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Week 4 in the SEC East saw one of its preseason favorites (Georgia) continue business as usual, while two of its other preseason contenders (Missouri and Tennessee) suffered tough losses that could jeopardize their division title hopes. Meanwhile, Florida and Kentucky asserted themselves as up-and-comers with wins over Tennessee and Missouri, respectively. All told, the SEC East went 4-3 in Week 4.
Here’s a look at a few things we learned during Week 4 in the SEC East.
Florida Gators
Week 4 result: Defeated Tennessee 28-27
What we learned: Florida doesn’t win pretty, but the Gators do, in fact, win. The reward for going undefeated in their first four games is a spot (No. 25) in the AP Top 25. Will Grier solidified his starting position role with 283 yards passing. His two passing touchdowns came on the Gators’ final two drives to stun Tennessee. The suspension of backup Treon Harris looks like more and more of a non-factor as Grier appears to be the man now in Gainesville.
Georgia Bulldogs
Week 4 result: Defeated Southern 48-6
What we learned: There’s not much you can learn from a 48-6 beatdown of Southern. Georgia only led 20-6 at the half, but poured it on in the third quarter as running back Nick Chubb extended his 100-yard game streak. The win mirrored Georgia’s resounding victory over South Carolina a week before and appears to be the team’s modus operandi. The Bulldogs’ 532 total yards was a nice tuneup for UGA, which plays host to Alabama in Week 5.
Kentucky Wildcats
Week 4 result: Defeated Missouri 21-13
What we learned: Kentucky is turning into the team that no one wants to play. Patrick Towles threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns as the Wildcats upset No. 25 Missouri — a team that didn’t really feel like the nation’s 25th-best squad. Most importantly, Kentucky is 2-1 in SEC East play. The Wildcats saw its game-winning drive fall short late against Florida, or else the Wildcats could be undefeated in the division with matchups against Georgia, Tennessee and Vanderbilt remaining. They still have to play out-of-conference games against Eastern Kentucky and Charlotte. They likely won’t win the East, but Mark Stoops’ squad is looking closer to being a bowl team by the week with a solid foundation for the future.
Missouri Tigers
Week 4 result: Lost to Kentucky 21-13
What we learned: Missouri skated by with wins in its first three games, but the Tigers were exposed by Kentucky, who dropped Mizzou from the rankings with an upset win in Lexington. The biggest drop-off for the defending two-time SEC East champ has been the running game. Ish Witter’s team-high 50 yards just doesn’t cut it against a division opponent when you’re supposed to be a favorite. We’ll find out the Tigers’ resolve in the next four weeks with home games against South Carolina and Florida, followed by road tilts against Georgia and Vanderbilt. The clock is ticking to fix the run game.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Week 4 result: Defeated Central Florida 31-14
What we learned: South Carolina got the spark it needed on both offense and defense as the Gamecocks picked up their second win of the year, downing Central Florida 31-14. Lorenzo Nunez led the team in rushing (123 yards) and passing (184 yards, 2 TDs) as just the second true freshman to ever start a game for Steve Spurrier. The brightest spark came on defense. Spurrier and co-defensive coordinator Jon Hoke re-tooled their defense, which included inserting T.J. Holloman into the middle linebacker role. The redshirt junior did not disappoint in his first start with six tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, two quarterback hurries, one pass broken up and two interceptions. With Holloman in a new role in the middle and the team’s tackle leader Skai Moore moved to weakside linebacker (nine tackles vs. UCF), perhaps the Gamecocks can address some of the woes that have seen them yield 411.3 YPG.
Tennessee Volunteers
Week 4 result: Lost to Florida 28-27
What we learned: Tennessee continues to lack a killer instinct. When Butch Jones’ squad is on its game — like they were in the first half against Florida — the Volunteers are one of the toughest teams in the SEC. But, as evidenced in late collapses against Oklahoma and the Gators, Tennessee simply can’t put teams away. One of these weeks it’ll finally play a full 60 minutes and someone big will go down at the hands of the Vols. But at 2-2 (0-1 SEC), whether the victory will mean anything or simply be a moral win is something that rests precariously on a razor-thin wire. The Volunteers face fellow preseason darling Arkansas in Week 5, followed by Georgia and Alabama.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Week 4 result: Lost to Ole Miss 27-16
What we learned: The Commodores’ defense is stronger than you think. Vanderbilt is No. 6 in the SEC (No. 34 in the nation) in total defense giving up 321 YPG. Granted, the Commodores gave up 472 yards to Ole Miss in Week 4, but Derek Mason’s defense was able to hold the nation’s No. 3 team to its lowest point total on the year in the 27-16 Rebels win. Alabama, by contrast, surrendered 43 points to Hugh Freeze’s squad. Vandy forced a fumble and intercepted Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly twice as the Commodores’ defense was able to hang tough with the No. 1 offense in the nation. Mason’s team also proved to be the more disciplined bunch. Ole Miss was flagged 11 times for 119 yards to Vanderbilt’s eight penalties for 43 yards. Vanderbilt has a lighter schedule in October with games against Middle Tennessee State, South Carolina and Missouri. With the latter two teams struggling, you never know — Vandy just might surprise with a few wins.
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
