It’s time to venture into the hazardous world of trying to predict Southeastern Conference games for the weekend. The Crystal Ball had a perfect 12-0 record last week, which moved the seasonal record to 22-3. Bu from here on out it gets much tougher.
The nation will be looking to Kyle Field in College Station, TX., this weekend when top-ranked Alabama and 5th-ranked Texas A&M meet for the latest game of the century. Is it a revenge game for Alabama? Or Teas A&M’s chance to solidify its position as a true national championship contender? The Aggies’ win in Tuscaloosa last season was Alabama’s only loss in what eventually proved to be a second consecutive national championship.
It was also the game than launched Johnny Manziel’s Heisman Trophy campaign.
Coaches Nick Saban and Kevin Sumlin have tried to shield their players from the distracting hype. That has not been an easy job, especially at Alabama where the story of D.J. Fluker accepting illegal benefits last season hit the news this past week.
“We struggled last year in the game with them, and I think it’s going to be the same kind of things of importance on offense,” said Saban. “We are going to have to block, execute, going to have to throw and catch [the ball], going to have make good decisions and play our game. Get a hat on a hat, eliminate negative plays and try to not get behind in the down and distance and take advantage of opportunities when we get them.”
Sumlin has had the same problem in trying to keep the focus on doing the things that led to the Aggies success last season,
“It’s our first league game, and our goal is to win the West and get to Atlanta and win the SEC Championship. In order to do that, you start with your league, in particularly your division,” said Sumlin. “I said this summer, for our former students, our community, the university, and for our fans, excitement level is as probably as high as it’s been. As a coaching staff and as an organization, we have to remain really consistent. I think it is important internally for us to remain consistent in our approach and our players feel that. It’s fine for our fans. I want them to be as excited as they’ve ever been. I want this place to be as loud as it’s ever been on Saturday afternoon.”
Sumlin knows the importance of the game.
“Every game presents leadership possibilities,” he said. “I think different players continue to grow. We don’t have a lot of seniors on this team. We do have a number of guys who have played in meaningful games over the course their career. There will be leadership opportunities in any ball game.”
Eventually you have to cut through the hype and get down to the basics — blocking, tackling, running and throwing — and these two teams are among the best at doing those things. Both offenses take their cue from their quarterback and AJ McCarron and Manziel are two of the best.
The biggest key to this game could be the improvement of Alabama’s offensive line, a unit that struggled against Virginia Tech. If the line improves, that will pave the way for T. J. Yeldon and Alabama’s vaunted running game. If not, it will be a long afternoon at the Home of the 12th Man for the Crimson Tide. The Crystal Ball says the line will make great strides and Alabama will avenge its only loss of last season. Alabama 28, Texas A&M 24
South Carolina will look to bounce back from its loss to Georgia by hosting Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks have come under fire for their lack of defensive intensity, and Steve Spurrier has said he plans to shake things up a bit.
“Our third-down defense was lousy,” said Spurrier. “We can’t allow teams to make third-and-15s, fourth-and-12s, stuff like that. So we have revisited what we’re doing on third downs and try to be fundamentally more sound than what we’ve been doing and try to get our guys in better position.”
Vanderbilt might expect a better effort from South Carolina’s defense, especially from All-American defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, which should be enough. South Carolina 35, Vanderbilt 27
Auburn hosts Mississippi State in a big conference game. This game could be a stepping-stone for the winner, which should be the next chapter in the Gus Malzahn story. Auburn 28, Mississippi State 27
There is plenty of non-conference action this weekend for SEC teams. Three that will catch most of the attention will come from all over the country. Tennessee takes its 2-0 record into Eugene, OR., where the Vols will take on the high-speed offense of the Oregon Ducks. Ole Miss goes deep in the heart of Texas to take on the suddenly vulnerable looking Texas Longhorns. Finally, Kentucky will host Heisman Trophy candidate Teddy Bridgewater and the Louisville Cardinals.
Here is a Crystal Ball look at the non-conference games for the weekend:
Oregon 48, Tennessee 28
Texas 30, Ole Miss 24
Louisville 45, Kentucky 14
Arkansas 41, Southern Miss 20
LSU 45, Kent State 31