SEC Football: Week 4 Contenders and Pretenders
By Thomas Watts
Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE
As of next week, Contenders and Pretenders will evolve into a power ranking. Up to this point, there hasn’t been enough evidence to justify the changeover; there simply haven’t been enough games played. Also, unlike the national polls, a penalty will be levied if a team plays a cupcake later on in order to give the rankings more fluidity.
But without further ado, this week’s contenders and pretenders:
Contenders
Alabama: Florida Atlantic is a bad team. Alabama did what good teams should do and took FAU apart 40-7. Ole Miss comes to Bryant Denny this week. Next game: Ole Miss
LSU: The Bayou Bengals escaped the Plains with a 12-10 win. The defensive battle shattered LSU’s air of invincibility which could have consequences down the road in the Swamp, or when the Crimson Tide come calling. After a tough game, a confectionery delight in the form of Towson is in order. Next game: Towson
Georgia: The Bulldogs flattened Vanderbilt 48-3 this past weekend. The Dawgs led 27-3 at half and were dominate throughout. Georgia is heading into the meat of their SEC schedule and host the Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols explosiveness could make this game interesting. Next game: Tennessee
South Carolina: The Gamecocks solidified their spot as a contender after dispatching Missouri 31-10. Connor Shaw had a shockingly good game, and the South Carolina defense held the Tigers to 255 total yards. SEC bottom feeder Kentucky hosts the Gamecocks this week. Next game: at Kentucky
Florida: Jeff Driskel continues to develop as a quarterback for the suddenly scary Gators. Florida dispatched Kentucky 38-0. The LSU/Auburn result makes the Tigers visit to the Swamp on October 6 a huge game. In the meantime, the Gators are off this week as they prepare for Les Miles and company. Next game: 10/6 – LSU
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Ole Miss: Can’t argue with results. The only blemish is a bad loss to Texas. The Rebels have been playing with passion and intensity even through the fourth quarter against the Longhorns. The Rebel dream crashes down to earth this week as the boys from Oxford visit Tuscaloosa to play the No. 1 team in the land. Next game: at Alabama
Mississippi State: State is undefeated after thrashing freshly FBS minted South Alabama 30-10. The schedule sets up favorably for Mississippi State to be undefeated, or at worst have 1 loss, when they travel to Alabama on October 27. In the meantime, they have a bye week. Next game: 10/6 at Kentucky
Texas A&M: Cupcake destruction was the name of the Aggies game as they nuked South Carolina State 70-14. That score could potentially be closer than this week’s score when the Arkansas Razorbacks visit College Station. There is no greater dumpster fire in the country then the Hawgs. Next game: Arkansas
Pretenders
Auburn: Moral victories are still losses. Auburn looked strong against LSU, but still came away with a defeat. The 1-3 Tigers have a bye week before the Razorbacks visit on October 6 in what Alabama will surely consider the “Dumpster Fire Bowl.” Next game: 10/6 Arkansas
Missouri: Missouri talked about “old man football,” then got stomped by it. The two SEC teams they’ve played took their high octane offense and stifled it into non-existence. The Tigers go out of conference for a tilt with UCF. The Golden Knights are an early favorite at home. Next game: at UCF
Arkansas: The hits keep coming for Arkansas. Alabama hung 52 on them last week, and Rutgers followed it up by beating the Hawgs in Fayetteville 35-26. The one bright spot? Cobi Hamilton set a single game SEC receiving yards record with 303 yards against the Scarlet Knights. Next game: at Texas A&M
Vanderbilt: Ever since South Carolina’s DJ Swearinger interfered on a crucial fourth down play and the Commodores didn’t get the call, Vanderbilt’s season has tanked. They got blown out by Georgia 48-3 in a game where the Dawgs could have named their score. Vandy is off this week, and will take time to prepare for a trip to Missouri. Next game: 10/6 at Missouri
Tennessee: The Vols got pushed very hard by the Akron Zips. While they did triumph 47-26 in the end, the game was much closer than the final indicated. Akron was supposed to be a tune-up game for a road trip to Athens, but it turned into a draining war. Next game: at Georgia
Kentucky: At least basketball season is just around the corner. The Wildcats got blitzed by Florida 38-0, and now they host South Carolina. Joker Phillips is almost certain to lose his job if Kentucky cannot pull off a miracle. Next game: South Carolina
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