By Chris Marler
Happy Gameday! We are a few hours away from kickoff on week ten games in the SEC, and there has been some significant line movement from Vegas on the Saturday slate. All six games with opening lines saw movement throughout the week including a few that went in the opposite direction than some would have thought. What does Vegas know? Because they always know.
The lines that standout most from totals and actual movement are the Georgia-Florida game and the Ole Miss-Arkansas game. Both of these teams should definitely be favored heavily on paper. But, Ole Miss seeing their line move up to around a touchdown favorite on the road is cause for concern, and Billy Napier’s bunch gaining momentum on the board with their line going from +17 to +14.5 is something to keep an eye on.
Let’s start with Georgia, and if that line gets under 14 you should hammer it. Georgia has won six of the last seven against Florida and done so by an average of 23 ppg. Kirby always has his team up for the Gators, and they’re facing a true freshman quarterback and are off a bye week. I am not believing in Florida like Vegas is.
Then there’s Ole Miss. They should absolutely be favored against Arkansas, and I think a touchdown sounds about right. But, all of the numbers and the history are screaming at us to stay away from this line. Ole Miss is 1-8 in their last nine trips to Fayetteville, and have lost seven of those eight by double digits. And half of those losses were from top 15 Ole Miss teams. Death, taxes, and Arkansas doubters losing money when the Rebels come to town.
I was also surprised that the Auburn line not only stayed around a touchdown but that it even moved up throughout the week in favor of Auburn. Auburn hasn’t lost three consecutive games at Jordan-Hare Stadium since 2012. That line just stinks,and it feels like Vegas is begging you to take Vandy. So, don’t.
Here is a look at the opening lines and where the current lines stand for all six SEC games this weekend.
Georgia vs Florida
Opening Line: Georgia -16.5
Current Line: Georgia -14.5
Mississippi State vs Massachusetts
Opening Line: Mississippi St -20
Current Line: Mississippi St -19
Texas A&M at South Carolina
Opening Line: Texas A&M -4
Current Line: Texas A&M -3
Tennessee vs Kentucky
Opening Line: Tennessee -16
Current Line: Tennessee -17.5
Auburn vs Vanderbilt
Opening Line: Auburn -6
Current Line: Auburn -7.5
Ole Miss at Arkansas
Opening Line: Ole Miss -4
Current Line: Ole Miss -7.5
