Well, college football is still fun, isn’t it?
We had one of the most exciting games of the season in College Station this past weekend. Tennessee and Texas A&M delivered an epic game that couldn’t be settled in regulation (more on this later). One of the bigger stories of the weekend surrounds teams that didn’t even play. Florida and LSU made headlines by NOT playing this weekend. Many are accusing Florida of intentionally ducking the game to increase their chance of landing in Atlanta come December.
Despite all of that, you should be excited, SEC fans. It’s the Third Saturday in October! This weekend highlights one of my favorite rivalries in all of sports. If you haven’t already, please feel free to read my article about the history and special place for this epic event. (I’m sure Stoney will link it somewhere here for you. He’s pretty good like that) On a personal note, thank you to everyone who has read and shared my article. It really is my favorite thing I’ve ever written, and I’m very flattered by all of the kind words that many of you have shared with me. Very humbly, I thank you readers for its success.
Now that the sappy stuff is done, on to the rankings!
1. Alabama – In what many perceived as a possible trap game, Alabama was dominant in Fayetteville. We saw a healthy dose of the famous Tide run game combined with another physical defensive performance. The only problem came from the secondary, which allowed entirely too many big plays. The Tide takes their momentum to Neyland Stadium for a top-10 showdown with Tennessee. It’s the Third Saturday folks.
2. Texas A&M – The only other undefeated team in the SEC, the Aggies stay at #2. A&M managed to hold off a Tennessee comeback to seal the win in overtime. Trevor Knight continues to be both fantastic and questionable at the same time, often in the same series. The main story here is the Aggie run game and defense. For future reference Aggies, if you force seven turnovers, you probably should win before overtime. They head to a bye week before traveling to Tuscaloosa.
3. Tennessee – I know, I know. They lost and they’re still sitting at #3?!? Yes, they are. The Vols are beat up, depleted on the depth chart, and suffering through a gauntlet. But they just keep competing. They aren’t the team of destiny after losing, but they won’t give up either. They’ll need several guys to step up and play the best game of their lives this weekend. It’s time for Alabama.
4. Ole Miss – The Rebels come off a bye, except for Chad Kelly trying to fight at a high school football game. Yes, that really happened. Ole Miss heads to Arkansas this weekend.
5. Auburn – News flash, Auburn is quietly 4-2. Their two losses? Clemson and Texas A&M, who happen to be top six teams. The Tigers are coming off of a thrashing of Mississippi State this weekend. 35-0 at half time? Ouch. Auburn gets to carry their momentum into a bye week.
6. Arkansas – Sure, they took a beating from Alabama, but Austin Allen managed to look solid. He threw for over four hundred yards and three touchdowns against the Tide defense. That’s a phenomenal day, and would be enough to win most games. Unfortunately, the Razorback defense was exposed and embarrassed. They welcome Ole Miss this weekend.
7. LSU – Missing the game against Florida hurt LSU more than the Gators. The Tigers were definitely looking to continue momentum and take down a ranked opponent. Instead, they’ll host Southern Miss this weekend, again without Leonard Fournette. Also, make up the game with Florida. Soon.
8. Florida – See above statement. Play the game. Florida and a returning Luke Del Rio host the Missouri Tigers.
9. Georgia – The running game continues to be dominant for the Bulldogs. Michel and Chubb both churned out over 100 yards. Georgia needed every bit with the poor play of Jacob Eason. With a postponed win on Sunday, Georgia’s pass game was less than flat against a sub par South Carolina. Georgia hosts Vanderbilt this weekend.
10. Missouri – The Tigers enjoyed a bye week. For their sake, hopefully the Tigers worked out some of their problems from the LSU beating. Missouri travels to the Swamp this weekend.
11. Kentucky – The Wildcats beat Vanderbilt this weekend. I moved them out of the basement. Apparently they’ve won three of the last four games. Who knew? It’s bye week time for the Wildcats.
12. Mississippi State – Getting demolished in the first half has to be the low point so far this season. 35-0? Anyone who watched that game saw State get dominated in every aspect of the game. The only reason the game didn’t get out of hand in the second half was because Auburn coasted. State heads to BYU.
13. South Carolina – It was a closer game than expected, but nobody really thought the Gamecocks ever had a chance. South Carolina continues to rely on their mediocre defense, with nothing explosive on offense to speak of. Much needed bye week time.
14. Vanderbilt – A loss to Kentucky and no offense. Vanderbilt is a team that could win games, but Derek Mason refuses.
On a serious note, LSU’s mascot Mike VI passed away from cancer this weekend. I genuinely enjoy the animal mascots of every team, and am sad to see him go. Rest easy Mike. (Editor’s note: people don’t always understand what a mascot can mean to a community. Mike VI meant a lot to a lot of people. Saturday Down South for the win here)
Bill Griffin is the lead SEC contributor for the SoBros Network, and serves as our resident expert on the human anatomy, fixin’ stuff, and tomatoes. Follow him on Twitter @Winter_Griffin
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