Published October 26, 2012 - 10:45am
NEW: Discuss this topic in the Google+ community for SEC fans.
Here are the five most interesting stats in the SEC as we head into week nine:
3-2
Jeff Driskel has beaten more top 25 teams (3) in six starts than Aaron Murray has in three years (2). Say what you want about the stat, but it speaks volumes about where the two programs are currently. Is it a product of Florida’s defense? Sure, but everyone thought Georgia’s defense would be tops in the SEC with nine of 11 returning. But that simply hasn’t been the case. Georgia plays just two ranked opponents this season, and they already lost to the first one in South Carolina. Murray has eye-popping stats, and Driskel does whatever is necessary to win football games. Driskel’s four-touchdown, 93-yard performance against USC last weekend is quite a stat within itself.
24-11
Johnny Manziel has scored 24 total offensive touchdowns compared to 11 from Auburn’s entire offense. He’s thrown for 14 touchdowns and run for 10, but he didn’t account for a single touchdown against LSU. Texas A&M boasts the top scoring offense in the SEC, averaging 43 points per game compared to Auburn’s 15.7.
29-3
South Carolina has an SEC-high and is tied for third in the country with 29 sacks on the year. We know how monstrous Jadeveon Clowney and company has been, but Tennessee has only allowed an SEC-low three sacks the entire season. What’s going to give when these two hook up on Saturday?
30-31
Mississippi State (30) and Alabama (31) have committed the fewest penalties in the SEC. With these two undefeated programs also sitting one-two in turnover margin, it could be a very clean football game in Tuscaloosa. Both quarterbacks are efficient in Tyler Russell and AJ McCarron, and both have combined for one turnovers in eight weeks. It’s pretty amazing how well both teams commit few penalties, take care of the football and force turnovers on defense. They match up particularly well.
12
Missouri has an SEC-high and is tied for first in the country in forced fumbles with 12. They are averaging forcing 1.71 fumbles per game. And Missouri is in plus territory with +6 on turnover margin. Now, if they can ever get the offense to quit turning it over (10 lost), they could start putting more points on the board. Protecting the football against Kentucky will the key to getting their first ever SEC win.
