This Week in the SEC (Week 9)
I know most people are kind of looking past this week with LSU-Bama on November 7th, but let’s still preview Week 9! Florida-Georgia is a no brainer Game of the Week, and Mizzou is dead last in the Power Rankings but may have some hope.
Power Rankings:
1) LSU (7-0, 4-0)
Last week: W 48-20 vs Western Kentucky
This week: Bye
Up next for the Tigers: Bama
2) Alabama (7-1, 4-1)
Last week: W 19-14 vs Tennessee
This week: Bye
Bama won and that made Peyton Manning very, very sad.
3) Florida (6-1, 4-1)
Last week: Bye
This week: vs Georgia
The Gators had a week to rest after the LSU loss, which should have gotten them ready for UGA.
4) Mississippi State (6-2, 2-2)
Last week: W 42-16 vs Kentucky
This week: Bye
The Bulldogs have snuck back into the Top 25. Look out.
5) Ole Miss (6-2, 3-1)
Last week: W 23-3 vs #14 Texas A&M
This week: at Auburn
I expected Ole Miss to win, but not like that.
6) Georgia (5-2, 3-2)
Last week: Bye
This week: vs #11 Florida
Hard to believe, but Georgia can claim 1st in the East with a win on Saturday.
7) Texas A&M (5-2, 2-2)
Last week: L 3-23 at #24 Ole Miss
This week: vs South Carolina
It took a while for them to find out, but maybe Aggie fans are starting to realize Kevin Sumlin is a terrible coach.
8) Tennessee (3-4, 1-3)
Last week: L 14-19 at #8 Alabama
This week: at Kentucky
At least you tried, Tennessee.
9) Arkansas (3-4, 2-2)
Last week: W 54-46 vs Auburn (4 OT)
This week: vs Tennessee-Martin
Woo Pig! What a game that was on Saturday!
10) Auburn (4-3, 1-3)
Last week: L 46-54 at Arkansas
This week: vs #19 Ole Miss
If Auburn can get the Ole Miss team that lost to Memphis to show up, they may have a chance.
11) Vanderbilt (3-4, 1-4)
Last week: W 10-3 vs Missouri
This week: at #18 Houston
Biggest shocker of the weekend: Vandy finally winning a conference game.
12) Kentucky (4-3, 2-3)
Last week: L 16-42 at Mississippi State
This week: vs Tennessee
When they beat South Carolina and Mizzou, I thought Kentucky might be relevant in football. But nope.
13) South Carolina (3-4, 1-4)
Last week: Bye
This week: at Texas A&M
If Kyle Allen plays the whole game, South Carolina will beat A&M.
14) Missouri (4-4, 1-4)
Last week: L 3-10 at Vanderbilt
This week: Bye
I never thought I would see this: the 2-time defending SEC East Champions in dead last in the Power Rankings. But there is hope! Maty Mauk has been reinstated. Rejoice, Tiger fans.
Game of the Week:
#11 Florida vs Georgia (In Jacksonville)
Saturday at 3:30 ET, CBS
Both of these teams are coming off much needed byes, as the Gators lost a heartbreaker at LSU and Grayson Lambert could not have been looking worse for the Dawgs. They have had time to regroup before this huge matchup, that will more than likely determine the SEC East Champion. It’s the Gators and the Dawgs in Game of the Week.
The Breakdown:
Even though they lost at LSU, Florida proved something very important: they can win without Will Grier. You could not have asked much more out of Treon Harris, who racked up almost 300 yards of total offense and no turnovers against, in my opinion at least, the best team in the country…in Death Valley, no less. The bye week was key for Harris, who had an extra week to work with the 1st team offense. He is extremely athletic, and has the potential to wreck Georgia’s defense. You saw what Josh Dobbs did to them.
In order for Georgia to have a chance, Grayson Lambert HAS to be better. After a hot start, Bama killed Lambert’s momentum as he only threw for 86 yards on 10/24 passing. He didn’t look too good against Mizzou either. Dawgs fans are sure hoping that bye week calmed him down, because if not, Georgia is in deep trouble.
Prediction:
Florida is the better team in this matchup, no questions asked. If they play their game, they will win. Being a rivalry game, expect Georgia to keep it close. If Lambert is consistent that will keep the Dawgs in it till the very end, and I do expect him to play much better. But Florida is really good. Don’t count this team out of the playoff race. Gators win a close one.
Score: Florida 27, Georgia 23
Other Games to Watch:
#19 Ole Miss at Auburn
South Carolina at Texas A&M (If Kyler Murray plays)
