Rivalry week closes the 2017 regular season and a couple of SEC games involve teams looking to make it into the College Football Playoff.
The SEC games are spread over three days this holiday weekend. Here’s a look at them and a key matchup that could decide each one. (Game times on Saturday unless listed otherwise.)
Ole Miss (5-6, 2-5) at Mississippi State (8-3, 4-3)
7:30 Thursday
Bulldogs vs. unpredictable Rebels: Ole Miss is playing its last game of the season. Will it treat the game like a bowl game on top of the rivalry aspect? Will it be fired up to make a statement in support of Matt Luke returning as coach in 2018? With nothing to lose, will the Rebels trot out some trick plays and go for it repeatedly on fourth down? Dan Mullen and crew better be ready for anything.
Missouri (6-5, 3-4) at Arkansas (4-7, 1-6)
2:30 p.m. Friday
Drew Lock vs. Arkansas pass rush: The most prolific passer in the SEC, Lock could continue his roll against an Arkansas pass defense that ranks 12th in the conference and a distant last in sacks. It’ll be a long afternoon for the Hogs if they can’t put pressure on Lock and at least slow him down.
Georgia (10-1, 7-1) at Georgia Tech (5-5)
Noon
Jackets option offense vs. Dogs defense: It’s an offense that teams rarely have the need to prepare for and that’s what makes it dangerous. But Georgia has been pretty good against the run this season, albeit against more common attacks. Only Alabama has better numbers against the run among SEC teams, but the talented Georgia linebackers will be tested on Saturday.
Florida State (4-6) at Florida (4-6, 3-5)
Noon
Florida front seven vs. FSU lowly run game: The Gators have had their problems this season against the run. They rank ninth in the SEC, allowing 160.5 rushing yards per game. But if they can stuff a Seminoles run game that ranks 13th in the ACC (141.7 yards per game), it will give the offense more opportunity in a game where points could come at a premium.
Louisville (7-4) at Kentucky (7-4, 4-4)
Noon
Heisman QB vs. Cats woeful pass defense: Kentucky ranks last in the SEC against the pass. That doesn’t bode well with Louisville QB Lamar Jackson, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, coming to town. Six teams have thrown for at least 299 yards against the Cats this season. It’ll be a long afternoon in Lexington if Kentucky can’t contain the ACC’s top passer.
Alabama (11-0, 7-0) at Auburn (9-2, 6-1)
3:30 p.m.
Jarrett Stidham vs. Alabama’s staunch pass defense: It’s strength vs. strength when Stidham leads Auburn into the Iron Bowl. He’ll need to be at the top of his game, because Alabama squashes opposing teams’ run games, ranking second in the nation against the rush. Third in the SEC in passing, Stidham goes up against an Alabama defense that ranks third in the nation against the pass.
Vanderbilt (4-7, 0-7) at Tennessee (4-7, 0-7)
4 p.m.
Kyle Shurmur vs. Vols top-ranked pass defense: The Vanderbilt quarterback ranks second in the SEC in passing. How Tennesse responds to that challenge will be critical in this in-state rivalry. The Vols lead the SEC in pass defense, but is it because they’re that good, or is it because they also rank last in the SEC against the run and teams don’t feel the need to put the ball in the air? We’ll find out on Saturday.
Clemson (10-1) at South Carolina (8-3, 5-3)
7:30 p.m.
Kelly Bryant vs. Gamecocks opportunistic defense: South Carolina isn’t the best against the pass, ranking 11th in the SEC, but where the Gamecocks could equalize things is in turnover margin. Among SEC teams, only Alabama ranks better. Furthermore, the Gamecocks are tied for the SEC lead with 11 fumble recoveries. Turning over Bryant and the Tigers is how South Carolina competes in this rivalry matchup.
Texas A&M (7-4, 4-3) at LSU (8-3, 5-2)
7:30 p.m.
LSU run game vs. Aggies defensive front: The Tigers must continue to do what they do best — run the ball. The Aggies have allowed more than 200 yards rushing in six of their last eight games. If they can tighten up and contain LSU RBs Darrius Guice and Darrel Williams, and release a sack attack that leads the SEC (36 sacks), they could pull the upset in Baton Rouge.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
