Week 12 picks are in for Joe vs. the Pro and the Hero

Note to readers:

... and maybe Alabama, too. Don't forget, if Georgia wins, then that keeps hope alive that Alabama will backdoor its way into the SEC championship game. As good as Tennessee has been this season, it's hard for me to pick Georgia losing at home with everything on the line. Tennessee, after all, still features a freshman quarterback, and Nico Iamaleava left the Mississippi State game last week with a concussion. Dawgs bounce back.

Joe's pick: Georgia 28, Tennessee 14

Pro says: The Bulldogs' offense just isn't very good. It all starts with quarterback Carson Beck, who has thrown only two touchdown passes with seven interceptions over the last three games. The Vols will shorten the game running the football with Dylan Sampson, who already has 1,129 rushing yards and a mind-boggling two touchdowns. This one should go down to the wire!

Pro's pick: Georgia 23, Tennessee 20

Hero says: The Bulldogs are happy to finally get to play another conference game at home this Saturday. The Vols have won four conference games at home after losing on the road to Arkansas in early October. The Vols' defense has been very effective, not giving up more than 17 points in a game all season. The Dawgs' offense has not been able to run the football and when quarterback Carson Beck is under pressure he tends to throw the football to the other team. The Tennessee offense has not been overpowering in conference play and may be without quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Even though the Volunteers have a strong defense and running game to pull out the victory on the road, I believe an inspired effort by the Georgia defense and a bounce-back game by Carson Beck will have the Dawg fans barking on Saturday night in Athens.

Hero's pick: Georgia 23, Tennessee 17

UL-Monroe (5-4) at Auburn (3-6)

When:

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.

TV: SEC Network

Series: Auburn leads 11-0.

Spread: Auburn by 24.

Total:

Trendy: Auburn is 1-4 at home this season against FBS opponents.

AUBURN GAME NOTES: The 278 yards rushing by Auburn back Jarquez Hunter at Kentucky was the best by an FBS player this season and the fourth-best game in Auburn history, earning him national player of the week recognition.

Joe says: Jarquez Hunter had one of the best games as a running back in Auburn history one week and then the next week against Vanderbilt he only received 12 carries. Here's hoping he gets double that against UL-Monroe, a team coached by former UAB offensive coordinator Brent Vincent. Auburn's offense might be in for a change at quarterback after the off week. Tigers coach Hugh Freeze suggested that it might be time to start looking towards next season. Enter Walker White with two games before the Iron Bowl.

Joe's pick: Auburn 55, ULM 10

Pro says: Clemson co-defensive coordinators DJ Durkin and Charles Kelly should be able to limit the Monroe offense, which has already made a quarterback switch and scored just three points against Texas and 17 to the next two-best teams, South Alabama and Texas State. Texas State ran for 326 yards on Monroe last week and Auburn should be able to do the same or even better if they're focused coming off of a bye.

Pro's pick: Auburn 38, UL Monroe 10

Hero says: Auburn is hungry for a home victory that has eluded them since early September. The Warhawks are on a three-game losing streak that includes a 46-17 beat down by South Alabama. Despite their struggles in Jordan-Hare, you have to like the Tigers chances of getting a huge win at home against an undermanned opponent.

Hero's pick: Auburn 45, ULM 17

No.23 Missouri (7-2, 3-2) at South Carolina (6-3, 4-3)

When:

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.

TV: SEC Network

Series: Missouri leads 9-5.

Spread: South Carolina by 12.5.

Total:

Trendy: South Carolina is 7-2 against the spread this season.

The winner of the South Carolina-Missouri football game gets the Mayor's Cup. The trophy goes to the winning team of the two SEC schools that call Columbia home. The Mayor's Cup is one of three "trophy games" for South Carolina this season. They have already captured the Bonham Trophy for their win over Texas A&M and wrap up the regular season with the Palmetto Bowl trophy on the line when they travel to Clemson. South Carolina has never captured all three trophies in the same season.

Joe says: I had no idea about all those trophy games. College football needs as many trophy games as possible. If Alabama ever plays Army again then that game needs a Forrest Gump Trophy. South Carolina is a sneaky good team and I like the fight out of Missouri despite the team maybe being overrated in the latest polls. South Carolina averaged 7.2 yards per play last week and blew out Vandy 28-7. Alabama averaged 8.8 and still lost to the Commodores, but knocked off South Carolina. What does it all mean? Gump would know.

Joe's pick: South Carolina 24, Missouri 14

Pro says: You're probably asking when was the last time South Carolina was a double-digit favorite in conference play? It's been a long time — all the way back in 2013 versus Vanderbilt. South Carolina is a much better team compared to a month ago but a resourceful Missouri squad somehow scored 31 points backed by four turnovers last week with only 279 yards of total offense. The Tigers will run a lot and play solid defense to stay close enough.

Pro's pick: South Carolina, 20 Missouri 14

Hero says: The Gamecocks are on a roll, easily winning three conference games in a row since their close loss to Alabama. The Tigers have somehow managed to only lose two games despite a struggling offense that has been missing its key weapon in quarterback Brady Cook. Even though the Mizzou offense showed some signs of life last week, I don't like their chances against a powerful South Carolina defensive front four. The strong Mizzou defense has kept the Tigers in most games, but an improving Gamecock offense should eventually wear them down to lead the Cocks to another double-digit conference victory.

Hero's pick: South Carolina 31, Missouri 13

Kansas (3-6, 2-4) at No.6 BYU (9-0, 6-0)

When:

Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah

TV:

Series: Kansas leads 2-0.

Spread: BYU by 3.

Total:

Trendy: BYU is 7-2 against the spread.

BYU GAME NOTES: BYU leads the Big 12 and is No. 2 nationally in the ESPN Football Power Index strength of record metrics. Oregon is No.1. Among the SEC's top teams, Georgia is No.3 in strength of record, Alabama is No.8 and Tennessee is No.9, Texas is No.10 and Texas A&M is No.11.

Joe says: I'd love to see BYU and its strength of record play South Carolina. Something tells BYU wouldn't be in the playoff hunt after that one. But I like this BYU team, and I'm happy for the school's success this season. It proves that a private school with deep pockets can compete with the big boys in this new era of college football. If that's your thing. Kansas is a funny team. Rock Chalk stunned Iowa State last week, but I'll take the Cougs' defense at home.

Joe's pick: BYU 34, Kansas 21

Pro says: The Cougars' only won 22-21 on a last second field goal last week against their rival Utah to stay unbeaten. The game was on the road and they struggled converting only one of 12 on third-down conversions. It was also the only game all season that quarterback Jake Retzlaff didn't throw a touchdown pass. I expect BYU to bounce back in front of a raucous home crowd and a less than stellar Jayhawks defense that gives up 30.5 points per game on the road ... and none of those opponents are in the top 35 offensively.

Pro's pick: BYU 31, Kansas 24

Hero says: BYU won the Holy War last week against Utah with the help of what some consider divine intervention by the Big 12 officiating crew. After losing several close conference games, Kansas finally got a big win over Iowa State last Saturday. The two dynamic quarterbacks in this game, Jake Retzlaff for BYU and Jalon Daniels for Kansas, should make this game worth staying up late at night to watch. The Cougars have the better defense and home-field advantage in Provo, so I think their magical undefeated season continues for one more week.