By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports
Each week, I share my predictions and info on SEC football games.
Below is broadcast info and analysis for Week 12 in the SEC.
These are straight-up winners only. The point spread is just as a barometer for how big of a favorite or underdog each team is.
Last week was my 5th straight undefeated week of predictions. I’ve predicted 28 straight SEC winners correctly. The last missed pick was the Auburn win over LSU on Halloween.
I’m 7-1 in predicting the Vols this season. My one miss was the shocking Kentucky home blowout loss for UT.
2020 SEC Week 11 Game Prediction Record: 5-0 (100%)
2020 SEC Season Prediction Record: 51-9 (85%)
2019 SEC Game Prediction Record: 103-20 (84%)
SEC WEEK 12 – SATURDAY, December 12
#1 Alabama (9-0, 9-0 SEC) at Arkansas (3-6, 3-6 SEC)
Noon ET • ESPN
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)
Series: UA leads, 20-8
Last: UA, 48-7 (2019 in Tuscaloosa)
Sirius: 81/132 • XM: 81/191
Point Spread: Alabama -31 ½
Vince’s View: This spread reflects how explosive and dominant Alabama has looked, not how bad Arkansas is because it’s not. The Razorbacks have suffered some tough losses and are much improved. Just way too many weapons for the Tide.
Score Prediction: Alabama 49 Arkansas 20
#9 Georgia (6-2, 6-2 SEC) at #25 Missouri (5-3, 5-3 SEC)
Noon ET • SEC Network
Columbia, Mo. • Faurot Field (62,621)
Series: UGA leads, 8-1
Last: UGA, 27-0 (2019 in Athens)
Sirius: 113/206 • XM: 192/190
Point Spread: Georgia -14
Vince’s View: Missouri has far exceeded expectations and continues to impress. Georgia has improved on offense with JT Daniels, but the defense hasn’t been as dominant. Bulldogs are better than what Mizzou has seen in a while.
Score Prediction: Georgia 31 Missouri 23
Tennessee (2-6, 2-6 SEC) at Vanderbilt (0-8, 0-8 SEC)
4 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Nashville, Tenn. • Vanderbilt Stadium (40,350)
Series: UT leads, 76-33-5
Last: UT, 28-10 (2019 in Knoxville)
Sirius: 206 • XM: 386/190
Point Spread: Tennessee -15
Vince’s View: Vanderbilt is looking at possibly less than 50 scholarship players available for this game. Vandy has some offensive ability with freshman QB Ken Seals and their tempo offense. That’s a concern for me for UT because of the many busts the Vols have had on defense defending the middle of the field, especially slants and slot WRs. UT will roll with two inexperienced QBs in Harrison Bailey and JT Shrout. Both played pretty well last week.
As long as the Vols avoid a bunch of turnovers and run the ball well, there’s no reason why Tennessee shouldn’t snap it’s 6-game losing streak and win comfortably. If not, it will be a disaster for the program who will have to re-evaluate where it’s going with Jeremy Pruitt.
I said Tennessee 28-14 on SportsTalk on 99.1 The Sports Animal, so I’ll stick with that in a different ugly game. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s higher scoring than that after saying it on the air.
Score Prediction: Tennessee 28 Vanderbilt 14
LSU (3-5, 3-5 SEC) at #6 Florida (8-1, 8-1 SEC)
7 p.m. ET • ESPN
Gainesville, Fla. • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field (88,548)
Series: UF leads, 33-30-3
Last: LSU, 42-28 (2019 in Baton Rouge)
Sirius: 132 • XM: 387/191
Point Spread: Florida -23 ½
Vince’s View: How motivated will LSU be after it dropped the hammer on itself with that incredibly harsh bowl ban this season. Based on how LSU has played (especially on defense) and opt-outs, there’s not much motivation or fight. Florida should work on trying to get the run game going to prepare for Alabama next week.
Score Prediction: Florida 45 LSU 17
Auburn (5-4, 5-4 SEC) at Mississippi State (2-6, 2-6 SEC)
Series: AU leads, 64-27-2
7:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Last: AU, 56-23 (2019 in Auburn)
Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (61,337)
Sirius: 206 • XM: 388/190
Point Spread: Auburn -6 ½
Vince’s View: The Bulldogs have shown more life and a little more offense, but Auburn is better and not in it’s most vulnerable early kickoff time slot. Auburn’s run game will be needed because Bo Nix is not the same QB on the road.
Score Prediction: Auburn 27 Mississippi State 23
Open: Ole Miss (4-4, 4-4 SEC); #5 Texas A&M (7-1, 7-1 SEC)
Regular Season Complete: Kentucky (4-6, 4-6 SEC); South Carolina (2-8, 2-8 SEC)
Find more of my broadcasting work at VinceSports.net.
