SEC Football: Interesting Week 4 games for six SEC teams

Week four of the season will be pivotal for six SEC football teams. Why just six? The six, play against each other, and in games either team could win. One more SEC vs. SEC football game in week four is Alabama Football vs. Vanderbilt. Only one team can win in Tuscaloosa.

Six more SEC teams will play out-of-conference opponents. None of those six games will be close. According to FanDuel, the closest point spread in the mismatches is more than three touchdowns.

Must-win games in September are not common in the SEC. But a credible claim can be made that this Saturday, three SEC teams must win. Must-wins are a byproduct of expectations and expectations vary among teams for a variety of reasons.

The SEC football teams with the most to lose on Saturday are Auburn, Texas A&M and Florida.

SEC Football – Missouri at Auburn – 11:00 AM CST

The deteriorating situation in Auburn will decay further if the Tigers, at home, cannot beat Missouri. Two months ago, I predicted Auburn could go winless in the SEC. The Missouri game was identified as a tipping point game. After Missouri, Auburn faces LSU at home, then Georgia and Ole Miss on the road. After an open date, Auburn has two remaining home SEC games with Arkansas and Texas A&M. In between those two Auburn will take on Mississippi State in Starkville.

Lose to Missouri and Bryan Harsin will get open Saturdays before his (then former) team gets one. A Missouri win would be a boost for Eli Drinkwitz, but his less than stable situation is not as precarious as is Harsin’s.

It is being rumored Auburn will be without TJ Finley or Zach Calzada at quarterback on Saturday. Behind the inexperienced Robby Ashford, Auburn has no backup QB experience.

SEC Football – Florida at Tennessee – 2:30 PM CST

After losing to Kentucky, a loss to Tennessee would mean the Gators are not in contention in the SEC East. This is a case of too high expectations among Florida fans. Billy Napier and his team could win on Saturday. But Florida has the weakest passing attack in the SEC at only 141 yards per game. Tennessee’s pass defense is not very good, but the Josh Heupel offense produces so many points, most opponents cannot compete in a shootout. A loss in Knoxville would prove what many suspect; that Napier has a significant rebuilding task.

SEC Football – Arkansas at Texas A&M (in Arlington, TX) – 6:00 PM CST

Jimbo Fisher’s job is not currently in jeopardy. It might have been if the Aggies had not knocked off Miami last week. Jimbo’s problem, beyond his mouth, is the Aggies’ recruiting success in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 classes is not being seen on the field. Or at least, it is not being seen this season in the Texas A&M offense.

Even though the Aggies are a slight favorite, losing to No. 10 ranked Arkansas should not cause panic in College Station. But a second loss before the end of September would rekindle accusations that offensive football has passed Jimbo by.

Few Alabama football fans will pay close attention to the Hogs and the Aggies. The kickoff in Tuscaloosa is only a half hour later than the one in Texas.