This Week in the SEC-Week 12
It’s starting to come down to the wire in the SEC. The Mississippi State-Alabama game this weekend could determine which team represents the SEC in the Playoff (if there is only one) and if Auburn beats Georgia this weekend, we could be looking at Missouri or Florida in the SEC Championship game. Only one of those matchups is Game of the Week, but first, the Power Rankings.
Week 12 SEC Power Rankings:
1) Mississippi State (5-0, 9-0)
Last week rank: 1
Last week: W 45-16 vs Tennessee-Martin
This week: at 2) Alabama
Dan Mullen vs. Nick Saban. I think we all know who has the coaching advantage.
2) Alabama (5-1, 8-1)
Last week rank: 3
Last week: W 20-13 at 4) LSU (OT)
This week: vs 1) Mississippi State
Mississippi State won’t choke, Bama.
3) Missouri (5-1, 7-2)
Last week rank: 5
Last week: Bye
This week: at 9) Texas A&M
The Mizzou-A&M game just got very interesting.
4) Auburn (4-2, 7-2)
Last week rank: 2
Last week: L 41-38 vs 13) Texas A&M
This week: at 5) Georgia
Beat Ole Miss on the road, then lose to Texas A&M at home. Some things just don’t make sense.
5) Georgia (5-2, 7-2)
Last week rank: 7
Last week: W 63-31 at 10) Kentucky
This week: vs 4) Auburn
Georgia needs Auburn to play how they played last week.
6) LSU (3-3, 7-3)
Last week rank: 4
Last week: L 20-13 (OT) vs 3) Alabama
This week: at 12) Arkansas
Prevent defense prevents you from winning games, John Chavis.
7) Florida (4-3, 5-3)
Last week rank: 6
Last week: W 34-10 at 14) Vanderbilt
This week: vs South Carolina
Florida plays its last conference game Saturday, and it could be the one that gets them into the SEC Championship.
8) Ole Miss (4-2, 8-2)
Last week rank: 8
Last week: W 48-0 vs Presbyterian
This week: Bye
Ole Miss is ranked 10th in the AP poll. They only have to move up 6 spots in 4 weeks to get into the Playoff…
9) Texas A&M (3-3, 7-3)
Last week rank: 13
Last week: W 41-28 vs 2) Auburn
This week: vs 3) Missouri
Get outplayed by UL-Monroe, and then beat Auburn. Only Texas A&M.
10) Tennessee (1-4, 4-5)
Last week rank: 9
Last week: Bye
This week: vs 11) Kentucky
Tennessee vs Kentucky is a bigger game than you think. The winner will have a great chance to go to go a Bowl; loser will be in danger of a losing season.
11) Kentucky (2-5, 5-5)
Last week rank: 10
Last week: L 63-31 vs 7) Georgia
This week: at 10) Tennessee
Remember when Kentucky was 5-1?
12) Arkansas (0-5, 4-5)
Last week rank: 11
Last week: Bye
This week: vs 6) LSU
Arkansas is coming off a bye and LSU just suffered a devastating loss to Bama. Might be a recipe for an upset.
13) South Carolina (2-5, 4-5)
Last week rank: 12
Last week: Bye
This week: at 7) Florida
Don’t worry South Carolina, Texas A&M was in this spot a week ago and they beat Auburn…
14) Vanderbilt (0-6, 3-7)
Last week rank: 14
Last week: L 34-10 vs 6) Florida
This week: Bye
And Vandy becomes the first SEC school to be eliminated from Bowl contention.
Game of the Week
#1 Mississippi State at #4 Alabama
Saturday, 2:30 CT, CBS
Who would have thought this game would end up being a top-5 matchup? The Bulldogs travel to Tuscaloosa ranked #1, trying to remain unbeaten. Nick Saban’s team just came off a comeback win in Death Valley, and look to spoil MSU’s perfect season and take over the top spot in the SEC West, again. I break down the matchup that could determine the SEC West champ.
The Breakdown:
Alabama was lucky to get out of LSU with a win. The Tide offense struggled, and they can’t afford to do that this week against a scary Bulldog team. The defense however, did look good against LSU, but Dak Prescott is a little better than Antony Jennings. The Heisman front-runner has thrown for 2,231 yards this year, and has rushed for 771. Overall, he has totaled 29 touchdowns. He will present possibly the toughest test of the year for Kirby Smart’s defense.
If Alabama wants a chance, Blake Sims has got to step it up. He only completed 20 of 45 throws at LSU and had trouble completing passes to wide-open receivers. Mississippi State’s defense is good, but the Tide offense definitely has a chance to put up some points. I expect TJ Yeldon to have a good game, but the Mississippi State offense will definitely outperform Lane Kiffin’s.
Prediction:
Let’s get to reality, people; Alabama is not that good. They are good, and have improved throughout the season, but they are not the Alabama we are used to seeing. They were outplayed by LSU and Arkansas, and were lucky to get out of those games alive. Mississippi State is really good, and not the Bulldog team we are used to seeing. They have blown out good teams this season and Dak Prescott continues to dominate opposing defenses. Bama keeps it close in front of the home crowd, but the Cowbells will still be ringing. Mississippi State wins this one.
Score: #1 Mississippi State 27, #4 Alabama 20
Other Games to Watch:
#9 Auburn at #16 Georgia
Missouri at Texas A&M
Upset Alert:
Possibly Arkansas over #20 LSU
Twitter: @WScottCSM
