Last week, the SEC didn’t have a key game that piqued the interest of national media. However, this week the SEC has some of the most exciting games this college football weekend has to offer. The biggest conference game is in College Station, with the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers taking on the No. 8 Texas A&M Aggies. Here’s a look at the other games in the SEC this weekend.
LSU at No. 18 Florida
Gainesville, Florida — 12 p.m.
With a 3-2 record that caused LSU to fire its long-time head coach, life after Les Miles seems to be great so far for the Bayou Bengals. Last week, LSU looked like the seemingly unstoppable team it was last season and they didn’t have Leonard Fournette. However, they did play a very weak Missouri team that hasn’t won a game in the SEC. So I wouldn’t be the first to say that the Tigers are back to their winning ways (I mean, just look at the Longhorns). The Gators could potentially have Luke Del Rio back, pending the progression of his injury. The Gators have shown glimpses of excellence that can still keep them in conversation for a SEC East title. Florida’s sole loss came at the hands of No. 9 Tennessee, which should have been the Gators’ win since they led by double digits at halftime before the Vols came back and used some of their comeback magic. If the Gator offense keeps scoring and the defense performs the way it has been, this is Florida’s game.
Prediction: Florida 38, LSU 21
Auburn at Mississippi State
Starkville, Mississippi — 11 a.m. CT
Both teams have the same record in the SEC and both are coming off big wins against non-conference opponents. But, Auburn has the better team of the two. They were able to knock out LSU in a close and controversial 18-13 win at home that led to the firing of Les Miles, and they can easily defeat the Bulldogs. However, the Mississippi State defense which is ranked fourth in the conference in rush defense, should effectively contain the conference’s leading rushing offense who averages 269.8 yards a game. Despite their attempts to stop Kerryon Johnson and the Auburn offense, the Bulldogs will fail and the Tigers will win.
Prediction: Auburn 28, Mississippi State 17
No. 1 Alabama at No. 16 Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas — 6 p.m. CT
With this being the only other Top-25 match up of the weekend, you can expect this game to be a good one. Alabama has continued to roll over its opponents, but not in the usual commanding ways. Against Kentucky and Western Kentucky, the Tide was unable to surpass the 40-point mark. Opponents who should not be able to contain the Bama offense has, which is not typical of the No. 1 team of the nation. The Razorbacks will have to shake off their 52-10 win against Alcorn State if they want to have a chance of giving the Tide a run for its money. Austin Allen leads the conference in passing efficiency, which could play a major role in the Razorbacks’ plan to try and take down the Tide. However, it’s Nick Saban’s team and if there’s something I’ve learned in life and in college it’s don’t ever doubt the football genius that is Nick Saban.
Prediction: Alabama 48, Arkansas 35
Angel Franco is a Telecommunication Media Studies sophomore and sports editor for The Battalion