Here’s our weekly look at the SEC quarterbacks with most difficult assignments on Saturday.
BRANDON ALLEN, ARKANSAS
Opponent: at No. 8 Alabama
If there was any lingering doubt about Alabama’s ability to shut down opposing running games, it was likely squashed last week when the Tide bottled up Nick Chubb and the Georgia ground attack — with the exception of one long run late in the game — and blew the doors off the Bulldogs, 38-10. If Alabama can similarly contain Alex Collins and the Hogs, the task in front of Allen becomes exponentially more difficult.
Allen has put up good numbers this season. Though disappointed Arkansas fans might point to his shortcomings in clutch situations, he’s done plenty to provide the Hogs with balance despite the fact that Arkansas’ top two receivers and three of its top four are out for multiple weeks due to injury. That makes Allen’s 272 yards per game and 161.4 quarterback rating look even more impressive.
Despite those stats, the Hogs are most successful when the running game is dominant, and the sledding will be tough against an Alabama team that leads the conference in rushing yards allowed per game and per carry. To pull off the upset on the road, Allen must loosen up the Crimson Tide defense and help the ground game get going. And as Greyson Lambert can attest, that’s not easily accomplished.
WILL GRIER, FLORIDA
Opponent: at Missouri
The Gators’ redshirt freshman has passed his first major tests with stellar marks. After guiding Florida to a blowout win over Ole Miss last week, the Gators are sitting at 5-0 in the driver’s seat of the East. But the lessons keep coming. This week he’ll learn that life in the SEC doesn’t allow much time to bask in recent glory. After back-to-back wins in the comforts of The Swamp, Florida will make the trek to Missouri, where the Gators will find a tough Missouri defense waiting. The Tigers rank first in the SEC in passing yards allowed and second in terms of efficiency.
DREW LOCK, MISSOURI
Opponent: vs. No. 11 Florida
Opposing Grier, an even greener quarterback will be going against an equally stout defense. In his first extended action last week, Lock looked good in Missouri’s win over South Carolina. The Tigers didn’t ask the true freshman to do too much in his first career start, but Lock was efficient and avoided costly errors, completing 21 of 28 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
The Gators will pose a greater challenge than the Gamecocks could muster, however. Florida is second in the SEC with 18 sacks through five games and has one of the nation’s best cornerbacks, Vernon Hargreaves III, patrolling the secondary.
Brent Holloway is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia, LSU and Mississippi State.
