Nonconference season is finally over. Say goodbye to Sun Belt blowouts and hello to real tackle football.
This week’s Southeastern Conference games feature six interconference games, including huge matchups like LSU-Auburn, Texas A&M-Mississippi State and Alabama-Ole Miss. If those games are anything like the ones played last weekend, it’s going to be one hell of a Saturday.
1. Alabama, Prev. 1 (4-0, 1-0 SEC)
The Crimson Tide were on a bye last week, but there was no need to convince anyone after they demolished Florida the week before.
Frankly, Alabama isn’t getting enough national respect — it’s still ranked third in the AP poll despite outperforming the teams ahead of it, Florida State and Oregon. While the Tide trample opponents, the Seminoles and Ducks have struggled against Washington State and N.C. State.
Alabama plays Ole Miss this Saturday in Oxford, and a win there should be enough to vault up to No. 1. The Tide don’t have Heisman contenders like Florida State or Oregon, but it is still the most complete team.
2. Auburn, Prev. 4 (4-0, 1-0 SEC)
Auburn woke up from the nightmare it had the week before against Kansas State. A sad Louisiana Tech team was the unfortunate soul standing in its way.
Auburn tallied up 254 rushing yards in a 45-17 blowout against La. Tech on Saturday. Senior receiver Quan Bray was the most impressive, who touched the ball five times in the game but still scored three touchdowns.
Auburn’s 45-21 win to start the season against Arkansas looks better after the Hogs came minutes away from beating Texas A&M. Auburn won that game even with starting quarterback Nick Marshall suspended for the first half, so I’d be weary of underestimating this team.
3. Mississippi State, Prev. 3 (4-0, 1-0 SEC)
State fans got a week of preparation for what is probably one of the bigger events in the history of Starkville, Mississippi.
MSU hosts Texas A&M, a team that embarrassed the Bulldogs the last time it came to Davis Wade Stadium. But coach Dan Mullen finally has a marquee win behind him, and junior quarterback Dak Prescott’s potential is at an all-time high.
This could be the best Mississippi State team in decades, and a win would be the perfect step forward.
4. Texas A&M, Prev. 2 (5-0, 2-0 SEC)
It was only a matter of time before the Aggies found a team that could slow them down. They just probably didn’t expect it to happen against the only team in the SEC West not ranked nationally.
Texas A&M faced everything it could handle against Arkansas, but it still pulled out a win in overtime, and that says something. Now the Aggies have that scare behind them, they must refocus as SEC play continues.
5. Georgia, Prev. 6 (3-1, 1-1 SEC)
If junior running back Todd Gurley stays healthy the entire season, he needs to win the Heisman. It’s that simple.
Gurley had another dominating performance, rushing for 208 yards and two touchdowns in 35-32 win against Tennessee, a win UGA desperately needed. Gurley has now become a lock to deliver at least two plays a game that will make you stand up and contemplate reality.
Lowly Vanderbilt goes up against Gurley this Saturday, and I’m saying 20 Hail Marys for those Commodore defenders.
6. Ole Miss, Prev. 5 (4-0, 1-0 SEC)
The Rebels continued their walk through cupcake city with a home game against Memphis. This time they mixed things up by not closing out the game until the fourth quarter.
Ole Miss ended up beating Memphis, 24-3, but senior quarterback Bo Wallace can’t hold on to the ball. Wallace and the Rebel offense must be cautious if they want to pull an upset against Alabama this week.
7. LSU, Prev. 8 (4-1, 0-1 SEC)
Freshman quarterback Brandon Harris earned the starting position last week. His reward is having his first start take place in a wild Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Les Miles credited Harris for freelancing and improvising plays, and that will be important against Auburn. A raucous crowd could affect the play calls, so Harris may have to rely on his feet and creativity more often than usual.
8. Missouri, Prev. 12 (4-1, 1-0 SEC)
This Mizzou team really enjoys messing with logic. A loss at home to Indiana isn’t typically followed with a road win against a ranked opponent.
That’s exactly what happened when Missouri scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat South Carolina, 21-20, in Columbia. Mizzou’s defense suddenly looked competent and kept the game alive so the comeback could occur.
Missouri’s next matchup is a home game against Georgia in two weeks, and the result literally could go 25 different ways.
9. South Carolina, Prev. 7 (3-2, 2-2 SEC)
Steve Spurrier is 69 years old and has been a coach for 30 of them. For his health, the Gamecocks need to quit it with these close games.
USC has looked erratic since its win against Georgia, and that doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season. Games at Auburn and Clemson are going to be difficult if the Gamecocks’ struggles continue.
10. Arkansas, Prev. 9 (3-2, 0-2 SEC)
Keep your heads up, Hogs fans. You played the perfect game for 58 minutes against Texas A&M, you just didn’t know how to close it out at the end.
The win is a great sign for what coach Bret Bielema is building. A stout run game is already in place and his defense looks much better than last season.
11. Tennessee, Prev. 10 (2-2, 0-1 SEC)
The more this Tennessee team plays the more impressive it looks. The Volunteers were a Todd Gurley exhibition away from stealing a win in Athens, Georgia.
The youth on this team is becoming more accustomed to its roles every week. Freshman running back Jalen Hurd and sophomore receiver Marquez North could be stars by the end of the season.
12. Kentucky, Prev. 13 (3-1, 1-1 SEC)
Kentucky officially crawled out of the cellar last Saturday with its 17-7 win against Vanderbilt in Lexington. Wildcats fans can walk the streets again and proudly say to strangers, “We are only slightly mediocre.”
In news far more important news to those in the Bluegrass State, Kentucky’s Midnight Madness event is almost two weeks away. Get your Willie Cauley-Stein jerseys while they’re cheap.
13. Florida, Prev. 11 (2-1, 1-1 SEC)
The Gators had a bye week, so junior quarterback Jeff Driskel probably had plenty of time to sit and think about how terrible he is.
14. Vanderbilt, Prev. 14 (1-4, 0-3 SEC)
At least Vanderbilt fans can go back and remember when their baseball team won the College World Series in June. In fact, there’s a good chance the baseball team gets another win before the football team does.
Tommy Romanach is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Dallas, Texas.