SEC Week 3 Preview and Picks | SEC Sports's Blog

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| 10:36 AM ET 09.14 | Let the big games in the SEC begin. This is the time of the year when things really start heating up in the SEC and this year is no different. We have some big game this week. The biggest is always the Tennessee at Florida game, which always seems to be played on the third week of the season (my personal opinion is that I hate to see this game so early in the season and would love for it to be played later in the season). Then you have Arkansas at Alabama. This is another huge game in the west. Well, here is to another great week in the SEC.

Note: I usually preview three or four games and then give you picks for all the games but because of shortage of time, I am only going to preview two games this week (may not be my best previews) and all my picks. Next week, I should be able to preview my three to four games like I have done in the past. Soory about this week. Things came up yesterday and today.

Tennessee (1-1) at Florida (2-0)

This game is huge for both teams but is much bigger for Tennessee. After their week one lost to California, they can't lose another game and still have a hopes at the national championship. Two loses and you are out for sure. Erik Ainge may be the best QB in the country that no one is talking about. He has a QB efficiency rating of 141.50, which is fourth best in the SEC. He also has only thrown one interception in his last seven games (199 att). We may be seeing the real Arian Foster this season and that is great for Tennessee. His 5.94 yards per carry is second in the SEC. Tennessee is going to have to step it up on defense to have any shot in this game. The defense has really only played good for one half this season and they will be tested all game long against Florida. They are going to have to play a bend but don't break defense in this game. Florida is going to go as far as Tim Tebow is going to take them. He has a passer rating of 228.2, which is second highest in the nation. Tebow has completed 73.8 percent of his passes and looks to be a perfect fit in Urban Meyer system. Florida defense has had some trouble is year and they also will have to step it up in this game. There is still a lot of questions about Florida because they really have not played anyone this year and this will be their first real test. This should be a great game but I am taking Florida (Which kills me as a Tennessee fan) in a wild one.

Florida 41 Tennessee 37

Arkansas (1-0) at Alabama (2-0)

Arkansas is rested (did they really need the rest) and have had two weeks to prepare for Alabama. Arkansas is led by Darren McFadden (Who may be the best player in college football). When he has a big game then Arkansas has a big game. Alabama is going to load up the box with 8, maybe 9 guys, so Arkansas' QB Casey Dick is going to have to step it up and have a big game for Alabama can't have that many players in the box. If he has a good game and and does not make mistakes then I see McFadden having a good game. There is a lot of excitement in Tuscaloosa this year with Nick Saban now in as coach. This week will be the first real test for Alabama and the redshirt freshmen running back Terry Grant. Grant has average 7.2 yards per carry in wins over Western Carolina and Vanderbilt. Just can he do it against a much tougher defense this week? Tuscaloosa should be rocking but they are still a year or two away so I like Arkansas in this game.

Arkansas 24 Alabama 13

Other Games:

LSU 58 Middle Tennessee St 6

Kentucky 38 Louisville 31 (My upset pick)

Auburn 21 Mississippi St 10

Vanderbilt 23 Ole Miss 17

Georgia 27 Western Carolina 7

South Carolina 30 South Carolina St 17