This Week in the SEC (Week 8)
This is probably the only college football article that you will find today not talking about Michigan or its punter, which I’m sure SEC fans will appreciate. Last week featured a lot more than that, with Les Miles bringing back his bag full of tricks and Derrick Henry rampaging in College Station. Check our where LSU and Bama stand in our Power Rankings.
Power Rankings:
1) LSU (6-0, 4-0)
Last week: W 35-28 vs #8 Florida
This week: vs Western Kentucky
The Mad Hatter is back. Be very afraid, SEC.
2) Alabama (6-1, 3-1)
Last week: W 41-23 vs #9 Texas A&M
This week: vs Tennessee
Alabama had THREE pick sixes on Saturday. Is this the same secondary that let Ole Miss throw for 341 on them??
3) Florida (6-1, 4-1)
Last week: L 28-35 at #6 LSU
This week: Bye
Florida will have another shot at the Tigers: In Atlanta this December.
4) Texas A&M (6-1, 3-1)
Last week: L 41-23 vs #10 Alabama
This week: at #24 Ole Miss
Kyle Allen was voted Alabama’s MVP!
5) Mississippi State (5-2, 1-2)
Last week: W 45-20 vs Lousiana Tech
This week: vs Kentucky
MSU fans were in panic mode when down 14-0. They went on a 45-6 stretch to finish.
6) Tennessee (3-3, 1-2)
Last week: Bye
This week: at #8 Alabama
Explanation: Tennessee didn’t play and Kentucky and Ole Miss lost so they move up.
7) Georgia (5-2, 3-2)
Last week: W 9-6 vs Missouri
This week: Bye
Georgia doesn’t deserve to move up, but they do deserve the #7 spot more than Ole Miss.
8) Ole Miss (5-2, 2-1)
Last week: L 37-24 at Memphis
This week: vs #15 Texas A&M
Bama lost to Ole Miss who lost to Memphis. Welp.
9) Kentucky (4-2, 2-2)
Last week: L 27-30 vs Auburn
This week: at Mississippi State
Dang it Kentucky. I actually picked you to win for once and you lose.
10) Auburn (4-2, 1-2)
Last week: W 30-27 at Kentucky
This week: at Arkansas
Sean White looked really good last week, which brings hope to the Plains.
11) Missouri (4-3, 1-3)
Last week: L 6-9 at Georgia
This week: Mizzou’s offense is just sad. I don’t have a better word for it.
12) South Carolina (3-4, 1-4)
Last week: W 19-10 vs Vanderbilt
This week: Bye
The Old Ball Coach leaves. South Carolina wins.
13) Arkansas (2-4, 1-2)
Last week: Bye
This week: vs Auburn
Before the season started, I though the Auburn-Arkansas game might have been a top-10 matchup.
14) Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-3)
Last week: L 19-10 at South Carolina
This week: vs Missouri
Vandy went three weeks without being 14th. That is something to be proud of.
Game of the Week:
#15 Texas A&M at #24 Ole Miss
6:00 CT, Saturday, ESPN
Both of these two teams come into this one following a loss, but Ole Miss needs more questions answered than A&M. The Rebels have not looked like the team that beat Bama: losing to Florida 38-0, then getting embarrassed by Memphis. This game is crucial to both teams, but especially Ole Miss.
The Breakdown:
The Landshark defense has not lived up to its nickname, as they let Florida tally 38 points and Memphis put up 37. The secondary looked atrocious on Saturday against Memphis, allowing Paxton Lynch to throw for 384 yards. Don’t expect Kyle Allen to throw for three pick sixes again, so this Rebel defense will need to come to play. And about those three pick sixes, what the heck happened to A&M’s QB against Bama? Maybe the intimidation factor got to him, but you have to make smart throws against good defenses. He has to respond quickly, as the Aggies will need a win to stay in the SEC West race. Look for Ole Miss to put pressure on Allen to rattle him early.
Prediction:
I think Ole Miss playing in front of their home crowd will really help. Oxford will be alive on Saturday. Look for the Rebels to be playing with some extra emotion trying to redeem themselves after the Memphis loss. Expect Chad Kelly specifically to have a breakout game. The Rebels will rebound with a big win.
Score: Ole Miss 33, Texas A&M 27
Other Games to Watch:
Tennessee at #8 Alabama
#5 LSU vs Western Kentucky (Could be close)
