Tennessee, Vanderbilt offenses could thrive, other SEC picks | Adams

My only regret about the SEC’s Thanksgiving weekend football schedule is that we had to go through last week’s light fare to reach it. Fierce rivalries are only part of the attraction Nov. 28-29.

Six games involving SEC teams will have playoff implications. As entertaining as the games could be, there also is the coaching uncertainty.

We still don’t know who will be coaching Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, LSU and Ole Miss next year. But we know Lane Kiffin will be coaching somewhere in the SEC.

In a strange twist, even the Tennessee and Vanderbilt rivalry will matter. Both teams are nationally ranked, the Vols are only a 2.5-point favorite at Neyland Stadium, and Vanderbilt is still contending for a College Football Playoff berth.

None of that is routine in a series the Vols have long dominated. UT has won the last six games by an average of 26.7 points per game.

Both teams also have star power at quarterback. Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar rank in the top 10 in passing yards per game. And both have sufficient complementary talent, which helps explain why the teams rank in the top 10 in points per game.

Tennessee 38, Vanderbilt 34: Even in the Vols' 31-11 victory over Florida, they missed too many tackles. Surer tackling – as out of character as that might be for this UT defense – will be a necessity against Vanderbilt.

Conversely, the Commodores will need to tighten up their pass coverage, which failed them in their only two losses.

Texas’ Arch Manning completed 25 of 33 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-31 victory. Alabama’s Ty Simpson was 23-for-31 for 340 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-14 win.

Texas A&M 37, Texas 34: Manning suddenly has a hot passing hand. But I question whether he can keep up with the Aggies’ Marcel Reed, who was clutch in their closest wins – at Notre Dame and in an historic comeback from a 27-point deficit against South Carolina.

Ole Miss 42, Mississippi State 34: The Rebels could beat their in-state rival, improve to 11-1, qualify for the playoffs, and lose their coach the next day. What a Thanksgiving weekend that would be.

Alabama 27, Auburn 17: The Tigers are just looking for a new coach. But the Tide are playing for high stakes. They could secure a playoff berth and claim a place in the SEC championship game with a victory.

Oklahoma 17, LSU 6: Don’t expect much offense in this matchup. In fact, the Sooners might win without an offensive touchdown.

The Tigers haven’t scored more than 25 points against an FBS team and managed only 13 points in a three-point win over Western Kentucky.

Missouri 34, Arkansas 31: How many other SEC teams do you think have averaged 34.4 points per game while going 2-9? No matter how much the Razorbacks score, their opponents usually score more.

South Carolina 27, Clemson 24: Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer has a history of winning significant games when he’s in trouble with the fan base. He’s in trouble after blowing a 27-point lead against Texas A&M, and any win over Clemson is significant.

Georgia 31, Georgia Tech 20: The Yellow Jackets were closing in on the playoffs until they lost to Pittsburgh. Unlike last season, the Bulldogs won’t need eight overtimes to overcome Georgia Tech.

Louisville 20, Kentucky 17: If you’re wondering which team has the momentum, I’ve got the answer. Neither one.

ADAMS: Tennessee football, Vanderbilt in high-stakes game for a change

The Cardinals, whose once-promising season has been derailed by injuries, is coming off a 38-6 loss to SMU. The Wildcats saw their three-game winning streak end in a 45-17 Vanderbilt stampede.

Florida 24, Florida State 22: There’s no momentum to be found here, either. Tennessee overwhelmed the Gators last week, and the Seminoles have lost six of their past eight games.

Record: 102-16 (.864), 68-38 (.642).

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee, Vanderbilt offenses could thrive, other SEC picks