Another week of conference play did much to clear up the picture in the SEC East.  Florida and Alabama are the only undefeated teams following losses by Auburn and LSU, but several teams within the conference still control their own destiny.  I didn’t post my “Stock Market” analysis last week as a result of some unexpected issues with my “real job”, but I’m glad to be back in the saddle this week.  

Alright, there’s no recap from last week to deal with, so let’s get right to the picks.

BUY:

The Mississppi Defense:  Ole Miss has had a rough go of it so far this season, but watching the game this past weekend solidified my belief that the Rebels have a stout defensive unit.  Alabama had to settle for 5 field goals inside the red zone, and their only touchdown came off of a 36 yard run.  This defensive unit also kept the team in the game against South Carolina despite the loss.  UAB this week won’t show us much, but I think that Houston Nutt’s defensive unit will perform admirably against the potent offenses of Arkansas and Auburn in the coming weeks.  Hopefully, Snead won’t keep throwing the ball (and the game) away.

HOLD:

Jeffery and Garcia celebrate. Photo courtesy of the AP's Mary Ann Chastain

SELL:

The Georgia Bulldogs:  I’m selling the whole damn team.  The offense has been marginal at best.  Mark Richt hasn’t been able to find a running game at all this season.  Georgia is dead last in the SEC in rushing yards and rushing yards per game.  Mississippi and Florida have more rushing yards despite having played one less game (that’s not too bad), and so do Kentucky and Arkansas (OUCH!).  Despite the issues Joe Cox has had, he’s still directing the third best passing offense in the SEC in terms of yards per game.  In many ways, it is Cox and A.J. Green that have the Bulldogs doing as well as they’re doing.

The defense meanwhile has been nothing short of atrocious.  Georgia has looked inept against the run and the pass at different points this season.  They’re dead last in scoring defense and next to last in pass yards allowed per game and yards allowed per game.  Additionally they allowed an offensively stagnant Tennessee team to absolutely catch fire last Saturday.  Georgia’s Secondary made Jonathan Crompton (and my opinion of Cromption is no secret) look brilliant in a four touchdown effort.  Defensive Coordinator Willie Martinez was on the hot seat before the season even started, and Richt stood by him.  That’s a classy move, but I think it means that two jobs are on the line instead of one.  With two losses already in SEC play and the Gators still to come, the ‘Dawgs season is already a disappointment with not much hope of improvement.