SEC Football: Week 7 Contenders & Pretenders
By Thomas Watts
Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE
Week 7 of SEC football is in the books, and the first BCS rankings are out, with the Alabama Crimson Tide on top of the heap. It is important to realize that the BCS computer formulas simply aren’t made for accurate results in Week 7, so take them with a grain of salt. With that said, let’s get on to the contenders and pretenders:
1. Alabama (Last week: 1) Alabama beat Missouri down 42-10, and is No. 1 in the first BCS rankings. The Tide is rolling into Knoxville for the Third Saturday of October against the Tennessee Volunteers. A Tide win would almost certainly seal Derek Dooley’s fate. Next game: @Tennessee
2. Florida (Last week: 2) Florida overcame a shaky start to pull away and beat Vanderbilt 31-17. Jeff Driskel continues to mature as quickly as any quarterback in the SEC not named Johnny Manziel. The Gators get an angry South Carolina team in the Swamp this weekend in what could decide the SEC East. Next game: South Carolina
3. LSU (Last week: 5) Just when it looks like LSU is about to fold, the Tigers play their best game against South Carolina. The 23-21 win was impressive, and LSU crawls up a couple of spots in C&P. The offense, though, remains spotty. It put up plenty of yards, but didn’t put up many points. LSU gets plucky Texas A&M at Kyle Field. Can the Tigers maintain momentum, or does Johnny Football will the Aggies to victory? Next game: @Texas A&M
4. South Carolina (Last week: 3) South Carolina did what South Carolina has historically done since Steve Spurrier has coached in Columbia: Score a massive win and then find a way to lose the next week. The fact LSU finally played a good game softens the blow of this loss, but the team cannot sulk since it travels to the Swamp this Saturday. Next game: @Florida
5. Georgia (Last week: 4) The Bulldogs had a bye this past week, and spent time licking their wounds after their shellacking by South Carolina two weekends ago. Georgia need not worry this weekend since they play Kentucky. Kentucky and Auburn have the dubious distinction of competing for “Worst in the SEC” this year. Next game: @Kentucky
6. Mississippi State (Last week: 6) Mississippi State beat Tennessee 41-31 in the Bulldogs first true test of the year. Clearing the Volunteers hurdle means that State will almost certainly be 7-0 heading into a suddenly interesting showdown with Alabama in Bryant-Denny Stadium in two weeks. A game against Middle Tennessee comes first, though. Next game: Middle Tennessee
7. Texas A&M (Last week: 8) Texas A&M beat Louisiana Tech 59-57 in Shreveport. Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel reset a bunch of records he set earlier this year. A&M goes from a team that doesn’t know what defense is to a team that prides itself on defense when they square off against LSU this weekend. Surprisingly, Texas A&M opened as only a 2 ½ point underdog at Kyle Field. Next game: LSU
8. Tennessee (Last week: 7) Tennessee had a disappointing loss against Mississippi State. Head coach Derek Dooley is coaching for his job at this point. The Alabama Crimson Tide comes to town this weekend. Can the Volunteers defense, which hasn’t stopped anyone in weeks, find itself for the big rivalry game? Next game: Alabama
9. Ole Miss (Last week: 9) Ole Miss finally got the 0-16 SEC monkey off its back by beating Auburn 41-20. The Rebels don’t move in C&P because they were expected to wallop the hapless Tigers. The euphoria of the win gets to last a little while longer as the Rebels enjoy a bye week this week. Next game: 10/27 @Arkansas
10. Arkansas (Last week: 10) Arkansas found an offense. They beat Kentucky 49-7 in a rain-shortened game. The season is still a massive disappointment, but the Razorbacks showed an inkling of what earned them such lofty preseason standings. They will bring a two-game winning streak into a game against Ole Miss, but they’re off this week. Next game: 10/27 Ole Miss
11. Vanderbilt (Last week: 11) Vanderbilt lost 31-17 to Florida at home, but they were able to make it interesting against the BCS No. 2 team. If there is such a thing called a “moral victory,” the Commodores had one against Florida. Vandy hosts Auburn next. Next game: Auburn
12. Kentucky (Last week: 12) The lowest three in C&P are legitimately interchangeable. They’re all awful for various reasons. Kentucky just lost to Arkansas 49-7, and Joker Phillips should probably consider packing his office soon. The hits keep coming for the Wildcats as they host Georgia this week. Next game: Georgia
13. Missouri (Last week: 13) Missouri was completely outclassed by Alabama. The Tide ran off 27 straight points before the Tigers had a little spark from a 98-yard kickoff return. Even with the return, Missouri still lost 42-10. Mizzou gets a bye, and hopefully can get healthy along the O-line and at the quarterback position. A game in two weeks against Kentucky couldn’t hurt either. Next game: 10/27 Kentucky
14. Auburn (Last week: 14) Auburn can’t do anything right. The Tigers played Ole Miss close for three quarters, and then laid an egg in the fourth to lose 41-20. The quarterback play is awful-to-mediocre. The defense cannot tackle, and the coaches are a chorus line of the infamous “Shula Stare” throughout games. If the Tigers don’t beat Vanderbilt this week, they won’t win a game in the SEC. Next game: @Vanderbilt
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