What you need to know about every SEC East opponent in Week 5
The SEC East picture is finally a little clearer.
Tennessee asserted divisional dominance with a wild comeback against Florida last weekend, while Georgia’s season took a hit from a blowout at Ole Miss. The plot will only thicken from here as every SEC East team faces a conference foe this week.
Here’s what the division is up against in Week 5.
No. 23 Florida (3-1, 1-1) at Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1)
Vanderbilt PPG: 23.8
Vanderbilt allowed: 26.2
Commodores’ strength: Vanderbilt’s vaunted defense has not lived up to the hype this season, and the team has little to boast of on offense besides running back Ralph Webb, but at least the Commodores take care of the football. They’re tied for 11th in the nation with a plus-5 turnover margin.
Must stop: Webb has built a case as the best rusher in the SEC through four weeks. He leads all conference running backs in yards (472) and is tied for the lead in touchdowns (5) while surrounded by arguably the least amount of talent in the league.
Notable: Though Vanderbilt’s success under former coach James Franklin seems like a distant memory, Florida fans probably haven’t forgotten the Commodores’ last win against the Gators — a 34-17 victory in 2013 to spoil homecoming in Gainesville.
Florida PPG: 32.3
Florida allowed: 13.0
Gators’ strength: Despite Tennessee’s huge comeback last weekend, defense remains Florida’s best asset. The Gators still have the No. 10 scoring defense and No. 4 total defense (221.8 yards per game) in the country.
Must stop: When he’s not catching punts at his own 1-yard line, Antonio Callaway is Florida’s biggest playmaking threat. The sophomore receiver leads the SEC with 111.7 receiving yards per game and even showed surprising rapport with backup quarterback Austin Appleby, hauling in passes of 51 and 43 yards against Tennessee last weekend.
Notable: The last time the Gators lost to Tennessee (2004), they finished the year with a 7-5 record and a 4-4 mark in SEC play.
No. 25 Georgia (3-1, 0-1) vs. No. 11 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0)
Tennessee PPG: 32.8
Tennessee allowed: 21.0
Vols’ Strength: Defense was the catalyst for Tennessee’s massive comeback against Florida last weekend, consistently forcing three-and-outs while the offense finally got in rhythm. The Volunteers rank 37th and 39th nationally in scoring defense and total defense, respectively.
Must stop: Josh Malone has emerged as one of the SEC’s top receiving threats with 287 yards and five scores on 13 catches. He’s the go-to target for quarterback Josh Dobbs, whose dual-threat capabilities present a challenge for any defense.
Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Notable: Tennessee leads this incredibly close SEC East series 22-21-2.
Georgia PPG: 25.3
Georgia allowed: 30.0
Bulldogs’ strength: Fortunately for Georgia, true freshman quarterback Jacob Eason has the luxury of a talented stable of running backs as he continues to get acclimated to the college level. Sony Michel and Brian Herrien are capable runners behind Nick Chubb, who has slogged through three quiet games and is battling an ankle injury of unspecified severity.
Must stop: Eason also has a proven playmaker at receiver in Isaiah McKenzie (21 receptions, 318 yards and four touchdowns). McKenzie had two critical drops last week, but the junior also has 57 yards and a score on the ground while returning punts at 9.9 yards a pop.
Notable: The Bulldogs had won five meetings in a row before the Volunteers’ 38-31 victory in Knoxville last season.
Kentucky (2-2, 1-1) at No. 1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0)
Alabama PPG: 46.5
Alabama allowed: 14.8
Strength: This is a tough one, but we’re going with the Crimson Tide’s fifth-ranked rushing defense simply because of the matchup. The Wildcats have leaned on running backs Stanley “Boom” Williams and Benjamin Snell Jr., who will likely struggle against a team that allows just 67.5 rushing yards per game.
Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Must stop: Jonathan Allen (above) is a terror along the defensive line, swallowing up running lanes with his 294-pound frame. He’s backed up linebacker Reuben Foster, a hard-hitting senior who leads Alabama with 29 tackles.
Notable: To say the Crimson Tide has an edge in this series would be a massive understatement — Alabama leads 36-2-1 for an incredible 92.3 winning percentage. The rest of the East hasn’t fared much better: Alabama has won 13 consecutive games against East opponents, including SEC championship games.
Missouri (2-2, 0-1) at LSU (2-2, 1-1)
LSU PPG: 21.0
LSU allowed: 16.8
Strength: Well, it’s certainly not the passing game. Even with coach Les Miles gone, expect LSU to stick with a heavy dose of its ground attack to complement a fierce, multi-package defense.
Must stop: Running back Leonard Fournette is the obvious choice — even with a lingering ankle injury — but you already know enough about him. Arden Key, a sophomore defensive end/linebacker hybrid, leads with nation with 6.5 sacks and will be determined to disrupt Missouri’s high-octane offense.
Notable: Interim LSU coach Ed Orgeron went 10-25 as the head man at Ole Miss from 2005-2007, but he thrived as USC’s interim in 2013 with a 6-2 record.
South Carolina (2-2, 1-2) vs. No. 9 Texas A&M (4-0, 2-0)
Texas A&M PPG: 43.0
Texas A&M allowed: 16.0
Strength: You’ll need to score a lot of points to beat the Aggies. They’re No. 16 in the country in scoring and ninth in total offense (545.8 yards per game) thanks to a surprisingly potent rushing attack, something coach Kevin Sumlin’s squad has lacked over the past two seasons.
Must stop: Senior quarterback Trevor Knight has been an absolute revelation for Texas A&M, racking up big plays with his arm and legs while limiting turnovers. He benefits from not having to face aggressive pass-rushers Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall, who comprise possibly the best defensive end duo in college football and have helped the Aggies amass 13 sacks through four games.
Notable: Texas A&M did not play South Carolina before joining the SEC but is 2-0 in the series since the teams became permanent SEC cross-division opponents in 2014.
