SEC NUGGETS TO KNOW

Here’s a look at some eye-popping stats and historical context entering Week 3 for select games.

No. 15 Ole Miss at No. 2 Alabama

The Crimson Tide has been ranked in the AP Top 10 since the second-to-last poll of 2010. That stretch of 69 weeks is an amazing run of consistency that ranks seventh in the history of the poll.

Miami (FL) — 137 — 1985-93
Nebraska — 86 — 1993-98
Florida — 81 — 1992-97
USC — 79 — 2002-07
Oklahoma — 76 — 1984-88
Ohio State — 71 — 1972-76
Alabama — 69 — 2010-present

The Rebels have put up 70-plus points in back-to-back games. The only SEC school to accomplish that in the FBS era (which dates back to 1978) is Florida. That season, the Gators did that against none other than New Mexico State (who they played in this year’s season-opener) and Kentucky.

Ole Miss has scored 21 TDs, eight more than any other team in the SEC (Texas A&M has 13).

Florida at Kentucky

One year ago, Florida and Kentucky went to triple overtime. Ever wonder how many SEC games have gone that distance?

2003 Arkansas 71, Kentucky 63 — 7OT
2002 Tennessee 41, Arkansas 38 — 6OT
2003 Tennessee 51, Alabama 43 — 5OT
2012 Missouri 51, Tennessee 48 — 4OT
2007 Tennessee 52, Kentucky 50 — 4OT
2014 Florida 36, Kentucky 30 — 3OT
2007 Kentucky 43, LSU 37 — 3OT

While that contest was a nail-biter, Florida has still beaten Kentucky by an average margin of 24.1 PPG since 2000. That’s the largest margin between any two SEC schools (minimum 10 games played). Here are the largest margins of victory in any SEC series over that span.

Florida vs Kentucky — 24.1

LSU vs Mississippi State — 23.0
Florida vs Vanderbilt — 20.9
Georgia vs Vanderbilt — 18.9
Alabama vs Arkansas — 18.5

As for Kentucky, keep an eye on the ‘Cats if they manage to get ranked at some point this season. The school’s only season being ranked since 1984 was in 2007, when they were ranked as high as No. 8 before losing to? You guessed it. The Gators.

No. 18 Auburn at No. 13 LSU

If you think Auburn might pull off the upset this Saturday because you see War Eagle ahead in the fourth quarter … not so fast, my friend. Since Les Miles’ first season at LSU in 2005, his team easily has the best record in games when trailing in the fourth quarter. It’s not even close. Here is a look at the top five schools in this regard over that span, including win percentages:

LSU — 24-24 — .500
Boise State — 9-18 — .333
Florida State — 19-38 — .333
Texas — 18-37 — .327
Clemson — 17-39 — .304

Leonard Fournette’s 159 rushing yards accounted for 47.2% of LSU’s total offense, and he scored all three of the team’s TDs in LSU’s season-opener vs Mississippi State.

Jeremy Johnson has 5 INT in 53 pass attempts this season. He had just 2 INT in 78 pass attempts previously in his career.

South Carolina at No. 7 Georgia

Nick Chubb has rushed for 100 yards in 10 straight games, the second-longest active streak in the nation. The only streak longer is 11 by Toledo’s Kareem Hunt, who missed the Rockets’ last game against Arkansas on Saturday. If Chubb makes it 11 this week, it would be the longest stretch by a Bulldog since Herschel Walker’s 11 in a row in 1982, his Heisman season.

South Carolina LB Skai Moore is one of only six players with three interceptions this season. However, he’s the only linebacker with three.

Georgia LB Jordan Jenkins has 6.5 TFL this season, the most in the nation.

Nevada at No. 17 Texas A&M

Playing in their fourth season in the SEC, the Aggies hold an interesting distinction in the league. While LSU boasts a sparkling 54-2 record against non-conference opponents since 2000, Texas A&M is a perfect 14-0 since joining the league.

By the way, the SEC team with the best single-game attendance so far? Texas A&M, whose 104,213 turnout vs Ball State last week was better than Tennessee’s 102,455 against Oklahoma.

Texas Tech at Arkansas

Arkansas has changed up its style. Brandon Allen is the only SEC quarterback to post multiple 300-yard passing games, one of which was a 400-yard performance (also the only 400-yard effort). The Razorbacks didn’t have a single game throwing for more than 300 yards last season. After having so much success rushing last season, is this a good move for Arkansas? Has it lost its identity? Here’s a look at this year’s 300-yard passing performances in the SEC this season:

Brandon Allen — 412 vs Toledo
Chad Kelly — 346 vs Fresno State
Dak Prescott — 335 vs LSU
Brandon Allen — 308 vs UTEP