SEC REPORT - WEEK 4 & 5
by David Waters
Posted October 01, 2009
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A look back at Week 4 and look ahead to week 5.
A look back…
Florida 41 Kentucky 7
This game will be remembered as the game Tim Tebow went down, but you've heard enough about that. This is another game for Florida that showed they are a beast of a running team. The offense came out firing on all cylinders to a 31-0 first quarter lead and ended the game with 362 yards on the ground. Before he got knocked out, a sick Tebow looked impressive running the ball and made the big plays passing the ball. The defense was around the ball all night forcing two interceptions and getting consistent pressure for the first time this season.
Kentucky was behind the eight ball right away, and I think they just got another punt blocked. The speed of Florida's defense made it difficult for the short passing game of the Wildcats to work, while also struggling to convert on third downs. Kentucky's pass defense looked suspect going into the game, but they could not stop the run, especially Tebow.
LSU 30 at Mississippi St. 26
If LSU doesn't have Chad Jones, the Tigers do not win this game. Jones had a punt return for a touchdown and batted down the game-winning pass from Mississippi St. The Tigers still cannot find a way to get the offense rolling like it is supposed to. The running game was still not there and Jordan Jefferson could not make the plays to put the game away. The defense was clutch but still let a very average Bulldog offense score too many points while having four turnovers.
If it wasn't for those four turnovers, all in the first-half, Mississippi State probably wins the game. Anthony Dixon powered his way through the LSU defense all game, but could find a way to put in the end zone on the game's final drive. The defensive line gave all out effort and kept this game close.
Arkansas 7 at Alabama 35
The Arkansas offense was ready to take off, then they ran into Alabama. The Crimson Tide showed they could stop the pass as well as they stuff the run. Linebacker Dont'a Hightower went out with a knee and is more than likely out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Alabama also figured out that Greg McElroy is not just a game manager at the quarterback position and that freshman running back Trent Richardson is going to be a superstar. This was just a complete game for Alabama.
According to Razorbacks' head coach Bobby Petrino, his team didn't believe they could win this game. Well they played like it. The offense just let Alabama's defense push them around, and Ryan Mallet was never able to get the ball downfield. The defense continues struggle but stopped the run for the most part, but the seconday is just woeful and looks like it won't get any better.
Ball St. 30 at Auburn 54
First it was the running game, but the Tigers showed again that they now can pass the ball. Chris Todd threw for 287 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Tigers to 4-0. The question going into the season was the offense, but that has focused to the defense. Giving up 30 points and 146 rushing yards at home to Ball State is disappointing. Most of Ball State's points came against backups, but there defensive problems going forward.
Arizona St. 17 at Georgia 20
Much like LSU had a player that won the game for them, so did Georgia. A.J. Green proved he was a man by bringing in eight catches for 153 yards and making the play of the game by blocking a late Arizona State field goal that would have give the Sun Devils the lead. Quarterback Joe Cox wasn't sharp as he threw two picks, and one for a touchdown return. The defense played better, but Arizona State quarterback Danny Sullivan wasn't accurate at all and if he was, Georgia probably loses this game.
Ohio 23 at Tennessee 34
A week after battling Florida tough, Tennessee goes back home and once again looks very mediocre. The defense that played so great against Florida gave up 319 yards passing against the Bobcats. The offense went back to their Florida formula by holding and running the ball with Monterio Hardesty, who gained 140 yards on 20 carries. Jonathan Crompton threw two touchdowns, but threw another interception that could have cost the Volunteers the game.
Vanderbilt 36 at Rice 17
Vanderbilt found an offense against the Owls from Rice. There was some creative play-calling with reverses and that helped the Commodores rush for 216 yards. The Vandy offense had been struggling all season, but the whole offense came around as quarterback Larry Smith also passed for 268 yards and made big plays the offense had been lacking. The defense proved once again that it can force turnovers, and must if the Commodores want to stay in SEC games.
Ole Miss 10 at South Carolina 16
The South Carolina defense is good… really good. The speed was just too much for Rebels quarterback Jevan Snead to handle. The pass rush, led by Eric Norwood, battered and beat the Ole Miss offense all night, and made plays late to hang on for the win. The game wouldn't have even been close if the Gamecocks' offense could have moved the ball in the fourth quarter. The play-calling got conservative and almost cost South Carolina the game.
There is just something not right about the Rebels offense. Jevan Snead has been taking too long to get warmed up in games. South Carolina is a better opponent than Ole Miss' previous opponents and Snead late comeback just wasn't enough. Had Ole Miss used do-it-all Dexter McCluster earlier in the game, we just might still be talking about an undefeated Rebels team. He is that dynamic.
A look ahead…
Alabama at Kentucky
The Crimson Tide will come in looking for another balanced attack on offense, but would like to see if young quarterback Greg McElroy can keep up his great play. McElroy will have no problem keeping up his great play against Kentucky. Alabama will pound the ball early behind it's stable of running backs early and McElroy will shine once again. Since starting linebacker Dont'a Hightower will now miss the rest of the season, the game against the Wildcats will be used to figure out the best linebacker combination for the rest of the season. Kentucky will have trouble moving the ball against the fast, physical Crimson Tide defense, much like it did against Florida's.
Kentucky cannot afford to play sloppy and fall behind Alabama like it did last week against Florida, 31-0 after the first quarter. Once again, the key on offense will be to get Randall Cobb the ball more. Let your playmakers make plays. The defense can keep this game close, but has to get more pressure from the defensive line and force McElroy to beat them without a running game. It still remains to be seen if McElroy can totally carry the Crimson Tide offense.
Winner: Alabama
Arkansas at Texas A&M (Arlington, TX)
The Razorbacks get to go play in the confines of the new Cowboys Stadium. This needs to be a bounce back game for the offense and Ryan Mallet after looking completely lost against Alabama. Their confidence was shaken after taking their second loss in a row, but the offense should be fine against the Aggies. Texas A&M runs the same kind of zone defense that Georgia runs and Arkansas lit it up that game. But the question in this game will be if Arkansas can finally stop the opposing offense. The fast paced offense of the Aggies should give the Arkansas even more trouble because the defensive backs can seem to cover anyone. They need to be disciplined against this kind of west coast offense, they haven't yet and probably won't this season. The offense will win this game in a shoot-out.
Winner: Arkansas
LSU at Georgia
This is a tough game to pick. Both teams are struggling on defense and both are inconsistent on offense. When it's that close go with the home team. If Georgia wants to prove it can get a running game going in the SEC, this is the game to get it going. LSU has struggled stopping the run all season, and it almost cost them last week against Mississippi State. The LSU offense also has struggled behind Jordan Jefferson, but no offense has struggled against Georgia. This will be the game the Georgia defense plays a little better.
Georgia always shows up against LSU, and with LSU's running game troubles, the defense will be able to force Jefferson into making a couple of bad decisions that cost LSU the game. Bulldogs quarterback Joe Cox will find his only receiver, A.J. Green, for a couple of big plays to win the game. Interesting fact in this game, LSU is the highest ranked opponent to come into Athens since a number three ranked Florida came in 1995.
Winner: Georgia
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
It was a big upset last season when Vandy beat Ole Miss, but the Commodores received six turnovers from the Rebels that contributed to the victory. It will take another series of events for Vandy to beat Ole miss this season. The Commodores are good at forcing turnovers, and Ole Miss can't seem to get out of it's own way, but Ole Miss will be focused coming off of a loss against South Carolina.
Vanderbilt has had trouble making plays on offense against SEC defenses, but could have a little confidence after making plenty of plays last week against Rice. Ole Miss' defense was not the reason they lost to South Carolina last week and just must continue to play with the same urgency against and overmatched Commodores defense.
If the Ole Miss offense sputters early, look for them to use Dexter McCluster to start making plays.
Winner: Ole Miss
Georgia Tech at Mississippi St.
Can Mississippi State recover from last week's heart break loss against LSU? If it wasn't for four turnovers in the first half, the Bulldogs would have beat LSU last week. Now they have to worry about the option attack of Georgia Tech coming to Starkville.
The Bulldogs' offense behind Anthony Dixon has been making more plays as long as they hang on to the ball. It's never easy to tell how a defense will react to Georgia Tech's option attack, but the Bulldogs have a fast and physical enough defense to keep the game close.
Winner: Georgia Tech
South Carolina St. at South Carolina
Yawn….. After playing #4 Ole Miss last Thursday night on ESPN, the Gamecocks follow that up with a joke. The Gamecocks just need to keep its stars healthy and put South Carolina State away early.
Winner: South Carolina
Auburn at Tennessee
In the preseason, we didn't know if either team would have an offense. Well one team does, while one team is still trying to get its quarterback to stop throwing interceptions. Auburn has completely been on fire on offense and will carry that momentum into Knoxville to knock off the Vols. I just don't believe that Tennessee can beat an equal opponent with quarterback Jonathan Crompton. Auburn will load the box and force Crompton to beat them and that won't happen. Auburn would rather get into a quick score offensive mode, but they can run the ball successfully and counter Tennessee's plan to hold the ball. The injuries mounting up for the Volunteers will start to show in this game, and they won't be up to prove anything like they did against Florida. Auburn's spread is not as good as Florida's, but will have more success as the Volunteers just won't be as hyped for this game.
Winner: Auburn
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