SEC REPORT - WEEK 8 Preview
by David Waters
Posted October 20, 2009
===========================================================================
SEC Week 8 Preview
STANDINGS:
EAST
- Florida 6-0 (4-0)
- Georgia 4-3 (3-2)
- South Carolina 5-2 (2-2)
- Tennessee 3-3 (1-2)
- Kentucky 3-3 (1-3)
- Vanderbilt 2-5 (0-4)
WEST
- Alabama 7-0 (4-0)
- LSU 5-1 (3-1)
- Auburn 5-2 (2-2)
- Ole Miss 3-2 (1-2)
- Mississippi State 2-4 (1-2)
- Arkansas 3-3 (1-3)
Florida at Mississippi State
Florida travels to Starkville where they haven't won since 1985 and have four straight losses.. Another storyline to look forward to is Bulldogs head coach going against his old team. Mullen has Mississippi State playing tough and could easily be 5-2 or 6-1. Some are saying that Mullen's knowledge of the Florida offense could lead to an upset. Do the "some" think Florida's coaches forgot about what Mullen can do?
The Bulldog's passing attack is nonexistent and when Florida can just concentrate on the run, usually the opposing offense doesn't have a chance, but…. The Gators have shown they have trouble tackling in a couple of games this season against Tennessee and last week against Arkansas.
Last week was supposed to the the game where Florida we supposed to get the passing attack going. Look for the same game plan again this week where Florida will look to pass early to get the running game going. The game plan should be to let Tim Tebow be Tim Tebow early in the game.
Louisiana-Monroe at Kentucky
If Kentucky can keep up the play they had last week against Auburn, they should win this game comfortably. This will be another game where Kentucky has quarterback by committee, with Randall Cobb making the plays. The game may not look comfortable for Kentucky as they will have problems passing the ball, but will get enough plays from the running game and the defense will have no problems keeping an average Louisiana-Monroe in check.
Tennessee at Alabama
Which Tennessee team and quarterback Jonathan Crompton will show up in Tuscaloosa? Tennessee is coming off a bye week after looking the best they have in two season against Georgia and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has had two weeks to prepare for the Tide offense.
Speaking of the Tide offense, it's been in question the last two weeks. In the last two games the Crimson Tide have scored two offensive touchdowns and that is mostly due to the rushing of Mark Ingram. Tennessee's defense is just as good as South Carolina's and Ole Miss' defenses and the Tide will struggle against them as well.
Where the Tide will not struggle, once again, is on defense. Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton won't be the horrible quarterback he was before the Georgia game, but he won't be as good as he was in the Georgia game either. Alabama will have a little trouble stopping the Tennessee running game and that will open up some plays for Crompton, but the play-calling will be too conservative and Crompton will throw two picks to give the game away.
Vanderbilt at South Carolina
This is the time where South Carolina's season usually starts to crumble, plus the Gamecocks have lost two straight to the Commodores. South Carolina is a better team and their defense will make this an easy win for the Gamecocks. Commodores' quarterback Larry Smith has struggled all season long and the South Carolina defense led by Eric Norwood will be on Smith all day.
Gamecocks' quarterback Stephen Garcia has been less mistake prone as the season goes on, besides the opening interception against Alabama, he almost made enough plays to get the upset over Alabama. Garcia will have a big day against a good Vandy defense.
Arkansas at Ole Miss
This will be the most entertaining SEC game of the week as long as Rebels quarterback Jevan Snead doesn't keep giving the ball to the Razorbacks. The Rebels have struggled in SEC games against opponents that are just as good or better than them all because Jevan Snead can't quit throwing picks to the other team. The key to the Ole Miss' success in the SEC is to, again, get Dexter McCluster involved more. In any way possible.
The Arkansas defense has improved, holding their last three opponents to an average of about 21 points a game and almost pulled a monumental upset of #1 Florida last week. If the Hogs can give up 21 point to Ole Miss, I like their chances to beat Ole Miss. Arkansas has found another running back in Dennis Johnson to spell Michael Smith and the receivers are starting to make plays. Arkansas wins in a close one and continues the Ole Miss free fall.
Auburn at LSU
This will be the most entertaining SEC game if Arkansas and Ole Miss turns out to be a disappointment. The key to this game could be if LSU has the ability to get up early. Auburn has shown problems in trying to come back and win games. Auburn quarterback Chris Todd has struggled in his last two outings and LSU's defense is not one to get better against.
The LSU offense has been a mess, but look for the Bayou Tigers to have figured something out during their bye week to get a little more production. Auburn has had trouble stopping opposing offenses the last two weeks. Somehow they let Kentucky beat them without its starting quarterback. Auburn usually plays good in Death Valley… not this time.
Questions or Comments? dwaters@wjxt.com
|
