Saturday Selections: Week 3 SEC Picks Against the Spread

Sep 6, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Joe Morrow (16) receives a pass for a touchdown against UAB Blazers cornerback Darius Williams (41) during the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State (-14) at South Alabama, 3:00pm, ESPN News

Obviously, I’ve yet to figure out the Mississippi State Bulldogs. I thought for sure they would stay within the 31-point spread in Week 1 against Southern Miss, and they ran away from the Eagles 49-0. Then, I became a believer and took them to cover the following week against UAB. Wrong again – and State ruined my perfect week.

This week is a tricky situation because MSU will be travelling to Mobile to face an up and coming South Alabama program that is still in its infancy. Joey Jones has done a fantastic job as the head coach of the Jaguars, and they will compete for the Sun Belt title in only their third year as an FBS program, and in only the school’s fifth season of college football.

The game is a sellout and the South Alabama fans will treat the home matchup against an SEC opponent like it is the Super Bowl. The players may feel that way as well since many of them failed to receive scholarship from the heavyweight programs of the Southeastern Conference.

That atmosphere and adrenaline will give the Jags a lot of early energy, but Dak Prescott and the Bulldogs will wear them down in the fourth quarter and squeak out a late cover.

Mississippi State 35, South Alabama 20