Difference Makers: Each SEC team’s X-factor in Week 6

You may or may not have heard by now, but Week 6 games in the SEC is possibly the best slate of games all season.

With several marquee match ups, every SEC team playing this weekend will look to their best players to get a win for their respective squads. But sometimes, it’s not necessarily the team’s best player that makes the difference between a win or a loss in a big game.

We take a look at the difference makers – the X-factor – for every SEC team ahead of their Week 6 games.

Florida at Tennessee (SEC Network – 12 p.m.)

Gators: QB Jeff Driskel. Everyone knows that Driskel has struggled recently, especially against Alabama two weeks ago. However, with an extra week to prepare for Tennessee as well as past success at Neyland Stadium, Driskel should be improved tomorrow. With a stout group of linebackers, Tennessee has the talent to stop the Gators’ running game, especially if it becomes too one dimensional. The redshirt junior quarterback will need an efficient and effective game for the Gators to win this game.

Vols: CB Cameron Sutton. As important as guys likes Justin Worley, Jalen Hurd and Marquez North will be for the Vols’ tomorrow, I believe Cam Sutton will be just as crucial. More than likely, the standout sophomore will be responsible for covering Florida’s top receiver. If he’s able to shut down Demarcus Robinson or Quinton Dunbar, the two targets Driskel primarily looks for, it should rattle the Gators’ quarterback who struggles greatly under pressure as he scans the field for other receivers. Sutton’s coverage could force some poor decisions by Driskel.

Texas A&M at Mississippi State (ESPN – 12 p.m.)

Aggies: LT Cedric Ogbuehi. Mississippi State’s greatest asset on defense is the defensive line. Preston Smith and Chris Jones are the standout Mississippi State linemen. If Ogbuehi and the other Aggies’ offensive linemen can fend off Smith and Jones, among others, Texas A&M should have no problem putting up big points against a vulnerable Bulldogs secondary. They currently allow the most passing yards in the SEC.

Bulldogs: RB Josh Robinson. As important as Dak Prescott is to the Mississippi State offense, I believe running back Josh Robinson is a close second. He’s not thought of as one of the top running backs in the SEC, but the stats prove otherwise. He ranks third in rushing yards per game and nearly put up 200 yards on the road against LSU. With Texas A&M’s high-scoring offense, it’ll be important for Mississippi State to win the time of possession. Giving the ball to Robinson will be a big part in that.

Alabama at Ole Miss (CBS – 3:30 p.m.)

Crimson Tide: LB Xzavier Dickson. For Alabama, the name of the game will be applying pressure on Bo Wallace and there is no better man to that for the Crimson Tide than linebacker Xzavier Dickson. He’s tied for the team lead in sacks and is second on the team with three tackles for loss. Overall, the defensive line hasn’t gotten much pressure in opposing backfields, but the linebackers have been and it’s been players like Dickson leading the charge.

Rebels: QB Bo Wallace. Surprise, surprise. The senior quarterback is the absolute key to Ole Miss’ success this weekend against Alabama. It’s unclear exactly what kind of quarterback we’ll get from Wallace this weekend. The biggest thing for him will be to avoid turnovers, something he’s struggled with throughout his career. For a few weeks this season, Wallace looked on point, torching opposing defenses. However, a less than impressive outing against Memphis last week didn’t quell any concerns Ole Miss fans had about him leading the Rebels to an upset victory.

Vanderbilt at Georgia (SEC Network – 4 p.m.)

Commodores: DB Darrius Sims. With an offense struggling to put points up, Vanderbilt has needed touchdowns other ways and defensive back Darrius Sims has given them some hope. Whether it’s through a return or making a big play on defense, Sims needs to be a playmaker once again for the Commodores, who will need short fields throughout the game to stand a chance at keeping pace with Georgia.

Bulldogs: WR Malcolm Mitchell. Finally, one of Georgia’s top wide receivers will make his season debut after returning from injury. The Georgia passing game has been largely ineffective so far this season. Whether it’s more Hutson Mason’s fault or the lack of playmakers on the outside, the return of Mitchell should provide a big boost to the Bulldogs’ passing attack.

LSU at Auburn (ESPN – 7 p.m.)

Tigers (LSU): RB Leonard Fournette. As interesting as it’ll be to see how true freshman quarterback Brandon Harris responds in his first collegiate start in a hostile environment, it’ll be even more important for another freshman to play well. If Fournette can gash the Auburn defense for some big runs, his success should take the pressure off Harris to make big plays himself. And no matter how talented Harris is, there’s no doubt that an effective running game led by Fournette will make his first start much less stressful.

Tigers (Auburn): WR Sammie Coates. There’s no doubt that Auburn’s running game dominates the offensive game plan week in and week out. However, the Tigers will need a balanced attack to beat LSU this weekend, so a big performance from junior wide receiver Sammie Coates would give Auburn a much needed offensive boost. Coates, who was Auburn’s leading receiver a year ago, has been hobbled by a knee injury this season and hasn’t been nearly the receiver he was last season. There’s no better game for him to get back to his original form than in a crucial SEC West matchup.

South Carolina at Kentucky (SEC Network – 7:30 p.m.)

Gamecocks: RB Mike Davis. With Steve Spurrier as the head coach, South Carolina will always want to pass the ball downfield, but the Gamecocks are at their best when the establish a strong running game. Mike Davis certainly hasn’t met preseason expectations, but the junior running back is starting to come around. Getting him going early should really help keep an athletic and opportunistic Kentucky defense honest in the passing game.

Wildcats: DE Bud Dupree. Coming into the season, Dupree had a lot of hype, especially as one of the SEC’s most athletic players. However, his season has gotten off to a slow start. Dupree finally recorded his first sack of the season last week and will need to carry that momentum into this week’s matchup against South Carolina. Quarterback Dylan Thompson doesn’t move around very well, so a consistent pass rush from one of the Wildcats’ top defenders could create a lot of havoc for South Carolina’s offense.

Drew Laing

Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.