The SEC is all set to kick off week 4 of their season. This weekend will look a little different as multiple games have been postponed for the first time this season. Vanderbilt vs Missouri and LSU vs Florida have both been rescheduled due to COVID-19.
SEC Standings
Just two undefeated teams remain in the SEC with Georgia in the East and Alabama in the West. Formerly undefeated Tennessee and Florida both fell to ranked opponents.
Just one team is still winless, a shorthanded Vanderbilt team lost big to Will Muschamp’s South Carolina squad. It was the Gamecocks first win of the season. Missouri and Kentucky both picked up their first wins of the season as well.
The AP ranked six teams this week. LSU fell from the rankings after their setback against Missouri. Texas A&M is the only team that rose in the rankings after they knocked off then No.4 Florida. The Gators dropped down to No.10 after the loss.
Several teams are receiving votes. Ole Miss after an impressive showing against Alabama is receiving six votes. LSU dropped out of the rankings but still has five votes. And Missouri has two votes after the big win against LSU.
The day kicked off with a big ranked matchup. No.4 Florida travelled to No.21 Texas A&M to play in front of a decent sized crowd at Kyle Field. The game featured little defense as was the theme all weekend within the SEC. There were 945 total yards as the Aggies were to hit a field goal as time expired and win 41-38.
Arkansas and Auburn was a thriller that went into the final seconds of the game. Arkansas clawed all the way back after going down 17-0 and held on to a 28-27 lead in the final minute. A controversial play by Auburn kept Arkansas from getting the win though, as Auburn hit the go ahead field goal and won 30-28. The SEC later made a statement addressing the officiating.
The final game of the night was a back and forth offensive battle between Alabama and Ole Miss. The Rebels took the Crimson Tide down to the final minutes, pulling to 49-45 with seven minutes left. The Ole Miss defense couldn’t hold though as Alabama scored two more times for the 63-48 win.
Several new SEC records were set in the game. For a non-overtime game it was the most combined points scored (111), the most combined yards (1,370) and the most total touchdowns (15) in a game. The Ole Miss defense stopped Alabama from scoring just two times throughout the game.
Auburn versus South Carolina kicks off the day. The Tigers have never lost to the Gamecocks since Carolina joined the conference in 1991. South Carolina is coming off an easy week against Vanderbilt while Auburn barely scraped a win against Arkansas.
This game could shape up to be closer than expected. Though South Carolina is only 1-2, they played both Tennessee and Florida very well in their losses. Auburn has looked slow on offense so far this season. This game is definitely a trap game for Gus Malzahn and the Tigers.
Prediction: Auburn 20, South Carolina 23
Kentucky has won just twice against Tennessee since 1984. (Photo by aseaofblue.com).
This is another matchup that looks to be closely contended. Kentucky got their first win of the season last week with an impressive defensive performance against Mississippi State. The struggle comes on the offensive side as the Wildcats were only able to amass 157 total yards.
Tennessee meanwhile jumped out to an early lead on Georgia and took a 21-17 lead into halftime. The second half was all Bulldogs however and Tennessee failed to score. The Volunteers offense ran into the brick wall of Georgia but should have more success this week as they have in their first two games.
Prediction: Kentucky 17, Tennessee 28
Both teams are coming off of promising games from a week ago. Arkansas feels snubbed on what looked like a win for them. Ole Miss went toe to toe with one of the best teams in the nation.
The problem that remains for the Rebels is a complete lack of defense. They rank last or near last in all defensive categories. While the offense might be one of the best in the country, this game could still be very close as Arkansas has shown they can move the ball effectively this season.
Prediction: Ole Miss 49, Arkansas 42
Aggie runningback Isaiah Spiller ran for 174 yards and two touchdowns in the win. (Photo by usatoday.com).
The Mike Leach experience saw its second disastrous week last week after a promising start. The Bulldogs passed the ball 70 times but were unable to score a touchdown, an NCAA first. Their quarterbacks threw six interceptions and was disastrous all night.
On the other side Texas A&M found their stride against Florida. After going down 28-17 in the third quarter the Aggies doubled down and brought it all the way back for the win. Isaiah Spiller received a season high 27 carries and was the difference in the second half.
The Bulldogs have done well against the run this season. They held run heavy Kentucky to just 84 yards on the ground and 2.6 yards per carry. The problem will come on the offensive side. If the Mike Leach offense that played against LSU shows up, the Aggies could be in a tight one. Until the wheels start turning again however, the Bulldogs are in for a long season.
Prediction: Texas A&M 30, Mississippi State 10
The biggest game of the night is Georgia and Alabama. It is the first meeting since the SEC Championship game in 2018.
Georgia comes in with one of the best defenses in the country. They’ve allowed the SEC’s best 37 points this season, 31 points less than the next lowest defense. The offensive side might take a while to get going in some games but has been effective nonetheless. It’s a well balanced offense that wears defenses down all game long.
Alabama’s offense on the other hand also might be one of the best in the country. They also lead the SEC with the most points scored, 28 points higher than the next most. The difference will come on the defensive side. The Crimson Tide got blasted last week against Ole Miss and will need to have a turnaround against Georgia to get the win.
Prediction: Georgia 27, Alabama 31
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