Since the SEC season is 30% over AND the Cats seem to be in the thick of SEC race I thought I would poke around a little and and break down the next three games of SEC play.

I am only going to look at teams with UK's record or better.

TENNESSEE - Have looked strong but not unbeatable ;).  They have a tough week ahead. Florida, LSU, and Arkansas.  

Tenn vs Florida - Looking to come back from the Ark. loss.  The Vols get them at    home so I'll give Tenn. the edge, but only barely.

Tenn vs LSU - Ok, so this ones not tough on paper...but it is a SEC road game.
 Advantage: Tenn...by a lot

Tenn vs Arkansas - This should be a great game.  Love what Pel is doing with the       hogs...wish we didn't have to play them.  Again, the Vols get to face a tough opponent at home.  If the Hogs execute the way they did against the Gators they win this game.  Still as a home game I'll give a slight edge to Tennessee.

OVERALL: Tennessee could/should win all of these, but my gut says they drop one. Conf. record after these games : 8-2

FLORIDA - Stong but inconsistent...First half lapses killed them last week.  Ahead they have Tennessee away, and Georgia and LSU at home.

Fla vs Tenn - See comments above. Vols have the edge

Fla vs Georgia and LSU - Home games against the dregs of the SEC East and West...Gators should take care of business.

OVERALL: Gators might be able to beat Tenn at home, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Conf. record after these games : 7-3

ARKANSAS - Wow, these guys are heating up at the right time.  The next 3 game have no pansys for the Hogs.  They get Ole Miss at home then travel to play Tenn, and Miss. State.

Ark vs Ole Miss - The Rebs started the season strong, but haven't been playing the way they can since conference play started.  The Hogs should win this one, but it might be closer than they like.

Ark vs Tenn - See comments above, I like the hogs chances here even playing away.

Ark vs Miss. State - The battle for king of the west.  State get home court advantage and will want revenge for the drubbing they took last week when they traveled to Fayettville.  I think that will be the deciding factor in this game...unless Ark lost to Tenn.  If the Hogs drop the Tenn game I see them coming back and taking this match-up.  Arkansas is really the stronger team.

OVERALL - Hogs are playing great and CAN win all these games, but I see them 2-1 in these games.  Conf. record after these games : 7-3

MISSISSIPPI STATE - Strong team..now, kind of.  They didn't look the part when the coference games started, but much like UK they seem to have come together at the right time.  Dropped the last two games (Ark, Tenn) and looking to recover.  They face Bama at home, Travel to face Auburn, then host the Hogs.

State vs Bama - Home game.  I think the Bulldogs defend the home turf

State vs Auburn - Auburn is on a skid that looks to have no bottom.  They will  need to win this one just to end a losing streak  that will reach 4 games after they play UK on Wed.  But they won't. They haven't been able to meet the challenge this year.

State vs Ark -  Great game, Should be a good one to watch.  They can beat the Hogs, but I am unsure if they will.

OVERALL - I can see the bulldogs takeing all 3 games, but they should be afraid of that Ark rematch.  Revenge for that loss may be the only motivator that can get them past the hogs.  All in All, I think State is soon to fall out of the hunt. They close the season with some tough road games and I think that will end their chances.  Conf. record after these games : 7-3

Which brings me to the Cats...

KENTUCKY -  Rolling strong, but depleted...the injury list may be the deciding factor in these games.  The Cats travel to Auburn, then host Bama, before heading into the rematch with Vandy.  UK has arguably the easiest schedule over the next 3 games of any one on this list..Florida can probably stake some claim to that, but they have to go to Tennessee...and that renders their argument null and void.

UK vs Auburn - Like  I said before, Auburn is on the skids...but we will be no where near full strength. Does anyone remember what that looked like? Any way, I still think the Cats pull this one out with Ramel and Crawford not playing.  Crawford may get some minutes, but not many.

UK vs Bama - Home game against Bama....mark it down.  Cats take this one.

UK vs Vandy - I was scared of this rematch after we beat Vandy in Rupp, now not so much.  Vandy's home court is a hard place to play, but right now Vandy is unravelling.  They may get it back together this season...maybe not.  I say UK beats them if Ramel is back.  I know that makes me sound like a homer, but I think we beat them if we are healthier than we are today.

OVERALL:  UK will benefit from the fact that the other 4 teams in the SEC race *have to play each other*.  If it plays out as I have scripted it UK stands at 7 - 2 .  A half game behind Tenn and a half game ahead of everyone else.  Not too bad.  

So that how I see it.  Any thoughts, Comments, Snide Remarks?