The SEC has wrapped up Week 7 and we’re starting to get seperation in both divisions. We appear to be on a collision course for Georgia and Alabama to meet again in Atlanta but we have a few programs jostling to take advantage of a slip up.
1. Georgia 7-0 (4-0)
Georgia stays number one but a week after looking like an unstoppable force against Kentucky the Bulldogs beat Vanderbilt on the road 37-20 but the game wasn’t that close, as they outgained Vandy 552-219 but a couple of turnovers gave Vandy at least one score that made it appear closer. The Bulldogs still haven’t really played anyone remotely capable of beating them and probably won’t until they get to the SEC Championship Game.
Georgia now enters their bye week as they prepare for the homestretch.
2. Alabama 6-1 (4-0)
11th ranked Alabama survived a desperate Arkansas team at home 24-21. The Tide seemed in control up 24-6 in the 3rd quarter, but a sputtering offense gave Arkansas life. Jalen Milroe was sacked 5 times but he avoided any crushing turnovers and it allowed Alabama to survive. The OL not being able to protect Milroe is a serious issue and at this point I’m not sure it gets better.
Up next, Alabama is at home in the Third Saturday in October rivalry against 17th ranked Tennessee. This will be the 3:30pm ET CBS game.
3. Ole Miss 5-1 (2-1)
The 13th ranked Rebels were on a bye week and are back in action on the road against Auburn. The game kicks off at 7pm ET on ESPN. The Rebels still have an outside shot of winning the SEC West but probably can’t afford to lose again.
4. LSU 5-2 (4-1)
19th ranked LSU blitzed Auburn at home 48-18. The Tigers put up 563 yards of offense but most encouragingly they didn’t allow a bad offensive team to run wild. Auburn is so bad it might not matter but we have at least found the floor for the LSU defense.
Up next LSU steps out of the SEC and welcomes Army to Tiger Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:30pm ET on the SECN.
5. Tennessee 5-1 (2-1)
17th ranked Tennessee held off Texas A&M at home 20-13. There were red flags galore as Joe Milton could only muster 100 yards through the air. Luckily Jaylen Wright and the running game was in sync as they rushed for 232 yards as a team. Defensively they took advantage of a floundering A&M offense picking off Max Johnson twice.
Up next for the Vols is a road trip to Tuscaloosa.
6. Missouri 6-1 (2-1)
Missouri went on the road and watched Kentucky implode and ran away with a 38-21 win. Some worrying signs that Brady Cook and Luther Burden III were held in check, but a ballsy fake punt saved the game for the Tigers. Credit to them for not doing anything to disrupt the Kentucky meltdown and taking the gift.
The 20th ranked Tigers welcome South Carolina to Columbia, MO this Saturday. The game kicks off at 3:30pm ET on the SECN.
7. Florida 5-2 (3-1)
Florida found themselves in a shoot-out against South Carolina but scored with 47 seconds left and won 41-39 in Columbia. Graham Mertz threw for 423 yards and 3 TD but the defensive performance left a lot to be desired. Billy Napier
That was essentially a must-win game for Billy Napier and the Gators now enter the bye week.
8. Texas A&M 4-3 (2-2)
Texas A&M continues to disappoint losing on the road to Tennessee 20-13. Losing on the road in the SEC isn’t a mortal sin but Jimbo is going to have to win one or two of these kind of games at some point. The A&M defense did a good job keeping the Tennessee offense in check but conservative game management and bad QB play haunts the Aggies again.
Texas A&M now enters the bye week looking for any optimism.
9. Arkansas 2-5 (0-4)
Arkansas’ brutal 5-game stretch finally came to an end this past week with a 24-21 loss on the road to Alabama. The Razorbacks are not a particularly good football team, but they compete their socks off. Defensively they stymied Alabama and had two outstanding drives on offense in the 2nd half to give themselves a chance.
Arkansas finally returns home (they haven’t played a home game since 9/16) with Mississippi State coming to Fayetteville. The game kicks off at noon ET on ESPN.
10. Kentucky 5-2 (2-2)
Kentucky absolutely embarrassed themselves this weekend with a 38-21 loss at home to Missouri. After jumping out to a 14-0 first quarter lead the Wildcats melted and literally just handed the game to Missouri with penalties, bad drops, and miscommunication. The Wildcats don’t have an offensive identity and they are soft. Consequently, things could unravel quickly if Mark Stoops doesn’t find an answer during the bye week.
11. South Carolina 2-4 (1-3)
The Gamecocks lost what was a must-win blowing a 10-point 4th quarter lead at home to Florida, 41-39. Spencer Rattler put up impressive numbers, but it still didn’t lead to actual wins and now South Carolina is free-falling. If Shane Beamer wants to make a bowl he probably needs to beat a hot Missouri team this weekend on the road.
12. Mississippi State 3-3 (0-3)
The Bulldogs were on a bye this week and now head to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas.
13. Auburn 3-3 (0-3)
Auburn was blown out by LSU 48-18 and there wasn’t much positive. The Tigers still can’t throw the ball despite facing an LSU defense that can’t cover anyone only mustering 154 passing yards 52 of it came from the back-up QB going against LSU backups). Things don’t really get easier next week either as they welcome Ole Miss to Jordan-Hare Stadium.
14. Vanderbilt 2-6 (0-4)
Vanderbilt once again competed before losing 37-20 to Georgia. It’s becoming clear teams are treating Vanderbilt like they do MAC teams they play in the non-conference but credit to Vandy for bringing it every week. Unfortunately for them they just don’t have enough talent.
Vandy thankfully enters their bye week.
