NCAAF Week 8 Predictions: 2 SEC Teams On Upset Alert
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Missouri Tigers
Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 4 p.m. ET (SECN) at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri
Kentucky Offense vs. Missouri Defense
Defensively, Missouri’s biggest problem has been getting gashed through the air.
The Tigers have struggled to contain higher-caliber wide receivers like Alabama's Jaylen Waddle and LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr. Whereas the former is explosive, the latter possesses an absurd mixture of size and speed.
Whereas those two receivers rank top-four in the SEC in terms of yardage, Kentucky has no wide receiver who ranks better than 14th in the category.
Between lack of downfield passing and inconsistency extending to the wide receiver play, the Wildcats are vastly less threatening in the passing game than the Tigers’ previous opponents.
Instead, UK wants to run. It currently owns the nation’s 12th-highest run play percentage.
But Missouri allows a respectable 3.7 YPC despite contending with Alabama’s Najee Harris plus a duo of Tennessee starting-caliber running backs which have thrived against every opponent but Georgia and despite dealing with too many absences along the front seven.
Mizzou will be healthier for this game as the versatile Akial Byers will return to reinforce the defensive line.
A strong linebacking corps led by the SEC’s leading tackler last year, Nick Bolton adds stability to the front seven. He finished last year with 17 run stuffs
Missouri Offense vs. Kentucky Defense
As measured by personnel, stats, and recent results, Kentucky’s defensive weakness is in stopping the opponent's run game.
The Tigers are built to take advantage with one of the SEC’s best running backs in Larry Rountree III, who’s currently averaging 5.4 YPC.
This game presents a solid opportunity for the Tigers since it was already known that UK lacked depth at inside linebacker.
Kentucky’s problem grew even worse when Chris Oats was declared out for the season.
Rountree is a bruising, physical running back who is not afraid to lower the shoulder.
He’ll help wear down the Wildcats’ run defense.
Quarterback Connor Bazelak also seems to be finding his own. He’s completing 71 percent of his passes now while accruing high-yardage games.
Best Bet: Tigers +4 (-115) at BetOnline
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. LSU Tigers
Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
LSU’s Injury
Starting quarterback Myles Brennan will miss this game for LSU due to a painful lower-body injury.
His absence is crucial because LSU’s pass attack was a rare bright spot for this team.
The Tigers cannot rely on their defense to limit an opponent — they rank 101st in allowing 32 points per game, although their first three opponents included Vanderbilt and a haplessly 1-3 Mississippi State.
Moreover, LSU cannot rely on its ground game. Currently, the Tigers rank bottom-half in accruing 96.7 rushing YPG.
But the Tigers will have to invest more heavily in their defense and in their running game due to Brennan’s injury.
Brennan was averaging close to 350 passing yards and four touchdowns per game.
Without him, LSU will have to lean on two true freshmen at quarterback.
TJ Finley, a former three-star prospect, will start today’s game in place of Brennan. Fellow freshman Max Johnson will back him up and will reportedly see playing time.
LSU Run Offense vs. South Carolina Run Defense
After surrendering five YPC to Tennessee’s duo of starting-caliber running backs, the Gamecocks held Florida and Vanderbilt to well under four YPC.
They have looked strong against offenses that do not focus on running the football.
Instead of relying on a notable star, South Carolina’s defensive line is an experienced unit laden with upper-classmen who are solid.
If any defensive lineman deserves attention for stopping the run, it’s Keir Thomas. He leads the Gamecock d-line in tackles. He has 16 tackles and three tackles for loss.
In turn, LSU knows that, offensively, it wants to pass. Its primary weapons were or are in the passing game. Right now, it ranks bottom-half in run play percentage.
But without Brennan, the Tigers will need success on the ground more than over not only in order to sustain drives but in order to support one of two freshman quarterbacks.’
So the Gamecock run defense will put even more pressure on Brennan’s replacement.
South Carolina Offense vs. LSU Defense
LSU allows as many points as it does both because of its run and pass defense.
Statistically speaking, the Tigers feature one of the nation’s poorer run defenses.
South Carolina will take advantage with its more run-focused offense that features two running backs who average at least five YPC.
Kevin Harris has been a positive as the ground game's most frequent centerpiece.
At 225 pounds, Harris is physical, tough to bring down, and strong through contact. But he also possesses a degree of speed and elusiveness.
He’ll help keep LSU’s defense honest while quarterback Collin Hill looks to prolong the massive problems which the Tiger secondary is suffering under new coordinator Bo Pelini.
Right now, the Tigers rank 129th in opposing pass yards per game.
Best Bet: Gamecocks +5 (-108) at Heritage
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Missouri Tigers
Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 4 p.m. ET (SECN) at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri
Kentucky Offense vs. Missouri Defense
Defensively, Missouri’s biggest problem has been getting gashed through the air.
The Tigers have struggled to contain higher-caliber wide receivers like Alabama's Jaylen Waddle and LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr. Whereas the former is explosive, the latter possesses an absurd mixture of size and speed.
Whereas those two receivers rank top-four in the SEC in terms of yardage, Kentucky has no wide receiver who ranks better than 14th in the category.
Between lack of downfield passing and inconsistency extending to the wide receiver play, the Wildcats are vastly less threatening in the passing game than the Tigers’ previous opponents.
Instead, UK wants to run. It currently owns the nation’s 12th-highest run play percentage.
But Missouri allows a respectable 3.7 YPC despite contending with Alabama’s Najee Harris plus a duo of Tennessee starting-caliber running backs which have thrived against every opponent but Georgia and despite dealing with too many absences along the front seven.
Mizzou will be healthier for this game as the versatile Akial Byers will return to reinforce the defensive line.
A strong linebacking corps led by the SEC’s leading tackler last year, Nick Bolton adds stability to the front seven. He finished last year with 17 run stuffs
Missouri Offense vs. Kentucky Defense
As measured by personnel, stats, and recent results, Kentucky’s defensive weakness is in stopping the opponent's run game.
The Tigers are built to take advantage with one of the SEC’s best running backs in Larry Rountree III, who’s currently averaging 5.4 YPC.
This game presents a solid opportunity for the Tigers since it was already known that UK lacked depth at inside linebacker.
Kentucky’s problem grew even worse when Chris Oats was declared out for the season.
Rountree is a bruising, physical running back who is not afraid to lower the shoulder.
He’ll help wear down the Wildcats’ run defense.
Quarterback Connor Bazelak also seems to be finding his own. He’s completing 71 percent of his passes now while accruing high-yardage games.
Best Bet: Tigers +4 (-115) at BetOnline
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. LSU Tigers
Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
LSU’s Injury
Starting quarterback Myles Brennan will miss this game for LSU due to a painful lower-body injury.
His absence is crucial because LSU’s pass attack was a rare bright spot for this team.
The Tigers cannot rely on their defense to limit an opponent — they rank 101st in allowing 32 points per game, although their first three opponents included Vanderbilt and a haplessly 1-3 Mississippi State.
Moreover, LSU cannot rely on its ground game. Currently, the Tigers rank bottom-half in accruing 96.7 rushing YPG.
But the Tigers will have to invest more heavily in their defense and in their running game due to Brennan’s injury.
Brennan was averaging close to 350 passing yards and four touchdowns per game.
Without him, LSU will have to lean on two true freshmen at quarterback.
TJ Finley, a former three-star prospect, will start today’s game in place of Brennan. Fellow freshman Max Johnson will back him up and will reportedly see playing time.
LSU Run Offense vs. South Carolina Run Defense
After surrendering five YPC to Tennessee’s duo of starting-caliber running backs, the Gamecocks held Florida and Vanderbilt to well under four YPC.
They have looked strong against offenses that do not focus on running the football.
Instead of relying on a notable star, South Carolina’s defensive line is an experienced unit laden with upper-classmen who are solid.
If any defensive lineman deserves attention for stopping the run, it’s Keir Thomas. He leads the Gamecock d-line in tackles. He has 16 tackles and three tackles for loss.
In turn, LSU knows that, offensively, it wants to pass. Its primary weapons were or are in the passing game. Right now, it ranks bottom-half in run play percentage.
But without Brennan, the Tigers will need success on the ground more than over not only in order to sustain drives but in order to support one of two freshman quarterbacks.’
So the Gamecock run defense will put even more pressure on Brennan’s replacement.
South Carolina Offense vs. LSU Defense
LSU allows as many points as it does both because of its run and pass defense.
Statistically speaking, the Tigers feature one of the nation’s poorer run defenses.
South Carolina will take advantage with its more run-focused offense that features two running backs who average at least five YPC.
Kevin Harris has been a positive as the ground game's most frequent centerpiece.
At 225 pounds, Harris is physical, tough to bring down, and strong through contact. But he also possesses a degree of speed and elusiveness.
He’ll help keep LSU’s defense honest while quarterback Collin Hill looks to prolong the massive problems which the Tiger secondary is suffering under new coordinator Bo Pelini.
Right now, the Tigers rank 129th in opposing pass yards per game.
Best Bet: Gamecocks +5 (-108) at Heritage
