Program Joe no love at all. Besmirch his name at little dinner celebrations, and troll him on Twitter.
Joe vs. the Pro was a lot of fun, but “Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero” is the brand-new method were going to celebrate the game we cherish and the people we appreciate. No one works harder than the Hero. Nobody. Abercrombie played football at Hoover High School and Harvard, and hes working every day to regain his capability to walk. Hes a trainee at Harvard, and an inspiration to all. To thank him, we want everyone to defend Ben, and show him some love.
After 11 years of Joe vs. the Pro, the grand experiment has actually expanded the universe and invited a brand-new gamer into the competitors.
Everybody needs a hero to conserve us from the fear and loathing of 2020, and the fantastic Ben Abercrombie is here for Joe to use a few of his signature courage and strength. Most significantly, the Hero is here to win, and teach Joe about picking football games. Everyone knows he needs the help.
THE GRAND EXPERIMENT
Joe: 3-3 directly up, 2-4 versus the spread.
What occurs when a sportswriter selects some of the hardest games of the week and goes head-to-head versus a sharp and a football expert with a Harvard education? Were all about to learn. So far, the Pro has beaten Joe every year except two. The Pro includes his finest tease his website, ParamountSports.com, however he fearlessly selects the most difficult college games of the week versus Joe and the Hero.
Theres an old saying around these parts: fade Joe for dough.
Hero: 4-2 directly, 3-3 versus the spread.
Here come the Bulldogs. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) AP.
SIZE MATTERS IN WEEK 4.
Pro: 4-2 straight up, 3-3 against the spread.
Alabama and Georgia dont fulfill on the field every season, however the defend protective linemen in between the two groups recruiting personnels is a year-round, continuous battle. Considering That Kirby Smart has actually been in Athens, Georgia, the Dawgs are winning their share of the fights. Of the 9 defensive linemen noted on the Bulldogs three-deep depth chart, 7 were provided scholarships by Alabama.
Joe: 12-6 directly up, 8-10 against the spread.
Meanwhile, Joe is tossing blunt objects against the wall in disappointment. Examine out recently!
Pro: 12-6 straight up, 10-8 versus the spread.
Everybody would like to know where all the terrific SEC defenders are at this season. The response is on Georgias lineup. The Bulldogs are loaded, and the guys in advance are huge.
OVERALL.
Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for AL.com. What is Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero? Consider it a service to society.
Notes: The Hero is locked in on Alabama and Auburn. He nailed Arkansas and Ole Miss to cover last week, and now leads directly up. On to the choices!
Hero: 13-5 directly, 10-8 versus the spread.
When: 11 a.m., Sat.
Notes: Everyone missed on Kentuckys blowout of Mississippi State. Joe hit on Texas A&Ms upset of Florida, however very little else. The Pro was dead-on about the Canes and Clemson.
RECENTLY.
Do not sleep on Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson, who is healthy this season and finding his type. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston) AP.
Kentucky (1-2) at No. 18 Tennessee (2-1).
Georgias hulking frontmen held Tennessee to one net-rushing backyard last week, helped on 5 sacks and, most significantly, shut out the Vols in the second half. This is the video game of the year at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The last time we saw him face a defensive front this gifted, he threw 2 pick-sixes in the Iron Bowl.
Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn
TELEVISION: SEC Network.
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Series: Tennessee leads
81-25-9. Spread: Tennessee by 6. SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Kentucky hasnt
won in Knoxville because 1984. Joe says: Tennessees 2nd half against Georgia put to rest the long-simmering question of whether or not the Volunteers might be true contenders in the SEC East. Not yet. They simply do not have the athletes to compare with the Bulldogs. Still, the Volunteers are not a deceitful team when playing versus challengers of equivalent skill. Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano may struggle a little bit with Kentuckys protective line, however the Vols defense ought to keep the Wildcats running game in check. Jeremy Pruitt is 2-0 against Kentucky, but after a physically taxing beatdown last week this one will be another among those must-watch SEC Network games in the early time slot.
When: 2:30 p.m., Sat.
Joes pick: Tennessee 24, Kentucky 21.
Pro states: The Wildcats win ugly games and last week was among those signature awful wins. They mustered just 157 yards of overall offense but won 24-2 over Mississippi State thanks to 6 interceptions. Eventually you need to score on offense and keep up with what seems to be a record year for scoring in the SEC. The Wildcats are averaging just 2.6 yards per bring on the ground this season and an even worse 3.5 lawns per pass attempt. Kentuckys defense is ranked No. 8 in the nation, but they will be dealing with a well balanced offense for maybe the first time this season. Tennessee had won 8 straight games till they lost recently at Georgia. The Volunteers may not be able to beat the top 3-4 groups in the SEC yet, but they seem to be able to beat the average and bottom feeders.
Hero says: The Vols fought Georgia tough in the 1st half last week however turnovers forced by a swarming Bulldog defense led to a challenging loss for UT. Vol QB Jarrett Guarantano will require to make some plays versus a difficult Kentucky defense that grounded the Air Raid offense last week.
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman isnt going to fumble anymore opportunities to talk about the subtitles of football with officials. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) AP.
Ole Miss (1-2) at Arkansas (1-2).
Heros pick: Tennessee 31, Kentucky 17.
Pros pick: Tennessee 27, Kentucky 17.
Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark
Pros pick: Ole Miss 45, Arkansas 38.
Pro says: This might be a track meet. Ole Miss offense is truly excellent, averaging 41.7 ppg, however cant stop anyone on defense. The Arkansas defense (running a 3-2-6) closed down Mississippi State thanks to 6 interceptions and a solid pass rush. The problem here is Ole Miss is stabilized on offense. Mississippi has run for 268, 139 and 170 backyards behind sophomore running back Jerrion Ealy in 3 games this season. Although Arkansas quarterback Felipe Franks has been much improved, tossing five touchdowns without an interception in the last 2 weeks, I simply do not trust him to keep this streak going. When he was the starting quarterback at Florida in 2018, Ive seen his act too numerous times going back to. Ill keep riding the Lane Train, which had an offense that set up 669 total backyards and 48 points on Alabama recently.
When: 3 p.m., Sat.
Hero states: The Rebels offense might not be stopped by Alabamas defense last week, however they could not outscore the Crimson Tide. If the Lane Train has been commemorating the 48 points he put on Nick last week too much, his offense might be slowed down by a well-coached Arkansas defense, nevertheless, the Arkansas training staff may be distracted this week by all the time they spent composing letters to the SEC office.
TV: ESPN2. Series: Arkansas leads 36-28-1.
Keep In Mind when Kylin Hill used to be a running back? Those were the days. Hill has been capturing more passes lately than bring handoffs.AP.
No. 11 Texas A&M (2-1) at Mississippi State (1-2).
Heros pick: Ole Miss 41, Arkansas 34.
Joe says: Arkansas is upset after being jobbed by the officials in its loss at Auburn, and there is a combating spirit in Fayetteville for the first time since Bobby Petrino strolled the roadways in his motorcycle. Felipe Franks threw four touchdown passes against Auburn, which is the equivalent of like 6.5 against Ole Miss if my math is correct. (My mathematics is never ever right). Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin and Arkansas coach Sam Pittman are both upgrades for their schools, and it feels like this rivalry will get excellent once again. Kiffin got a standing ovation from fans at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium after his offense torched Alabama. Thats a timeless dish for a disappointment game the next week.
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Spread: Ole Miss by 3.
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Ole Miss notes that the Rebels have actually scored 35 or more points in three SEC games in a row for simply the 2nd time in school history.
Joes pick: Arkansas 45, Ole Miss 35.
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Miss
Joe says: The party is formally over in Starkville, and now Mississippi State coach Mike Leach is talking about purging “malcontents” from the group just a couple of weeks after setting a record for total offense versus the safeguarding nationwide champs. Texas A&M is playing with confidence after upsetting Florida, and this one could get unsightly if Leach cant stabilize his offense.
TV: SEC Network. Series: Mississippi State
leads 7-6. Spread: Texas A&M by 6.5.
Pros choice: Texas A&M 30, Mississippi State 20.
When: 12:30 p.m., Sat.
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Joes pick: Texas A&M 35, Mississippi State 24.
Pro states: After seeing the Bulldogs offensive skill try to run the Mike Leach Air Raid offense for 3 weeks I think I have actually figured what is incorrect. The Pirates plays dont work with a previous pro-set quarterback and pass receivers who do not have a complicated understanding of how to get open or catch the ball consistently. Texas A&M appears to have actually lastly found that lead running back as Isaiah Spiller got 174 backyards versus Florida recently. Dont overthink this video game. Things arent going to suddenly exercise for Mississippi State. You have two programs going in various instructions. It appears like the Pirate wasnt the right fit to lead the Bulldogs to the Promised Land.
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill rushed for 17 backyards on seven attempts last week against Kentucky. Hill led the SEC in hurrying attempts (242) in 2019.
Hero says: The Aggies lastly won a big video game in College Station last week and are still in the thick of the race for the SEC West title. On the other hand, the wings came totally off the Air Raid offense in Lexington recently and the Pirate is discussing making some of his gamers stroll the plank and dive ship. I am planning to leap ship after 2 weeks of opting for the Bulldogs. Nothing would surprise me this year, however I believe the Aggies will ride the momentum from last weeks success over Florida and earn a solid win in Starkville.
UAB running back Spencer Brown should be seen personally this season to be completely appreciated. (Mark Almond|[email protected]).
Western Kentucky (1-3) at UAB (3-1).
Heros choice: Texas A&M 38, Mississippi State 21.
Where: Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala
When: 11 a.m., Sat.
Will Alabama quarterback Mac Jones have time to toss versus Georgias defensive line? AP.
No. 2 Alabama (3-0) at No. 3 Georgia (3-0).
Series: Auburn leads 10-1-1.
Pros pick: UAB 37, Western Kentucky 12.
Tank Bigsby is emerging as Auburns next fantastic running back. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) AP.
No. 15 Auburn (2-1) at South Carolina (1-2).
Hero states: The Blazers continued their impressive winning streak at home two weeks ago versus a really good UTSA group but 3 Blazer turnovers kept the video game close. WKU lost to a really great Marshall team last week and their only victory this year is over Middle Tennessee.
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Auburn running back Tank Bigsby had 106 rushing yards in the first half against Arkansas. Its the very first time an Auburn running back had more than 100 yards in the very first half of an SEC game given that Kerryon Johson against Ole Miss in 2017.
Heros choice: South Carolina 28, Auburn 24.
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.
Thats the way it goes with Gus, who traditionally can have dominant offenses with a trusted running game. If Shaun Shivers is back this week, then the Tigers will have plenty of options out of the backfield. The Commodores hardly had enough scholarship players last week, and this week had to cancel its video game against Missouri.
TV: ESPN.
Heros pick: UAB 34, Western Kentucky 12.
Spread: Auburn by 3.
Pros pick: South Carolina 27, Auburn 24.
Joe says: UABs 3 interceptions and a lost fumble against UTSA provided me violent, upset flashbacks of last years four-interception video game against Western Kentucky. In spite of the 4 turnovers against the Road Runners two weeks ago, UABs defense only allowed 13 points. This is a vengeance video game at home, so dont anticipate any peaking ahead to next weeks big home video game against No. 21 Louisiana.
TV: Stadium. Series: Western Kentucky leads 4-3. Spread: UAB by 13.5. SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: After rushing for 144 yards against UTSA, UAB running back Spencer Brown has 16 profession 100-yard hurrying efficiencies.
Joes pick: Auburn 28, South Carolina 24.
When: 7 p.m., Sat.
Pro states: Blazers quarterback Tyler Johnston might be back for this video game. Even if they decide to hold him out one more week, I feel comfortable with redshirt freshman Bryson Lucero. Hes looked more than qualified the last two video games in wins over UTSA and South Alabama.
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Hero states: South Carolina got in the win column last week against a Covid depleted Vandy lineup and Auburn survived Arkansas with the help of some officiating friends at home. This is the type success Will Muschamp requires to avoid becoming a protective expert at Alabama next year.
Pro states: Its pretty hard to think about Auburn a top-tier group when they only installed a total of 31 first-half points in three video games. Tigers quarterback Bo Nix has adequate weapons at broad receiver. Nix is ranked 358 in passing efficiency. Its time for him to step up if they wish to have an effective season. He has a fantastic story, but its ending up being evident hes not a game-changer. They needed to fight tooth and nail last week against Arkansas just to leave with a last-second success. On the other hand, South Carolina quarterback Colin Hill, a Colorado State graduate transfer, appears to be settling in and hasnt tossed an interception in 110 passes. They discovered a running back to keep defenses truthful as Kelvin Harris has actually acquired 271 over the last 2 weeks.
Joes choice: UAB 35, Western Kentucky 13.
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Alabama leads the country in lawns per play (8.5 ). Georgias defense is tops in yards per play (3.5) amongst Power 5 teams.
Pro states: The Wildcats win awful games and last week was one of those signature unsightly wins. If the Lane Train has actually been celebrating the 48 points he put on Nick last week too much, his offense might be slowed down by a well-coached Arkansas defense, however, the Arkansas coaching staff might be sidetracked this week by all the time they spent composing letters to the SEC workplace. Hero says: The Aggies lastly won a huge video game in College Station last week and are still in the thick of the race for the SEC West title. The Commodores hardly had enough scholarship gamers last week, and this week had to cancel its video game against Missouri. Hero says: The Bulldogs had another excellent success last week while Alabama was able to outscore Ole Miss in a flag football game in Oxford.
Hero states: The Bulldogs had another excellent triumph last week while Alabama was able to outscore Ole Miss in a flag football game in Oxford. The Tide defense had better tighten their jock straps this week against a Georgia offense that will attempt to run it down their throats and then struck play action passes down the field. Alabama normally has better success versus the type offense Georgia runs as opposed to the fast-paced Ole Miss offense that left them totally confused last Saturday night.
Pro says: What a legendary battle this should be! We have the No. 2 Alabama offense, balancing 51 ppg, against the No. 2 Georgia defense, permitting just 12 ppg. You need to operate on Georgia to be effective. Auburn and Tennessee could not damage the Bulldogs defense, but Alabama led by Najee Harris, is far exceptional to those two running video games. I also expect the Alabama defense to bounce back after getting gashed by the Ole Miss offense recently. Perhaps Lane Kiffen knew the Alabama defensive signals, or possibly the Crimson Tide defense was looking ahead to the Georgia game. In the end, it might come down to who do you feel more comfy with at quarterback in a big game, Mac Jones or Stetson Bennett. Im taking Mac Jones every day of the week, and many definitely on Saturday.
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Heros pick: Alabama 38, Georgia 31.
Spread: Alabama by 6.
Pros pick: Alabama 34, Georgia 23.
Joe says: If Sabans not training in the game because of the coronavirus, does his streak against former assistant coaches not apply? That axiom might not use this week. Alabamas defense struck a perfect storm last week, however lets not forget that Georgias offense features a previous walk-on quarterback who wasnt an opening-day starter.
Joes pick: Alabama 28, Georgia 21.
TV: CBS. Series: Alabama leads 40-25-4.
SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK II: Noted by ESPN College GameDay manufacturer Chris “The Bear” Fascilla, “Under Nick Saban, Alabama has been less than a seven-point favorite in your home 5 times. The Tide has actually lost 4 of the games outright (19 LSU, 11 LSU, 10 AUB, 07 UGA) and pushed the other (07 ARK).”.
