By Cole Frederick
Alabama Week 6 Review
Alabama’s defense forced five Arkansas turnovers en route to a 49-30 road win on Saturday (Oct. 8). Jalen Hurts completed 13 of 17 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while adding two more scores on the ground. Damien Harris carried the ball 13 times for 122 yards and caught two passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted three times by Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, who returned one of the interceptions over 100 yards for a touchdown. Alabama (6-0, 3-0) travels to Knoxville to take on Tennessee this Saturday (Oct. 15).
Auburn Week 6 Review
The Tigers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in a 38-14 road victory over Mississippi State last weekend. Kamryn Pettway carried the ball 39 times for 169 yards and three touchdowns, and the Tigers outgained the Bulldogs 432-289. Sean White completed 14 of his 18 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Auburn led 35-0 at the half. The Tigers have the week off before they host Arkansas next Saturday (Oct. 22).
SEC football rankings
1. Alabama (6-0, 3-0)
2. Texas A&M (6-0, 4-0)
3. Tennessee (5-1, 2-1)
4. Ole Miss (3-2, 1-1)
5. Auburn (4-2, 2-1)
6. Florida (4-1, 2-1)
7. LSU (3-2, 2-1)
8. Arkansas (4-2, 0-2)
9. Georgia (4-2, 2-2)
10. Kentucky (3-3, 2-2)
11. Mississippi State (2-3, 1-2)
12. South Carolina (2-4, 1-4)
13. Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-3)
14. Missouri (2-3, 0-3)
Week 7 Previews and Predictions
Week 6: 4-1; season: 47-9
Game of the Week
Alabama at Tennessee (+12.5). Nick Saban is undefeated against Tennessee since becoming Alabama’s head coach in 2007. The Crimson Tide have won nine straight in the series and are catching the Volunteers at the perfect time. Tennessee is fresh off of its first loss of the season – a 45-38 double overtime thriller at Texas A&M – and are banged up on both sides of the ball. The Volunteers already ended a losing streak to Florida earlier in the year, but they will come up just short for the 10th straight season against their rival from the SEC West Division. Prediction: Alabama 31, Tennessee 20.
Mississippi State at BYU (-7).* The Bulldogs are in jeopardy of missing a bowl game for the first time since 2009. While Dan Mullen’s team is only 2-3, the schedule only becomes more daunting for the rest of the season. BYU defeated Michigan State on the road last week, while the Bulldogs submitted a lackluster performance in a 38-14 loss against Auburn. Prediction: BYU 30, Mississippi State 24.
Missouri at Florida (-13.5). Florida’s game against LSU was cancelled last week, and it is unclear when it will be rescheduled. After Tennessee’s loss to Texas A&M, the Gators now have a chance to recapture the lead in the SEC East if the Volunteers lose again. Missouri nearly knocked off Georgia in its first SEC game of the season, and this should be a defensive struggle. Prediction: Florida 23, Missouri 10.
Southern Mississippi at LSU (-25.5). LSU looked vastly improved in its one game under interim coach Ed Orgeron, and technically the Tigers are still in the mix in the SEC West. Sou-thern Miss already has defeated one SEC team this year in Kentucky, but likely don’t have the firepower to keep up with LSU. Prediction: LSU 45, Southern Miss 17.
Ole Miss at Arkansas (7.5). The Razorbacks have gotten the better of the Re-bels the last two years, including last season’s 53-52 overtime shootout in Oxford. Ole Miss had an extra week to prepare for the Hogs, while Arkansas suffered a 49-30 home loss to Alabama last Saturday. The Rebels are still alive in the SEC despite an early loss to the Crimson Tide but can’t afford another loss in the West Division. Prediction: Ole Miss 37, Arkansas 31.
Vanderbilt at Georgia (-14.5). The Commodores have had chances to win all three conference games they’ve played thus far but lost each game by seven points or less. The offense has struggled to reach the end zone, and ‘Dores are likely going to miss out on a bowl game yet again. The Bulldogs have won the last two meetings between the schools. Prediction: Georgia 27, Vanderbilt 12.
*game on Oct. 14