SEC REPORT - WEEK 13 Preview
by David Waters
Posted November 25, 2009
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SEC STANDINGS
EAST
- Florida 11-0 (8-0) Eastern Division Champion
- Georgia 6-5 (4-4)
- Kentucky 7-4 (3-4)
- Tennessee 6-5 (3-4)
- South Carolina 6-5 (3-5)
- Vanderbilt 2-10 (0-8)
WEST
- Alabama 11-0 (7-0) Western Division Champion
- Ole Miss 8-3 (4-3)
- LSU 8-3 (4-3)
- Arkansas 7-4 (3-4)
- Auburn 7-4 (3-4)
- Mississippi State 4-7 (2-5)
SEC Championship
December 5, 2009
Florida vs Alabama
Week 13 Preview
Florida State at Florida
This is the game where Florida needs to turn it on. If Florida can flex its muscles against rival Florida State, the confidence should be at an all-time high going into the SEC Championship.
If you look just at the game, Florida should have no problem against the Seminoles. Young E.J. Manuel is going to be confused the whole game by Charlie Strong's defense and the FSU defense is not a typical FSU defense in letting big plays happen all the time… but this is a rivalry game. The Seminoles have enough talent to play with Florida, but Bobby Bowden is not really a coach anymore and it has shown and will show in this game.
Florida's offense should get to flex its muscles in the passing game and with big plays. The Seminole defense has been letting big passing plays happen all season and might just what the Gators need to get in their groove. This has to be the game where the Gator offense can do what ever they want and give Alabama more to think about.
This version of the FSU offense is based on a dink-and-dunk passing game, if that is the game plan against the Gators, it will not work against Brandon Spikes and corners Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins. Haden and Jenkins stay with their receivers all play long and see what happens with a short passing game against the Gators, balls get batted at the line or by defensive backs and then get intercepted. The running game needs to show up behind Jermaine Thomas and get going early. If the Seminoles can get get the Gators linebackers to worry about the run and get them out of the passing lanes, FSU might can march down the field a couple of times.
It's senior day in Gainesville for Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes. The leaders on both sides of the ball will not let this be a look ahead game to the SEC Championship. This reason alone sets up another big Florida win over FSU.
Alabama at Auburn
The difference in this game will be the Auburn defense. All year long they have had trouble stopping the run all season along, especially late in games. The Tigers rank 88th against the run and the Crimson Tide have to be licking its chops at the chance to pound the ball at Auburn. That kind of play from Alabama might, and this is a big might, play into Auburn's world just for this game. This game is going to be about emotion and when a team wants to just pound the ball, not much technique is involved and Auburn's desire to stop the rum might be enough.
Auburn quarterback Chris Todd must be able to withstand a barrage of pressure and confusion from the Alabama defense. The bye week for the Tigers gave them the chance to work on some new wrinkles and maybe come up with some plays where the defense of Alabama needs to think instead of just play. If Ben Tate cannot run the ball, Auburn will lose. Alabama's defense is predicated on taking away the run and then pinning its ears back and forcing the quarterback into making mistakes. It has worked all season long and will continue against the Tigers… but not until late in the second half.
Georgia at Georgia Tech
The Bulldogs can save their season by beating the team from Atlanta. It doesn't happen too often where we know Georgia Tech is a better team than the Bulldogs.
Georgia is a very undisciplined team and especially in play on the defensive side of the ball. The Yellow Jackets triple-option attack will chew up Georgia's defense and spit them out. The Bulldogs are always missing assignments on defense and the Georgia Tech offense is not the type of offense to get better.
Georgia Tech's defense is also mediocre at best, and as long as Georgia doesn't turn the ball over they can be in this game until the end. Quarterback Joe Cox can make plays, but also has the ability to just give the game away. If Washaun Ealey and the running game can get going, the score of this game could be low, but I see Georgia just chunking the ball all over the place and keeping the game close.
Tennessee at Kentucky
This will be an entertaining game. Tennessee has a banged up defense, while the Kentucky offense is turning the corner with freshman quarterback Morgan Newton. The Wildcats' offense has been inconsistent, but look like it could have turned the corner with the win over Georgia last week. Newton doesn't kA mistakes and is finding a way to make just enough plays to get Kentucky in position to win a game. Tennessee's linebacker corps is a little banged up so there might be some plays to be made for Kentucky.
With a banged up offense, the Tennessee offense might have to make a few more plays to make up for the injuries. Kentucky does give up yards and plays but seems to get a turnover when it really needs one. If quarterback Jonathan Crompton continues his late season surge, Tennessee will be fine, but if he reverts back to early season Crompton, Kentucky and not Tennessee will be bowling on New Year's Day.
Clemson at South Carolina
South Carolina has fell apart again late in a season and is playing a Clemson team that has everything going for it right now. South Carolina just can't score right now and hasn't really even look good in a month. The defense is solid, but to beat Clemson, the defense has to get better at forcing turnovers, if it's just to get the offense in better scoring position to finally put some points on the board. Clemson's C.J. Spiller will prove to be too much for the Gamecocks to handle.
Arkansas at LSU
Winner probably goes to the Cotton Bowl. How will LSU bounce back from the doofus mistake of Les Miles? Well the offensive backfield is showing that without Charles Scott, it is in shambles. The running game is struggling to find some consistency and that is forcing an injured Jordan Jefferson to try and make plays. Arkansas' defense is average at best, but always finds a way to show up against LSU.
Ryan Mallet is proving to be the SEC's best passer and will challenge LSU's talented secondary like it has not been challenged so far this season. Look for Arkansas' quick little scat backs to be the hidden gem.
Ole Miss at Mississippi State
Can Houston Nutt not lay an egg in the Egg Bowl after getting a big win vs LSU last week. This game is simple, The Bulldogs can't pass the ball and that plays into Ole Miss' hands, to make plays on defense and cause problems from the defensive line. Mississippi State is a better team than in the past, but after losing out on a trip to become bowl eligible, they maybe a little bum and Dun Mullen will have to rally the troops.
Questions or Comments? dwaters@wjxt.com
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