SEC Week 6: Divisional Implications, Gators’ Gauntlet Continues
Six games feature SEC teams this week with two featuring two ranked teams facing each other. The East and West divisional pictures could become a little clearer after this week and top ranked LSU faces another ranked foe. On to the games.
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. UAB Blazers
The interesting part about this game is it’s being played in Birmingham at the Blazers home field. That’s about as interesting as the game should get, unless Dan Mullen’s Bulldogs have given up on their season. UAB is 0-4 on the season, while the Bulldogs could even up their record at 3-3 with a win. I like their chances. Miss St. 49, UAB 10.
Kentucky Wildcats vs. #18 South Carolina Gamecocks
An inconsistent Gamecock team is coming off a loss to an inconsistent Auburn team. The cure that ails your team? The Kentucky Wildcats. Their terrible on offense, but respectable on defense. The big story here is QB Stephen Garcia is out as the starter, and Connor Shaw is in. It shouldn’t really matter either way because they should just hand the ball to RB Marcus Lattimore all day and occasionally toss the ball to standout WR Alshon Jeffrey. ‘Cocks cruise in the matchup, 48 to 7.
#17 Florida Gators vs. #1 LSU Tigers
This is where the SEC scheduling gets interesting. Florida comes in as two touchdown underdogs against a battle-tested LSU team. The Tigers Tyrann Mathieu may be the favorite for the Heisman right now. Florida faced a stingy Alabama defense last week and they face an equally tough LSU defense this week. And they’re without their starting quarterback John Brantley, forcing true freshman Jeff Driskel into the starting role. There’s more on this matchup here, but Tigers take care of the Gators, 28-7.
#15 Auburn Tigers vs. #10 Arkansas Razorbacks
This is probably the most intriguing matchup of the day. Both teams are coming off impressive wins – Auburn against South Carolina and Arkansas against Texas A&M. Both offenses are the strength of their teams. The defenses have been carved up a little this season, so this game could also be the most interesting game in the SEC. Not to mention, the winner of this game has a darkhorse chance to take the SEC West. The Tigers have lost so much from a year ago, but they’ve grown throughout the season. The Razorbacks came back from an embarrassing loss to Alabama to beat the Aggies in comeback fashion. This game is played in Fayetteville. I’ve liked the Razorbacks from the beginning and it’s no different in this game. Hogs in a shootout 56-49.
Vanderbilt Commodores vs. #2 Alabama Crimson Tide
The Commodores have played well this season, especially on defense where they’ve been creating turnovers like crazy. But their offense just isn’t up to snuff and have squandered a lot of opportunities their defense has given them. Alabama is coming off another impressive showing against Florida in Gainesville. As long as the Crimson Tide hold on the the ball, they’ll have no problem in this one. Tide 35, ‘Dores 9.
Georgia Bulldogs vs. Tennessee Volunteers
This game is huge in terms of the SEC East. The winner could represent the East in Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Both teams feature highly touted quarterbacks in Georgia’s Aaron Murray and Tennessee’s Tyler Bray. I like Bray better because he has an excellent receiver in Da’Rick Rogers. RB Isaiah Crowell has been pretty good for the Bulldogs so far, but the key to this game is Volunteers RB Tauren Poole. And I think he has a big day due to injuries on UGA’s defense. Final score, Vols 28, Dawgs 24.
Like the column? Hate the column? Feel free to comment or hit me up on Twitter @GatorBK.
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