Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE
Huzzah! It’s LSU week, my fellow ‘Bama football degenerates. And, of course, the Alabama Crimson Tide remains undefeated. The Tide annihilated the undefeated Mississippi State Bulldogs this weekend in Tuscaloosa 38-7. They are now focusing on The Game of the Century III: Beatdown in Baton Rouge. Until then, let’s take a look at what happened around the SEC this weekend.
Georgia/Florida
The annual meeting in Jacksonville between bitter rivals Florida and Georgia is known for its notorious moniker: The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. I suppose the name was probably conceived by several drunken fans from some season long ago, which explains why it is also the world’s longest and most cumbersome nickname for a football game.
I did not realize, however, that it was customary for the players to partake in the festivities before the game. What else could explain the comedy of errors that ensued over the course of 60 minutes?
Georgia somehow survived the game 17-9, and the Florida players somehow survived the boiling anger of Will Muschamp’s face-melting screams. In a game between two SEC juggernauts, both of whom were ranked in the top 10 of the BCS standings, there were a combined 9 turnovers. Three by Georgia. Six by Florida.
Georgia’s defense had its best game of the season, forcing six turnovers, allowing only 266 total yards, and keeping the Gators from finding the end zone. But Aaron Murray threw three interceptions, and the Bulldogs were flagged 14 times for 132 yards. Classic Richtball.
Florida’s defense wasn’t bad either, only giving up 273 yards, but Florida’s offensive ineptitude finally caught up with them. Jeff Driskel had his worst game of the season, either fumbling or throwing away any chance of the Gators to make it to the SEC or BCS Championship. Rest assured Georgia fans: If the Bulldogs end up playing Alabama in Atlanta this December, Saint Nick won’t be so charitable.
”Hoddy Toddy, Gosh Almighty, We’ve Won Two Conference Games.”
Bo Wallace orchestrated an eight-play, 61-yard drive after Arkansas tied the game at 27 with 2:09 left in regulation. It set the Rebels up for Bryson Rose to kick the game winning 31-yard field goal. Blackbears 30, Razorbacks 27.
The Ole Miss footbaw machine is a-hummin.’ Huge Freeze has his guys believing and playing hard, and the Rebels pulled out a gutsy win over an Arkansas team that bottomed out early in the season, but has since leveled out.
Ole Miss is 5-3. I know I can’t believe it either. One more victory, and they’re bowling. I daresay, outside of the obvious SEC Championship contenders, Ole Miss is going to be the most interesting team in the SEC to watch down the stretch. Their last four games are at Georgia, vs. Vanderbilt, at LSU, and vs. Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. I have a feeling they are going to give all four of these teams fits. They may even squeak out a win or two.
1-7
During the second quarter of the Texas A&M – Auburn game, most the Auburn Family filed out of Jordan-Hare Stadium. You would have thought someone had called in a bomb threat. Come to think of it, maybe someone should have. With the final score of 63-21, the Tigers surrendered the most points ever at home in the program’s history.
I stopped watching the game midway through the second quarter. Mostly because the Alabama game was coming on, but at this point, watching Auburn line up and playing pee-wee football is painful. It’s like a tired joke. Actually, it is a complete embarrassment to themselves, the SEC, and the game of football.
On the bright side, Auburn did not turn the ball over. They did, however, allow Johnny Football and Texas A&M to rack up 671 yards of offense.
I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall during the Aggies’ first Auburn film session, and have watched Johnny Manziel’s eyes light up like Christmas at the sight of the Plainsmen’s laughable defense. I imagine the coaching staff would have provided buckets and fresh towels to help control the drooling.
Auburn plays in possibly the last winnable game on their schedule this weekend against New Mexico State, a team also sitting at 1-7. Have fun playing in your sandbox kids; Daddy has to go to Baton Rouge for business this weekend.
Prayers for Marcus Lattimore
South Carolina edged out Tennessee 38-35 in a highly competitive and entertaining game. South Carolina came out swinging, but Tennessee was very resilient, and was able to counterpunch for most of the contest. Tyler Bray and Conner Shaw had brilliant games: Bray threw for 368 yards and four touchdowns, and Shaw threw for 356 and three scores.
Unfortunately, the story of this game was the season-ending injury to South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore. In the second quarter, Lattimore went down, and eventually had to be carted off the field. South Carolina’s entire team wandered towards their injured leader to show their support.
There was an unspoken understanding among every player on the field, regardless of team, that a very special player’s future in the game of football had been compromised. In an act of compassion and respect, Tennessee players joined South Carolina’s at the center of the field to give Lattimore words of encouragement and prayers. It was a powerful scene. The respect the Vols showed for Lattimore on Saturday is certainly shared among all teams and fans in the SEC, and we wish him a speedy and successful recovery.
Alabama goes back on the road to Baton Rouge this weekend to play LSU. The game will be aired at 8:00 EST on CBS.
Follow Jeff on Twitter.