By Cole Frederick
Alabama Week 5 Review
Saturday’s battle between two of the top quarterbacks in the country was lopsided from the opening possession. Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell was sensational for the Tide, and while Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor had moments, it was all Alabama on Saturday afternoon in Starkville. Alabama cruised to a 56-23 victory behind 285 yards and three touchdowns from Russell, and the Tide outgained the Bulldogs 483-302 and turned them over four times. The Crimson Tide improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the SEC, and they return home on Saturday (Oct. 10) to take on Georgia in a pivotal conference showdown.
Auburn Week 5 Review
Another sloppy offensive performance wasted a very solid defensive performance as Auburn fell to Tennessee 24-14 in Knoxville. The Tigers actually outgained the Volunteers 345-323, but they lost the turnover battle 3-2 and had seven more penalties than Tennessee. Byrum Brown threw for 159 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, and he added 107 yards, one touchdown and a fumble on the ground. Auburn dropped to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play. They have the week off before traveling to Athens to take on Georgia next Saturday (Oct. 17).
SEC Week 5 Rankings
- Texas (4-0, 1-0)
- Georgia (5-0, 3-0)
- Alabama (5-0, 3-0)
- Ole Miss (3-1, 1-1)
- LSU (4-1, 1-1)
- Missouri (4-1, 1-1)
- Mississippi State (4-1, 2-1)
- Florida (4-1, 2-1)
- Tennessee (4-1, 1-1)
- Kentucky (4-1, 2-1)
- Texas A&M (3-2, 1-2)
- Auburn (3-2, 1-2)
- Oklahoma (2-2, 0-1)
- South Carolina (2-3, 0-3)
- Vanderbilt (3-2, 0-2)
- Arkansas (2-3, 0-3)
Week 6 Previews and Predictions
(week 5: 5-2; season: 52-6)
Game of the Week
Georgia at Alabama (-2). The two best programs in the SEC over the last decade have developed one of the most important rivalries in the country. The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide have met nine times since 2018, including twice in the national title game. They split the championship games, and Georgia won last season’s SEC title game. However, Alabama is 7-2 during that stretch, and they haven’t lost a regular season matchup against Georgia since 2007. Both teams look like playoff contenders in 2026, and this might not be the last time they play this season. Prediction: Alabama 31, Georgia 27.
Texas A&M at Missouri (-3.5). The most impressive win in the country last weekend was Missouri’s trouncing of previously unbeaten Florida. Jon Sumrall’s team entered the matchup as the talk of college football, but the Tigers won 45-17 in a game that was even worse than the final score appeared. Texas A&M was able to right the ship with a win over Arkansas, but it’s hard to trust Marcel Reed and the Aggies on the road. Prediction: Missouri 30, Texas A&M 27.
South Carolina at Florida (-13). After one of the best September’s in the country, the brakes have been pumped a little for the Gators. The good news for Jon Sumrall is they return home to take on a South Carolina team with a lame duck coach who might be coaching his last game for the Gamecocks. Shane Beamer’s team jumped out to a big lead over Kentucky before ultimately blowing the game in overtime on a successful 2-point conversion by the Wildcats. It could get ugly for the Gamecocks on Saturday, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Beamer was relieved of his coaching duties during the ensuing bye week. Prediction: Florida 45, South Carolina 17.
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt (+10). The Rebels had a week off after being dismantled in Gainesville, and they look to get back on track this weekend in Nashville. Vanderbilt suffered its second consecutive loss as they fell to Georgia, and they return home this Saturday hoping to get star freshman Jared Curtis back in the lineup. Prediction: Ole Miss 27, Vanderbilt 20.
Texas vs. Oklahoma (+8). While this has been one of the best rivalries in the country historically, three of the last four Red River matchups have been lopsided Texas wins. The Sooners won a thriller in 2023, but the Longhorns won the other three meetings by a combined 97 points. The two programs are trending in opposite directions this year, and while the Oklahoma defense is good enough to keep them afloat in this game, it’s hard to trust John Mateer and the Sooner offense. Prediction: Texas 23, Oklahoma 13.
Tennessee at Arkansas (+13.5). Josh Heupel kept the Vols’ playoff hopes alive by pivoting from freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon and turning to George McIntyre against Auburn, and while McIntyre didn’t exactly look like Peyton Manning, he didn’t make negative plays, and Tennessee did enough on the ground to slip past Auburn. It’s unclear who will start at Arkansas this weekend, but this could be a tricky spot for the Vols if the offense continues to sputter. Prediction: Tennessee 26, Arkansas 17.
LSU at Kentucky (+10). Will Stein is quickly turning around the Kentucky program, and his Wildcats have another chance to make a big statement as LSU visits Lexington. The Tigers are battling the injury bug on defense, but they still boast one of the top defenses in college football even without Whit Weeks. If Kentucky can keep this close going into the fourth quarter, they will have a chance to pull off the upset. Prediction: LSU 24, Kentucky 17.
