SEC College Football Best Picks Against the Spread September 11: Dogs Are Barking

The second weekend of SEC college football is still early in the season and those mistakes that popped up in games last week will not disappear overnight. September 11th has a full slate of games on the schedule for SEC teams and they will have to be careful not to underestimate their opponents.

The Florida Gators were not the only SEC team to look dazed and confused to start the 2010 SEC out of conference games. Mississippi brought in a Heisman Trophy candidate and were defeated by a lowly Division II school, Jacksonville State. It was fun to watch and reminiscent of Appalachian State over Michigan a few years ago.

University of South Florida Bulls vs Florida Gators -16.5

The Florida Gators first game out of the box in the post Tim Tebow era was an unmitigated disaster. Quarterback John Brantley and his center MIke Pouncey could not figure out how to get the exchange right and had over a dozen mishandled snaps in their first game together. Florida suffered from more problems than Mike Pouncey and it looks like it goes deeper than just first game doldrums.

Florida is taking on the University of South Florida in their second game and USF is no pushover. Led by Skip Holtz, an import from East Carolina, is a legitimate coach that will give Urban Meyer a challenge in this game. Can the USF Bulls beat SEC powerhouse Florida Gators? Yes, they can win this game but getting 16.5 points is too good pass up. Take the USF Bulls +16.5 points and don't be surprised if they win straight up.

Georgia Bulldogs vs South Carolina Gamecocks -2.5

South Carolina looked solid in their first game of the year and it looks like they may actually have an offense this year. Beware SEC powerhouse schools, Steve Spurrier may do well in a down year for the SEC. Watch the October 9th game between Alabama on their home turf, Spurrier has definitely circled that game on his calendar.

This SEC game against the Georgia Bulldogs could be a barn burner but with South Carolina as the home team, -2.5 is not too many points to cover. The game will be close and South Carolina may only by a field goal. A half point cover is a tough game to throw money on but South Carolina will win and they will cover the 2.5 point spread.

LSU -10.5 vs Vanderbilt

Les Miles is a man on the hot seat and his LSU Tigers will have to travel to Vanderbilt and put a whooping on the Vanderbilt Commodores to make him look good. Don't count on LSU winning this game in dominating fashion against a less talented Vanderbilt team.

Vanderbilt head coach, Robbie Caldwell is a colorful character and he is realistic of Vanderbilt's place but he is not going to lay down to the big teams in the SEC. LSU is ripe for an upset early in the season and if Vanderbilt cannot beat LSU on the home field they may be able to cover the 10.5 point spread. Take Vanderbilt +10.5 points to cover against the LSU Tigers and possibly a straight up win on their home field.

Oregon Ducks -13.5 vs Tennessee Volunteers

72-0 was the score everyone took notice of last week when looking at the box scores of the opening weekend of college football. Oregon trashed the New Mexico Lobos by that score in their first game and now they travel to the Tennessee Valley to take on the Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols are expected to struggle in the SEC this year but this game presents a challenge that possibly Derek Dooley and his staff can live up to.

Oregon is a 13.5 road favorite coming into a hostile environment and this could be a game changer for the SEC. A win over a respectable PAC 10 program would do wonders for the Tennessee program and the SEC. Tennessee will be focused or this game and Oregon didn't do themselves any favors scheduling a cupcake like New Mexico in the first game. Take the Tennessee Volunteers +13.5 as the home dog and they could win this game straight up.

Penn State Nittany Lions vs Alabama Crimson Tide -12.5

The Alabama Crimson Tide is looking past the Penn State Nittany Lions already. Even with Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram possibly missing this game Nick Saban and his defending BCS Championship team is expecting to walk right through Penn State and their freshman quarterback.

As ESPN's Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend." Penn State is still a strong defensive team and if their quarterback, Rob Bolden can keep out of trouble, Penn State has a chance. They have a chance to beat Alabama on their home field in Tuscaloosa. Blasphemy you say? Be prepared for the shock of the first number one ranked team to go down early in the season. Penn State will cover the 12.5 point spread at a minimum and don't be surprised if they take down the Alabama Crimson Tide.

More from Associated Content:

College Football Over/Under Win Totals Released in Las Vegas: 35 Teams Featured
SEC Football 2010 Preview: Can Alabama Repeat?

source:

Las Vegas Hilton Superbook College Football Lines Week 2
www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com
www.lvhiton.com