By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent
Auburn Week 10 Recap
Carnell Williams’ first game as Auburn head coach produced the same result as most games this season, but the product on the field felt much different. Auburn lost to Mississippi State, 39-33 in overtime, but the Tigers played with a different spark and energy on both sides of the ball in Starkville. Auburn erased a 24-3 deficit in the second half and had a 33-30 lead before Will Rogers led the Bulldogs on a late drive to tie the game. Robby Ashford only threw for 75 yards but ran for 108 yards two touchdowns on the ground. Tank Bigsby rushed for 89 yards and a score as Auburn dropped to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the SEC. The Tigers welcome Texas A&M to Jordan-Hare Stadium this Saturday (Nov. 12).
Alabama Week 10 Recap
The road woes continued for Nick Saban and Alabama last week in a 32-31overtime loss to LSU in Baton Rouge. LSU led 7-6 at halftime, but the Crimson Tide took a 21-17 lead with 4:44 remaining in the game on a 41-yard strike from Bryce Young to Ja’Corey Brooks. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Tigers responded with another drive to take the lead before Alabama kicker Will Reichard kicked the game-tying field goal to force overtime. Alabama struck first on 1-yard score from Roydell Williams, but Daniels scored on a 25-yard run on the first play from scrimmage, and Brian Kelly opted to go for the two-point conversion and the win. Daniels connected with Mason Taylor at the goal line on the two-point attempt, destroying Alabama’s national championship hopes in the process. UA, which dropped to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the SEC, travels to Ole Miss this Saturday.
Week 11 SEC Rankings
1. Georgia (9-0, 6-0)
2. Tennessee (8-1, 4-1)
3. LSU (7-2, 5-1)
4. Alabama (7-2, 4-2)
5. Ole Miss (8-1, 4-1)
6. Kentucky (6-3, 3-3)
7. Mississippi State (6-3, 3-3)
8. Arkansas (5-4, 2-3)
9. Missouri (4-5, 2-4)
10. South Carolina (6-3, 3-3)
11. Florida (5-4, 2-4)
12 Auburn (3-6, 1-5)
13. Texas A&M (3-6, 1-5)
14. Vanderbilt (3-6, 0-5)
Week 11 Previews and Predictions
Week 10: 3-4; season: 56-15
Game of the Week: Alabama at Ole Miss (+12). This matchup lost a bit of its luster after both teams lost at LSU, but it still serves as a de facto elimination game in the SEC West. LSU must lose at least once more to give either team a chance, which is a possibility as the Tigers must play Arkansas and Texas A&M. Ole Miss only has one conference loss, while Alabama has two. Both teams lose a tiebreaker to LSU due to head-to-head losses. Alabama’s offense lacks the explosiveness of last year’s team, and the burden falls on Bryce Young to create for most of the game. Ole Miss had an extra week to prepare for the Tide, but that still might not be enough. Prediction: Alabama 38, Ole Miss 22.
Missouri at Tennessee (-20.5). Tennessee lost for the first time this season on the road in Athens, but the Volunteers are still in a good position in terms of making the playoffs. The schedule is light down the stretch, and while UT will need some help with other teams losing, there is a good chance the Vols will be in the playoffs if they win their next three games. Prediction: Te-nnessee 45, Missouri 24.
LSU at Arkansas (+3.5). Brian Kelly has turned LSU into a potential playoff team in his first season in Baton Rouge. The Tigers have lost twice already, but if they win out and beat Georgia in the SEC title game, there’s a good chance they will make the playoffs. However, it’s not a guarantee LSU emerges with a victory in Fayetteville on Saturday. The Hogs lost at home last week to Liberty but are capable of pulling off an upset at home. LSU just needs one more conference win to win the West, but the Tigers have their sights set on goals much larger than a division title. Prediction: LSU 34, Arkansas 31.
Vanderbilt at Kentucky (-18). The Wildcats found a way to scratch out a victory against Missouri and can secure another winning season with a home victory over Vanderbilt. The Commodores have not won an SEC game in three years, and it’s unlikely the Nashville squad can and knock off the ‘Cats in Lexington. Prediction: Kentucky 28, Vanderbilt 10.
South Carolina at Florida (-8). Billy Napier’s squad played one of its most complete games of the season in a road win over Texas A&M. The Gators return home with a chance to make the postseason. South Carolina has already earned its sixth win of the year, but Shane Beamer is looking to win his first game in The Swamp. Prediction: Florida 31, South Carolina 24.
Georgia at Mississippi State (+16). Georgia asserted itself as the top program in the country last week with its resounding win over Tennessee, and the defending national champs are again No. 1 in the nation. The Bulldogs now travel to Starkville to take on the other SEC Bulldogs, and this contest shapes up to be a complete mismatch in the trenches. Expect Georgia to dominate the line of scrimmage and control Mike Leach’s squad on Saturday. Prediction: Georgia 34, Mississippi State 13.
Texas A&M at Auburn (-1.5). Both teams are 3-6, but don’t expect to the atmosphere at Jordan-Hare Stadium to reflect that subpar record on Saturday. Carnell Williams will be coaching his first home game as interim head coach, and if last Saturday was any indication, the Tigers will be amped up and ready to play. A&M looks ready to bail on the season, the same position Au-burn was in before Bryan Harsin’s firing. The Tigers had some extra juice against Mississippi State last week. Expect that to carry over to The Plains this weekend. Prediction: Auburn 24, Texas A&M 20.