Key Games In The SEC
This week in the SEC there’s a couple of key games to keep an eye on.
Saturday 11/3 8:00 pm CBS
First up and by far the biggest is the HUGE Western division showdown between Alabama and LSU. Playing for the third time in a year, this one most certainly will determine the Western division representative in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.
A.J. McCarron leads the Tide against the LSU Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE
Alabama is led by the nation’s pass efficiency leader A.J. McCarron, who still has yet to throw a pick this season, and a couple of talented running backs in junior Eddie Lacy and true freshman T.J. Yeldon.
LSU counters with a defensive line featuring bookend future NFL linemen Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo.
McCarron looks like a Heisman candidate this year rather than the “game manager” previous Saban qb’s have been considered. He’s completing 68 percent of his passes for 1684 yards with 18 touchdowns and ZERO interceptions.
Alabama’s receiving corps is deep, physical, and explosive. Led by freshman Amari Cooper this group can run by you or go up and outrebound you for the football.
Bama keeps rolling out big, strong running backs with freakish athleticism year after year and this stable may just be the best yet. Eddie Lacy has the size to run over would be tacklers but might be most dangerous on screen plays with his cutback ability. There is no dropoff when T.J. Yeldon comes in as he is big and strong and has a quick first step.
Overall, this might be the best offense Alabama has fielded under Saban and defensively they had no dropoff from last year’s team that lost a number of players to the NFL.
LSU’s offense is led by quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who has been inconsistent as a replacement for Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee, and their usual stable of strong running backs led by sophomore Kenny Hilliard. Mettenberger has completed a paltry 56 percent of his passes for 1419 yards and only 7 touchdowns.
Their wide receiving corps is led by Kadron Boone a big, physical receiver who has played well but not spectacular this season. After Boone, though receiver play has been largely forgettable.
With numerous injuries along the offensive line this season, the LSU offense has struggled to maintain any kind of consistency giving up a large number of sacks and not opening holes for the running game as well as in year’s past.
Without much of an offense to speak of, LSU must hope their defense plays better than they did against the Gators in the 2nd half of that game or this one could get ugly.
Alabama has too much offense and too much defense for the Tigers in this one so look for the Tide to take this one going away and continue their march to another BCS Championship game appearance.
Saturday 11/3 3:30 pm Eastern CBS
Next up is the Georgia Bulldogs, fresh off their emotional and physical upset of the Florida Gators, taking on the surprising Ole Miss Rebels.
Georgia must win this week and again next week against the Auburn Tigers in order to claim the East and play in the SEC Championship Game.
It’s quite difficult for a team to get up for a big game two weeks in a row as we’ve seen many times this season so look for a Georgia letdown versus the Rebels.
New Ole Miss Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze leads the Rebels against the Georgia Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE
Ole Miss has been the surprise of the Western Division this season as new head coach Hugh Freeze has his spread offense rolling in Oxford. Defensive is their weakness and it may be difficult for the Rebels to stop the Bulldog combo of freshman running back Todd Gurley and quarterback Aaron Murray.
Ole Miss has seen a resurgence this season under quarterback Bo Wallace who is a legitimate run/pass threat. He’s been fairly efficient in this quick passing offense completing 66 percent of his passes for 1649 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Ole Miss is led in rushing by Jeff Scott averaging 87 yards per game with 6 td’s. While not a big threat the running game is a solid complement to the short passing game.
Georgia is led offensively by Aaron Murray 15th in the nation in pass efficiency completing 64 percent of his passes for 2064 yards and 17 touchdowns. Freshman sensation Todd Gurley is a big, athletic running back who can hit the hole hard or bounce it outside. He’s rushed for 740 yards with 10 td’s and averages a whopping 6 yards per carry.
Georgia should be a huge favorite in this one playing at home but has shown a willingness to play down to their opponent this season. The Rebels seeking to become bowl eligible this week after winning only two games last year should be fired up to gain the upset.
Gator fans, of course, needing a Georgia loss to clinch the East will be rooting for the Rebels in this one as this represents the best chance for a Dawg loss.
Ole Miss’ offense is better than they get credit for but their defense isn’t. Inspired play by the Rebels and uninspired play by the Dawgs keeps this one close but in the end Georgia has too much offense and likely wins it in the end.
But as always, Go Gators!