Sports Handicapper Jim Feist's Picks & Predictions

Both teams looking to rebound after respective losses last time out. The Kentucky Wildcats dropped to 2-3 after losing to Missouri last week, 10-20. The Georgia Bulldogs got their fist loss of the year at 3-1 after getting bum rushed by Alabama, 24-31 two weeks ago. The week off should have done wonders for the Dogs to get that loss out of their head and get some rest for today's contest. The Dogs look to make it 11 straight wins over Kentucky here on Saturday. Kentucky will have to do better than what they did at Missouri, as the Wildcats held the ball for just 17 minutes of the entire game. The Cats are last in the SEC in passing offense with just 124 yards per game. Kentucky also has to get off to better starts, as their last three games they have had 65, 75 and 122 yards respectively. The Cats struggled offensively against a mediocre Missouri defense. What will they do here today against an aggressive and rested Georgia defense? I expect not much. Take Georgia.

Coastal Carolina won its first game as a ranked team last week over Georgia Southern, 28-14. But it was much more difficult than expected, as they were tied at the half 14-14 and struggled at times. Part of this is due to the fact that they played their first game without starting QB Grayson McCall. McCall missed the game with an upper body injury and is doubtful for today's contest. That's a huge loss for this Carolina team and while they got somewhat lucky last week to win, don't expect that here today. Carolina is 5-0 overall and ranked 20th nationally. Fred Payton looks to play his second game at QB here today. He did complete 15-of-28 passes for 252 yards last week. Georgia State upset Troy last week, 36-34 and improved to 2-2 on the season. They are led by Red-shirt freshman QB Cornelious Brown. Brown has been very impressive in his first year, completing 59.1% of his passes with 9 TD's and just 4 INT's. Georgia State has improved with each game this year. I expect Georgia State to give the Chants all they can handle here on Saturday. I'll take the few points at home today. Play Georgia State.

Cincinnati comes into Saturday's contest ranked 7th nationally and have their sights set on a New Year's day Six seeding. The Memphis Tigers beat Cincinnati twice last year, so there is revenge on the minds of the Cats here today. Memphis has racked-up 155 points in their four games this season. They will have a tough time here today against a very good Cincinnati defense that held a explosive SMU club to just 13 points last week in a 42-13 win. This rematch of last year's AAC Championship game will have Cincinnati all hyped for some revenge and to keep their New Year's Day date in tact. Take Cincinnati.

Kansas State Wildcats (4-1) travel to Morgantown to take on the 3-2 West Virginia Moutaineers. The Cats had an easy go of it last week vs Kansas, winning handily 55-14. The one area that K State need to improve is on penalties. They had penalty after penalty in last week's contest. That might not have hurt them against an overmatched Kansas team, but today they can ill afford to make those same mistakes. West Virginia leads the conference in total defense and has a very good rush defense. When the Mountaineers have held opponents to under 100 yards rushing they are 3-0. This game should be about the defenses and if West Virginia can put pressure on the K State rushing game, they win here today. Play West Virginia.