SEC Football: Week 10 Contenders & Pretenders
By Thomas Watts
Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
Week 10 of college football was completely insane. Oregon’s and USC’s defense forgot to get off the bus, but it was fun to watch a live action Xbox game. Alabama and LSU went to war, and Alabama snuck out with a win. In the wider world, a president was elected. C&P voted, did you?
1. Alabama (Last week: 1) For the first time this season, Alabama was vulnerable. The Tide was down to LSU 17-14 with under two minutes to go. Nick Saban’s team rallied, and rolled down the field for a game winning touchdown. The emotional and physical toll of playing four quarters with a team like LSU cannot be underestimated as Alabama hosts surprising Texas A&M this week. Next game: Texas A&M
2. LSU (Last week: 2) Where has that LSU team that played on Saturday night been on all season? The Tigers did lose to Alabama 21-17, but Zach Mettenberger may have proven himself to be a viable option. LSU stays at No. 2 based off of giving No. 1 such an excellent game. The Tigers have to lick their wounds and prepare for a Mississippi State team that has been blown out two straight weeks. Next game: Mississippi State
3. Texas A&M (Last week: 4) Texas A&M’s offense is just silly. They drop 63 on Auburn and follow it up by shelling Mississippi State 38-13. C&P understands and respects the fact the Aggies have lost a pair of games, but the Aggies are playing some really good football. Quarterback Johnny Manziel and a defense that creates a lot of TFLs will keep A&M in any game. The entire Aggie squad will need its best game when it goes to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama. Next game: @Alabama
4. Georgia (Last week: 5) The Bulldogs have awakened … maybe. They beat Ole Miss 37-10. After Georgia went down 10-0, the team scored 37 unanswered to win. Georgia will clinch the SEC East with a win over Auburn. A Georgia victory sets them up to square off with Alabama in Atlanta. Next game: @Auburn
5. Florida (Last week: 3) Florida escaped with a 14-7 win over Missouri. If the Gators defense doesn’t force Missouri’s James Franklin into four interceptions, they might have lost their SEC finale in the Swamp. The performance was anemic at best. Florida is cheering for Auburn to upset Georgia, or Florida does not go to Atlanta. The Gators get a Ragin’ Cajun snack as Louisiana-Lafayette comes a-calling to Ben Hill Griffin this Saturday. Next game: Louisiana-Lafayette
6. South Carolina (Last week: 6) South Carolina comes off their bye to play Arkansas. The Gamecocks will be without Marcus Lattimore, but the backups will more than suffice to smack around the Razorbacks. Next game: Arkansas
7. Ole Miss (Last week: 8) Ole Miss moves up after a 27-point loss on the road to Georgia? Ole Miss moving up is much more a function of Mississippi State proving they are exactly what C&P thought they were, and C&P will not let them off the hook (fist-bump to Dennis Green). Ole Miss gets Vanderbilt this week at home. Ole Miss wins, and Hugh Freeze can boast that he got the Rebels to a bowl. Next game: Vanderbilt
8. Mississippi State (Last week: 7) Two weeks ago, Mississippi State “believed 8-0.” After back-to-back drubbings at the hands of Alabama and Texas A&M, State has come back down to earth. Bully squares off with an emotionally drained LSU squad after Alabama ripped the Tigers collective hearts out in week 10. Next game: @LSU
9. Tennessee (Last week: 9) Tennessee got past Troy 55-48. The Vols now sit at 4-5 and host Missouri this week. A bowl game is still attainable, but the historically bad Tennessee defense may usher Derek Dooley out of Knoxville. Next game: Missouri
10. Missouri (Last week: 11) Missouri barely lost to Florida in the Swamp. James Franklin’s return for the Tigers gave them a much needed boost. Missouri, like their opponent Tennessee, also sits at 4-5. The game has turned into a de facto play-in game for bowl season for both teams. Next game: @Tennessee
11. Vanderbilt (Last week: 12) Vanderbilt flattened Kentucky 40-0 this past week, and put the final nail in Joker Phillips coffin. Vandy only needs to win one of its final three games to become bowl eligible. The Commodores travel to Ole Miss this week for its first shot at bowl eligibility. Next game: @Ole Miss
12. Arkansas (Last week: 10) Arkansas got past Tulsa 19-15. The John L. Smith interim experiment is almost done. Razorback fans across the country rejoice. Arkie travels to Columbia to play South Carolina this week. Next game: @South Carolina
13. Auburn (Last week: 14) Auburn got win No. 2 against New Mexico State by a final of 42-7. The Tigers may have found a quarterback in Jonathan Wallace, but beating New Mexico State is completely different than beating Georgia. The Tigers host the Bulldogs as heavy underdogs. Next game: Georgia
14. Kentucky (Last week: 13) Kentucky has been decimated by injuries, and just got crushed by Vanderbilt. Head coach Joker Phillips will not be returning next season. For beleaguered Kentucky fans everywhere: Basketball season starts soon. Next game: Samford