By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent
Alabama Week 12 Recap
Quarterback Bryce Young was a stellar 31-40 for 559 yards and five touchdowns as Alabama avoided an upset and held off Arkansas for a 42-35 victory last week. Young kept himself in Heisman Trophy contention as his team clinched the SEC West Division and will meet Georgia in the SEC championship game in two weeks. UA receiver Jameson Williams caught eight passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns, while Brian Robinson rushed for 122 yards as the Crimson Tide gained nearly 700 total yards. Alabama travels to Auburn for the Iron Bowl this Saturday (Nov. 27) as the Tide looks to remain in playoff contention.
Auburn Week 12 Recap
For the second straight week, the Tigers squandered a double-digit lead and lost to a conference foe. Auburn fell to South Carolina, 21-17, after leading 14-0. It was the third consecutive loss for the Tigers. Tank Bigsby rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown, while Shed Jackson caught seven passes for 111 yards from T.J. Finley in his first start at quarterback. Finley threw for 188 yards and a touchdown, but the Auburn offense was not very efficient in the second half. The Tigers, who dropped to 6-5 on the year and 3-4 in the SEC, host Alabama in the Iron Bowl on Saturday.
Week 13 SEC Rankings
1. Georgia (11-0, 8-0)
2. Alabama (10-1, 6-1)
3. Ole Miss (9-2, 5-2)
4. Texas A&M (8-3, 4-3)
5. Arkansas (7-4, 3-4)
6. Mississippi State (7-4, 4-3)
7. Tennessee (6-5, 3-4)
8. Kentucky (8-3, 5-3)
9. Missouri (6-5, 3-4)
10. South Carolina (6-5, 3-5)
11. Auburn (6-5, 3-4)
12. LSU (5-6, 2-5)
13. Florida (5-6, 2-6)
14. Vanderbilt (2-9, 0-7)
Week 13 Previews and Predictions
Last week: 8-2; season: 86-17
Saturday, Nov. 27
Game of the Week: Ole Miss at Mississippi State (-1.5). The Egg Bowl is rightfully back on Thanksgiving night, and this year’s matchup features two of the best offenses in the SEC. Lane Kiffin is looking to guide the Rebels to their 10th win of the regular season, something that’s never been accomplished in the history of Ole Miss football. Mississippi State has finished the season on a tear as the Bulldogs have won four of their last five games. This series has been relatively even in recent years, but the Rebels lead 63-46-6 overall. Prediction: Mississippi State 38, Ole Miss 35.
Missouri at Arkansas (-14.5). Eli Drinkwitz’s squad pulled off the upset over Florida last week to earn a bowl bid after a somewhat disappointing season. Missouri now takes on an Arkansas squad that nearly upset Alabama in Tuscaloosa last week. The Hogs have a chance to get to eight wins for the first time since 2015. Prediction: Arkansas 45, Missouri 17.
Alabama at Auburn (+19.5). A few weeks ago, the Iron Bowl was shaping up to be another classic on The Plains that could decide the SEC West. The Tigers are now reeling, and while Alabama is not exactly playing at its best, the Crimson Tide looks much better than their counterparts across the state. Auburn has pulled off upsets and miracles against Alabama in the last decade, but the Tigers don’t possess the firepower to keep up with the Tide this year. Alabama leads the all-time series 47-37-1. Prediction: Alabama 41, Auburn 17.
Georgia at Georgia Tech (-35). Only one regular season game stands between the Bulldogs and the postseason, and if they cruise against the Yellow Jackets as expected, Georgia is almost a lock to make the playoffs, regardless of what happens in the SEC title game. It’s been a dominant season for the Bulldogs, and that will continue in Atlanta on Saturday. Prediction: Georgia 42, Georgia Tech 6.
Florida State at Florida (-2.5). The Dan Mullen era came to an end after last week’s disappointing loss to Missouri, and Florida’s season unraveled in a hurry. Florida nearly upset Alabama in September, but the Gators lost five of their last seven games since then. Mullen was fired after only four seasons in Gainesville where he compiled a 34-15 record with one SEC East title. Mullen will not coach the Gators on Saturday, as Greg Knox takes over on an interim basis to help lead Florida to a bowl bid and win over rival Florida State. Prediction: Florida State 38, Florida 27.
Vanderbilt at Tennessee (-31). Josh Heupel has a chance to lead Tennessee to a winning season in his first year in Knoxville, and the Volunteers are trending in the right direction as a program. Tennessee has one of the most explosive offenses in the country and will make another statement this Saturday against an overmatched Vanderbilt squad. Prediction: Tennessee 52, Vanderbilt 10.
Texas A&M at LSU (+6.5). Ed Orgeron is entering his final regular season game as LSU head coach, and his team has an opportunity to reach a bowl game if the Tigers can upset the Aggies. Jimbo Fisher has denied any interest in the LSU job, but his name has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Orgeron. Both teams have some distractions off the field surrounding their head coaches but expect a strong effort from the Tigers in Orgeron’s final game in Baton Rouge. Prediction: LSU 26, Texas A&M 24.
Kentucky at Louisville (-2.5). Kentucky has won two straight against Louisville and leads the all-time series 17-15. The Wildcats have a chance to win 10 games if they can finish out the year with wins over the Cardinals and in their bowl game. Louisville has turned its season around after a slow start, and quarterback Malik Cunningham has been remarkable down the stretch. Prediction: Kentucky 31, Louisville 26.
Clemson at South Carolina (+11.5). Shane Beamer has the Gamecocks in a bowl game in his inaugural season, so this year is already a success for his program. However, a win over hated rival Clemson would provide a major boost in recruiting and give South Carolina plenty of confidence heading into the offseason. Clemson has won six straight in this series and leads all-time 71-42-4. Prediction: Clemson 27, South Carolina 10.