By Cole Frederick
Alabama Week 4 Review
After back-to-back slow starts, the Crimson Tide played its best first half of the season in a dominant 49-18 win over South Carolina. Alabama jumped out to a 35-10 lead at half, and while the total yardage ended up looking much closer, they thoroughly outclassed the Gamecocks. Keelon Russell threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns, and he added another 35 yards and a score on the ground. Ryan Coleman-Williams caught five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns as Alabama improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the SEC. The Crimson Tide hit the road on Saturday (Oct. 3) to take on undefeated Mississippi State.
Auburn Week 4 Review
For the second time this season, Auburn won a one-possession game. The Tigers were among the worst in the country in one-score games under the previous two coaches, and while there are still many areas to improve, it is a step in the right direction for Alex Golesh’s program. Auburn defeated Vanderbilt 21-15 behind nearly 200 total yards and two touchdowns from Byrum Brown and a blocked punt for a touchdown in the first half. The Tigers improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play, and they travel to Knoxville to take on Tennessee on Saturday afternoon.
SEC Week 5 Rankings
- Texas (4-0, 1-0)
- Georgia (4-0, 2-0)
- Alabama (4-0, 2-0)
- Florida (4-0, 2-0)
- Ole Miss (3-1, 1-1)
- LSU (3-1, 1-1)
- Mississippi State (4-0, 2-0)
- Tennessee (3-1, 0-1)
- Kentucky (3-1, 1-1)
- Missouri (3-1, 0-1)
- Auburn (3-1. 1-1)
- Texas A&M (2-2, 0-2)
- Oklahoma (2-2, 0-1)
- South Carolina (2-2, 0-2)
- Vanderbilt (3-1, 0-1)
- Arkansas (2-2, 0-2)
Week 5 Previews and Predictions
(week 4: 9-0; season: 47-4)
Game of the Week
Alabama at Mississippi State (+6). Not many had this circled as a marquee matchup before the season started, but Mississippi State has emerged as a potential playoff contender behind superstar sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor. The Bulldogs are 4-0 with two conference wins in tow, and now Taylor will square off with fellow sophomore phenom Keelon Russell. Both quarterbacks are possible Heisman contenders, and they have the ability to light up the scoreboard on Saturday morning. Prediction: Alabama 31, Mississippi State 24.
Vanderbilt at Georgia (-24.5). The Bulldogs have yet to be challenged this season, and they are powered by yet another stifling Kirby Smart defense. Statistically, the Georgia-Oklahoma game was almost even, but the Sooners made critical mistakes while the Bulldogs did not. Vanderbilt was competitive in a road loss at Auburn, but this is a much taller task for true freshman Jared Curtis. Prediction: Georgia 34, Vanderbilt 10.
Florida at Missouri (+5). It took less than a month for Jon Sumrall to put Florida back on the map. The Gators followed up their impressive road win at Auburn with a dominant victory over Ole Miss, and they should be taken seriously as a playoff contender. Missouri lost a heartbreaker to Mississippi State, and this could be a dangerous spot for the visiting Gators on Saturday afternoon. Prediction: Florida 31, Missouri 27.
Auburn at Tennessee (-7). When Josh Heupel was hired at Tennessee after a successful tenure at UCF, one of the first moves he made was bringing offensive coordinator Alex Golesh with him to Knoxville. Now, Golesh is bringing his Auburn Tigers to Rocky Top to take on his former boss, and the two teams have looked similar through four games in addition to running the same offense. Each coach will know the tendencies of the other very well, and despite this being two offensive-minded coaches, this matchup is shaping up to be a defensive battle. Prediction: Tennessee 23, Auburn 20.
Kentucky at South Carolina (-2.5). The season is already spiraling out of control for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks. After two straight embarrassing losses and a suspension of star defensive end Dylan Stewart, Beamer is firmly on the hot seat, and the schedule doesn’t get any easier. First-year Kentucky coach Will Stein could put the final nail in the coffin for Beamer if the Wildcats pull off the small upset this weekend. Prediction: South Carolina 26, Kentucky 23.
Arkansas at Texas A&M (-14). After making the playoffs a season ago, many believed Texas A&M would contend for another playoff spot and SEC title in 2026. After two conference losses to start the season, the Aggies have a chance to get back on track against an Arkansas team that is also struggling to start the year. Prediction: Texas A&M 33, Arkansas 20.
McNeese at LSU. The Tigers were able to right the ship with a dominant win over Texas A&M, and while they lost star linebacker Whit Weeks to injury, they should have a chance to rest some key players this week before returning to SEC play next weekend at Kentucky. Prediction: LSU 52, McNeese 6.
