COLUMN: Gators, USM and Georgia get my nod
By By Austin Bishop / EMG regional sports director
Oct. 23, 2004
Hang on big Al, this might be the week.
My picking buddy Al Brown and I both went 5-1 last week and going into today's games I have a 21-8 record and a slim one-game lead over the golden-voiced one.
This week we are picking just four games, but we have one of them different, giving half of the longest hair on the air duo a chance to draw even.
We shall see.
Florida at Mississippi State
It's safe to say this isn't the game we disagree on.
I have had a chance to cover more than one game at Scott Field that saw the Bulldogs whip the Gators. This will not be one of those Saturdays.
While Ron Zook may not run up the score like Steve Superior did (man, I really do miss that guy … seriously), the Gators will still be able to have their way with the Dogs.
Al says Florida will win, but only by a few touchdowns. I think the margin will be a little wider.
THE PICKS: Al says the Gators bite the Dogs to the tune of 38-10. I'm thinking more along the lines of 52-7.
USM at East Carolina
The Golden Eagles got brought back down to earth in a hurry last week.
Today they play host to a not-so-hearty band of Pirates from East Carolina. The kicker here is that former USM defensive guru John Thompson is the head man for ECU.
The talent difference is so wide here that I don't think Thompson will be able to do much about it. At least not this time out.
THE PICKS: Al goes with USM 24-6. I say East Carolina picks up 10 points, but Southern Miss gets 30.
Georgia at Arkansas
This game could prove interesting, but probably not.
If Georgia decides to live up to it's billing it could be a blowout. On the other hand, Arkansas has the talent to pull the upset and Georgia has the ability to play poorly.
Anything can happen.
Al leans heavily on the side of the Bulldogs on this one. Methinks he's right.
THE PICKS: Al takes Georgia, 30-13. I'm going with Georgia 28-10.
Alabama at Tennessee
This is where Al and I disagree.
He was right last week when he picked Alabama to beat USM. An Alabama running back that most folks had never heard of ran wild to lead the Tide to the big win.
It's also true that Tennessee struggled against Ole Miss last week. But that looked like a case of Ole Miss playing extremely well.
Al sees it differently.
Well, that's a sweet thought, but I don't think so.
THE PICKS: Al goes with Alabama 18-17. I take Tennessee 31-16.
