ GEORGIA (-17)

Both teams enter this game with a 2-1 record.  Last year the Vols took the Dawgs down to the wire, but Georgia pulled out a narrow 34-31 win.  Georgia’s secondary has been shaky at best so far this year, but Tennessee has 2 of its top receivers out for the game.  The difference?  Todd Gurley and the Georgia rushing attack.  The Dawgs will ground and pound the Vols worse than Ray Rice in an elevator (too soon?).  17 is a lot of points, especially in the SEC, but I like Dawgs between the hedges.

VANDERBILT @ KENTUCKY (-17)

Both teams come into this this game after a murderer’s row of games to start the season.  Vandy opened with Temple, Ole Miss, UMass and South Carolina going 1-3 with the lone win being a 3-point thriller against UMass.  Kentucky opened with UT Martin, Ohio and Florida. If it weren’t for a touchdown with the play clock at 0, Kentucky might be sitting at 3-0.  Talk about opening with powerhouse programs.  James Franklin has obviously learned something from the smart folks at Vanderbilt and moved on to a school where he might actually win something.  Kentucky is a basketball school.  Who wins this matchup of perennial SEC football bottom feeders?  I’m going with the Fightin’ Caliparis over the Super Smart People.

ARKANSAS @ TEXAS A&M (-9)

Arkansas has been nearly unstoppable playing “normal American football” and running the football.  The Hogs are averaging 324.5 yards per game on the ground.  That number would be even higher had Auburn not shut down the rushing attack in the second half of that game.  Texas A&M enters the game with one of the most potent offenses in all of college football and Johnny Football isn’t even there.  Kenny Trill (what a stupid nickname, Kenny Football sounds better) will probably throw for close to 400 and Arkansas will probably run for close to 300.  At Kyle Field, I think the Aggies get a stop or 2.  After that, the Hogs don’t have the passing attack to catch up.  Wooooo Pig Sooie all you want, but I’m going with the All Male Cheerleaders.

MISSOURI @ SOUTH CAROLINA (-6)

Talk about a matchup between the most overhyped teams in the SEC.  Both teams were preseason favorites to win the East, with USC potential national title contenders.  Sure both teams are 3-1, but neither team has looked good so far this year.  South Carolina got demolished by Kenny Trill (I still hate that nickname) in the opening weekend and Mizzou just got beat by Indiana.  Let me repeat that….Mizzou just got beat by Indiana.  And Bobby Knight wasn’t the coach.  The Gamecocks obviously spent too much time relaxing at Myrtle Beach this summer with Steve Spurrier.  But I think the Ole Ball Coach put a fire under his players after last week’s press conference (if you haven’t seen it, watch it).  I’m going Cocks in this one.