It’s basically go time.
Yes, we still have 2 nonconference games in Week 4, but otherwise, it’s SEC-on-SEC time. Which means the TV slate improves from a mixed bag to the games you want to see and the games you have to see.
But we’re still laying it all out — who plays when and where, and which games are the best of the best.
For the casual watcher or the hardcore viewer, here’s your Week 4 SEC rundown. Plan appropriately.
Snooze-fest ⭐ (1-star games)
These are the games you can fall asleep to:
South Alabama at Kentucky (12:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
It’s lonely here, but this is the snoozer of Week 4. Kentucky wet its beak with Alabama and Texas A&M, and will return to SEC play after what will presumably be an easy win.
A bit compelling ⭐⭐ (2-star games)
Not the best the weekend has to offer, but mildly intriguing:
Tulsa at Arkansas (8 p.m. ET, SEC Network+)
The only reason Arkansas‘s nonconference game doesn’t meet the same fate as Kentucky’s is that it’s likely to be more competitive. A 3-0 Tulsa team is only a touchdown underdog at what looks to be the SEC’s weakest team and could provide some previously unanticipated drama.
Now we’re listening ⭐⭐⭐ (3-star games)
If you’ve got nothing else going on, relax and check these games out:
Oklahoma at Georgia (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
This looked like a better game before Oklahoma‘s offense stumbled through 2 horrible games in a row. It’s hard to see the Sooners putting up enough points to have with the Bulldogs. Georgia is quietly making national picture noise and Oklahoma is probably in for a long next couple of games.
Vanderbilt at Auburn (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
The Vanderbilt Commodores can’t rely on a return of last week’s chaos to keep them undefeated, while Auburn seems to be still working toward developing its identity. Both Jared Curtis and Byrum Brown could use good weeks to rise above the crowd of SEC quarterbacks.
South Carolina at Alabama (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Alabama seems to slog along every week and then open up on the competition. Meanwhile, South Carolina badly needs a more focused effort than last week. Shane Beamer‘s job may be on the line in the next 2 weeks and another credible performance against Alabama (a battered Gamecock team nearly pulled the upset a year ago) would go a long way toward solidarity.
Break out the guacamole ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4-star games)
Invite some friends over to watch these matchups:
Texas A&M at LSU (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Two teams off disappointing losses try to inflict maximum damage on each other. LSU‘s loss was entirely expectable and not really discouraging, while Texas A&M‘s was pretty hideous. There’s arguably more on the line for the Aggies, but a second loss this early is probably curtains on somebody’s CFP hopes.
Missouri at Mississippi State (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
A pain of undefeated ranked SEC teams are somehow sliding under the radar, but the jump somebody’s getting here is huge. Missouri probably had the more foreseeable path and Austin Simmons needs a bounce-back game after an ugly Week 3. But Mississippi State and Kamario Taylor have suddenly become something of a college football darling. Jeff Lebby may move from the hot seat to coaching a Heisman candidate, and Week 4 would be another big step. This game was awfully close to being a 5-star matchup… but there’s a little less shine than on the top 2 games of the weekend.
Block off the time, turn off the phone, pop the popcorn ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5-star games)
You’re not going to want to miss a single second of these matchups:
Texas at Tennessee (Noon ET, ABC)
Obviously, given the recent updates on POTUS, everybody’s got an eye on this game. The Tennessee Volunteers have been excellent, but also not really tested. Texas has been excellent but always seems to have one foot ready for a slide (isn’t that Arch Manning’s career story?). Both of these teams are legitimate CFP contenders, but it’s a chance to put some distance between the winner and the rest of the SEC field.
Ole Miss at Florida (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
This battle presents 2 teams ranked in the top 25, each coming off big wins, with 2 Heisman candidates — one obvious (Trinidad Chambliss) and one more subtle (Jadan Baugh). Ole Miss‘s win last week was more impressive, but Florida is right there with Mississippi State as the positive surprise of the conference to date. Seeing the Gators as a favorite over a top-5 team 3 games into Jon Sumrall‘s tenure is definitely a statement — but whether it’s UF being that good or the odds being that crazy, we’ll see.
The Game to See
Texas at Tennessee brings the most flare to the week’s slate. There are plenty of excellent games, but there’s something to be said for No. 1 on the road in a top 15 battle.
Dark Horse Game to Watch
While Ole Miss-Florida is a great game, that Missouri-Mississippi State battle could just sneak up and be the best game of the weekend. The potential desperation of A&M and LSU is also worth a note, but the Tigers and Bulldogs have a top 25 showdown that’s somehow a little off the radar and shouldn’t be.
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Joe Cox is a columnist for Saturday Down South. He has also written or assisted in writing five books, and his most recent, Almost Perfect (a study of baseball pitchers’ near-miss attempts at perfect games), is available on Amazon or at many local bookstores.
