This Week in the SEC (Week 3)
The SEC was absolutely upside down this past weekend. Auburn barely escaped what would have been one of the biggest upsets in sports history. Missouri had to fight to beat Arkansas State. Tennessee choked BADLY. South Carolina lost to Kentucky. Yes, Kentucky. Florida slipped past East Carolina. LSU almost blew it in Starkville. And Toledo beat Arkansas. Got all of that? I highly doubt it will get any crazier than what went down in week 2, but you never know.
Power Rankings:
1) Alabama (2-0)
Last week: W 37-10 vs Middle Tennessee
This week: vs #15 Ole Miss
Bama didn’t cover the spread against Middle Tennessee.
2) LSU (1-0)
Last week: W 21-19 at #25 Mississippi State
This week: vs #18 Auburn
As Peter Burns of ESPN tweeted, Les Miles is the leading cause of heart attacks in the state of Louisiana.
3) Ole Miss (2-0)
Last week: W 73-21 vs Fresno State
This week: at #2 Alabama
The Rebels have put up over 70 points in their first two games. Too bad they will be playing a real defense on Saturday.
4) Georgia (2-0)
Last week: W 31-14 vs Vanderbilt
This week: vs South Carolina
Georgia only beat Vandy by 17, which is kind of sad.
5) Texas A&M (2-0)
Last week: W 56-23 vs Ball State
This week: Nevada
Ball State just sounds like a bad team.
6) Auburn (2-0)
Last week: W 27-20 (OT) vs Jacksonville State
This week: at #13 LSU
Auburn was considered one of the favorites to win the FBS this year. Now I’m not so sure if they would even win the FCS.
7) Missouri (2-0)
Last week: W 27-20 at Arkansas State
This week: vs UConn
Mizzou is lucky that multiple teams lost in front of them, because escaping Arkansas State should drop you in the rankings.
8) Mississippi State (1-1)
Last week: L 21-19 vs #14 LSU
This week: vs Northwestern State
Dan Mullen showed some Les Miles’ clock management at the end of the game on Saturday with that delay of game.
9) Kentucky (2-0)
Last week: W 26-22 at South Carolina
This week: vs Florida
Kentucky actually looked good on Saturday! Making progress!
10) Florida (2-0)
Last week: W 31-24 vs East Carolina
This week: at Kentucky
Jim McElwain was NOT happy about Florida’s 7-point win against ECU. Imagine if they lost to Kentucky.
11) Tennessee (1-1)
Last week: Choked against Oklahoma
This week: Western Carolina
You gotta feel bad for the Vols. They thought they had their biggest win in years locked up and that good football was back in the state of Tennessee…and then they blow it. It’s kind of funny though.
12) South Carolina (1-1)
Last week: L 26-22 vs Kentucky
This week: at #7 Georgia
The Old Ball Coach is going to start off 0-2 in SEC ball. Unless a miracle takes place in Athens.
13) Arkansas (1-1)
Last week: L 16-12 vs Toledo
This week: vs Texas Tech
Bret Bilema ripped Ohio State for not having a tough enough schedule. Then he lost to Toledo.
14) Vanderbilt (0-2)
Last week: L 31-14 vs #9 Georgia
This week: vs Austin Peay
The line should be pretty even for Vanderbilt’s game against Austin Peay.
Game of the Week:
#13 LSU vs #18 Auburn
Saturday, 2:30 on CBS
Both of these teams survived close games last week, but one was a little more embarrassing than the other. LSU was a 4-point favorite at Mississippi State, and they came out with a 21-19 win on the road. Auburn was a 41-point favorite against Jacksonville State, and they had to come from behind just to force OT. That was a bad enough performance to drop them 12 spots in the polls. Can War Eagle prove that they are still national title contenders? Beating LSU would be a good start.
The Breakdown:
LSU got off to an absolute fantastic start, as they were up 14-0 on Mississippi State early. They were slow after that, but still managed to come out with the win. Leonard Fournette ran all over the Bulldogs, as he totaled 159 yards and 3 TD’s. Safe to say he’ll contend for the Heisman this year. But perhaps the biggest storyline from that game is how sharp new starting QB Brandon Harris looked. He was very accurate with his throws, and really showcased how big of an arm he has. He only threw 14 passes however, so LSU really needs to make it a priority to get him more involved in the offense.
The reason Auburn is not as good as everyone thought: Jeremy Johnson is not as good as everyone thought. He came into the year as a favorite to win the Heisman, and has thrown five picks in the first two games. He throws into coverage plenty, and really struggles to read defenses it seems like. The guy that was supposed to lead Auburn to an SEC title looks like the worst QB in the SEC thus far. He’s going up against an elite LSU secondary, and if he fails to get his receivers the ball, the Bayou Bengal defense is going to have a field day.
Prediction:
I don’t see how you could possibly pick Auburn to win this game after their performance so far. LSU did a great job of putting pressure on Dak Prescott, and look for them to do the same against Jeremy Johnson. I can guarantee you this: Gus Malzahn will have his guys ready for this game. Buy if Jeremy Johnson doesn’t perform, Auburn has no chance. Expect them to stay in it, but LSU comes out on top.
Score: LSU 27, Auburn 17
Other Games to Watch:
#15 Ole Miss at #2 Alabama
South Carolina at #7 Georgia
Upset Alert:
Texas Tech over Arkansas
Kentucky over Florida
