College Football Preview: Auburn Can Buck Trend Against Ole Miss

The #1 team in the nation has lost each of the last three weeks. Al Dannity expects Cam Newton and the Tigers to end that streak this weekend against Ole Miss.

Tigers and karma will bite Rebels hard
Alabama began the season as #1 before falling at South Carolina. Ohio State took over at the top but then lost at Wisconsin the very next week. That moved Oklahoma to #1 once the first BCS standings came out but then the Sooners lost at Missouri. Being #1 seems to be a curse more than a reward at present. New #1 Auburn face a road trip to Ole Miss this week, looking to overcome a trap game with the Rebels.

Cam Newton recorded his first 200 yard rushing game last week as he bulldozed through LSU’s defense to take Auburn to the top of the standings. The dual-threat quarterback should have plenty of success against a weak Ole Miss defense that is giving up 32 points per game. Newton wasn’t always a Tiger but he is faring much better than the other much-hyped transfer-quarterback in the SEC this season. Jeremiah Masoli joined Ole Miss from Oregon in what would best be described as unusual circumstances. Rather than energize the Rebels with his spectacular play, Masoli has only played slightly above-average as Ole Miss stumbled to a 3-4 start to the season. That level of play simply won’t do against a stout Auburn defense.

Aside from all the other factors going against the Rebels, there’s no way a team that turned down this mascot choice will have luck on their side. Bet on the Auburn Tigers as -7.0 favorites with Sports Interaction.

Dawgs can rally to beat Florida
The World’s Greatest Cocktail Party, or the game formerly known as such, takes place this weekend but neither the Gators nor Dawgs are in celebratory moods. Florida have lost three straight while Georgia have started 4-4. Neither of these powers is used to such mediocrity but a win here could do wonders for one team’s season.

Despite their so-so records, Florida and Georgia are both still in contention to win the SEC East, giving some serious value to this match-up. The Gators are sorely lacking playmakers but still managed to start the year 4-0. That quickly became 4-3 and I expect the Gators to slide to their fourth straight loss this Saturday. Georgia have bounced back from a four-game losing streak to win three games on the bounce. With wide receiver A.J. Green back at full speed, the Dawgs should have a slight edge in this game. Bet on the Georgia Bulldogs to win as -3.0 favorites with Sports Interaction.