The SEC provided fans with another thrilling weekend of college football action, filled with heroic individual performances and a handful of disappointing showings.
Who made our list of SEC studs and duds in Week 7? Let’s find out.
STUDS
1. Nick Chubb: In Todd Gurley’s absence, Chubb starred for the Georgia offense in a 34-0 win on the road against Missouri. He carried the ball a whopping 38 times and touched the ball 42 times for the game, amassing 174 yards and a touchdown in the ‘Dawgs biggest SEC win of the season thus far. Had Chubb not stepped up to fill the hole Gurley left in the offense, UGA might not have won the game, or at least not in such a convincing manner. The Bulldogs will need Chubb to continue to carry the load for as long as Gurley is sidelined by his indefinite suspension, and through one week Chubb has been up to the task.
2. Dak Prescott: If Prescott wasn’t considered the Heisman favorite before Mississippi State’s win over Auburn last weekend, he certainly is now. He threw for 200 yards and rushed for 100 yards for the third time in his last four games, and did so against the No. 2 team in the nation and the defending SEC champion. Even in what could be considered his worst performance of the season, he still managed to post huge numbers and lead the offense to a whopping 38 points on the scoreboard. If that’s worthy of a “stud” distinction, I don’t know what is.
3. Cody Prewitt: The former All-American safety recorded seven tackles and a 75-yard pick-six in the win against Texas A&M on Saturday, helping lead the Ole Miss defense in one of the most dominant performances by any defense in America this season. The Rebels held A&M to only 20 points, six of which came against the Rebels’ second-string defense on the final play of the game; A&M had averaged more than 47 points per game entering Saturday’s action. Ole Miss scored 14 points on defense alone, including Prewitt’s touchdown, to help earn another statement win on its path to a potential SEC West title.
DUDS
1. Maty Mauk: Mauk was absolutely terrible in Missouri’s embarrassing 34-0 home loss to Georgia last weekend, completing just 9 of 21 passes for a mere 97 yards. He obviously did not reach the end zone in the Tigers’ shutout loss, but he did manage to throw four ugly interceptions to contribute to his team’s demise. The Tigers’ quarterback spent most of his afternoon running aimlessly around the field, forcing plays that weren’t there while limiting the impact of his teammates on offense. No matter what its record says, if Mauk continues to struggle Mizzzou’s season could be rendered hopeless very quickly.
2. Jeff Driskel: Driskel was forced into an awkward spot as Florida’s quarterback one week after being benched in favor of freshman Treon Harris, and although he handled the situation as well as he could, it didn’t aid his play in the slightest. The junior showed no progression from his early season struggles, completing just 56 percent of his passes for 183 yards. He threw a touchdown pass, but also threw two interceptions to cost his offense valuable points in a three-point loss to LSU. Driskel did find success running the ball (21 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown), but Florida can’t count on those numbers every week. Simply put, the Gators are a worse team with Driskel under center.
3. Alex Collins: Collins was the SEC’s second leading rusher entering Week 7, and with Gurley suspended he had a great chance to elevate himself to the top of the SEC rushing list in a high-profile game against Alabama. Instead, he sat out the first quarter of the Razorbacks’ 14-13 loss as he served a one quarter suspension for missing a team workout, then proceeded to carry the ball just six times for 13 yards on the evening. Not only did he waste a golden opportunity to establish himself as the premier rusher in the SEC, but his lackluster showing and disciplinary issues may have cost Arkansas a chance at a statement win as well.
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.
