Though the top team isn’t playing on Saturday — Alabama has a bye week as it prepares for the annual showdown with LSU — there are still a handful of key SEC matchups to hold our attention.
Here is a look at the games on Saturday involving SEC teams, and a key matchup that could decide each one.
Arkansas (2-5, 0-4) at Ole Miss (3-4, 1-3)
Noon
Arkansas RBs vs. Ole Miss porous run defense: Just trying to find a matchup with the players either team has left is a task, but the Razorbacks have an opportunity to ground and pound against an Ole Miss run defense that ranks dead last in the SEC and 127th nationally. After yielding a season-high 393 yards on the ground to LSU a week ago, the Rebels are giving up 260 rushing yards per game. Granted, Arkansas will be without leading rusher Chase Hayden and top offensive lineman C Frank Ragnow, but Devwah Whaley and David Williams are capable backs who can take the pressure of QB Cole Kelley. And that will put pressure on Ole Miss quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, who is making his first start for the Rebels.
Georgia (7-0, 4-0) vs. Florida (3-3, 3-2)
3:30 p.m., Jacksonville
Florida defensive front vs. Georgia power run game: In two of the last three games, the Florida defense has allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing. However, against a strong running team, the Gators yielded 216 rushing yards in a loss to LSU. They must load up and stop Georgia’s power run game, which has been held under 200 yards only once this season (and that was a 185-yard performance at Notre Dame). Slowing down Georgia RBs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, thus forcing QB Jake Fromm into passing situations, is the Gators’ best chance to win on Saturday.
Vanderbilt (3-4, 0-4) at South Carolina (5-2, 3-2)
4 p.m.
Kyle Shurmur vs. South Carolina secondary: The Vanderbilt quarterback must have a breakout game to offset what has been a lethargic rushing attack. Shurmur threw for nearly 300 yards against Middle Tennessee State in the season opener. But since then he has surpassed the 200-yard mark in just three of the next six games. He’ll need to return to season-opening form against a Gamecocks defense that has yielded a good chunk of yardage (1,626) through the air this season. In fact, among SEC teams, only Texas A&M, Missouri and Kentucky have given up more yards through the air this season.
Missouri (2-5, 0-4) at Connecticut (3-4)
6:30 p.m.
Air raid attack vs. air raid attack: For all the shortcomings of the Missouri Tigers this season, one constant remains. Quarterback Drew Lock has been outstanding. Among SEC QBs, only Ole Miss’s Shea Patterson has thrown for more yards this season. With 2,190 yards and a SEC-leading 23 touchdowns, Lock will lock horns with UConn signal-caller Bryant Shirreffs. Just 8 yards shy of 2,000 passing yards himself, Shirreffs ranks fourth in the American Athletic Conference. He’s second in the conference in QB rating (168.63), with 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions. The footballs will be flying on Saturday.
Mississippi State (5-2, 2-2) at Texas A&M (5-2, 3-1)
7:15 p.m.
Texas A&M pass rush vs. Mississippi State’s OL: A classic matchup of strength vs. strength. The Aggies and Clemson are leading the nation with 28 sacks apiece this season. It’s a concerted effort for Texas A&M with DL Landis Durham (5.5) leading the way. LBs Otaro Alaka (5.0), tops on the team with 11 tackles for loss, and Tyrel Dodson (4.5) are helping to maintain the legacy left behind by bookend DL sack masters Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall. But the Bulldogs’ offensive line isn’t easily penetrated. Mississippi State ranks second nationally, having allowed just three sacks all season. Only run-oriented Army (1) has allowed fewer.
Tennessee (3-4, 0-4) at Kentucky (5-2, 2-2)
7:30 p.m.
Vols backup RBs vs. Cats’ decent run defense: The news just keeps getting worse and worse for the Tennessee program. With leading rusher John Kelly suspended for Saturday’s game after being cited by Knoxville police for misdemeanor drug possession, not having a headlight and not having proof of insurance, the Vols’ run game is left to a pair of freshmen and a sophomore who have a combined 228 yards this season. They’ll go up against a Kentucky run defense that ranks fourth in the SEC, having given up 865 total yards on the ground. However, a good chunk of those have been yielded in the last two games. Missouri and Mississippi State combined for 495 rushing yards against the Wildcats.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
