SC Game Day Picks For September 15

1. South Carolina State at South Carolina

An easy tune-up for the Gamecocks in their first-ever matchup against the Bulldogs, or against a MEAC opponent, for that matter. USC fans can use this week to focus on various units and players to see how well they execute, and to see if some new young receivers emerge. For Coach Steve Spurrier, the task is to win easily, get those young receivers in a little bit of a groove in anticipation of next week's big game against LSU in Baton Rouge, and yet give Tigers coaches as little as possible to prepare for...South Carolina 35, South Carolina State 0.


2. Furman at Clemson

Another easy win goes into the books for Clemson. If Furman had been able to beat Hofstra last week, the Paladins would be able to think upset a little bit more. But if they can't beat Hofstra, they sure as heck won't topple the Tigers in Tigertown. Furman might hang early, but not past midway through the first half, as the Tigers look to improve...Clemson 41 Furman 14.


3. Georgia Southern at Coastal Carolina

Coach David Bennett is one of the best head coaches in the Southeast, and Coastal fans better enjoy him while he's in Conway, because at some point an offer is going to come that he just can't refuse. We wouldn't be surprised if he's wearing a Clemson cap one day. But after some spectacular seasons, especially reaching last year's playoffs in Division 1-AA, the Chanticleers are going to take some lumps this season. Georgia Southern may still be a little down, but they are showing signs of being a Top 25 FCS team this season. Saturday night's results will find Coastal Carolina off to a rough 1-2 start with Furman and James Madison looming on the horizon...Georgia Southern 34 Coastal Carolina 24.


4. The Citadel at Wisconsin

Last week, the Bulldogs torched a no-name team for 76 points, but this week, it's back to reality in a big kind of way. The Badgers are big and bad, and perhaps the class of the Weak 10 -- ahem, Big 10. The Bulldogs' Appalachian State imitation might be good enough early to throw a quick jab, but the Badgers will eventually wear them out...Wisconsin 45 The Citadel 10.



SEC GAMES

5. Tennessee at Florida

After Saturday, we'll see who the national media will re-adjust their picks to win the SEC East. Many pundits are still skeptical of USC, and that's understandable. It will take some time -- and more big South Carolina wins -- for them to believe. With Georgia having lost to USC already, the prognosticators are already saying this could be a "down" Georgia season. Just because they lost to USC. Since they don't believe USC is "there" yet, and they don't believe Kentucky or Vanderbilt are viable contenders, that really leaves only Florida and Tennessee as possible SEC East winners in their eyes. After tonight, the "experts" will be saying...Florida. The Gators are not good enough to win another National Championship this season, but they are still better than Tennessee. Better than South Carolina? We'll see. This week, we see Tebow being effective against Tennessee, although the defense is somewhat suspect. In a close one...Florida 30 Tennessee 27.


6. Arkansas at Alabama

Houston Nutt is one of the most enigmatic coaches in all of college football. He's proven to be one of the top coaches in the top conference in all the land. His record proves it. Now comes Nick Saban to guide the Crimson Tide into the SEC Holy Land. I'm buying for the long haul, but the short term is way too clouded to tell for 2007. LSU is by far the best of the SEC West, but Arkansas and 'Bama's game today will tell us a whole bunch about who has the best shot at spoiling the Bayou Tigers' party. Despite the great 1-2 RB punch in MdFadden and Jones for the Hogs, we like Alabama to pull out a close win with defense...Alabama 20 Arkansas 17.


7. Louisville at Kentucky

Two of the nation's best QB's will be showcased in Lexington tonight, but the real key is going to be which DEFENSE can step up and make big plays. Neither team has a good "D", so it may come down to which defense makes the biggest play to preserve a win late. If Kentucky doesn't win this one, it will take a lot of steam from the enthusiasm on the Wildcats team...Louisville 38 Kentucky 31.


8. Mississippi State at Auburn

Why is Sylvester Croom still the head coach at Mississippi State? Don't even get me started. In his fourth season at MSU, Croom is a pitiful 10-25. Do they simply want to accept dungeon-level performance in the name of keeping a coach in place because it is the politically correct thing to do? Does anybody remember when Mississippi State had a football team that actually put fear into the hearts of opponents? Well, it's been a while, but there is a record of it happening. We call it ancient history now, and that's the way it will stay for Bulldogs faithful until several years after a change is made at the top...Auburn 34 Mississippi State 17.


ACC GAMES

9. Boston College at Georgia Tech

I never thought Chan Gailey would be this good at Georgia Tech, but I was flat-out wrong. Gailey has brought in excellent talent, and has this team primed for a huge season. In fact, right now, Georgia Tech is THE class of the whole league! Florida State's comeback year? Fuhgettaboutit! Miami? Don't make me laugh. Virginia Tech? Too much emotion spent on remembering the on-campus strategy early on? Wake Forest? Don't count them out in any way yet, but the experts still don't want to believe. Clemson? Good, but not good enough. Which leaves Boston College. Everybody else seems to be on the bandwagon, but we're not buying yet. BC is a strong program, relying on the strength of their big uglies up front and a very good college QB. But we simply think Georgia Tech is more athletic, and will win with that tonight...Georgia Tech 24 Boston College 20.


10. Virginia at North Carolina

Al Groh is another coach I have to scratch my head and wonder about. Grugg, hateful, and another smoke-and-mirrors guy who has somehow managed to hold onto his job despite less-than-glorious achievement. Most of the pundits don't seem to agree, but I say North Carolina's defense will pick it up enough this week to beat Virginia in a game that will be a statement of sorts for both Groh and Tar Heels first-year coach Butch Davis...North Carolina 27 Virginia 21.