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Making the rounds on the highlights and lowlights of a Saturday full of SEC Football…
LSU crunches Ole Miss in wild finish
I needed some ice packs after this game. Ole Miss and LSU didn’t get in the end zone much (twice), but the hits were bone crushing. If LSU is the 4th best team in the SEC West, this division is just brutal (we already knew it was). Bo Wallace struggled mightily in the second half, and he couldn’t do enough late despite another stellar game by the Landshark defense. While Wallace didn’t win the game for Ole Miss, credit the LSU defense for bringing the wood in front of a rowdy home crowd.
For the LSU offense, Leonard Fournette is turning into a star. He was one of the more hyped running back recruits in recent memory, and he’s truly playing like a 5-star, all-world, freshman running back. He’s insanely physical, deceptively elusive and the ideal running back for the Les Miles run game. LSU is hitting its stride, and they might not be finished ruining the seasons of fellow SEC West teams.
This game had quite the finish with some strange clock management by Ole Miss. A 42 yard field goal attempt to tie the game with 9 seconds left turned into a 47 yard field goal after a delay of game penalty. Hugh Freeze decided to run one play before the kick attempt which resulted in a Bo Wallace interception. Did Hugh Freeze botch the game? It’s a tough environment in that situation on the road, but it definitely wasn’t a good look.
Where does Ole Miss go from here? They can regroup and still achieve anything and everything. Three more SEC West opponents still stand in the way of Ole Miss and Atlanta starting with Auburn next week. Hey guys, I know you’re really sore and everything, but good news! Auburn will be in town in one week. Welcome to the SEC.
Is this the photo of the year?
Kiffin makes it out of Knoxville alive
It appeared that Alabama was going to run away with the game early when Amari Cooper amassed a few thousand receiving yards in the first quarter, but a couple turnovers and some nice plays by the Vols kept Tennessee alive. Alabama was methodical, not perfect, but they certainly look to be in the mix for the SEC crown.
The focus of the night was around Lane Kiffin’s return, and you could tell that Lane wanted the win… bad. He was quite animated on the sideline, and as a result, the Twitterverse was aflame with anti-Kiffin comments. I think it’s time to get over the Lane Kiffin thing – it’s not like Kiffin left Knoxville to go on to win it all. For crying out loud, he was canned midseason in an airport parking lot! Besides, Derek Dooley was the guy who coached a game sitting on a stool on your sideline.
Auburn survives the Gamecocks
Steve Spurrier pulled out all the stops in an attempt to knock off the reigning SEC Champs, and he almost did it. South Carolina moved the ball well against a suspect Auburn defense, but red zone turnovers killed the Cocks. The South Carolina defense continued to struggle as Auburn averaged over 8 yards per carry on their way to 395 yards on the ground.
The Gamecocks fall to 4-4 after starting the season ranked in the top ten. Games against Tennessee, Florida and Clemson remain.
Is Auburn the top team in the SEC West? Who knows? I could be convinced that any of four teams are the frontrunners in the West. How many losses will the West champ have? Will the SEC West champ require a win in the SEC Championship to get into the playoff? Does Georgia have the easiest path? Too many questions. Too few answers. This is college football.
The last month of the season is going to be quite a month. Between debating the selection committee polls which begin this Tuesday and the wild games left on the schedule, I’m all in on November being one of the best we can remember.
Arkansas Uses UAB Game to Recruit Offensive Linemen
We’re seeing a trend with Bret Bielema. He thrives against horrible football teams. 0-16 in conference? Ah, who cares. Bielema knows how to take it to the cupcakes on the schedule. Earlier this season, Bielema pulled the best first down challenge ever when he challenged a meaningless first down call in the 2nd half against Nicholl’s State while up 66-0.
The trend continued Saturday when Bielema pulled out one of the best trick plays of the year while crushing UAB. A direct snap to a 350-pound offensive lineman who proceeded to throw a touchdown pass. Best fat guy touchdown ever.
Bielema’s explanation during his halftime interview was great. “If you’re an o-linemen, we’ll make you famous.”
Why not use a cupcake game to let your players have a little fun and throw in some one-liners to appeal to recruits? I still don’t understand the first down challenge during the Nicholl’s State game, but I like your style, Bret.
Kentucky secures another impressive loss
Kentucky played a quality game against a quality opponent, yet didn’t get the win. At some point, impressive losses becomes an oxymoron, but we’re not there yet. Mark Stoops has his team playing well. Can they compete in the SEC East in the future? Hard to say. I can’t imagine the SEC East being worse than it is currently, so while Kentucky’s future might be promising, the challenge of winning the East will likely become more difficult.
The Kentucky QB played a great game. Once again, Mississippi State gave up some serious yardage to the pass game. Is this the achilles heel of Mullen’s Bulldogs? Regardless, Mississippi State survived a tough road game and should maintain the No. 1 ranking (Florida State was off this week).
Missouri beats Vandy, prevents fans from rushing the field
This game wasn’t easy to watch. But the game was redeemed when the Missouri announcer asked the home crowd to not rush the field in anticipation of the win against Vanderbilt. Rushing the field after beating Vandy is a no-no…
Key Moments
Kentucky attempted an onside kick late against Mississippi State. Forget catching the ball and going down, why not just catch it and score?
Mississippi State running back Josh Robinson rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries against Kentucky. He really wanted to get to 200 yards. Here’s Robinson lobbying Mullen to hit the two century mark:
This is how Lane Kiffin made his return to Knoxville:
Amari Cooper continues to pile up numbers. 224 yards on 9 catches with two touchdowns. He got 80 on the first Alabama offensive play:
What They Meant To Say
“Look at me. Look at my wife. Are you 300 pound offensive lineman? Come to Arkansas and you will be a superstar. Want to kick a field goal when we play an all girl’s school? Done. Want to return a punt when we schedule a directional Michigan school? Absolutely. Want to learn how to meet chicks in Vegas? I’m your man.” -Bret Bielema, Master Recruiter
“Tennessee fans are hilarious. These clowns would hire me back in a second.” -Lane Kiffin
“I”m really proud of my guys. They really know how to lose well.” -Mark Stoops
“Hugh Freeze took a play out of the ol’ Les Miles playbook tonight. Usually I’m the one throwing into the end zone with seconds left and down three.” -Les Miles
“I’d like to thank my mentor Kevin Sumlin for showing me how to give up 800 yards and 82 points in a game.” -Kliff Kingsbury, Good with women, average coach
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
