COLUMN: Picks arrive; better late than never

By By Austin Bishop / EMG regional sports director
Sept. 18, 2004
Knowing Al Brown, he probably thinks I'm chicken.
In fact, I will guarantee you he has probably told someone that my picks column hasn't run yet because I'm afraid of him and embarrassed I will get my head kicked in by his brilliant picks.
Well, not so fast, radio breath.
I've been busy with a little thing called Hurricane Ivan, so I had to put the picks on the back burner. They usually run on Wednesday, but this week Saturday seems just fine to me.
After all, the games are being played today anyway.
In all actuality, I am getting a little concerned that the long-haired one will do some damage to my always shaky ego with this little football picking contest, but hey, I'm not going to lose without a fight.
We actually tied in our picks last week, which really weren't much of a challenge. But this week should be a whole lot more interesting.
Vanderbilt
at Ole Miss
I really think Ole Miss will win this game. But I really think Vanderbilt might as well. That puts me in a little bit of a predicament, doesn't it?
Vanderbilt always plays Ole Miss tough, and Ole Miss isn't playing very well. Whether the Rebels want to admit it or not, they have a quarterback controversy brewing in Oxford.
While I am being bound up by strife, not knowing which way to go, Al cuts to the chase very quickly.
Says Austin, I think I have to agree with you my big buddy, but maybe by not as wide a margin as you think.
THE PICKS: Al says Ole Miss 27-10; Austin takes the Rebels 20-17.
Maine at
Mississippi State
Black Bears and Bulldogs. Now that doesn't sound like a fair fight.
Maine plays some very good baseball and is a power in the NCAA when it comes to ice hockey.
There won't be any baseball played in Starkville on Saturday, and I feel pretty certain that ice hockey is out of the question.
Al says the State football program is on an upward swing even after the Auburn loss.
I really don't know how good State is just yet. Don't know how good Auburn is. Don't know how good, or bad, Maine is.
Just know that State is in the SEC and Maine is an NCAA Division I-AA football team. And that's all I need to know in this one.
THE PICKS: Al says State wins 24-3; Austin says it look a whole lot more like 45-0.
LSU at
Auburn
Despite it's best efforts, Hurricane Ivan didn't wipe this game out.
These may be the best two teams in the SEC Western Division. Sorry, Alabama and Arkansas fans, that's just the way I see it. I don't even think the most rabid Ole Miss and State fans think they are about to challenge for the title in the West.
But the LSU and Auburn fans do. And they are correct.
Al says he has this puppy all figured out.
I had to admit this, and please don't tell Al, but if it comes down to coaching I have to agree with him. Man, that hurt to admit! I think I pulled my pride muscle.
My question is, can LSU stop the Auburn running attack?
My other question is, was that really LSU playing Oregon State, or was it a fluke?
Me thinks it was just one of those nights.
THE PICKS: Al says LSU 28, Auburn 27; Austin picks the Bayou Bengals of LSU winning by the count of 27-17.
Florida at
Tennessee
To be honest, I wish I hadn't put this game on the list. I really don't like it. Don't like it at all.
A lot of folks are pumping up the Gators as being the team to beat in the SEC East, especially if Georgia falters. But, I just can't knock Tennessee out of the picture.
Al is not real fond of this contest either, saying "I don't like either team and I don't like the game."
Well put Al. You speaketh well.
THE PICKS: Al says Florida 42-28; Austin goes with Tennessee 28-24.