Alabama Week 6 Review
Alabama lost its first game of the season last weekend against Ole Miss in Oxford. Despite leading 14-3 at halftime, the Crimson Tide lost 23-17. The Rebels took advantage of two missed field goals by Alabama kicker Adam Griffith, and quarterback Blake Sims was intercepted on the Tide’s final possession. Sims was outplayed by Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace, and the Rebel defense shut down the Crimson Tide offense in the second half. With the loss, Alabama fell to 4-1 on the season and 1-1 in SEC play. Alabama travels to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas this Saturday (Oct. 11).
Auburn Week 6 Review
The Tigers finally displayed how dominant they can be this year in a 41-7 rout of LSU. The Auburn offense was nearly unstoppable in the first half. Quarterback Nick Marshall threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns, and he also ran for 119 yards and two more touchdowns. However, the Auburn defense was even more impressive. The Tigers held LSU to only 280 yards and 0-13 on third downs. Auburn improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play. The Tigers travel to Starkville to take on Mississippi State this Saturday in a huge SEC West showdown.
SEC Rankings
1. Auburn (5-0, 2-0)
2. Mississippi State (5-0, 2-0)
3. Ole Miss (5-0, 2-0)
4. Alabama (4-1, 1-1)
5. Georgia (4-1, 2-1)
6. TexasA&M (5-1, 2-1)
7. Missouri (4-0, 1-0)
8. Arkansas (3-2, 0-2)
9. LSU (4-2, 0-2)
10. Florida (3-1, 2-1)
11. Kentucky (4-1, 2-1)
12. South Carolina (3-3, 2-3)
13. Tennessee (2-3, 0-2)
14. Vanderbilt (1-5, 0-4)
Week 7 Previews and Predictions
Week 6: 3-3; Season: 47-7
Saturday, October 11
Louisiana-Monroe at Kentucky (-21.5). The Wildcats are one play away from being the only undefeated team in the SEC East. Even with its loss to Florida, Kentucky is much further along than anyone anticipated entering this season. Last week’s win over South Ca-rolina was the biggest of Mark Stoops’ coaching career. The Wildcats should pick up another win this Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe. Prediction: Kentucky 45, Louisiana-Monroe 17.
Georgia at Missouri (+3). The winner of this matchup has won the SEC East the last two seasons, and that trend could easily continue this year. Georgia has already lost one divisional game already, and another loss could knock them out the race for a SEC title. Prediction: Georgia 41, Missouri 34.
Chattanooga at Tennessee (-26). The Volunteers’ loss to Florida was extremely disappointing. Tennessee’s chances of reaching a bowl game are slipping away. Prediction: Tennessee 42, Chattanooga 9.
Alabama at Arkansas (+10.5). Although Arkansas has already lost twice this season, this could be a tricky game for the Crimson Tide following last week’s loss to Ole Miss. This trip to Fayetteville is sandwiched between the Ole Miss game and next week’s showdown against Texas A&M, and Nick Saban’s Alabama teams are only 3-10 against the spread in the game following a loss. Prediction: Alabama 38, Arkansas 28.
LSU at Florida (+2.5). Not too long ago, this was one of the SEC’s marquee games each season. Now, both the Gators and the Tigers are struggling to remain relevant in the nation’s toughest conference. Each team has experienced offensive woes this season and the defenses haven’t been much better. This is a must win for the Gators if they wish to stay alive in the East Division race. Prediction: LSU 13, Florida 10.
Charleston Southern at Vanderbilt. This is one of the few chances Vanderbilt has remaining to win a game this year. Prediction: Vanderbilt 33, Charleston Southern 13.
Ole Miss at Texas A&M (-2.5). The Rebels had one of the biggest wins in school history last weekend against Alabama, and for an encore they get another ranked SEC West foe this Saturday. Texas A&M had a lackluster performance at Mississippi State, but a win over Ole Miss puts them right back in the mix in the SEC West. Prediction: Texas A&M 38, Ole Miss 27.
Game of the Week
Auburn at Mississippi State (+3). The Tigers and the Bulldogs currently are the best two teams in college football. They each have similar styles of play that includes mobile quarterbacks and run-stopping defenses. Dak Prescott has emerged as a Heisman candidate for Mississippi State and Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall isn’t far behind. If Auburn is going to knock off the Bulldogs on the road, Marshall has to throw the ball accurately and the Tigers must take advantage of their receiving weapons on the perimeter. Duke Williams and Sammie Coates are big, physical receivers that have the ability to make big plays throughout the course of the game. Mississippi State can limit Auburn’s running game, so the passing attack must be in sync for the Tigers. Prediction: Auburn 31, Mississippi State 27.