Published September 13, 2012 - 9:45am
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Here are the six major storylines in the SEC this weekend:
SEC fallen powers trying to rise up: It’s Tennessee-Florida week, people. The two former SEC East powers have fallen from their historical state, and this game through the 90’s and early 00’s had a big say in the East division. But that hasn’t been the case for a few years now. However, both enter this weekend ranked for the first time since 2007. Florida happened to win that game 59-20, and the Gators strut their seven-game winning streak against the Vols. Tennessee hasn’t been ranked since the first week of 2008. Florida fans and Tennessee fans alike are hopeful and optimistic to come away with a win. The lights don’t get any brighter than College GameDay and ESPN football on a Saturday night. This could go down to the wire.
Marquee takes a back seat: If you had asked me the marquee game to watch in the early season, I would have told you Alabama-Arkansas. But that game takes a backseat this weekend because of the Hogs’ embarrassing defeat against Louisiana-Monroe. Arkansas, ranked #8 at the time, completely dropped out of the top 25 this week as the #1 ranked Tide looms ahead. The good news is the Hogs get Bama in Fayetteville, but the bad news it will likely be without starting quarterback Tyler Wilson because of a concussion he suffered last weekend against ULM. The Tide’s defense is licking their chops at the thought of bull rushing a weak Arkansas offensive line. Assuming Wilson won’t play, will the Razorbacks even mount a charge?
Conference Pride: Good ole’ SEC pride is on the line this weekend in two separate SEC home games. Missouri hosts Pac-12 foe Arizona State, and Ole Miss hosts the Texas Longhorns. Both are big matchups for the SEC, as both games are more under-the-radar games. Missouri and ASU is a battle between two spread offenses that are up-tempo. Texas plays the leading offensive team in the SEC in Ole Miss. Quarterback Bo Wallace will try and do the unthinkable this weekend in Oxford. SEC! SEC! SEC!
Desperation Mode: Two SEC teams have started out in the hole at 0-2, and it’s desperation time for both. Auburn has lost to Clemson and Mississippi State in very undramatic and unremarkable fashion. Vanderbilt had momentum coming into 2012 but lost their first two games to South Carolina and Northwestern. Auburn hosts ULM, and Vandy hosts Presbyterian. The Tigers and Commodores are desperate for wins against two lesser foes.
Clubbing Baby Seals: Look for several SEC teams to put beat downs on some inferior opponents. LSU will dominate Idaho, while Mississippi State goes on the road to Troy. MSU should manhandle Troy, too. The East really gets to hammer on some lesser foes. Georgia will drub FAU, and Kentucky will smack WKU (I have faith in you, Wildcats!). And finally, South Carolina should spank UAB. All of these games should be locks. Look for all of these teams to exert their SEC will on the poor seals. Make it happen.
Keepin’ It In Texas: Conference newcomer Texas A&M faces SMU in Dallas. Texas A&M hasn’t lost to the Mustangs since 1984, and they look to improve that record this weekend. Kevin Sumlin was 4-0 against SMU while at Houston. But one thing that makes this a big ole Texas celebration is that former Longhorns’ quarterback Garrett Gilbert plays for the Mustangs. We’re going to keep it all in Texas this weekend. Look for the Aggies to get back on track.
THE storyline exiting this Saturday will be how the Vols are the frontrunner in the SEC East. Rocky Top baby.
haha I love it. Finally some energy in the Florida-Tennessee game. You guys have been quite boring in recent years. Tennessee has been complaining about Lane Kiffin for two plus years and just now is starting to believe again. This is good for the SEC East and for the SEC. Let’s see a good game this weekend.
“You guys”? When was the last time Florida beat a ranked team?
thank you both have sucked almost as bad as ole miss.
I’m hoping the Vols win so that they’ll be undefeated when they come to Starkville. I think Alabama beats Arkansas 41-3.
Sorry Cowbell but Tenn is just a flash in the pan. Who have they played? N.C. State & G. State. They have not faced a SEC defense yet. They are 4.85 under dogs in the Gator game. Anyway they are just another rung in the bulldog ladder. MORE COWBELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not sure where you’re getting your info but the VOLS are 3 point favorites.
@Bugtussel Lets look at the actual teams both have played. MSU HAS played an SECdefense i will give you that, but that defense was Auburn. Lets not kid ourselves, Auburn is not as good as a few years ago. Tennessee played and dictated the majority of that NCST game. the recieving corp made an ALL-AMERICAN CB that just happens to own the NCAA recod for interceptions while playing in a mostly run-based conference. Just to add some statistics, UT 187.5 RYPG MSU 184.0 yards. UT43 PPG MSU 42 points. MSU 9.5 PAPG UT 17 points against. Now dont get me wrong, I belive MSU is very good this year, and i by no means think UT will win easily. that being said Tennesse has proven more against better quality opponents SO FAR this year, so please respect that. Thank you and i conclude my argument.
tell um! 5-0 going into Tenn and 7-0 right before kicking A_L_A_B_A_M_A’s arse!
btw, GTHOM!
This is actually going to be an exiting match-up between these two teams.. yet stressful.. It’s anyone’s game… but GO GATORS!!!!! Oh & I’m also hoping for an upset between Bama and Ark.. that would just be awesome!
For all the crap we get about our schedule, we are entering week 3 and we know nothing about LSU…they wont be tested until week 6 in Gainsville. This is a team I picked to win the west partly because of this but Im starting to think theyll be soft by midseason.
“Kentucky will smack WKU” Nah, that won’t happen. WKU gets better and better every year(admittedly, there really hasn’t been anywhere to go but up). Taggart does a great job of recruiting SEC caliber athletes from GA and FL. WKU defense will shut down the cats and Jakes and the offense will move the ball effectively against Joker’s D. 21-17 TOPS.
Two weeks in a row a Sun Belt team takes down the SEC? WKU is probably the best Sun Belt team.
I understand Tennessee and Florida fans wanting to talk about their game. . . .but here is a secret, something shocking will happen in Oxford, Mississippi saturday night. Ole Miss upsets Texas.
I just don’t see Ole Miss beating Texas however i am not counting troy down either they are a good team and have beaten BCS caliber teams before. I am MS State all the way. #Hail State