This Week in the SEC (Week 10)
It’s week 10, and you know what that means: LSU-Bama! William Scott previews the huge matchup and also releases his newest power rankings in this edition of This Week in the SEC.
Power Rankings:
1) LSU (7-0, 4-0)
Last week: Bye
This week: at #4 Alabama
LSU has lost heartbreakers the past three seasons to Alabama. They can’t afford another one.
2) Alabama (7-1, 4-1)
Last week: Bye
This week: vs #2 LSU
How much film has Nick Saban been watching on Fournette? More than you can possibly imagine.
3) Florida (7-1, 5-1)
Last week: W 27-3 vs Georgia
This week: vs Vanderbilt
If Vandy comes within 50 of Florida, that is an accomplishment.
4) Mississippi State (6-2, 2-2)
Last week: Bye
This week: at Missouri
Mizzou without Maty Mauk should be no problem for the Bulldogs.
5) Ole Miss (7-2, 4-1)
Last week: W 27-19 at Auburn
This week: Arkansas
Don’t look now but Ole Miss is right in the SEC West race…
6) Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2)
Last week: W 35-28 vs South Carolina
This week: vs Auburn
If A&M would have started Kyler Murray from the beginning, they may be 8-0 right now.
7) Tennessee (4-4, 2-3)
Last week: W 52-21 at Kentucky
This week: vs South Carolina
The Vols are in line to win the rest of their regular season games. (South Carolina, North Texas, Mizzou, Vandy). Yeah, it would be bad if they didn’t.
8) Arkansas (4-4, 2-2)
Last week: W 63-28 vs Tennessee-Martin
This week: at #19 Ole Miss
The Hogs are finally at .500!
9) Georgia (5-3, 3-3)
Last week: L 3-27 vs #11 Florida
This week: vs Kentucky
Too bad Georgia doesn’t have a bye. They need it.
10) Auburn (4-4, 1-4)
Last week: L 19-27 vs #18 Ole Miss
This week: at #25 Texas A&M
Auburn was picked to win the SEC. They are dead last in the West through nine games.
11) South Carolina (3-5, 1-5)
Last week: L 28-35 at Texas A&M
This week: at Tennessee
The Gamecocks played A&M tough on the road, and Vandy and Kentucky got destroyed. SC moves in front of them.
12) Kentucky (4-4, 2-4)
Last week: L 21-52 vs Mississippi State
This week: at Georgia
Hey, considering the way Georgia has been playing, Kentucky may have a shot!
13) Vanderbilt (3-5, 1-3)
Last week: L 0-34 at #18 Houston
This week: at #10 Florida
Well Vandy, at least you are not last on this list.
14) Missouri (4-4, 1-4)
Last week: Bye
This week: vs #20 Mississippi State
Right when Mizzou reinstated Maty Mauk, they had some hope. But then they suspended him again.
Game of the Week
#2 LSU at #4 Alabama
Saturday, 7:00 CT, CBS
The LSU-Bama game is huge every year, but this is the biggest one since they met in the National Championship in 2011. Both teams are currently in that coveted Top 4, and they want to stay in it. LSU comes in to this game undefeated, and as the highest ranked SEC team. Bama comes in with one loss, but since the Ole Miss game they have looked unstoppable. It doesn’t get much bigger than this folks. It’s LSU vs Alabama for Game of the Week!
The Breakdown:
Leonard Fournette has been the best player in the country this season, but he’s yet to meet the Crimson Tide defense. Bama is ranked 3rd nationally and 1st in the SEC in rush defense, only giving up 78.5 yards per game on the ground. You have to know Kirby Smart and Nick Saban have done their homework on #7, so Fournette will have to be ready for the challenge.
This game will ultimately come down to the quarterbacks. Brandon Harris is better than Jacob Coker, let’s make that clear. But Harris is a young QB that is going to be playing in a very tough environment on Saturday night. He can’t afford to make mistakes. As for Coker, he seems to be settling in to Lane Kiffin’s offense, which is great news for the Tide. LSU is ranked 9th in the SEC in pass defense, so Coker could have a big game.
If Harris is smart and makes the throws when he needs do, LSU will be in position to win this game. I know Bama has the best rush defense in the SEC, but I’m going to reverse what I said earlier: they haven’t seen Leonard Fournette. The guy is a monster. I fully expect him to have a Heisman type of game when his team needs him the most. This game could be more high scoring than people think if it’s dry, but with thunderstorms anticipated in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, expect it to be pretty low scoring. Which means it’s going to be two run heavy offenses: Leonard Fournette vs Derrick Henry. Yeah, it should be fun.
Prediction:
I think LSU has so much to prove in this game. They’ve lost to Bama four consecutive times and have suffered heartbreaking defeats in those loses. They will be hungry to finally get a win against this team. It will be tough to get a win in Tuscaloosa, but LSU has the talent to get it done. I picked them to win the SEC and I’m staying with that pick. The Tigers win one for the world Saturday by beating Alabama.
Score: LSU 20, Alabama 17
Other Games to Watch:
Arkansas at #18 Ole Miss
Upset Alert:
Arkansas over Ole Miss
