SEC Football Week 12 Breakdown
The shine is certainly off the SEC. With both divisions seemingly wrapped up, the conference is simply playing out this week trying to avoid an ugly and unlikely upset. There is only one (1.5 if you want to count the Iron Bowl) more game of consequence on the docket for the entire conference and that comes next week, not this week.
Because of this, let’s get unnecessarily detailed, take each matchup, game by game, and explain what is at stake and what will likely occur.
17th ranked Georgia vs. Kentucky
If Georgia wins, they’re in; it is as simple as that. This is the Bulldog’s final conference tilt (as they play Georgia Tech in the rivalry game next week). They have a one game lead on South Carolina in the SEC East division. If they win, they head to the conference championship. And, don’t kid yourself; they most certainly will win. Kentucky’s only conference win this season came against the only SEC team worse than them, Ole Miss.
Of course, “that is why they play the games!” If, for some reason, Georgia were to lose, they would lose the SEC East along with it. South Carolina’s conference slate is finished. A tie in the standings would go to the Gamecocks because they beat UGA head to head earlier this season.
14th ranked South Carolina vs. Citadel
This game means nothing. It does not effect USC’s conference record or place in the standings win or lose. In fact, to bang home how pointless this is, South Carolina could lose their final two regular season games and still make a BCS bowl; so there’s that.
Florida vs. Furman
Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee
Just trying to get bowl eligible, thank you very much.
Auburn vs. Samford
3rd ranked Alabama vs. Georgia Southern
A win next week is what Auburn needs, not a win here, although a loss here is pretty embarrassing. They, along with Alabama, are just playing for bowl slotting in the fact that a win here in week 12 would do nothing and a loss would slot them somewhere poorly I imagine.
6th ranked Arkansas vs. Mississippi State
1st ranked LSU vs. Ole Miss
Looking ahead to next week’s showdown should not hinder either school from stomping their November 19th opponent. Again, a win here does nothing for either school other than avoiding a terrible loss. That terrible loss would be…more terrible for LSU as they would lose their National Championship berth and also lose their game edge in the SEC West.
Week 12 Football Breakdown Page
