By Cole Frederick
Auburn: Week 9 Review
For nearly three quarters, it seemed as if Auburn was poised to pull off another road upset. The Tigers trailed Ole Miss 17-15 after a Byrum Brown touchdown with 6:20 remaining in the third. From that point on, the Rebels outscored the Tigers 30-0 en route to a 45-15 victory. Ole Miss outgained Auburn 487 to 312, and the talent gap between the two schools was glaring. The Tigers dropped to 4-4 overall and 2-4 in the SEC. Auburn returns home on Saturday (Nov. 7) to take on Arkansas.
SEC Week 10 Rankings
- Georgia (7-1, 5-1)
- Kentucky (7-1, 5-1)
- Alabama (6-2, 4-2)
- Ole Miss (6-2, 4-2)
- Texas (6-2, 4-2)
- Tennessee (6-2, 3-2)
- LSU (6-2, 3-2)
- Missouri (6-2, 3-2)
- South Carolina (5-3, 3-3)
- Florida (5-3, 3-3)
- Oklahoma (4-4, 2-3)
- Auburn (4-4, 2-4)
- Mississippi State (4-4, 2-4)
- Texas A&M (4-4, 1-4)
- Arkansas (3-5, 1-4)
- Vanderbilt (3-5, 0-5)
Week 10 Previews and Predictions
Game of the Week
Alabama at LSU (-5). While Saturday afternoon’s matchup between Alabama and LSU isn’t exactly an elimination game for the playoffs, it’s about as close as it can get, especially for the Crimson Tide. Based on strength of schedule and remaining games, Alabama would have a hard time making the playoffs with three losses. LSU still has games with Texas and Tennessee remaining, so they would have chances to sneak into the playoff field at 9-3, but this game is pivotal for Kalen DeBoer’s squad as they travel to Baton Rouge. Prediction: LSU 27, Alabama 20.
Texas at Missouri (+2.5). It’s possible—and even probable—that at least one 3-loss team will make the playoffs. In fact, it’s shaping up where multiple 3-loss teams make the 12-team field. Texas has more margin for error than Missouri due to its strength of schedule and wins over Ohio State and Ole Miss, but with a road game next week at LSU, this is close to a must-win game for the Longhorns. Similarly, Missouri has games against Georgia and Kentucky upcoming, so if they lose to Texas, it makes the path to the playoffs incredibly daunting. Prediction: Texas 26, Missouri 23.
Arkansas at Auburn (-10.5). As bad as Auburn has looked in the last two weeks, they enter a stretch in November with three winnable games as they look to earn a winning season for the first time since 2020. Auburn’s biggest issue in conference play has simply been a talent disadvantage. However, that should not be the case against an Arkansas team that has struggled mightily in the SEC. Prediction: Auburn 31, Arkansas 20.
Texas A&M at South Carolina (-7). There aren’t many teams in the SEC or in the country playing better than South Carolina. The Gamecocks have beaten Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma in its last three games, and two of those wins were on the road. After a rocky start to the year with multiple blown leads, Shane Beamer has righted the ship entering November and likely saved his job. While they still have a game at Georgia remaining, the Gamecocks are still alive for a playoff spot with four games to go. Prediction: South Carolina 31, Texas A&M 23.
Vanderbilt at Mississippi State (-3). Kamario Taylor might not be the best player in the country, but he is arguably the most valuable. Before his injury, the Bulldogs looked dangerous, and they were a threat to beat anyone. Since his injury, they have scored 18 points total in the last three games—all losses. The Commodores haven’t been much better, and this might be their last real chance for a win this season. Prediction: Vanderbilt 23, Mississippi State 20.
Kentucky at Tennessee (-6.5). Not many expected a November matchup between Kentucky and Tennessee to carry major playoff implications for both teams, but that speaks volumes to the job Will Stein has done in Year 1 in Lexington. The Wildcats have a brutal November schedule, including games against the Vols, Florida, at Missouri, and Louisville, and they can likely afford to drop only one game to feel good about its playoff chances. Tennessee has two losses already, and while a third doesn’t quite eliminate them, they need this win since they have a surging LSU team still on the schedule. Prediction: Tennessee 24, Kentucky 20.
Georgia at Ole Miss (-3.5). The Bulldogs and Rebels split a pair of meetings a season ago, but Ole Miss got the better of Georgia in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Pete Golding earned his first signature win as the Rebels’ head coach in the 39-34 Sugar Bowl victory in January. A win on Saturday would go a long way in securing another playoff berth for the Rebels, and if they lose, they will have to rely on the strength of their LSU victory from September. Prediction: Georgia 30, Ole Miss 27.
Oklahoma at Florida (-6.5). No one in the SEC has been more disappointing than Oklahoma. A year after making the playoffs, the Sooners are 4-4 and just fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. It’s not even a guarantee that Oklahoma will make a bowl game. Florida is still fighting for its playoff livelihood, and they are hoping to be one of the 9-3 teams in the playoff field next month. Prediction: Florida 20, Oklahoma 16.
