By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent
Alabama Week 4 recap
The Crimson Tide improved to 4-0 overall on Saturday with a 40-7 victory of Florida Atlantic. The floodgates opened on the fourth play of the game when A.J. McCarron hit Kenny Bell on an 85-yard touchdown pass, and the top-ranked Crimson Tide never looked back. Running back Eddie Lacy topped 100 yards on the ground for the first time this season, and he recorded all 106 yards in the first half. Kicker Cade Foster hit a career-long 52-yard field goal in the second quarter, his third 50-plus yard field goal this season. The Crimson Tide takes on the Ole Miss Rebels this Saturday.
Auburn Week 4 recap
Despite a valiant effort against No. 2 LSU, Auburn dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the SEC after a 12-10 loss on Saturday. LSU took an early 9-0 lead, but Auburn capitalized on a Zach Mettenberger fumble to close the gap to 9-7. Auburn took a 10-9 halftime lead, but the Tigers were unable to sustain that lead in the second half. LSU took the lead for good in the third quarter on a 30-yard field goal from Drew Alleman, and the Bayou Bengals shut down Auburn’s offense the rest of the way to secure the victory. Auburn has the week off before hosting Arkansas on Oct 6.
SEC Power Poll
1. Alabama (4-0, 1-0)
2. Georgia (4-0, 2-0)
3. LSU (4-0, 1-0)
4. South Carolina (4-0, 2-0)
5. Florida (4-0, 3-0)
6. Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0)
7. Texas A&M (2-1, 0-1)
8. Tennessee (3-1, 0-1)
9. Missouri (2-2, 0-2)
10. Auburn (1-3, 0-2)
11. Ole Miss (3-1, 0-0)
12. Arkansas (1-3, 0-1)
13. Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-2)
14. Kentucky (1-3, 0-1)
Week 5 Predictions (Week 4: 9-1; season: 38-5)
Ole Miss at Alabama (-29.5)
Ole Miss has already surpassed its win total from a season ago, but the Rebels have yet to beat a team from a BCS conference. Alabama has won eight straight meetings between the two teams, including a 52-7 rout last season in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Look for the Crimson Tide to roll through the Rebels on Saturday. ALABAMA 45, Ole Miss 10
Arkansas at Texas A&M (-13.5)
Earlier this month, Arkansas was ranked in the top 10. The Hogs are now 1-3 and have yet to record a victory over a FBS opponent. The Aggies are 2-1 and still looking for their first SEC victory. Look for quarterback Johnny Manziel to lead his Aggies to victory in a shootout. TEXAS A&M 41, Arkansas 31
Tennessee at Georgia (-13.5)
Derek Dooley is still looking for a signature victory as Tennessee head coach, but his Vols keep coming up short in big games. Meanwhile, Mark Richt and his Georgia Bulldogs have rolled through their early schedule, and the Dawgs should have defensive playmakers Alec Olgetree and Bacarri Rambo back from suspension. Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones has been arguably the best defender in the nation thus far. Look for him to put pressure on Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray. GEORGIA 38, Tennessee 20
South Carolina at Kentucky (+21)
Joker Phillips desperately needs a big win. The Wildcats are 1-3, and Phillips has been rumored to be on the hot seat in Lexington. A win over Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks just might temporarily quiet those rumors. However, look for Connor Shaw and Marcus Lattimore to run wild over the ‘Cats on Saturday. SOUTH CAROLINA 37, Kentucky 13
Other SEC games
MISSOURI (+3) 31, Central Florida 23
LSU 52, Towson 3
Extra Points
* Arkansas receiver Cobi Hamilton set an SEC single-game record with 303 receiving yards in the Razorbacks’ 35-26 loss to Rutgers on Saturday.
* Tennessee and Georgia will meet for the 40th time overall when they meet Saturday in Athens. The Volunteers lead the series 20-17-2.
* Auburn has lost three games before the month of October for the first time in school history.
* Alabama’s defense went nearly 13 quarters without allowing a point before Florida Atlantic scored in the 4th quarter last Saturday.
* With its win over Auburn over the weekend, LSU extended its regular season winning streak to 17 games, currently the longest in the country.
* LSU also has a 20-game home winning streak, and Les Miles is 30-0 in regular season non-conference game as LSU head coach.
* Florida defeated Kentucky, 38-0, last Saturday, and the Gators extended its winning streak over the Wildcats to 26 games.
* The SEC has four teams ranked in the top 6: Alabama (1), LSU (3), Georgia (5), and South Carolina (6).