SEC REPORT - WEEK 10 Preview
by David Waters
Posted November 04, 2009
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SEC STANDINGS
EAST
- Florida 8-0 (6-0) Division Champions
- Georgia 4-4 (3-3)
- South Carolina 6-3 (3-3)
- Tennessee 4-4 (2-3)
- Kentucky 4-4 (1-4)
- Vanderbilt 2-7 (0-5)
WEST
- Alabama 8-0 (5-0)
- LSU 7-1 (4-1)
- Auburn 6-3 (3-3)
- Ole Miss 5-3 (2-3)
- Mississippi State 4-5 (2-3)
- Arkansas 4-4 (1-4)
Vanderbilt at Florida
Vanderbilt travels to Gainesville to face it second tough opponent in a row. Last week, the Commodores hosted Georgia Tech and lost quarterback Larry Smith for the rest of the season. Not good news when a team has to travel to Gainesville to take on the Gators. A team that just wrapped up the Eastern division, played their best game of the year, and hasn't been in The Swamp in a couple of weeks.
Without Larry Smith on the other side of the ball, the Gators don't have much to worry about from Vanderbilt on the offensive side of the ball. The only way this game stays close is if Florida reverts back to the way they looked pre Georgia game with lethargic play and plenty of turnovers.
Tennessee Tech at Georgia
Georgia needs to get some things figured out to prepare for some tougher opponents coming in the weeks ahead. Much didn't change after the bye week and playing Florida. Will this be the week we can see some major changes? Mainly at quarterback?
LSU at Alabama
Here comes a low-scoring defensive battle that will be one of the nastiest games of the year? Does LSU want to prove they are back? Does Alabama want to continue their reign at the top? There won't be much offense in this game as both defenses are just too much for both quarterbacks to handle.
It's this simple for Alabama. Get better quarterback play from Greg McElroy and you win the game. LSU will stack the box and will force McElroy to beat one of the best defensive backfields in the nation. If Alabama can still run the ball with Mark Ingram against a stacked box, McElroy just needs to continue to manage the game and get into field goal range.
LSU will win this game if they can hang on to the ball. Alabama wins games by making the opposing offense make mistakes. Just like Alabama, LSU needs to tun the ball. Charles Scott needs to get more than 12 carries a game, and then the Tigers can establish one-on-one coverage with their big, tall receivers.
True freshman Russell Sheppard will make a surprise play to keep LSU within one score toward the end of the game, but somehow Alabama scores it's first touchdown of the game after Sheppard's and wins the game.This the best talent Alabama has faced so far this season. THIS WILL BE A GREAT GAME.
Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky
Not having Mark Hartline at quarterback finally caught up with Kentucky in the loss to Mississippi State. It was a game they could have won, but the quarterback problem along with the rushing defense deciding not to show up was too much to overcome. Those two points will be the points of emphasis against Eastern Kentucky and going into Vanderbilt to become bowl eligible.
Memphis at Tennessee
This is the first time Lane Kiffin has to deal with success at Tennessee. Beating Georgia, a should have been a win against Alabama, and blowing out South Carolina shows that Tennessee has turned its season around. We know the defense is good and the offense is coming around, but can quarterback Jonathan Crompton keep up the good play. He has struggled in the games where Tennessee is clearly the better team. As long as he can keep the ball from Memphis, this will be a comfortable win.
Furman at Auburn
Coming off a big win over Ole Miss, the game against Furman for Auburn is nothing more than a tune-up for the stretch that will define a successful season.
Northern Arizona at Ole Miss
Really? Hey Rebels, Keep giving Dexter McCluster the ball and find a way to keep Jevan Snead from giving the ball to the other team.
Questions or Comments? dwaters@wjxt.com
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