SEC football has some important matchups in week three of the college football season. We take a look at five SEC games and a couple non-SEC contests with CFB Playoff implications.
For most SEC football fans what happens with the 14 conference teams is more important than any games from other conferences. For the Alabama football fan base, the interest is more nuanced. Tide fans also want to keep track of the top CFB Playoff contenders.
Let’s look at five SEC football games and also two more national contests, relevant to the CFB Playoff. First, two SEC teams, playing out of conference: Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. Then three SEC v SEC games with division standing on the line. Last, are two games from outside the league that include three potential CFB Playoff teams, USC, Lousiville, and Clemson. All point spreads in the following game previews are provided by SBRodds.com.
Before jumping into the games, take a look at the Chris Lowe tweet below. The data provided by Lowe makes a strong statement about Nick Saban and a telling statement on the league’s other SEC football coaches.
Record last 3 yrs vs. final Top 25: Saban 15-4, Bielema 5-10, McElwain 3-7 (2 yrs), Jones 3-8, Sumlin 3-9, Malzahn 3-10, Mullen/Stoops 1-9.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) September 13, 2017
Kansas State at Vanderbilt
Early in 2017, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder was diagnosed with throat cancer. The ensuing treatment reduced his workload through the Wildcats spring practice. The 77-year old, avowed workaholic has been back at full speed since the beginning of fall camp. Snyder will bring his Wildcats to Nashville as the No. 18 ranked team in the nation.
Vandy coach, Derek Mason has built the Commodores to respectability. Last season, the Dores took down Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee. A bowl game loss to North Carolina State did not damper the enthusiasm of Mason and the Dores’ fans.
Kansas State is favored by 3.5 points. The tight spread is a statement of the growing respect for Mason’s program How big would a win be for Vandy? The last time Vanderbilt beat a ranked, non-conference opponent in Nashville was 1946. If the Dores win they could be a legitimate contender to win the SEC East.
Ole Miss at California
SEC football fans that intend to watch this game are in for a late night. More accurately, it will be early Sunday morning before the game ends on the west coast.
Ole Miss is favored by 3.5 points. The Phil Longo Air-Raid offense has the perfect trigger man in quarterback Shea Patterson. The Ole Miss defense is not very good so the Golden Bears will score some points. Ole Miss will probably score even more.