[Professor D] The SEC came close to a stellar performance this weekend. Trust Missouri to drop the ball in the 4th quarter against Syracuse to really mess it all up. The conference went 7 – 1 against non-conference opponents and although some of its top teams looked sluggish they got a big boost from unlikely allies Baylor and Stanford. Overall I grade the conference an A this week as the SEC sends 6 teams to the top 10 BCS standings, which is fair. Florida, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, and South Carolina are all easily top 10 teams. An unfortunate reality for decent teams like Mississippi State who despite having an 8 – 3 record and a decent shot at 9 - 3 is looking at a trip to the Gator Bowl or if they’re very lucky the Chick-fil-a bowl.
Kentucky 34 - Samford 3
Well Joker Phillips got what he wanted for the Kentucky seniors, and that's all any fan could really ask for. I wish him nothing but the best in his next job, wherever that may be. Not a whole lot else to say about this one...
Kentucky 34 – Samford 3
Kentucky finally snapped an 8 game losing streak by beating up on hapless Samford. Not to be confused with the SEC’s favorite non-conference team of the week (should that become a thing? I think that should be a thing) Stanford. The Wildcats pummeled the bulldogs early on to the tune of 31 – 3 at the half, allowing only a second quarter field goal from Samford. I guess Kentucky finally remembered their an SEC squad and SEC squads do not lose to the likes of Samford and Kent State (glare). Joker Phillips may not have saved his job in this game, but he at least bought himself another week (unlike a to be named later SEC coach).
As expected, a frustrated Auburn team (and fan base) took out some aggression on Alabama A&M on Saturday. It won't get them bowl eligible and it probably won't help much in preparation for the REAL Alabama this Saturday, but a win is a win.
Auburn 51 – Alabama A&M 7
Speaking of teams waking up and realizing they play in the SEC, Auburn also had a strong first half performance, leading 35 – 0 at the half. I’ll admit I was worried about this game, and who can blame me. No one who has seen the Tigers play this year that’s for sure. Auburn finally got a chance to showcase that offense they’ve been so high about the past few years. Yeah it’s really awesome guys. Good enough for win 3 in week 12. I really hope Auburn doesn’t make any major changes this offseason. It has been awesome watching them fall on their face this year, and someone has to take Ole Miss’ place at the bottom of the West.
The Aggies handled their share of the OOC load this weekend, dealing an entirely expected loss to Sam Houston St. Now they look ahead to fellow newbie Missouri, who will visit College Station this weekend and desperately hope to pull off the upset against the upstarts.
Texas A&M 47 – Sam Houston 27
The score wasn’t close, but the game was even more lopsided. Texas A&M took their foot off the gas (finally, remember the Aggies haven’t had a bye week this year) in the 4th quarter against Sam Houston when they led 47 – 7. The Bearkats were able to score 21 points in the final quarter to make the score look a little more respectable. It was nice of the Aggies to give them that. Sam Houston (Sam Houston State actually but I’m too lazy to go back and change it and have quite a bit of work to be getting along with thank you very much) plays in the Southland conference with the likes of Lamar and Nicholls State so scoring 27 against TAMU might be worthy of a T-shirt (if you’re Missouri that is…).
Florida 23 - Jacksonville St. 0
Florida's defense did what they do, and the offense was about what you'd expect. Not stunning, but serviceable. Florida basically used J'ville St. as a tuneup for the FSU game this weekend, and that game might be closer than some folks want to believe. Ah Rivalry Week...
Florida 23 – Jacksonville State 0
Florida, for the fourth week in a row, came out sluggish against Jacksonville State. The
Gators led just 10 – 0 at the half and relied on their defense all game. Granted Florida was
missing their starting quarterback, but still, you can’t tell me FLORIDA didn’t have a back up
they could send in and score more than 23 against Jacksonville State. The Gators are one of the
teams that benefited from the weekends upsets though and the return of Driskel to the lineup
should give Florida the spark they need to get in position for a National Championship (what?
really? Did I just say that? How did that happen…) if Notre Dame skids on the banana peel (it’s
a phrase ok? It’s legit. Mario Kart says so).
Georgia 45 - Georgia Southern 14
Georgia took care of business Saturday, not that the loss would've kept them out of the SEC title game. We already know that, barring a stunning slip up against Auburn, Alabama will be facing Georgia in the SECCG, so unless Notre Dame falters the winner will be facing the Fighting Irish in the National Title Game. Don't mind the fact that ND gets to skate by having to play in a championship game for any conference (they are ACC in all sports EXCEPT football, now)... I cannot wait for college football playoffs.
Georgia 45 – Georgia Southern 14
This game turned out to be important. See despite beating Florida earlier in the year the computers are loving the Gators strength of schedule. If Georgia had fumbled around a bit in this game and the pollsters decided to bump the Gators over Georgia then Florida, a team not in contention for their own Conference Championship, could have been number 2. An all SEC championship game would have been unavoidable if Notre Dame loses. But as it is Georgia was able to smash Georgia Southern (as they should) and all is ok in the world of the BCS (except, you know, the BCS). I should probably talk more about the actual game, but you all can probably guess how that would go. Aaron Murray was awesome blah blah the opponent had no answer for the freshman running back tandem blah blah. Yeah.
Alabama's defense decided to send a message to Auburn and Georgia on Saturday by blanking W. Carolina. It's hard to imagine that TAMU was able to knock off the Tide, but that wasn't a dream. It was just another example of how being in the best conference (the SEC, in case you weren't sure) lends itself to teams that would otherwise run the table in other conferences cannibalizing themselves during conference games. It's just a shame more people don't understand that...
Much like the Georgia game, this one actually turned out to be important. See there are quite a few people who aren’t happy with Alabama sitting ahead of the bulldogs in the polls. Georgia has the tougher schedule and both teams play in the same conference. Both teams also have a loss to teams of approximately the same caliber in South Carolina and Texas A&M. The points scored by the Tide don’t really matter as much as the big goose egg sitting where Western Carolina hoped to put at least a 3 or a 7. The Tide’s defense returned to form after being shredded by Texas A&M last week and pounded by LSU the week before. That goes a long way to reminding people why no one outside of Athens is giving Georgia much of a chance against Alabama in Atlanta.
Missouri 27 - Syracuse 31
I had a feeling this was going to be a tough contest, I just ended up picking the wrong pony to back. Missouri now travels to Texas to take on giant-killers Texas A&M this weekend in the first match up of the new kids on the SEC block. If they want to be bowl eligible they're going to need a minor miracle... or two, or three.
Missouri 27 – Syracuse 31
My only mistake was believing Missouri could actually pull this one out when they led 17 – 10 going into the fourth quarter against Syracuse. Then the Tigers were the Tigers and allowed 21 points to slap them with the loss. Mizzou played better than I expected, serving as a reminder that it is SEC teams that have been pounding them this year, but in the end did as they have done all year (with the notable exception of the Tennessee game), lose. Sigh. Things will get better for Missouri. After all they got better for South Carolina and Arkan… well maybe we’ll save the Arkansas example for a better year (or just pretend this year never happened and Petrino actually hates motorcycles. Man didn’t that insurance company do a great job with that ad? I thought they were making fun of the motorcycle, you know, a Hog. I completely forgot about the Petrino incident! Gosh that was hilarious. Maybe next year they’ll do something about their coaches debt. What was I talking about? Oh yeah Missouri lost. Sorry it just gets so dull typing that every week. I mean it’s fun watching Auburn lose. I guess it is sadder talking about Kentucky. I kind of feel sorry for them. Until I remember Calipari. Then I don’t. I should close those parentheses now before I ruin your day by not doing it. Actually no, that could be fun.
I didn't see any highlights or anything for this one as I was intermittently crashing tailgates, celebrating the overdue win against Arkansas, or watching more interesting games, but SC managed to do what needed to be done anyway. I can just imagine the sourpuss on the Ol' Ball Coach's face when they go into the fourth tied with Wofford, though. Oh, that face...
South Carolina 24 – Wofford 7
Man this was a scary game for awhile. This game was tied going into the 4th quarter (another Mizzou style t-shirt idea!). I couldn’t believe it. The Gamecocks were able to put things together though and real off 17 points in the 4th in a Florida Gators style win. I don’t think anyone expected this one to be close, but I suspect that with the East locked up and South Carolina so far ahead of Vanderbilt in the standings that the Gamecocks played soft, keeping up their strength for a bowl game.
Sorry, Derek Dooley. It sucks that you got fired but that comes with the territory when you're coaching at a former National Championship winning school that's fallen on hard times. Vanderbilt did a great job in this game, regardless, and have improved their stock for bowling by adding a 7th win. Congrats, 'Dores, you've earned it...
Vanderbilt 41 – Tennessee 18
Who expected this? I’m going to go ahead and copy and paste that as my intro for the next three games. Seriously though, I know I said Vandy had a pretty good defense, but holding Tennessee to just 18 points? And scoring 41! I know the Volunteers suck on defense but still! Way to go there Vanderbilt! You just secured a winning season! The SEC is proud of you. As a State fan I kind of feel like a big brother to Vanderbilt. You know, they’re really smart and all and you’re proud of them for it, but still. And you really feel for their football struggles, after all you’ve been there before. This loss was so bad for the Volunteers they fired the lovable Derek Dooley over it. Which is a shame, but hey, Tennessee was a powerhouse. They won’t be happy until they find the coach that can return them to that.
LSU 41 - Ole Miss 35
Credit Ole Miss, they gave LSU a better game than I would've expected, but the end result was the same. That really sucks for the Rebels, though, because when MSU beats them this Saturday they will have lost their shot at a real trophy (The Golden Egg), a fake trophy (The Magnolia Cup) and a bowl game. This game was right down to the wire, and that can only help the Bulldogs Saturday as Ole Miss will likely still be a little hungover from pouring everything they had into this one and coming up short...
LSU 41 – Ole Miss 35
Who expected this? I didn’t. Ole Miss really gave LSU one heck of a game. And Les
Miles gave one heck of an interview. Nothing could have capped this game off better than the
Mad Hatter in front of the mike. Seriously this guy is awesome. LSU did something I didn’t
think they’d ever do. Put up 41 points in a game. They also allowed 35. Weird. I don’t know
how that happened but I know it sets up one hell of a showdown this weekend in the Egg Bowl.
Should be fun y’all.
Mississippi State 45 - Arkansas 14
Man, that felt good to say (type, whatever)... It's been 4 years since MSU beat the Razorbacks, and granted this wasn't your typical Arkansas team by any stretch of the imagination, but they also aren't the dumpster fire that started the season wearing their jerseys. As I expected, turnovers really put this one away for us, so big shout out to our secondary and our defense in general for creating all those turnovers. This loss also put the Razorbacks out of any bowl discussions, not that they were really in any to begin with. MSU notched another SEC win, improved to 8-3 and has now set their sites on rival Ole Miss... that is going to be a great game!
Mississippi State 45 – Arkansas 14
Who expected this? I mean I expected State to win, but by 31?!?! Wow that was
awesome. The offense didn’t look great but the defense was stellar (except those missed tackles,
but going for the strip paid off big so I won’t complain much). Arkansas really couldn’t get out
of their own way. It almost got old laughing at them shoot themselves in the foot. Then I
remembered the pig sooey cheer and suddenly enjoyed it again. I really wish the Piggie fans
behind me had stayed for the whole game. I really wanted to pay them back for all their smack
talk in the first two quarters. Speaking of the first half though, the Bulldogs need to step up their
game. Ole Miss looks pretty good and they will be playing for the post season… at home… oh
boy. By the way Chad Bumphis leads the SEC in touchdown receptions. Pretty good for a guy
who isn’t much of a down field threat. Suck it ESPN. Also, Hamilton, meet Darius Slay. You
two aren’t going to get along very well.
And that will do it for the recap! I don't know what the hell is going on with the spacing here, blogger has never been very easy to work with. I finally just said fuck it. Anyway, y'all have a great week, and hopefully I'll see a few of you at the Egg Bowl!
#HailState and #GoDawgs!
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