Alabama Week 7 Review
Despite a sluggish performance, Alabama defeated Arkansas, 14-13, in Fayetteville last Saturday. The Crimson Tide needed several late defensive stands to hold off the Razorbacks, and a Landon Collins interception finally sealed the game late in the fourth quarter. Offensively, the Tide struggled throughout most of the game in rushing for only 66 yards. Blake Sims threw for 181 yards and two scores. Defensively, Alabama held Arkansas to only 89 yards, which is a season-low for the Hogs. The Crimson Tide improved to 5-1 overall on the season and 2-1 in SEC play. Alabama returns home to take on Texas A&M this Saturday (Oct. 18).
Auburn Week 7 Review
The Tigers suffered their first loss of the season to Mississippi State, 38-23. It was Auburn’s worst performance of the season on both sides of the ball. The Tigers turned the ball over on their first two plays of offense, and Mississippi State took an early 21-0 lead. Auburn made the game close in the second half, but Bulldog quarterback Dak Prescott made several key plays late to put the game away. Nick Marshall threw for 209 yards and two scores but he also threw two interceptions. Marshall also ran for 100 yards. The Tigers dropped to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in league play. Auburn has an off week before welcoming South Carolina to Jordan-Hare Stadium next Saturday (Oct. 25).
SEC rankings
1. Mississippi State (6-0, 3-0)
2. Ole Miss (6-0, 3-0)
3. Auburn (5-1, 2-1)
4. Alabama (5-1, 2-1)
5. Georgia (5-1, 3-1)
6. LSU (5-2, 1-2)
7. Texas A&M (5-2, 2-2)
8. Kentucky (5-1, 2-1)
9. Arkansas (3-3, 0-3)
10. Florida (3-2, 2-2)
11. Missouri (4-2, 1-1)
12. South Carolina (3-3, 2-3)
13. Tennessee (3-3, 0-2)
14. Vanderbilt (2-5, 0-4)
Week 8 Previews and Predictions
Week 7: 6-2 Season: 53-9
Saturday, October 18
Furman at South Carolina (-38). The Gamecocks had a difficult schedule the first six weeks of the season, and this should be their first easy win of the year. A road game at Auburn looms next weekend. Prediction: South Carolina 52, Furman 10.
Texas A&M at Alabama (-11.5). Alabama’s played poorly on the road the last two weeks but return to the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium this weekend. Texas A&M has been dominated by the two Mississippi schools the last two weeks, and this Saturday won’t be any easier for the Aggies. Prediction: Alabama 42, Texas A&M 34.
Georgia at Arkansas (+3.5). Arkansas has lost 15 straight SEC games. The Razorbacks had opportunities to win the last two against Texas A&M and Alabama, but haven’t learned how to win just yet. That losing streak will end at some point during this season. If Todd Gurley isn’t on the field again for Georgia, the Hogs could upset the Bulldogs. Prediction: Arkansas 28, Georgia 24.
Missouri at Florida (-5.5). The Gators had several opportunities to defeat LSU last weekend, but a late Jeff Driskel interception gave the Tigers the game. Georgia blanked Missouri, 34-0, and another loss would probably end the Tigers’ chances of repeating as East Division champions. Prediction: Missouri 27, Florida 23.
Tennessee at Ole Miss (-16.5). The Rebels followed up their monumental win over Alabama by embarrassing Texas A&M, 35-20, in College Station. Ole Miss was up 35-7 late in the second half, and the score probably should have been worse. The Rebels might have the nation’s best defense and shouldn’t have too much trouble with the Vols’ offense. Prediction: Ole Miss 27, Tennessee 9.
Game of the Week
Kentucky at LSU (-9.5). Not many people predicted that Kentucky would be tied for first in the East Division in the middle of October. If the Wildcats somehow defeat LSU in Baton Rouge, they might actually have a decent chance of winning the division. Despite LSU’s slow start to the season, the Tigers are still sitting at 5-2 on the year. If this young group continues to get better throughout the season, they will be dangerous by the end of the season. Prediction: LSU 26, Kentucky 20.