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Alabama and Mississippi State sat out this week, while the rest of the incredibly tough SEC West duked it out. Arkansas and Texas A&M played a classic down in Arlington, Texas, Ole Miss got physical with Memphis, Auburn defeated Louisiana Tech and LSU found a new quarterback.
Here’s what we learned about the SEC West after Week 5’s games.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Week 5 result: Bye week
What we learned: The Crimson Tide got a break this week before having to play Ole Miss next Saturday. Despite wins for Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Auburn and LSU, Alabama still remains the front-runner in the ultra-competitive SEC West.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Week 5 result: Lost to Texas A&M, 35-28 (OT)
What we learned: One could easily make the case that Arkansas, despite giving up 21 unanswered points to lose the game, should have won against the Aggies. For a majority of the game, the Razorbacks pushed the Aggies around, thanks to a physical running game and offensive line. It looked like the Hogs would win the game, but a key penalty by Dan Skipper negated a 57-yard run that would have likely put them up 21 points in the fourth quarter. Even with the loss, Arkansas proved to the rest of the SEC that they’re a team no one would want to mess with. With the SEC’s leading rushing attack and an improving defense, the Razorbacks get tougher with every game.
Auburn Tigers
Week 5 result: Defeated Louisiana Tech, 45-17
What we learned: Auburn won the game by 28 points, but it could easily be considered a sloppy victory for the defending SEC champs. The offense played at a slower-than-desired pace and Nick Marshall did not look sharp passing the football. Still, with how dynamic and explosive Auburn’s offense can be, they’ll be a tough team to stop in SEC play. If Marshal can keep making the big plays and the protection can be shored up along the line of scrimmage, Auburn’s chances of defending their SEC title look much better. Auburn’s offense will get a big test next week against a stingy LSU defense.
LSU Tigers
Week 5 result: Defeated New Mexico State, 63-7
What we learned: LSU caught a breather with New Mexico State after suffering a tough defeat at the hands of Mississippi State last week. The story of the game was true freshman quarterback Brandon Harris, who came on to throw for 178 yards and three touchdowns. It certainly appears that Harris will and should be the LSU starting quarterback moving forward after another lackluster performance from Anthony Jennings. If Harris can keep up the strong play against SEC defenses, LSU becomes much more dangerous considering the biggest issue for them has been Jennings struggling at quarterback.
Mississippi State
Week 5 result: Bye week
What we learned: The Bulldogs were off this past weekend and will look to defeat a top-10 team for the second straight game as the Texas A&M Aggies travel to Starkville, Miss. next week.
Ole Miss Rebels
Week 5 result: Defeated Memphis, 24-3
What we learned: Ole Miss’ defense shined again, holding Memphis to just three points and forcing two turnovers. Quarterback Bo Wallace looked more like “Bad Bo” against the Tigers, throwing two interceptions and just 248 yards. The win didn’t really tell us much about the Rebels, however, they’re set for an unbeaten showdown against Alabama at home next week. This is the game most Ole Miss fans have had circled on their calendar since before the season. ESPN College GameDay will be at The Grove for the first-ever time and it will be the ultimate measuring stick for a relatively untested Ole Miss squad.
Texas A&M Aggies
Week 5 result: Defeated Arkansas, 38-35 (OT)
What we learned: Is there anything Kenny Hill can’t do? For the first time as starting quarterback, Hill was tasked with mounting a fourth-quarter comeback and did just that for his No. 6 ranked Aggies. The sophomore standout threw two huge touchdown plays in the latter minutes of regulation to tie the game and then kept the momentum going with a touchdown pass on the first play of overtime. All in all, Texas A&M made some terrific second-half adjustments and came away with a big win against a vastly underrated Arkansas squad. It doesn’t get any easier for the Aggies, however, as they have to play No. 12 ranked Mississippi State on the road next weekend. A&M’s defense will once again be tested by a dynamic MSU offense and dual-threat quarterback Dak Prescott.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
