There are some intriguing games this weekend in week nine in both leagues. Much is at stake in many of the games.
ALABAMA HOSTS MISSISSIPPI STATE: For some reason the Tide plays better on the road than at home. Will this change Saturday night? Bama’s seven wins have come by an average of 32.7 points, and each victory has been by at least 19 points. The Crimson Tide have only trailed once — by one point to Ole Miss for 15 seconds — and they have never led by less than 13 points at any time in the second half. Tide players have constantly said Mississippi State is one of the most physical teams on their schedule. Quarterback AJ McCarron is slowly evolving into a Heisman candidate. McCarron ranks No. 64 in the nation in passing yards per game (210.9) and tied for No. 12 in touchdown passes (16), but he leads the nation in passing efficiency (68.9%) and 16-to-0 TD-to-INT ratio.
State comes in unbeaten, but they have played a very soft schedule. Still, the Bulldogs are a good team with quarterback Tyler Russell, tailback LaDarius Perkins and receiver Chad Bumphis. Defensively they have some of the best defensive backs in the SEC including Jonthan Banks.
FLORIDA VS. GEORGIA IN JACKSONVILLE: Will this be the game where the Bulldogs come together on defense? They have the personnel, but the chemistry is not right. They will receive a big boost with the return of linebacker Jarvis Jones. Last year, Georgia ranked No. 5 in total defense (277.2 ypg) and No. 23 in scoring defense (20.6 ppg). Even with 10 starters back this year, Georgia ranks No. 47 nationally in total defense (367.4 ypg) and No. 49 in scoring defense (24.1 ppg).
Florida is tougher physically and mentally than Georgia. Not enough credit has been given to Gator punter Kyle Christy who can flip the field on any punt. It is truly amazing what Florida has done in a year. This is a much different team than the one that lost to Georgia last year. Despite being unbeaten, Florida ranks last in the SEC in passing plays of 10 yards or more (35) and last in passing plays of 20 yards or more (13). In their last three games, the Gators have completed only two passes that went for more than 20 yards.
TEXAS A&M AT AUBURN: The Aggies will likely add another loss to the Tiger ledger this season. Auburn is 1-6 for the first time since 1952 which is staggering. The biggest question remaining for the Tigers is when and if coach Gene Chizik will be gone at the end of the year. There is speculation that if he stays, Athletic Director Jay Jacobs and other members of the Tiger coaching staff will be gone. Clint Moseley will get the start at QB for the Tigers, but true freshman Jonathan Wallace has seen action in the past five games in the Wildcat package.
Similar to last year, the Aggies lost another game in the fourth quarter last week against LSU after they allowed a 12-0 lead to slip away from them. They are still one of the best stories in the SEC mostly due to quarterback Johnny Manziel.
TENNESSEE AT SOUTH CAROLINA: Both teams need a win in the worst way. Tennessee coach Derek Dooley is still capable of keeping his job if the Vols win four of the remaining five games. The November schedule is typically favorable for the Vols. This year is no different with Troy, Missouri, Vandy and Kentucky on the November slate. The defense is allowing too many big plays, but coordinator Sal Sunseri needs another year to install his 3-4 defense. Quarterback Tyler Bray is struggling in big games. This season, in three games vs. non-conference opponents, Bray has averaged 348.0 yards passing with 10 touchdowns and one interception. In league play, he has averaged 217.5 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions.
South Carolina has taken a big step back after being on top of the mountain a few short weeks ago when they were ranked No. 3. The schedule has caught up with them after playing Georgia, LSU and Florida in consecutive weeks. For some reason, the Gamecocks special teams have been a disaster under coach Steve Spurrier. The Gamecocks will be seeking their third straight win against Tennessee. Since joining the SEC in 1992, Carolina has yet to win three in a row against any of its chief rivals in the SEC East — Tennessee, Florida and Georgia.
ARKANSAS HOSTS OLE MISS: A win here gets one of these teams closer to a bowl game. Ole Miss continues to be one of the surprise teams in the SEC. Few thought Ole Miss would qualify for a bowl in Hugh Freeze’s first year. The Rebels defense has improved. Through seven games last year, Ole Miss ranked No. 116 in the nation in total offense (268.7 ypg) and No. 110 in total defense (442.1 ypg). This year, they rank No. 38 in offense (440.7 ypg) and No. 40 in defense (356.0 ypg).
VANDERBILT HOSTS UMASS: Could we see two straight wins for Vandy? It is possible that the Commodores could qualify for a bowl. They have finally decided to give the ball more to tailback Zac Stacy who broke a school career record against Auburn.
MISSOURI HOSTS KENTUCKY: With trips to Florida, Tennessee and Texas A&M looming, Gary Pinkel’s Missouri squad could be staring at an 0–8 record in its first year in SEC play if it somehow fails to beat Kentucky.
Who will play quarterback for Kentucky? Freshman Patrick Towles who was sidelined last week in the second quarter with a high ankle sprain returned to practice this week and will play at Missouri. The plan is to play Towles and fellow true freshman Jalen Whitlow.
DUKE AT FLORIDA STATE: What a great story Duke has become. They will likely lsoe to FSU, but the win over North Carolina last week was one to cherish. You have to forgive Duke fans for rushing the field after a win to gain bowl eligibility over their arch rival North Carolina. There are several SEC schools who should take a serious look at David Cutcliffe as their next head coach if openings materialize. One of the key reasons for Duke’s success this year has been an improved rushing attack and a defense that is averaging 2.4 sacks a game.
FSU lost tailback Chris Thompson in the Miami game to a season-ending injury. The Seminoles have depth in the backfield with sophomore Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. who has 369 yards and seven touchdowns this year.
NORTH CAROLINA HOSTS NC STATE: North Carolina has lost five straight matchups to the Wolfpack, including a 13-0 defeat in Raleigh last season. The Tar Heel defense has to slow down Wolfpack quarterback Mike Glennon. North Carolina is ranked only No. 11 in ACC play in pass defense and has only four sacks against ACC opponents.
Conversely, the Wolfpack have to limit North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard who is averaging 194 yards per game in his last three games. The Wolfpack has allowed back-to-back 100-yard rushers in its last two ACC games.