By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent
Auburn Week 13 Review
Auburn’s 2024 season has been filled with disappointing losses and near-misses, but the Tigers were finally able to put together a great performance as they upset Texas A&M 43-41 in quadruple overtime, last Saturday (Nov. 23) at Jordan-Hare Stadium. It was Hugh Freeze’s first ranked win as AU head coach. Quarterback Payton Thorne threw for 301 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while Jarquez Hunter added 130 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Cam Coleman hauled in seven passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns, while KeAndre Lambert-Smith caught two passes for 104 yards and the game-winning two-point conversion in the fourth overtime. Auburn, which improved to 5-6 overall and 2-5 in the SEC, travels to Tuscaloosa this Saturday (Nov. 30) for the 89th Iron Bowl.
Alabama Week 13 Review
Alabama’s playoff chances took a massive hit last Saturday with an embarrassing 24-3 loss at Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide were dominated in every phase of the game, and it was perhaps the worst Alabama performance in several years. Alabama led 3-0 after the first quarter, but the offense never worked itself into a rhythm and the Sooners scored 24 unanswered points. Quarterback Jalen Milroe threw three interceptions and UA was outrushed by a 257 to 70 margin. The Crimson Tide dropped to 8-3 overall and 4-3 in conference play, and while they are not eliminated from playoff contention, they will need a lot of help from elsewhere in order to sneak into the 12-team field.
SEC Week 14 rankings
1. Texas (10-1, 6-1)
2. Georgia (9-2, 7-2)
3. Tennessee (9-2, 5-2)
4, Alabama (8-3, 4-3)
5. Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3)
6. Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2)
7. South Carolina (8-3, 5-3)
8. Florida (6-5, 4-4)
9. LSU (7-4, 4-3)
10. Vanderbilt (6-5, 3-4)
11. Arkansas (6-5, 3-4)
12. Missouri (8-3, 4-3)
13. Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5)
14. Auburn (5-6, 2-5)
15. Kentucky (4-7, 1-7)
16. Mississippi State (2-9, 0-7)
Week 14 Previews and Predictions
Last week: 7-3; season: 89-29
Game of the Week: Texas at Texas A&M (+5.5). These two rivals have not played each other since 2011 when the Aggies departed the Big 12 for the SEC. On Saturday, they will face off for a berth in the SEC championship game in College Station. Texas is considered to be one of the handful of teams capable of winning a national title, but the Longhorns have not beaten a quality opponent all season. Texas A&M was upset by Auburn last week, but the Aggies can earn a playoff berth with wins over Texas and Georgia over the next two weeks. The Longhorns, who lead the series 76-37-5, have an opportunity to eliminate a rival from playoff contention with a win. Prediction: Texas 27, Texas A&M 23.
Mississippi State at Ole Miss (-27). If Ole Miss fails to make the playoffs – a scenario that is looking very likely at the present time – the Rebels will end up as the biggest disappointment in the Southeastern Conference and perhaps the entire country. Lane Kiffin assembled one of the best rosters in the nation on both sides of the ball, and at their best, the Rebels have looked like a legitimate national title contender. Despite a dominating win over Georgia, however, this Ole Miss team has twice been upset as double-digit favorites, including this past weekend in a 24-17 loss at Florida, despite the fact that the Rebs had an extra week to prepare. Ole Miss might catch a break and sneak into the playoffs if chaos happens elsewhere in college football, but it certainly looks like Kiffin’s team will fall short. Ole Miss leads the all-time series over Mississippi State 65-47-6. The Bulldogs are looking for their first conference win of the season as they travel to Oxford on Saturday. Prediction: Ole Miss 41, Mississippi State 13.
Georgia Tech at Georgia (-19.5). While this Georgia might be Kirby Smart’s “worst” since 2020, the Bulldogs have clinched a spot in the SEC title game and are one win away securing a playoff spot. Georgia has one of the best resumes in the country, which is a testament to Smart’s coaching and roster building. The Yellow Jackets has already pulled off a handful of upsets under Brent Key, including a win over Miami a couple of weeks ago, but the Bulldogs will be too much for the Ramblin’ Wreck on Saturday. Prediction: Georgia 31, Georgia Tech 17.
Florida at Florida State (+15). Billy Napier has rewarded UF athletic director Scott Stricklin’s faith in him, and the Gators have seemingly turned a corner in recent weeks in knocking off LSU and Ole Miss in their last two games. Florida now has an opportunity to guarantee itself a winning record with a victory over the struggling Seminoles. Florida State was 13-1 last year but has been one of the worst teams in college football in 2024. Prediction: Florida 38, Florida State 10.
Tennessee at Vanderbilt (+12). Tennessee’s objective is pretty simple entering its regular season finale this Sa-turday – beat Vanderbilt and almost certainly qualify for the playoffs. Nothing is guaranteed at this point since the Volunteers cannot reach the SEC title game, but it’s hard to imagine a 10-2 Tennessee team being left out given what’s happened elsewhere in college football. Vanderbilt has proven all season that it is capable of pulling off an upset, and the Commodores will have chances to put a scare in their in-state rivals on Saturday. Prediction: Tennessee 24, Vanderbilt 20.
South Carolina at Clemson (-2.5). Believe it or not, playoff implications exist for both teams from the Palmetto State entering Saturday’s rivalry game. South Carolina has the tougher path since the Gamecocks have three losses, but a win over Clemson could help them sneak into the field if they catch a few breaks. With a win, Clemson could get into the field as an at-large team despite not even reaching the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. If Miami beats Syracuse, Clemson will be left out of the ACC title game, so the tigers will need a win over the Gamecocks. If Miami is upset, Clemson can earn an automatic bid with a win over SMU. Either way, there’s a very good chance one of these teams, and possible both, will be in the playoffs. Prediction: South Carolina 27, Clemson 24.
Louisville at Kentucky (+3.5). The Wildcats’ quest for bowl eligibility ended in Austin last weekend, so now they are simply playing for pride. Louisville is out of playoff contention in the ACC, but Jeff Brohm knows how important this game is to people in Kentucky. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops is not on the hot seat, but he can smooth things over with UK fans with a win over the Cardinals. Prediction: Kentucky 26, Louisville 24.
Arkansas at Missouri (-3.5). While neither team is competing for a playoff spot, Saturday’s matchup in Columbia could be one of the most entertaining games of the day. Both teams have found themselves in shootouts and close games all season, and both have already earned bowl bids. Prediction: Arkansas 34, Missouri 31.
Auburn at Alabama (-11.5). The stakes of the 89th Iron Bowl are as low as they’ve been in this rivalry since 2007, though the Crimson Tide can still sneak into the playoffs if they catch a few breaks. Not many expected Alabama to be 8-3 entering this game, and last week’s blowout loss at Oklahoma was shocking. Auburn is fighting for bowl eligibility but has not won in Tuscaloosa since the infamous Cam Newton comeback in 2010. Alabama has won four straight in the rivalry, including last year’s late comeback victory to earn a spot in the SEC title game. Kalen DeBoer is coaching in his first Iron Bowl and looking to extend Alabama’s 50-37-1 series lead as the Tide fights for a playoff berth. Prediction: Alabama 31, Auburn 20.
Oklahoma at LSU (-6). Brent Venables earned perhaps the biggest win of his coaching tenure as his Sooners dominated Alabama to earn their sixth win of the season. Venables would have survived a 5-7 season, but he would have been on the hot seat entering 2025. There will still be pressure on him to turn Oklahoma back into a contender, but last Saturday’s win was a big step in the right direction. LSU coach Brian Kelly will also be feeling some heat entering next season. The Tigers are 7-4, and regardless of what happens against Oklahoma, there are some disgruntled fans in Baton Rouge, especially after the Tigers lost No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood to Michigan last week. Suffice to say, Kelly needs a strong finish to the 2024 campaign. Prediction: LSU 27, Oklahoma 20.
