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SEC Recap: What we learned about every SEC East team in Week 12
By Ethan Levine
Published:
Here’s what we learned about every SEC East team following Week 12 action.
RELATED: AP Poll | Coaches’ Poll
FLORIDA GATORS
Week 12 result: Lost 23-20 to South Carolina (in OT)
What we learned: Following Florida’s overtime loss to South Carolina, we learned once and for all that head coach Will Muschamp would not be back to coach the team next season. The Gators had won two straight games in Week 12 but choked away a late lead to the Gamecocks by allowing them to block a field goal and a punt in the final minutes, allowing them to rally and force overtime. The nature of the loss was enough to merit Muschamp’s dismissal, and we now know this program is about to be headed in a brand new direction in a couple weeks’ time.
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Week 12 result: Defeated Auburn 34-7
What we learned: Saturday’s 27-point win over Auburn taught us Georgia is as erratic a team as any in the SEC. The Bulldogs are good enough to tear apart a top 10 team like the Tigers or East division leader Missouri, and yet at the same time bad enough to lose to Florida and South Carolina. The win over Auburn showed that when they’re at their best, there are few teams in the country more dangerous than Georgia. We also learned the Bulldogs will have to finish the season without Todd Gurley, who suffered a torn ACL late in Saturday’s victory. Gurley’s absence didn’t slow the Bulldogs down during his four-game suspension, but as we approach the postseason the hole he leaves in the offense could become more impactful.
KENTUCKY WILDCATS
Week 12 result: Lost 50-16 to Tennessee
What we learned: This one’s simple. Following Week 12, we learned Kentucky is still the second-worst team in the SEC (only to Vanderbilt). The Cats have been outscored 113-47 in their last two games, and have lost five straight SEC games by double figures since beginning the year 5-1. They’re on the verge of closing the year with six straight losses to miss a bowl game, and the team appears to have no rhythm at this juncture of the season. Ultimately, we’ve learned the team’s impressive start was deceiving, likely the product of an underwhelming schedule, and that the real Kentucky Wildcats are nowhere close to ready to compete in the SEC.
MISSOURI TIGERS
Week 12 results: Defeated Texas A&M 34-27
What we learned: Following Saturday’s impressive road win over Texas A&M, we learned the Tigers are for real in the SEC East. It hasn’t been the prettiest or most efficient road back to the top of the SEC East, but if Mizzou wins its final two games it will win the division for the second year in a row. Neither of its final two opponents — Arkansas and Tennessee — is as accomplished as Texas A&M is, indicating this team is very capable of taking the East crown once again. Neither of its remaining games will be easy, but Saturday’s win taught us Missouri is absolutely talented enough to win both games.
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
Week 11 results: Defeated Florida 23-20 (in OT)
What we learned: South Carolina’s thrilling come-from-behind win over Florida taught us this team remains resilient, even in the final weeks of what has been a terribly disappointing season. The Gamecocks plummeted from No. 9 in the preseason rankings to a 4-5 record entering Week 12, and they’d blown three double digit leads in the fourth quarter along the way. This time, South Carolina was the team spoiling someone else’s fourth quarter lead, and the win sets the Gamecocks up to earn bowl eligibility next week against South Alabama. This season has been underwhelming to say the least, and there’s nothing South Carolina can do now to change that, but it did prove it hasn’t quit on this season, which should give Gamecocks fans some semblance of hope moving forward.
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Week 12 results: Defeated Kentucky 50-16
What we learned: The Volunteers won their second straight game since Josh Dobbs was named the starting quarterback, and we learned this team is incredibly dangerous with him running the offense. Tennessee has scored 95 points in its last two games, and Dobbs has accounted for nine total touchdowns in those games. If the Vols can take care of Missouri next week before closing the season against Vanderbilt, they could end the year with four straight SEC wins following Dobbs’ insertion into the lineup, indicating this team might be a contender in the East next year with Dobbs as its leader. That’s getting ahead of ourselves, but what we know through 12 weeks is Tennessee is night and day better with Dobbs rather than senior Justin Worley.
VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Week 12 results: Bye
What we learned: The Commodores were on a bye last week, so we had nothing new to learn about them in Week 12. What do we already know about Vandy? We know the Dores are 0-6 in the SEC. We know they’ve lost all six games by double figures. We know they’ve already been eliminated from bowl contention with seven losses (and counting) this season. We know they’re incredibly young and learning on the fly under the direction of a first year head coach. All of that indicates Vandy will lose badly in its final two games, but it also indicates this team might have some upside as it continues to learn and grow the rest of the season.
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
