Auburn Week 9 Review
The Auburn offense continued its impressive attack on the ground in a 40-29 road win over Ole Miss. The Tigers rushed for 307 yards, including 236 and a touchdown from Kamryn Pettway. Sean White threw for 247 yards and a touchdown, and the Auburn defense limited the Rebel defense to only seven points in the second half. The Tigers have now won five consecutive games and improved to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Auburn hosts Vanderbilt this Saturday (Nov. 5) at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
SEC football rankings
1. Alabama (8-0, 5-0)
2. Texas A&M (6-1, 4-1)
3. Auburn (6-2, 4-1)
4. LSU (5-2, 3-1)
5. Florida (6-1, 4-1)
6. Arkansas (5-3, 1-3)
7. Tennessee (5-3, 2-3)
8. Ole Miss (3-5, 1-4)
9. Kentucky (5-3, 4-2)
10. Georgia (4-4, 2-4)
11. Vanderbilt (4-4, 1-3)
12. South Carolina (4-4, 2-4)
13. Mississippi State (3-5, 1-3)
14. Missouri (2-6, 0-4)
Week 10 Previews and Predictions
Week 9: 5-1; season: 62-13
Game of the Week
Alabama at LSU (+7.5). LSU has improved its level of play considerably since firing Les Miles after the loss to Auburn, and it’s possible the Tigers can still win the SEC West Division. Ed Orgeron is undefeated as the interim coach, but he and the Tigers are facing their toughest opponent of the season this week against Alabama. The Crimson Tide have won the last five games in this series and enter this matchup as the No. 1 team in the country. Tiger Stadium is one of the toughest venues in all of college football, but the Tide won the last two meetings there in 2012 and 2014. Prediction: Alabama 23, LSU 16.
Texas A&M at Mississippi State (+14). Despite the loss to Alabama, the Aggies are still contenders in the SEC West. They’ll need to win out and have the Tide lose at least once to have a chance, but the schedule lightens over the next few weeks. Mississippi State’s season has been disappointing since the loss to South Alabama in the first week, but the Bulldogs could salvage it with an upset over Texas A&M. Prediction: Texas A&M 34, Mississippi State 16.
Missouri at South Carolina (-6.5). After last weekend’s upset victory over Tennessee, the Gamecocks are now two wins away from becoming bowl eligible in Will Mus-champ’s first season. Missouri has suffered various injuries on both sides of the ball, but the Tigers have completely fallen apart and appear to be the worst team in the conference. South Carolina should be able to win this week and pick up a crucial fifth win. Prediction: South Carolina 20 Missouri 13.
Tennessee Tech at Tennessee. Tennessee’s once promising season is now in shambles, and the Volunteers must regroup quickly to have any chance of winning the East Division. UT is now two games behind Florida and one behind Kentucky, so the Knoxville squad needs plenty of help to even have a chance. Prediction: Tennessee 52, Tennessee Tech 13.
Florida at Arkansas (+5). After Tennessee’s three-game losing streak, the Gators are now in the driver’s seat in the SEC East. The schedule is difficult down the stretch, including road games at Arkansas and LSU, but Florida is now the favorite in the division. Arkansas is fresh off of much-needed bye week following its embarrassing 56-3 loss at Auburn, but the Hogs are still capable of competing with top tier of the SEC. Prediction: Arkansas 24, Florida 20.
Georgia Southern at Ole Miss (-27.5). The Rebels were considered a top 10 team before the season, but now bowl eligibility isn’t even a certainty. After three consecutive losses to Arkansas, LSU and Auburn, the Rebels are sitting at 3-5 entering the last four games of the season. Ole Miss is still talented but has had trouble closing games due to a porous defense. Prediction: Ole Miss 41, Georgia Southern 13.
Vanderbilt at Auburn (-25.5). Since losing to Texas A&M on Sept. 17, Auburn has rattled off five straight wins and now has a legitimate chance to win the SEC West. The Tigers have one of the best rushing attacks in the country, while their defense has been among the best in the conference. If Auburn de-feats Vanderbilt and can knock off Georgia on the road, the Tigers will enter the Iron Bowl with a chance to win the division. Alabama is still the best team in the conference – and the country – but the Tigers are rapidly improving. Prediction: Auburn 34, Vanderbilt 10.
Georgia at Kentucky (+3). With only two conference games remaining, Kentucky has a real shot at winning the SEC East for the first time in school history. If the Wildcats defeat struggling Georgia and Te-nnessee, they will finish 6-2 in league play. They’d need Florida to lose twice in conference due to the Gators having the head-to-head tiebreaker, but the Wildcats at least have an opportunity reach Atlanta for the first time. Prediction: Kentucky 24, Georgia 21.
In & around SEC football
