By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent
Alabama Week 11 Review
Alabama’s playoff hopes received a massive boost after a dominant 42-13 road victory at LSU last weekend. The Crimson Tide stifled the LSU offense from start to finish, holding Garrett Nussmeier and the Tigers to two field goals until the last minute of the game. Jalen Milroe had his most effective game on the ground this season in rushing for 185 yards and four touchdowns on only 12 carries. Alabama outgained LSU 420-343, but a good portion of those LSU yards came on the final drive when the game was already decided. The primary advantage for Alabama came on the ground, as the Tide outrushed the Tigers by a 311 to 104. UA also won the turnover battle at 3-0. The Crimson Tide, which improved to 7-2 on the season and 4-2 in the SEC, now have a path to the SEC title game. Alabama hosts Mercer this Saturday (Nov. 16).
SEC Week 12 rankings
1. Texas (8-1, 4-1)
2. Alabama (7-2, 4-2)
3. Georgia (7-2, 5-2)
4. Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2)
5. Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1)
6. Tennessee (8-1, 5-1)
7. LSU (6-3, 3-2)
8. South Carolina (6-3, 4-3)
9. Vanderbilt (6-4, 3-3)
10. Arkansas (5-4, 3-3)
11. Missouri (7-2, 3-2)
12. Florida (4-5, 2-4)
13. Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5)
14. Auburn (3-6, 1-5)
15. Kentucky (3-6, 1-6)
16. Mississippi State (2-8, 0-6)
Week 12 Previews and Predictions
Last week: 4-2; season: 75-25
Game of the Week
Tennessee at Georgia (-10). No SEC team is in better shape for a playoff bid at the moment than Tennessee. The Volunteers have only one loss and are heavily favored to reach 10 wins, even with a projected loss on Saturday at Georgia. The Bulldogs will be in the playoffs if they win out, and Georgia might be catching a break Saturday if UT quarterback Nico Iamaleava is out with a concussion. Either way, expect the Bulldogs to stifle the Vols’ offense en route to a massive victory. Prediction: Georgia 27, Tennessee 10.
Texas at Arkansas (+13.5). Many consider the Longhorns to be one of the five best teams in the country, but one issue with their resume is that they have no quality wins. So, if Texas loses to rival Texas A&M at the end of the year, they will be hoping the committee values the eye test enough to put them in the field. Of course, Texas can make it easy on itself by winning out and reaching the SEC title game, but the Longhorns have a pair of tricky games remaining, starting with an Arkansas team fresh off a bye week. Prediction: Texas 38, Arkansas 20.
Murray State at Kentucky. Reaching a bowl game is almost out of the question for the Wildcats since they have Texas on deck, but Kentucky has a chance to salvage its season with a win over Louisville in a rivalry game to end the year. It’s been a disappointing season for Mark Stoops, and a loss this Saturday would move it to the catastrophic level. Prediction: Kentucky 41, Murray State 10.
Louisiana-Monroe at Auburn (-24). The Tigers enter their home stretch needing three straight wins to reach a bowl game, and this Saturday’s game against UL-Monroe will be the only one in which they are favored. AU quarterback Payton Thorne did not practice during the open week due to a shoulder injury, but this is a game Auburn should win comfortably regardless of his status. Nevertheless, Auburn did lose at home to New Mexico State a season ago, so nothing is guaranteed for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers. Prediction: Auburn 38, UL-Monroe 10.
Mercer at Alabama. Through nine games, Alabama has faced one of the toughest schedules in college football. The Crimson Tide survived that stretch at 7-2, and the schedule lightens considerably as they look to secure a playoff bid. After this week’s bye-game, UA plays two of the worst teams in the SEC in Oklahoma and Auburn. A 10-2 record would all but guarantee the Tide a spot in the playoffs, and Alabama would have a chance to host a first-round game. Prediction: Alabama 55, Mercer 3.
LSU at Florida (+4). Despite the third loss of the season, LSU still has a path to reach the College Football Playoffs. The Tigers can still reach the SEC championship game since they only have two conference losses, but they’ll need to win out and receive some help elsewhere. Florida recently announced that Billy Napier will return for another season, and the Gators still have a path for bowl eligibility. Prediction: LSU 31, Florida 24.
Missouri at South Carolina (-13.5). While neither of these teams has a realistic chance of making the playoffs, it’s still a slight possibility in the very least if there is chaos elsewhere. Shane Beamer deserves consideration for SEC Coach of the Year thus far, and his Gamecocks should earn win No. 7 this Saturday against a hobbled Missouri team. Prediction: South Carolina 34, Missouri 13.
New Mexico State at Texas A&M (-39). The Aggies enter the home stretch with everything in front of them. Their path to the playoffs is simple – win out. A win over Texas would secure a bid in the SEC title game, and the Aggies would likely make the playoffs even with a loss in Atlanta. Prediction: Texas A&M 52, New Mexico State 12.
