By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent
Alabama Week 8 Review
For the first time since 2007, Alabama lost two regular season games before the end of October. The Crimson Tide fell to Tennessee, 24-17, last week to fall to 5-2 on the season and 3-2 in the SEC. Alabama now has no margin for error entering the back half of the schedule. Alabama could not get into a rhythm offensively against the Volunteers and quarterback Jalen Milroe struggled with accuracy in completed 25 of 45 passes for one touchdown and two interceptions. UA rushed 34 times for 75 yards while allowing 408 yards to a Tennessee offense that has struggled in SEC play. Kalen DeBoer’s team hosts Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 26 as the Tide looks to get back on track.
Auburn Week 8 Review
The trend for Auburn football this season has been finding ways to lose games. The Tigers fell 21-17 at Missouri last week, and it was yet another game during which Hugh Freeze’s team outplayed its opponent but lost in the fourth quarter. Auburn led 17-3 in the second half and failed to score the rest of the game as Missouri worked its way back in the contest with an injured Brady Cook at quarterback. AU quarterback Payton Thorne threw for 176 yards and a touchdown, but the Tigers were held to under 300 yards of offense. Auburn hits the road this Saturday for a matchup at Kentucky.
SEC Week 9 Rankings
1. Georgia (6-1, 4-1)
2. Texas (6-1, 2-1)
3. LSU (6-1, 3-0)
4, Texas A&M (6-1, 3-0)
5. Tennessee (6-1, 3-1)
6. Ole Miss (5-2, 1-2)
7. Alabama (5-2, 2-2)
8. Missouri (6-1, 2-1)
9. Vanderbilt (5-2, 2-1)
10. Arkansas (4-3, 2-2)
11. South Carolina (4-3, 2-3)
12. Florida (4-3, 2-2)
13. Oklahoma (4-3, 1-3)
14. Kentucky (3-4, 1-4)
15. Auburn (2-5, 0-4)
16. Mississippi State (1-6, 0-4)
Week 9 Previews and Predictions
Last week: 4-4; season: 60-21
Game of the Week: LSU at Texas A&M (-2.5). Not many people likely had these two teams as the last remaining unbeaten squads in conference play, but the Tigers and Aggies have played ex-tremely well in recent week. The LSU offense is one of the best in the country and has one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Garrett Nussmeier. The Tigers have vastly improved on the defensive side of the ball as well under new defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Texas A&M lost its opener to Notre Dame since then have looked like a playoff contender. Kyle Field will be rocking on Saturday night, and the winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat to make the conference title game. Prediction: LSU 31, Texas A&M 27.
Oklahoma at Ole Miss (-20). Unlike Texas, Oklahoma’s first season in the SEC has been quite the wake-up call for the Sooners’ fan base. While the Sooners are 4-3 on the year, they should probably have a worse record and look like one of the worst teams in the league. The offense is in complete disarray, and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell was fired last week by head coach Brent Venables after a miserable start to the season. Oklahoma travels to Oxford on Saturday to face an Ole Miss team off a bye and off a loss. Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Oklahoma 10.
Arkansas at Mississippi State (+6.5). Despite a 1-6 record and a backup quarterback, Mississippi State actually made strides in recent weeks under first-year head coach Jeff Lebby. Michael Van Buren, Jr., has been solid at quarterback, and the Bulldogs are catching an Arkansas team fresh off a shellacking at home to LSU. The Razorbacks are the better team, but this one could come down to the final possession. Prediction: Arkansas 28, Mississippi State 27.
Missouri at Alabama (-16.5). If Alabama wishes to avoid its first three-loss regular season since 2010, it must win its remaining games. A 10-2 Ala-bama team will make the 12-team playoff, but another loss would spell doom for the Crimson Tide’s playoff chances. Luckily for Alabama, Missouri quarterback Brady Cook is doubtful for Saturday with an ankle injury, so this is an excellent chance for Alabama to bounce back. Prediction: Alabama 38, Missouri 13.
Texas at Vanderbilt (+18.5). Welcome to the SEC, Texas. The Longhorns were heralded as the best team in the country over the last month, but their first real taste of the SEC came on Saturday when the Longhorns hosted a bloodthirsty Georgia team. The 30-15 loss doesn’t really impact the Longhorns in the long haul, and they should still be a playoff team and title contender. But Texas now hits the road to take on an upset-minded Vanderbilt team that has proven three times this year it can win outright as a double-digit favorite. Prediction: Texas 34, Vanderbilt 20.
Auburn at Kentucky (-2.5). Saturday’s matchup in Lexington features two of the most disappointing teams in the conference. Auburn inventing ways to lose, while Kentucky has played well in two games and been abysmal in every other SEC game. Last week, the Wildcats were embarrassed by a Florida team that wants to fire its coach. If either team wants to make the postseason, a win on Saturday is a must. Prediction: Auburn 24, Kentucky 20.
