Dale Jones
Sports in Paradise
by Dale Jones
What do UAB, South Alabama and Auburn all have in common? They are all 1-5 on the season, and each of them has yet to win a conference game. Will any of that change this week?

Week 8 of the 2012 football season features a few moreinteresting SEC matchups, including one of college football’s greatest rivalries, Alabama vs. Tennessee. No doubt Neyland Stadium will be rocking,
At this point in the season, I find myself 78 – 27 on the year, for a .743 winning percentage. Hopefully the football gods will smile on me this week.

Let’s take a quick look at what will happen:

UAB vs. East Carolina
Other than their one big win against Southeastern Louisiana, the Blazers are having a dismal season, still looking for their first conference win of the year. It likely won’t come against East Carolina, who is battling for the top spot in Conference USA East against Central Florida. Looks like another long day at Legion Field. East Carolina 27 – UAB 14

South Alabama vs. Florida Atlantic
This matchup features two bad teams with identical records trying to turn thing around. Both teams have “played up” as far as their non-conference schedule goes, but neither is looking impressive at this point in mid-season. Florida Atlantic is ranked 116th in overall offense and the Jags 35th in overall defense. That stat is enough for me to give the nod to South Alabama. South Alabama 28 – Florida Atlantic 21

Troy vs. Florida International
The Trojans have a pretty impressive offense. Even in the games they have lost this season, they have managed to score 24 or more points. The Golden Panthers are similar, in that in their six losses, they have scored at least 20 points. This game will likely come down to which defense makes the fewest mistakes, and for that reason, I have to give the edge to the Trojans. Troy 34 – Florida International 24

Florida State @ Miami
Losing to North Carolina State a couple of weeks ago was something that nobody expected the Seminoles to do. But that is why we love college football so much. Ranked at No. 12, Florida State is very strong and could still potentially be a factor at season’s end. Florida State 30 – Miami 21

Clemson vs. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech has four wins and three losses. All four wins have come at home, and all three losses on the road. The No. 14 ranked Tigers have played well this season, and are explosive when they have the football. Look for Clemson to keep rolling as they “host” Virginia Tech. Clemson 34 – Virginia Tech 24

Mississippi State vs. Middle Tennessee
I have been saying, since week two of this football season, that Mississippi State would be undefeated when they rolled into Tuscaloosa on October 27th. The only team left to keep that from happening is the Blue Raiders from the Sun Belt Conference. There is NO WAY the Bulldogs will let this game slip away. Mississippi State 38 – Middle Tennessee 14

Georgia @ Kentucky
Georgia enjoyed a week off after getting the “dog” beat out of them by South Carolina. They have had a week to lick their wounds and are ready to jump back into SEC play against Kentucky. Kentucky may be the worst team in the SEC (although Auburn and Missouri are giving them a close race in that category). Ranked a No. 13, Mark Richt’s Dawgs will likely take some frustration out on these pussy cats. Georgia 42 – Kentucky 13

Texas A&M vs. LSU
There is only one team ranked in the top eight who has a loss – LSU. No doubt the Tigers need to keep winning and hoping that a few teams fall in order to get back into National Championship contention. The Aggies come into the game with momentum as well, ranked No. 22 and coming off of a shootout win over Louisiana Tech. The atmosphere in College Station will be as electric as it has ever been, and a win for Texas A&M would be huge. I just don’t think it is going to happen, but it will be close. LSU 33 – Texas A&M 30

Auburn @ Vandy
When was the last time Vandy was a nine point favorite over the Auburn Tigers? When was the last time Vanderbilt was a “must win” for Auburn. Keep in mind that I am not talking about a good Vandy team; I’m talking about a 2-4 Vandy team. If you are interested, there is a quilting class taking place on the south side of Nashville that will likely be more exciting than this football game. The Tigers fall again. Vandy 28 – Auburn 24

Alabama @ Tennessee
Top ranked Alabama continues to roll, and now is when it gets interesting. The Tide is favored by 18, but trips to Knoxville can sometimes get interesting. Alabama hits the meat of their schedule this week, followed by Mississippi State, LSU and Texas A&M. If they make it through unscathed, well, you know what Chris Berman says – “They…could…go…all…the…way!” Alabama 35 – Tennessee 14

Other games to watch:
Michigan 33 – Michigan State 28
Georgia Tech 27 – Boston College 10
Notre Dame17 – BYU 13
Oregon 28 – Arizona State 27

Upset of the Week:
Florida vs. South Carolina
This game is in the Swamp. Muschamp’s Gators are ranked No. 3 in the nation. Florida has the 13th best defense in the country. So why will they lose? Steve Spurrier! The Gamecocks have the 12th best defense in the country, so this game will come down to offense. In a head-to-head battle on offense, I’ll take Spurrier over Muschamp ANY day. (Besides, Spurrier still loves winning in the Swamp). South Carolina 27 – Florida 24

—Dale Jones is a syndicated sports columnist, member of the Alabama Sports Writers Association, the Football Writers Association of America, and the Society of Professional Journalists. Email Dale atsportsNparadise@gmail.com or follow on twitter @sportsNparadise.

12 thoughts on “Tide and Tigers both travel to Tennessee for SEC matchups”

    1. YOU CAN TAKE THAT RAMMER JAMMER YELLER HAMMER AND STICK IT UP YOUR CRIMSON TURD ASS!

      Don’t you have some trees to poison or someone to sexually molest? You are a classless, inbred, scum-of-the-Earth, mullett-wearing, goat-humping, double-wide living, Bammer MAGGOT!

  1. I guess we won’t be hearing from the Aubs and Vols, till they crawl out under their rock of shame in the spring.

  2. I guess Tyler Bray and the Vol offense were over-rated now, huh? Where’s that beat-down, Indy? Huh? Can’t hear you over all the Rammer Jammers!

      1. Three comments today, and it is all crap like this:

        UP YOURS! MORON! DO YOU KNOW WHAT F O MEANS? BITE ME SCUMBAG! CRIMSON TURD!

        I stand by my opinion that you are retarded.
        I rest my case.

  3. And I love when AJ has a great game, great passing numbers, great management – it’s because of the OL, the receivers, and everything else except that he’s a great QB. West Coast bias is evident with the sportscasters tonight.

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