The SEC is a wild place, with teams’ chances at a division crown or playoff berth, or a coach’s job security, can vary widely week to week. Whose stock is rising and whose is dropping this week in the SEC West? SDS takes a look.
RISING
- Bret Bielema’s Razorbacks. A loss to LSU would have kept Arkansas on track for a second consecutive winless SEC season. The shutout win over the Tigers has the fans energized and validates Bielema’s rebuilding efforts. The Razorbacks were a mess when Bielema got to town, and he laid a foundation that was good enough to scare the SEC’s elite on multiple occasions this season. Now that he has a win to put on top of that foundation, the Hogs are on their way up.
- Amari Cooper’s Heisman hopes. Alabama’s star receiver has been in the conversation all season as he obliterates school records. The whispers have gotten louder in recent weeks as he continues to catch passes at a ridiculous rate. Cooper is on pace for 101 regular season catches, and with potentially three games to play after that (the SEC Championship and two playoff games) he could soar past the SEC’s single-season receiving record. While that won’t count toward his Heisman chances, the crucial touchdowns he keeps scoring against ranked opponents certainly will.
- Dan Mullen and Hugh Freeze. With the job opening at Florida, the two big-time coaches in Mississippi will be sought after candidates. Both are in the middle of banner seasons, so it certainly makes sense. While Mullen just got a contract extension in 2014, but Freeze seems to be in line for a big one at Ole Miss after the season, something athletic director Ross Bjork has said publicly.
FALLING
- LSU’s running game. What happened in Fayetteville? Starting guard Vadal Alexander didn’t make the trip due to a hand injury, then center Elliott Porter went down with an ankle injury. That still doesn’t excuse the Tigers 1.1 yards-per-carry average, as they totaled just 36 yards for the game and didn’t have a single run by a running back of more than 5 yards. For a team that has as much trouble throwing the ball as LSU does, not being able to do anything on the ground spells doom.
- Dak Prescott’s Heisman hopes. After playing his worst game of the season on the biggest of stages, it would appear that Prescott’s chances of hoisting the Heisman trophy are in the dumps. Prescott has thrown 8 interceptions in the Bulldogs last four SEC games, an unacceptable total for a team that still has national title hopes. The Bulldogs are still alive and well at No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, but they’ll need Prescott to return to his mid-season form.
- Ellis Johnson. Auburn’s veteran defensive coordinator is used to the highs and lows of the college football world. Just a few years ago, he was having great success as South Carolina’s defensive coordinator. He left to be the head coach at Southern Mississippi and bombed with an 0-12 season. Last year, he helmed the Auburn defense as the Tigers rode to the BCS title game. Now, Auburn’s defense is down in the dumps. Given Johnson’s track record, they’ll bounce back, but things are ugly right now. The Tigers have given up at least 400 yards in five straight contests, and just got run over to the tune of 289 rushing yards at Georgia.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
