Georgia football is on a bye this week. But that does not mean a ton is on the line for the Dawgs. Games will be played across the SEC that heavily impact the CFP race and who plays in Atlanta on the first Saturday of December. Most Georgia fans will be glued to their TV on Saturday. But I wanted to give you the three most important games that impact the Dawgs. Also, if you are reading this Saturday, yesterday was Lewis Grizzard’s birthday. Grizzard would have been 77. So wherever you are in the world, have some BBQ and watch some SEC football to honor one of the best D.G.D.s and a true American. Alright, here are three games that impact the Dawgs in the SEC.
1. Tennessee vs. Alabama (-9.0) over/under 48.5- Ceasers
- Date: October 21, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 pm
- Venue: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Al)
- How to Watch: CBS
- Streaming on FuboTV
This game is essential for the Dawgs for multiple reasons. This is important because if Tennessee loses this game, their chances of winning the East become almost non-existent. The Vols had already lost a game in the SEC when they took a trip down to the Swamp and lost to Flordia. A loss against the Tide would almost certainly kill their chances of being in Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Georgia does not have a loss yet in the conference play, and Mizzou and Florida both have one. Florida would have to lose three games for the Vols to go to Atlanta since Florida owns the tiebreaker.
Another reason this is important for Georiga is that Alabama would, at least for another week, have a leg up in the SEC West division. The Tide’s only loss came out of conference to Texas early in the season. The west is down to LSU and Alabama. If Bama wins out, they will likely face the Dawgs in the SEC Championship. If they suffer a loss against the Vols, it would come down to the LSU game in November to decide the West.
2. South Carolina vs. Missouri (-7.0) over/under 60.0- Ceasers
- Date: October 21, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 pm
- Venue: Memorial Stadium/Faurot Feild (Columbia, Mo)
- How to Watch: SEC Network
- Streaming on FuboTV
South Carolina is leading the SEC East… I’m joking! But South Carolina can play a massive role for the Dawgs if they pull off the upset. Mizzou only has one loss in the conference play. The lone loss came from a tightly contested game against LSU. Mizzou will be challenged to go to Atlanta if they lose before playing the Dawgs in two weeks.
South Carolina is having a down year compared to the last season when the Gamecocks had an eight-win season. The Gamecocks head coach, Shane Beamer, is slowly being put on the hot seat. To use the analogy, Beamer’s seat is on pre-heat. With a win against a top 25-ranked Mizzou, Beamer could save the season and buy himself some more time at South Carolina. But with a win for the Tigers, they keep their SEC East hopes alive. More than likely, Mizzou will win and have a massive showdown with the Dawgs in Athens.
3. Ole Miss (-6.5) vs. Auburn over/under 55.5- Ceasers
- Date: October 21, 2023
- Game Time: 7:00 pm
- Venue: Jordan-Hare (Auburn, Al)
- How to Watch: ESPN
- Streaming on FuboTV
What is on the line in this showdown between Ole Miss and Auburn? Many would tell you nothing, but that is not what we do at Dawn of the Dawg. We believe in hope, and Ole Miss still has it even though they have a loss to Alabama. Ole Miss still could be playing for the SEC West title when they take on the Dawgs in mid-November. While that is still important, this could also be a good scouting opportunity for Georgia fans. Georgia has already played Auburn, and we all know how that went. So can the Rebles win more impressively, or are they due for an upset? I would put Ole Miss’s chances of winning this game high, but I would not be shocked if Auburn kept it close. It should be an exciting watch regardless of its implications on the Dawgs.
CFB bets and predictions week 8