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Here’s a look at some of the takeaways from Week 11 action in the SEC.
Rolling Tide: Alabama got a much-needed special teams touchdown in Week 11 as Cyrus Jones took a punt 69 yards to the house with what proved to be all the offense the Tide needed in its 31-6 win over Mississippi State. Nick Saban’s squad has struggled some returning kicks, but Jones’ score, the team’s second on the season, leaves Alabama one behind Georgia for the most in the country. The Crimson Tide are dangerous on offense and defense. If they can get their special teams rolling, then Alabama is going to be tough to beat late in the season.
RELATED: Alabama impresses in win
High on the Hogs: Arkansas might be the last team anyone wants to play in the SEC. The Razorbacks have been on fire since losing to Alabama in Week 6, winning four straight, including upset wins over No. 18 Ole Miss and No. 9 LSU. The Razorbacks posted 440 yards against LSU in its thorough beatdown of the Tigers in Death Valley. Even when quarterback Brandon Allen has an off-game (141 yards, TD), the Hogs still manage to put up big numbers, thanks to running back Alex Collins, who rushed, coincidentally, rushed for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns. It might be too little, too late, for Arkansas who looks to be the second-best team in the SEC right now behind Alabama.
RELATED: What Bret Bielema said after upsetting LSU
LSU not that good: LSU is returning to Earth after its Week 11 loss to Arkansas. The Tigers have now lost two-in-a-row, both by double-digit deficits. As vaunted as LSU’s run game is with superstar Leonard Fournette carrying the ball, the Tigers defense can be just as porous, yielding 299 rushing yards to the Razorbacks. Ordinarily, Les Miles’ squad is able to compensate with his own power-running game. But when Fournette rushes for less than 100 yards, LSU is vulnerable, as the Hogs proved on Saturday.
RELATED: Let’s face it, LSU just not that good
Fumblin’ Florida: Florida further embedded itself as the SEC East champs with a Week 11 win over South Carolina. But the Gators need to fix their newfound propensity for turning the ball over if they want to compete for the conference title and beyond. Jim McElwain’s squad has turned the ball over six times in the past two games, including two interceptions against the Gamecocks. Florida survived both games against inferior teams, but eeking out wins over South Carolina and Vanderbilt will only get the Gators so far. The silver lining is that Florida is tops in the SEC when it comes to turnover margin, with nine more gained than lost.
RELATED: Can Treon Harris supply enough offense for Gators?
Mizzou finds attack: Missouri can beat anyone when it has a running game. The Tigers downed BYU on Saturday thanks in part to an offense that earned its first 100-yard effort of the season. Russell Hansbrough rushed for 117 yards as Missouri dropped BYU 20-16 in Arrowhead Stadium. It’s the first 100-yard effort for the senior tailback since galloping for 111 yards during last year’s Citrus Bowl. The closest Mizzou had come to eclipsing the century mark on the ground this season was Ish Witter’s 98 yards against South Carolina during Week 5 play. Gary Pinkel’s squad has an elite defense, but has been constrained badly by an offense that has struggled to move the ball the year long. The Tigers finally put all together and the result was an upset win over the Cougars.
RELATED: Mizzou upsets BYU in close game
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
