This Week in the SEC (Week 4)
It was another good week in the SEC, being the victors in 9 of 10 non-conference games. (I’m sure Mr. Stoops enjoyed his victory and will talk about it forever). After this week every team would have played their conference opener, making it officially SEC season. We have some big ones this week, with Bama playing their SEC opener against Florida, and LSU hosting Mississippi State in the even louder Tiger Stadium. But neither of those made the cut for the Game of the Week and Georgia fell big time in the Power Rankings. Welcome to the 4th week of This Week in the SEC.
SEC Power Rankings: Week 4
1) Auburn (2-0)
Last week rank: 1
Last week: Bye
This week: vs #20 Kanas State
The Auburn offense was already electric. Kansas State is scared to find out how they are with a week off.
2) Alabama (3-0)
Last week rank: 2
Last week: W 52-12 vs Southern Miss
This week: vs 10) Florida
We found out that Alabama and a team that has won one game in the last two years is not a good combination.
3) LSU (3-0)
Last week rank: 4
Last week: W 31-0 vs UL-Monroe
This week: vs Mississippi State
LSU’s D has pitched two straight shutouts against Sam Houston State and UL-Monroe, but how will they fair against a real offense led by Dak Prescott?
4) Texas A&M (3-0)
Last week rank: 5
Last week: W 38-10 vs Rice
This week: vs SMU
SMU has allowed 88 points in their first two games. Kenny Hill should have fun on Saturday.
5) Ole Miss (3-0)
Last week rank: 6
Last week: W 56-15 vs UL-Lafayette
This week: Bye
Ole Miss enjoyed feasting on some Cajun last weekend.
6) Missouri (3-0)
Last week rank: 8
Last week: W 38-10 vs UCF
This week: vs Indiana
Missouri will really show just how bad the Big Ten is on Saturday when they play Indiana.
7) South Carolina (2-1)
Last week rank: 9
Last week: W 38-35 vs 3) Georgia
This week: at 14) Vanderbilt
The Gamecocks picked up a huge win against Georgia. Can they avoid a letdown against Vanderbilt? (A letdown against them means not winning by 50)
8) Georgia (1-1)
Last week rank: 3
Last week: L 38-35 at 9) South Carolina
This week: Georgia’s loss just started another crazy year in the SEC East.
9) Mississippi State (3-0)
Last week rank: 10
Last week: W 35-3 at South Alabama
MSU played AT South Alabama last week, and will play in Tiger Stadium in the SEC showdown vs LSU on Saturday. Death Valley should be a little more intimidating.
10) Florida (2-0)
Last week rank: 7
Last week: W 36-30 vs Kentucky (3 OT)
This week: at Alabama
Florida survived a scare last week against Kentucky at home. They better play better in Tuscaloosa if they want any chance.
11) Arkansas (2-1)
Last week rank: 13
Last week: W 49-28 at Texas Tech
This week: vs Northern Illinois
I have been very mean to the Hogs this season. I have nothing mean to say this week.
12) Tennessee (2-1)
Last week rank: 10
Last week: L 34-10 at #4 Oklahoma
This week: Bye
I thought the Vols had a chance in Norman. I was wrong.
13) Kentucky (2-1)
Last week rank: 12
Last week: L 36-30 at 7) Florida (3 OT)
This week: Bye
Oh so close Kentucky, oh so close.
14) Vanderbilt (1-2)
Last week rank: 14
Last week: W 34-31 vs UMass
This week: vs 7) South Carolina
Vandy had to pull off a 4th quarter comeback against UMass to avoid starting 0-3. The South Carolina game could get ugly. Really ugly.
Game of the Week
#5 Auburn vs #20 Kansas State
Thursday, 7:30 ET, ESPN
A top-25 non-conference showdown in week 4? Doesn’t get that much better than that. Auburn travels to the Little Apple (Manhattan, Kansas for you Pac-12 people) looking like one of the best teams in the country. Their rushing offense has been dominant, and their defense has looked good as well. But how will they fare against their toughest test so far in Kansas State? Bill Snyder’s team also comes into this one 2-0, looking to pull off the big upset in front of their home crowd. Auburn and Kansas State. SEC vs Big 12. Let’s go.
The Breakdown:
Kansas State’s main focus coming in will be stopping Cameron-Artis Payne and the Auburn offense. The Tigers picked up where they left off last season, rushing for 660 yards in their first two games. That’s more than most teams’ total yards in their first two games. The Wildcat defensive line has been good at defending the run so far this season, but they haven’t faced a quality opponent yet. If they can prevent Nick Marshall from picking up big yardage on the read-option, and stop Artis-Payne from finding openings, that’s the first step to an upset for K-State. But it’s not just Auburn who has some big threats on offense; Kansas State has a man by the name of Jake Waters, who knows a thing or two on how to run as well. Waters rushed for 138 yards against Iowa State, as well as throwing for 239 yards. That’s 377 total yards for you math scholars. He’s been the Wildcats’ leading rusher in their first two games, and gives defensive coordinators nightmares. Ellis Johnson’s defense is going to have to stop him from having success in the air, as well as the ground, if they want to prevent the upset.
Prediction:
These are two great rushing teams against two great defenses. Auburn has the advantage on the defensive side of the ball, and probably has more depth on offense, but they better hope Jake Waters doesn’t go off. The Tigers are the better team overall, and even though K-State has the home field advantage, I think that the depth of Auburn at running back will overwhelm Bill Snyder’s team. Kansas State and Jake Waters will put up a heckuva fight, but the SEC team gets the win. SEC! SEC!
Score: Auburn 31, Kansas State 27
Other Games to Watch:
#3 Alabama vs Florida
#8 LSU vs Mississippi State
Upset Alert:
No upsets this week, folks.
Twitter: @WScottCSM
