By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent
Auburn Week 4 Review
Turnovers and inconsistent quarterback play doomed Auburn for the second time this season as the Tigers fell to Arkansas, 24-14 last Saturday at home. AU quarterback Hank Brown earned his second career start and threw three interceptions in the first half as the Tigers fell behind 7-0 at halftime. Payton Thorne entered for Brown in the third quarter, and while the results were better overall, Auburn still struggled with consistency in the passing game. Thorne threw for 213 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while KeAndre Lambert-Smith hauled in five passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Auburn actually outgained to the Razorbacks 431-334, but the Tigers lost the turnover battle by a 5-2 margin as they dropped to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Oklahoma visits Jor-dan-Hare Stadium this Saturday (Sept. 28) for its first road game as member of the SEC.
SEC Week 5 Rankings
1. Texas (4-0)
2. Georgia (3-0, 1-0)
3. Tennessee (4-0, 1-0)
4. Alabama (3-0)
5. Ole Miss (4-0)
6. Missouri (4-0, 1-0)
7. LSU (3-1, 1-0)
8. Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1)
9. Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0)
10. South Carolina (3-1, 1-1)
11. Arkansas (3-1, 1-0)
12. Kentucky (2-2, 0-2)
13. Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1)
14. Auburn (2-2, 0-1)
15. Florida (2-2, 1-1)
16. Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1)
Week 5 Previewsand Predictions
Last week: 9-1; season: 43-11
Game of the Week: Georgia at Alabama (+1.5). The most anticipated matchup of the young season takes place this Saturday in Tuscaloosa as the two best programs of the last decade face off. Alabama owned this series during Nick Saban’s tenure, and now Kalen DeBoer gets his first crack at Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. With the expanded playoff, this isn’t a must-win game for either team, but a victory would give the winner some leeway over the next two months. Carson Beck vs. Jalen Milroe will be a dynamic quarterback battle but look for the defenses to set the tone early in what should be a classic matchup and potential SEC title game preview. Prediction: Alabama 26, Georgia 23.
Kentucky at Ole Miss (-17.5). Ole Miss has not been challenged by anyone so far this season, and now the Rebels open SEC play as a favorite by almost three touchdowns. Kentucky gave Georgia a scare two weeks ago, but the Wildcats do not possess the offensive firepower to keep up with Ole Miss in Oxford. Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Kentucky 13.
Oklahoma at Auburn (+2.5). Oklahoma’s first true road game in the SEC lost a bit of its luster after the Sooners and Tigers both lost last week, but the environment at Jordan-Hare Stadium should still be electric this Saturday. Both teams have experienced quarterback issues this season. Auburn is likely going back to Payton Thorne as the starter after Hank Brown struggled a week ago against Arkansas. Oklahoma benched star-ter Jackson Arnold during the Sooners’ loss to Tennessee, and true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. will make his first career start on Saturday. Unless there is a plethora of turnovers leading to short fields, this should be a low-scoring and defensive slugfest. Prediction: Auburn 19, Oklahoma 16.
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (-3.5). If past meetings between these two squads is any indication, this should be a very exciting matchup on Saturday in Dallas. The Razorbacks and Aggies have had some absurd finishes since Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012, and both teams have the tendency to play in strange games quite often. Both teams have explosive quarterbacks, but the Hogs especially are both turnover-prone and capable of explosive plays. This is a matchup that could come down to the final possession and who has the ball last. Prediction: Texas A&M 38, Arkansas 31.
Mississippi State at Texas (-38.5). These two teams are in totally different places right now as programs. Texas is arguably the best team in the country, and the Longhorns looked razor sharp through four games, even with a backup quarterback against UL-Monroe last week. Granted, that backup quarterback was 5-star recruit Arch Manning, but the Texas offense didn’t skip a beat. Manning might be under center again if Quinn Ewers needs another week to recover from an injury. Meanwhile, MSU is in a total rebuild in Year 1 of Jeff Lebby’s tenure. Things might get worse after starting quarterback Blake Shapen was injured for the season a week ago in the loss to Florida. Saturday might get ugly for the Bulldogs in Austin. Prediction: Texas 52, Mississippi State 10.
South Alabama at LSU (-20.5). LSU certainly has not looked like a national title contender through four games, and the Tigers especially looked bad defensively. The team’s defensive struggles might get worse after its best defender, Harold Perkins, injured his knee last week and is out for the season. The LSU offense is very good, which will give the Tigers a chance most nights, including what should be an easy win on Saturday over South Alabama. Prediction: LSU 48, South Alabama 17.