This Week in the SEC-Week 5
It was an….interesting week. Auburn slipped past K-State after the Wildcat’s kicker missed four field goals. Indiana SOMEHOW beat an SEC-team after losing to Bowling Green. LSU almost completed an improbable comeback, but lost to an unranked MSU team. And Nick Saban continues the tradition of embarrassing Will Muschamp. It’s hard to believe we are already at Week 5, and we have a matchup that could shape the SEC East. Welcome to This Week in the SEC.
SEC Power Rankings: Week 5
Biggest rise: Mississippi State (Up 5)
Biggest fall: Missouri (Down 4)
1) Alabama (4-0)
Last week rank: 2
Last week: W 42-21 vs Florida
This week: Bye
Congrats Bama, you are back at number 1.
2) Auburn (3-0)
Last week rank: 1
Last week: W 20-14 vs #20 Kansas State
This week: vs Louisiana Tech
K-State missed 4 field goals in a 6-point loss. Gus Malzahn gave the Wildcats’ kicker the game ball.
3) Texas A&M (4-0)
Last week rank: 4
Last week: W 58-6 at SMU
This week: vs 9) Arkansas
I said Kenny Hill would have fun against SMU. He did.
4) Mississippi State (4-0)
Last week rank: 9
Last week: W 34-29 vs 3) LSU
MSU almost blew a 24-point 4th quarter lead, but a win is a win. Especially in Death Valley.
5) Ole Miss (3-0)
Last week rank: 5
Last week: Bye
This week: vs Memphis
Ole Miss takes a week off and their biggest rival jumps them in the rankings. Oxford doesn’t like me right now.
6) LSU (3-1)
Last week rank: 3
Last week: L 34-29 vs 9) Mississippi State
This week: vs New Mexico State
The Tigers never quit against MSU, and Brandon Harris SHOULD be the guy for LSU moving forward. They only fall 3 spots for that reason.
7) Georgia (2-1)
Last week rank: 8
Last week: W 66-0 vs Troy
This week: vs Tennessee
Don’t get too excited Dawg fans, it was just Troy…
8) South Carolina (3-1)
Last week rank: 7
Last week: W 48-34 vs 14) Vanderbilt
This week: vs 10) Missouri
SC let Vandy hang with them. Not good.
9) Arkansas (3-1)
Last week rank: 11
Last week: W 52-14 vs Northern Illinois
This week: vs 3) Texas A&M
This is the 2nd straight week I’ve had nothing negative to say about Arkansas. Now they travel to College Station to face A&M. Start calling the hogs.
10) Missouri (3-1)
Last week rank: 6
Last week: L 31-27 vs Indiana
This week: at 7) South Carolina
Missouri lost to a Big Ten team that lost to Bowling Green. So I guess the MAC is the best conference in football.
11) Florida (2-1)
Last week rank: 9
Last week: L 42-21 vs 2) Alabama
This week: Bye
UF played three great quarters against Alabama.
12) Tennessee (2-1)
Last week rank: 12
Last week: Bye
This week: vs 8) Georgia
The Vols had a week to prepare for the road trip to Athens. Will it help? No.
13) Kentucky (2-1)
Last week rank: 13
Last week: Bye
This week: vs 14) Vanderbilt
The College Sports Madness SEC Toilet Bowl is this weekend. Kentucky vs Vanderbilt!!
14) Vanderbilt (1-3) ‘
Last week rank: 14
Last week: L 48-34 vs 7) South Carolina
This week: at 13) Kentucky
Derek Mason was proud that his team came within 14 points of actually winning a game.
Game of the Week
Missouri at #19 South Carolina
Saturday, 7:00 ET, ESPN
This game was supposed to be a top-25 battle, until Missouri lost to a bad Indiana team at home. South Carolina comes in with momentum, with three straight wins after losing to Texas A&M. This game is still a big one though, and could determine the division champion. I break down the matchup that could shape the SEC East this season.
The Breakdown:
Mizzou was looking really good, until last week when they were stunned by Indiana. The Hoosiers had just come off of their loss to Bowling Green. Maty Mauk performed well, throwing for 326 yards and two TD’s, but it wasn’t enough in the loss. The Tiger defense had a hard time defending Tevin Coleman, who rushed for 132 yards, and overall, Dave Steckel’s defense allowed 493 total yards. The good news for Mizzou is that South Carolina’s defense hasn’t been looking too hot either. They’ve given up an average of 36 points per game so far this season, and their rushing defense has struggled. Both defenses will have a hard time containing the QB’s, Dylan Thompson and Maty Mauk. Whoever is able to contain the passing game has the big advantage in this matchup.
Prediction:
This is a must-win for both teams. If South Carolina loses, they will basically be eliminated from not only from the SEC East race, but playoff contention. If Mizzou loses, they will still have a slim chance for an SEC East title, but there playoff chances would be over with two loses. Missouri will be a challenge for SC at home. What I saw last Saturday is not the Mizzou I know. Gary Pinkel will get this team back on the right track, and they will be ready to face the Gamecocks. I like Missouri in this one simply because of Maty Mauk. He’s one of the most underrated QB’s in the country, and the way the South Carolina secondary has been playing, he should have a good day at the office. It will be a tight one, but Mizzou prevails in a high-scoring shootout.
Score: Missouri 37, #13 South Carolina 34
Other Games to Watch:
Tennessee at #12 Georgia
Arkansas at #6 Texas A&M
Upset Alert:
(Maybe) Arkansas over #6 Texas A&M
Twitter: @WScottCSM
