The Must-Watch SEC Games of Week 8

By Gabrielle McMillen @GabbyMcMillen on October 15, 2014

The teams that have been titans of the SEC for the past 10 years are falling, and unlikely teams that have eked by are suddenly in the top five (looking at you, Mississippi State and Ole Miss). AlabamaandTexas A&M are looking to remain SEC champion contenders as they go head-to-head this Saturday, while Kentucky looks to garner its second huge win of the season against LSU. Arkansas hopes to have its first SEC win in over a year as the Razorbacks take on Georgia. These are the must-watch SEC games of the week.

No. 21 Texas A&M vs. No. 7 Alabama

Alabama is used to being at the top. In recent years, Texas A&M has gotten quite comfortable being in the top 10. Now both teams are struggling, as evidenced by their past few games, and need to win this game to remain contenders for the SEC championship. Both teams’ quarterbacks have not been as stellar during the past couple of games. Kenny Hill has thrown seven interceptions this season, five of which occurred during losses to Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Blake Sims has only thrown for 1,480 yards compared to Hill’s 2,511 passing yards, and is barely completing half of his passes.

Obviously, Alabama’s talent lies further out in the field with Amari Cooper and Derrick Henry. Texas A&M has Myles Garrett, a freshman defensive end who has 7.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. He will have his eyes on Blake Sims and any running back he passes the ball to. Alabama has a slight edge with its defense, but this game can go either way.

No. 10 Georgia vs. Arkansas

Georgia is on a high this week. Not only did the Bulldogs shut out Missouri, but they have proven they can win without Todd Gurley. The Dawgs will travel without Gurley again to meet the Arkansas Razorbacks. Arkansas has had a rough season. Multiple close wins have dampened the Razorbacks’ spirit, reducing head coach Bret Bielema to tears after the agonizing loss to Alabama. The Razorbacks are ready to snap their 15-game SEC losing streak. To do that against the Bulldogs, they must optimize their running backs. Alex Collins, Johnathan Williams and Korliss Marshall are three of the best running backs in the country, which has given them the best rushing team in the SEC. Arkansas needs to be quicker and smarter than the Georgia defense, which held Missouri to only 50 rushing yards. It will be much easier said than done.

The tandem of Nick Chubb and Brandon Douglas are looking to prove themselves further with a repeat of last week’s rushing game. Arkansas needs to conserve its energy if it doesn’t want to be worn down as Mizzou was. The Bulldogs are a much better-rounded team with power on the offense and a good rushing defense. Arkansas’s offensive line must do a better job in protecting quarterback Brandon Allen so he can get the ball to one of the running backs. He was sacked four times last week. If that happens again, Georgia will win the game easily.

LSU vs. Kentucky

In most cases, it would be a no-brainer on which team would have won this contest. But LSU barely made it out of the Swamp with a 30-27 victory against the Florida Gators. Kentucky has surprised the SEC with a win against South Carolina and a 5-1 record. The last time the Wildcats defeated LSU was when the Tigers were No. 1 with an intense triple overtime victory in 2007. LSU needs to be aware of Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles, who has thrown for 1,541 yards and earned 10 touchdowns. With receiver Ryan Timmons by his side, Towles will make some explosive plays to throw the Tigers for a loop.

While LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings hasn’t been fantastic, he has great chemistry with Travin Dural, who has 626 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season. The Tiger’s run-defense amped itself up against Florida, but still needs to be wary of Towles and his receivers. Leonard Fournette’s rushing attack has been on par and he looks to blow past Kentucky’s defense. Both teams have key players on offense who can really have big plays. But LSU defensive backs such as Kwon Alexander and Roland Martin will be making a beeline for Towles. The Kentucky defense is doing well for itself, allowing 18.7 points per game with 11 interceptions, five fumble recoveries and 17 sacks. At this point, either team can take this victory home.