Week 5 featured three top-25 matchups in the SEC, and the shift in momentum was felt in both divisions.
Uncle Mo watched the games, checked out the polls before and after and read all the beat writer breakdowns to figure out which SEC teams have the most momentum going for them right now.
It’s quite a different look from last week. Let’s see where everyone stands:
- Florida: The Gators were unranked and treated as an afterthought in the SEC until a 28-27 victory over Tennessee. Now, following a 38-10 dominating upset of Ole Miss, Florida is one of the most talked-about teams in the country. That’s quite a boost in momentum over five weeks. UF is the lone first-place team in the SEC East right now and looks to be getting better every week.
- Texas A&M: The margins of victory haven’t always been eye-popping (7-point overtime win over Arkansas), but the Aggies look like one of the most well-rounded teams in the conference after beating Mississippi State 30-17. Defensive coordinator John Chavis has made an impact on TAMU’s defense, turning them from porous and flimsy into attacking and aggressive. Coach Kevin Sumlin is using a balanced attack on offense that featured 322 yards of passing for Kyle Allen and 110 yards of rushing for Tra Carson.
- LSU: With back-to-back non-conference games, the Tigers’ first-place standing in the SEC West was safe. But LSU’s 44-22 win over Eastern Michigan, in which it only led 30-22 in the fourth quarter, doesn’t help momentum. The Gators and Aggies have more momentum right now, but the Tigers will have plenty of chances to retake the top spot during conference play.
- Alabama: Reports of the death of Alabama football were greatly exaggerated. The Crimson Tide stomped Georgia, 38-10, in Athens to make a statement that the SEC West race is far from over. Up next for coach Nick Saban’s squad is an Arkansas team that finally snapped a three-game losing streak.
- Missouri: The Tigers bounced back from last week’s 21-13 loss to Kentucky with a 24-10 win over South Carolina. Freshman QB Drew Lock did what was asked of him (21-of-28, 136 yards, 2 TDs) filling in for suspended starter Maty Mauk, but faces a tough challenge against a Florida defense that excels in pass rush and pass coverage.
- Arkansas: Despite an ugly 2-3 record, the Razorbacks are back in the SEC West hunt after a 24-20 come-from-behind road win at Tennessee. The Hogs, currently 1-1 in the SEC, could really shake up the division if they can pull the upset at Alabama on Saturday.
- Kentucky: The Wildcats avoided losing to an FCS team by rallying to tie Eastern Kentucky at 27 and win in overtime, 34-27. UK gets a week off to scheme for a Thursday night contest against a struggling Auburn on Oct. 15.
- Ole Miss: Florida dominated Ole Miss, 38-10, in Gainesville. It’s the kind of loss that takes the wind out of a team’s sails. But Ole Miss still controls its destiny in the SEC West. The Rebels’ SEC East slate is finished, and they can concentrate on taking care of business in their own division.
- Georgia: Similar to the Rebels’ situation, UGA’s 38-10 loss to Alabama is embarrassing, but it doesn’t hurt as much as one to a division rival. Georgia is still in position to contend for the SEC East if it can figure out its quarterback situation.
- Vanderbilt: VU improved to 2-3 with a 17-13 win over Middle Tennessee State. The victory makes the Commodores 2-1 in non-conference play this season, and allows them to hold onto hope of reaching bowl eligibility this season.
- Mississippi State: The Bulldogs join Auburn at the bottom of the SEC West with two losses after falling to Texas A&M, 30-17. It’s starting to look like QB Dak Prescott doesn’t have a strong enough supporting cast this season to carry the team to victory every week.
- Auburn: On the field, AU got a momentum boost from a 35-21 win over San Jose State in which RB Peyton Barber rushed for five touchdowns. On Monday night, however, the Tigers were dealt a huge momentum blow when WR D’haquille Williams was dismissed from the team. It’s probably good timing for Coach Gus Malzahn’s squad to have a bye week to work on an offensive approach for the upcoming Oct. 15 matchup with Kentucky.
- South Carolina: The Gamecocks are now 0-3 in conference play with all three losses to fellow SEC East teams. This time South Carolina fell 24-10 to Missouri. It’s uncertain right now where the game will be played, but South Carolina could be for in a world of hurt against the SEC West co-leader. LSU.
- Tennessee: The outlook on Rocky Top continues a downward trend after another fourth-quarter collapse, this time to a 1-3 Arkansas team (at the time) for a 24-20 loss at home. Tennessee has fallen from a popular preseason pick to win the SEC East to a scuffling longshot. The Volunteers have to turn it around next week against Georgia to save their season.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
