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SEC Football Preview and Predictions for Week 8

By Jake Mastroianni

Oct 8, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen and Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn shake hands after the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Auburn won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen and Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn shake hands after the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Auburn won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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We preview and give our predictions for the week 8 slate of SEC football games, which includes three top 25 matchups.

This weekend is all about SEC football, and in particular it’s about the SEC West with three ranked matchups featuring teams from the division.

Needless to say this is a huge weekend in the race for the SEC West, as the winner of the Alabama-Texas A&M game will still control their own destiny. Meanwhile, Auburn and LSU will try to stay alive in the chase as Arkansas and Ole Miss try to not fall further out of contention.

In the SEC East there is just one team playing an SEC game with Kentucky hosting Mississippi State. Vanderbilt, Missouri and South Carolina will all play out-of-conference games this weekend.

Let’s jump into the predictions.

UMASS at South Carolina – 11 – SEC Network

I almost feel like UMASS is trying to become an honorary member of the SEC as they’ve already played Florida and Mississippi State this year.

They played both of those teams tough, and I think they have a real shot of beating the Gamecocks.

South Carolina isn’t going to win a shootout with anyone. If UMASS can find a way to put up 20-plus points on the Gamecocks, I think they win this game.

Prediction: UMASS – 17 South Carolina – 24

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) celebrates with his teammates after the win over the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) celebrates with his teammates after the win over the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas A&M at Alabama – 2:30 – CBS

I find it kind of crazy that Alabama is nearly a three touchdown favorite coming into this game. Kevin Sumlin and Trevor Knight have both beaten Alabama in the past.

However, I’m still not sure this Texas A&M has the ability to upset the Crimson Tide. I do think it will be a lot closer than people are predicting.

Trevor Knight will need to play the game of his life, much like he did against Alabama in that Sugar Bowl, and the Aggie defense will have to give Jalen Hurts all kinds of problems.

Alabama was nearly perfect against Tennessee last weekend, and it’s difficult to duplicate that type of performance on back-to-back weeks.

Prediction: Texas A&M – 27 Alabama – 40

Middle Tennessee at Missouri – 3 – SEC Network

This is another SEC East team that is on upset alert this weekend. The Blue Raiders are a very good Conference USA team and kept things close with Vanderbilt earlier this year.

Missouri has not played well against good competition; however, in their two games against teams outside the power five they’ve won by a total of 140-21.

I think Drew Lock gets things back under control for Missouri this weekend and has a big game.

Prediction: MTSU – 21 Missouri – 41

Arkansas at Auburn – 5 – ESPN

I’ve gone in depth on this matchup all week, and you can read what I think about this game here:

Related Story: Auburn Football vs. Arkansas: Matchup and Prediction

Mississippi State at Kentucky – 6:30 – SEC Network

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This SEC game won’t get much attention on Saturday, but it’s a very important game for both teams if they want to reach a bowl game.

I don’t see how the loser of this game gets to six wins, and even if the Bulldogs win they probably don’t get three more wins.

Kentucky would be at four wins if they take down Mississippi State with games against Missouri and Austin Peay left.

A loss for Mississippi State could begin the Fire Dan Mullen hashtags.

Prediction: Mississippi State – 27 Kentucky – 21

Tennessee State at Vanderbilt – 6:30 – ESPNU

Vandy’s win over Georgia last weekend has put them in a position to reach a bowl game now. They should pick up an easy win this weekend against Tennessee State giving them four on the year.

They still have Missouri on the schedule, but then they’d need to upset either Auburn, Ole Miss or Tennessee.

If I were a Vanderbilt fan, I would enjoy this weekend as much as I could, I don’t see many more on the schedule.

Prediction: Tennessee State – 10 Vanderbilt – 31

SEC Football
Sep 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Lashard Durr (25) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Ole Miss at LSU – 8 – ESPN

This is the most intriguing game of the weekend to me because I have no idea what to expect.

Before Ole Miss lost to Arkansas last weekend I thought they were one of the three best teams in the SEC. Now it looks like LSU might be jumping back into the top three.

I have the feeling that if Ole Miss gets down early in this one they could fold up. I’ve been saying that all year, but with everything going on at Ole Miss – and Chad Kelly preparing for the NFL Draft – there really isn’t much left to play for this season.

Coach O will have LSU playing hard at home on a Saturday night, and those fans deserve a big win.

Prediction: Ole Miss – 27 LSU – 31

Next: SEC Football Power Rankings After Week 7: Auburn Flying High

Enjoy your weekend, and War Eagle!

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