SEC Football: Week 6 Contenders & Pretenders
By Thomas Watts
John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE
Separation Saturday came and went, and left C&P shattered in its wake. Losses by LSU and Georgia shake up the top, and Auburn magically forgetting what “offense” is shakes up the bottom.
1. Alabama (Last week: 1) Alabama dodged a bullet weekend where three of the top five teams in the FBS fell. The Tide travels to Columbia to face a Missouri Tigers team in a tailspin. How has the Tide adjusted to the loss of two offensive weapons in Dee Hart and DeAndrew White? Next game: @Missouri
2. Florida (Last week: 3) Florida beat LSU 14-6. It was most shocking because the Gators were able to out-LSU the Tigers. UF physically ground the Tigers defense to pieces and shut down an already sputtering LSU offense. The Gators travel to Vandy and must guard against a letdown after such an emotional win in the Swamp. Next game: @Vanderbilt
3. South Carolina (Last week: 5) South Carolina demolished Georgia 35-7. The Gamecocks harassed Georgia’s Aaron Murray early and often while Connor Shaw continued his efficient quarterback play for Steve Spurrier. Why not have them at No. 2 after such a thrashing? Cocky looks great at home, and horrendous on the road. Speaking of roads, the road doesn’t get any easier for Carolina. They travel to LSU for a night game in Death Valley this week. Next game: @LSU
4. Georgia (Last week: 4) Mark Richt did what Mark Richt does best – whiff on the biggest stage. The Dawgs were run out of South Carolina 35-7. The defense was shellacked, and the offense was non-existent. Luckily, Georgia has a bye week this week in order to try and right the ship. Next game: 10/20 @Kentucky
5. LSU (Last week: 2) Why is Georgia, after getting wrecked by South Carolina, ahead of LSU? Simply put, LSU has no offense and the thing that Les Miles leaned on, the grind down victory, has been irrevocably lost. The bad offense puts a stellar defense in horrible position and the defense is dealing with linebacker injuries. A night game at home against South Carolina will make or break the Tigers season. Lose and there is no chance of making the SEC Championship. Next game: South Carolina
6. Mississippi State (Last week: 7) State got by Kentucky 27-14. The Bulldogs remain undefeated and untested. This week should change things when the high octane offense of the Tennessee Volunteers visits Starkville. At least the Vols should give Bully a decent game. Next game: Tennessee
7. Tennessee (Last week: 6) Tennessee is coming off of a bye, but fell due to Georgia’s defense again getting thrashed for a ton of points by South Carolina. The Volunteers have the most talent that State has seen, and will be the Bulldogs first true test. If Tyler Bray can avoid meltdown mode, the Vols stand a strong chance of pulling the upset. Next game: @Mississippi State
8. Texas A&M (Last week: 9) A&M tried to give away their 30-27 over Ole Miss by committing six turnovers. The Aggies head into what would have been a bye week, but Hurricane Isaac had other plans. They get to visit Louisiana Tech in a game sure to produce fireworks. LaTech doesn’t know what defense is, but the Bulldog offense is off the charts. Next game: Louisiana Tech
9. Ole Miss (Last week: 8) This ranking is more of a condemnation of the teams below Ole Miss. Any team that gets six turnovers should win. Period. The Auburn Tigers visit Oxford this week. If there is any SEC team that Ole Miss can earn a confidence win against, its definitely Auburn. Next game: Auburn
10. Arkansas (Last week: 12) Where the heck did the Razorbacks come from? They mailed it in against Alabama and Texas A&M and then whalloped Auburn 24-7. Oh wait, Auburn couldn’t find an offense if Gene Chizik’s job depended on it. Arkansas may put together a little winning streak since Kentucky is coming to town before their bye week. Next game: Kentucky
11. Vanderbilt (Last week: 13) Vanderbilt got by Missouri 19-15 on Mizzou’s home field. The feel-good road win has to take a back seat as Florida is coming to Nashville this week. Next game: Florida
12. Kentucky (Last week: 14) The Wildcats got handled by Mississippi State. They were held to 228 yards of total offense and lost 27-14. Arkansas comes to town next, and Kentucky fans are eagerly awaiting basketball season. Next game: @Arkansas
13. Missouri (Last week: 10) Missouri is in shambles. The Tigers just lost to Vanderbilt and now are staring down the barrel of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Starting quarterback James Franklin will not be available and the Mizzou offensive line is patchwork at best. At least a bye week is coming after a Bama beat down. Next game: Alabama
14. Auburn (Last week: 11) Auburn’s defense is pretty good. Unfortunately, when a defense plays for three quarters, it gets exhausted and throttled. The Auburn offense is horrific, particularly the quarterback position. The unit managed just seven points against a defense that allowed 50 to its other SEC opponents. The fact that the Tigers elected to bench quarterback Kiehl Frazier in favor of Clint Moseley, a player with known shoulder issues, shows how desperate the team is. Ole Miss is up next. Next game: @Ole Miss
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