Auburn Week 9 recap
Texas A&M entered Jordan-Hare Stadium for the first time ever last Saturday (Oct. 27), and the Aggies dominated Auburn every phase of the game. Quarterback Johnny Manziel and the Aggie offense scored 28 points before the Tigers registered a first down. Auburn trailed 42-7 at the half, and the Aggies went on to defeat the Tigers 63-21. Auburn fell to 1-7 overall and 0-6 in the SEC. The Tigers will welcome the New Mexico State Aggies to Jordan-Hare on Saturday.
Alabama Week 9 recap
The Crimson Tide do-minated Mississippi State, 38-7, last Saturday (Oct. 27) in Bryant-Denny Stadium. A.J. McCarron threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns to lead the top-ranked Crimson Tide offense. Alabama’s defense forced three Mississippi State turnovers, and the Crimson Tide played yet another mistake-free game. Alabama improved to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the SEC. The Crimson Tide will travel to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers this Saturday.
SEC Power Poll
1. Alabama (8-0, 5-0)
2. Georgia (7-1, 5-1)
3. Florida (7-1, 6-1)
4. LSU (7-1, 3-1)
5. South Carolina (7-2, 5-2)
6. Mississippi State (7-1, 3-1)
7. Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2)
8. Ole Miss (5-3, 2-2)
9. Vanderbilt (4-4, 2-3)
10. Tennessee (3-5, 0-5)
11. Arkansas (3-5, 2-3)
12. Missouri (4-4, 1-4)
13. Auburn (1-7, 0-6)
14. Kentucky (1-8, 0-6)
Predictions
(Week 9: 5-2, season: 64-11)
New Mexico State
at Auburn (-22.5)
At this point in the season, the Tigers cannot afford to take any team for granted. True freshman quarterback Jonathan Wallace will make his first career start on Saturday, and Auburn will need Wallace to provide a spark for the Tigers’ putrid offense. AUBURN 37, New Mexico State 20
Troy at Tennessee (-18.5) Weekly Derek Dooley hot seat update: Tennessee has started 0-5 in the SEC for the third consecutive season, and the Vols’ postseason chances are in serious jeopardy. The good news for Dooley is that Tennessee’s November schedule is very manageable. Dooley might need to win out to keep his job, and a loss at home against Troy might seal his fate. TENNESSEE 45, Troy 20
Tulsa at Arkansas (-7) The Razorbacks’ aspirations of making a bowl game took a serious hit last Saturday. Arkansas lost to Ole Miss, 30-27, on a last second field goal, and the Hogs now stand at 3-5 overall. While a bowl game might be out of reach, the Razorbacks still have the firepower to pull off an upset down the stretch. ARKANSAS 45, Tulsa 38
Vanderbilt at Kentucky (+7) – If Vanderbilt is going to make a bowl game for the second consecutive season, the Commodores must beat Kentucky this weekend. Vandy’s remaining schedule is very favorable, but this game is a must-win. VANDERBILT 27, Kentucky 17
Ole Miss at Georgia (-14) – Ole Miss has probably been the biggest surprise in the SEC. First-year head coach Hugh Freeze has the Rebels one win away from going bowling. Georgia is coming off of a huge win over Florida, and if the Bulldogs can beat Ole Miss and Auburn, they will represent the East in Atlanta for the SEC Championship. The Rebels’ fast-paced offense might give the Dawgs some trouble initially, but look for Georgia to pull away in the second half. GEORGIA 38, Ole Miss 20
Missouri at Florida (-16) – After a disappointing loss to Georgia, Will Muschamp’s Gators have to avoid a letdown this week against Missouri. Florida still could reach a BCS bowl if they win out, but a loss to Missouri would end those chances. FLORIDA 34, Missouri 10
Texas A&M at Mississippi State (+6.5) – Both Mississippi State and Texas A&M are already bowl eligible, and this game likely will determine third place in the SEC West. The Aggies are explosive on offense, and the Bulldogs might have a hard time containing Manziel. Texas A&M is 4-0 on the road, and Mississippi State is 5-0 at home. TEXAS A&M 34, Mississippi State 31
Game of the Week
Alabama at LSU (+9.5) – A year ago, LSU escaped Bryant-Denny Stadium with a 9-6 overtime victory over Alabama. Two months later, the Crimson Tide dominated the Tigers, 21-0, in the BCS National Championship. The two heavyweights square off on Saturday with national title implications on the line yet again. Alabama has unquestionably been the best team in the country this season, and while LSU is ranked 5th in the BCS, the Tigers have struggled all year. LSU has won 22 straight home games. In fact, the last team to defeat LSU in Tiger Stadium was Tim Tebow’s Florida Gators in 2009. Tiger Stadium is even more frightening at night for opponents. However, if there is any team who can endure that hostile environment, it’s this Alabama team. LSU’s defense will keep the Tigers in the game for the first half, but look for Alabama to dominate the line of scrimmage in the second half. Alabama is the better all-around team, and the Crimson Tide has Nick Saban, the best coach in college football. ALABAMA 27, Louisiana State 10
Extra Points
The SEC has five teams ranked in the top eight of the BCS standings – Alabama (1), LSU (5), Georgia (6), Florida (7) and South Carolina (8).
Auburn allowed 63 points against Texas A&M on Saturday, which is the most points ever scored by an opposing team in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Jonathan Wallace will be the fourth quarterback to start for Auburn in the Tigers’ last 10 games. The others are Barrett Trotter, Kiehl Frazier and Clint Moseley.
Ole Miss has won back-to-back SEC games for the first time since 2009.
This will be the 77th meeting between Alabama and LSU. Alabama leads the series, 46-25-5.