Early impressions on each SEC game in Week 10 of 2020
Somehow, someway, we got to Rivalry Week.
Yeah, it’s a little different. We don’t get these games as regular-season finales. Like, a regular-season game after the Iron Bowl? What do you mean we don’t get the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving?!
Hey, now is not the time for that. Embrace the weird. It’s 2020.
Now is a time to be thankful that we even have these games, not upset that they’re different.
So, here are my early impressions on each SEC Rivalry Week game:
Kentucky vs. Florida — Why this could feed into the Mac Jones vs. Kyle Trask Heisman debate
It’s not really much of a mystery. Jones just played Kentucky. Trask gets to face the same defense a week later. At a time of year when it seems like everything related to the Heisman is a knee-jerk reaction, it would make a loud statement if Trask went out and threw for 400 yards an 5 touchdown passes after Jones had a pretty “meh” performance against the Cats, who appear to be plenty vulnerable right now.
Trask continues to set records in 2020, and it seems like he could bypass the Heisman field if that continues. Yes, this could come down to the SEC Championship. It could be a different conversation if Trask has something like 1,000 more yards and double the touchdown passes, which isn’t that far off at this point. Saturday will be another key test for Trask, who should definitely be the leader in the clubhouse after Justin Fields had a subpar game and Trevor Lawrence had a last-minute postponement.
LSU vs. Texas A&M — Watch out for those pass-catching A&M backs
I know it was a long time ago, but I keep thinking about Kylin Hill making a million catches out of the backfield in that season-opener against LSU. It seems like A&M is going to want to try and get those mismatches in space with both Ainias Smith and Isaiah Spiller, who should be in for heavy workloads after the multi-week layoff. By “heavy,” I mean that they could combine for 30 scrimmage touches. I’ll be surprised if Jimbo Fisher doesn’t try to force LSU to cover backs with linebackers.
It’s interesting that this matchup felt like it was all but over from the jump last year. A&M wanted to be able to run the ball with designed runs from Kellen Mond, and it couldn’t get anything with the backs. Now, with an offensive line that’s arguably the best in the SEC, it opens up so many more possibilities for this offense. Those opportunities for busts and big plays should be there, especially if LSU doesn’t properly account for Smith wherever he’s lined up.
Georgia vs. South Carolina — Mike Bobo vs. Georgia? Weird
Of all the things to happen in 2020, Mike Bobo getting a late-season Georgia reunion as an interim head coach is certainly one of them. The longtime Georgia offensive coordinator might’ve lost favor with the Georgia fan base, but go figure that JT Daniels just did something that we haven’t seen in Athens since Bobo was the Dawgs’ offensive coordinator.
The weird thing, of course, is that the Dawgs were reportedly trying to hire Bobo back but he took the South Carolina gig. Now, the Dawgs will get to see what they missed out on. I say that tongue-in-cheek because as frustrating as the quarterback situation has been, I think Georgia fans are happy that they ended up with Todd Monken’s offense. Go figure that Monken and Bobo finally found their quarterbacks last week.
Give me Daniels to light up a South Carolina defense that no longer has Israel Mukuamu or Jaycee Horn after they opted out.
Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt — This could easily be rock bottom for Jeremy Pruitt
Man, you can’t lose this. Not to winless Vandy. Not for a 6th consecutive loss. That can’t happen in Year 3 for Pruitt, even with Phillip Fulmer’s somewhat unconditional loyalty to him. That $13 million buyout gets a whole lot more appealing if you can’t even beat little brother in state. And the crazy thing? I’m not so sure that the Vols are the better team right now.
Vandy, unlike Tennessee, has shown much more promise actually staying in games. The Vols have just 14 second-half points in their last 5 games, and they allowed 108. Vandy isn’t going to play like a team to lose. Ken Seals is becoming more and more confident, and his connection with Chris Pierce Jr. is becoming better by the week. If the Vols aren’t playing for Pruitt, they can absolutely get embarrassed by the Commodores, just as they did a couple of years ago when Pruitt missed out on a bowl in Year 1.
Arkansas vs. Mizzou — I didn’t think the winner of this game would have 4 victories … and Barry Odom reunion!
No chance. I didn’t think they’d combine for 4 wins in 2020. Not with how much this offseason deck was stacked against them. Now, both are sitting there with 3 wins in position for a 4th. Either fan base would’ve been fired up to hit 4 wins this year with their new coaches. Does that mean a potential SEC Coach of the Year game is brewing? I wouldn’t rule it out, though my vote was given to Pittman the second he clinched win No. 3.
Why have these teams been able to surpass expectations? Besides having new head coaches who players legitimately seem to like — I’m not convinced that’s the case in Starkville — they also have defensive coordinators who have done a remarkable job. The Barry Odom reunion should be a good one. Will we see his defense bounce back after a late letdown against LSU? And what about Ryan Walters? We’re not talking about the job he’s done fully taking over for Odom’s defense at Mizzou.
With that in mind, take the “under” in this one.
MSU vs. Ole Miss — What a difference a year makes for Elijah Moore
This should be a major national storyline. You know, the guy who delivered the most monumental fake dog pee touchdown in college football history is now having the best season of any Power 5 receiver. Instead of letting that moment define him, Moore embraced Lane Kiffin’s offense. How ironic it is that Moore’s celebration is the reason that both Egg Bowl coaches will be on their respective sidelines. Now, you’ve got Kiffin campaigning for him to win the Heisman. Can you blame him?
Look at these numbers that Moore is putting up:
- 74 catches (No. 1 in FBS)
- 1,054 receiving yards (No. 1 in FBS)
- 3 games with 200-plus yards
- 6 games with double-digit catches
- 27 catches for 463 yards and 5 TDs in last 2 games
You line up Moore anywhere and he makes plays. I wouldn’t expect that to change against an MSU defense who has been remarkable defending the run, but just watched Georgia’s previously dormant passing attack light it up in JT Daniels’ debut. This has the makings of a “full-circle” game for the wildly productive Ole Miss wideout.
Auburn vs. Alabama — K.J. Britt returning would almost make this a fair fight
The Auburn linebacker wanted to return for Tennessee, but he wasn’t cleared yet. Could Britt be cleared for Alabama after missing the last month and a half with a thumb injury? I hope so. If not, that’s not going to be an even bout in trying to stop Najee Harris, who is playing his best of his 4-year career. We just saw Eric Gray run all over the Tigers, though Kevin Steele’s defense got bailed out by Jarrett Guarantano.
But even with Britt back, this matchup still favors the Crimson Tide offense. Nobody has shut down this Alabama offense since the start of 2019, and quite frankly, that includes Auburn. Jones still had all sorts of success against an Auburn defense that had Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson. If the Tigers can’t dial up pressure with Owen Pappoe, a more experienced Jones will pick apart the Auburn defense.
Here’s hoping one of the SEC’s top defensive players can give it a go so we get a more competitive Iron Bowl.
It’ll be very interesting to see what Daniels can do against an opponent that likely won’t sell out so much against the run, and hopefully our team doesn’t sleep on SC the way they apparently did on MSU. Our coaches are going to have to get motivation back up, and reminding them of our loss to SC last year should do the trick.
And in fairness to MSU, they clearly came in fired up and wanting to prove something.
Thank you for actually acknowledging MSU’s defensive scheme. Feels like people were blown away that UGA couldn’t run the ball, but their defense was basically pray the QB UGA plays is abysmal. And UGA’s defensive scheme was basically our offense can outscore yours so take 5 yards at a time.
The Trask-Jones debate aside, it’s starting to to look like Trevor Lawrence is going to go the Peyton Manning route: generational quarterback talent who played to his potential but never won it.
Too bad we don’t get to see Daniels against a Muschamp defense with Horn an Mukuamu.
The defense played their best game of the year without Muschamp and those two corners.
Wouldn’t know, but I’ll take your word for it.
Here is Muschamp’s defensive prowess spelled out since his arrival in SC:
Inherited Spurrier defense which ended 2016 at #6 in conference.
2017–SC’s conference rating for defense slips to #7
2018–Woah, Nelly….now finishes at #13
2019–Inches back up to #11
2020–Currently at #13
Do you really want this guy on staff as DC?
Yes, because his time as DC has different stats.
Also his Florida teams were top 10 in total defense nationally.
I don’t know what to tell you.
Well then by all means, welcome Boom back to Sanford Stadium. I promise we won’t miss him.
If I knew a vandy loss would cement Pruitts departure I would be very tempted to root for it but wouldnt/wont. Though I cant say I wont understand why some would/will. I still dont know if that loss would be the final straw with the financial situation. Guess it all depends on if the donors will put up the cash. Here is the 2021 schedule:
Bowling green – W
Pitt – Toss up but could easily be a loss.
S. Alabama – W
alabama – L
Florida – L
Ky – toss up
Mizzou – toss up
UGA – L
Ole miss – Toss up, easily could be a loss
SC – W
Vandy W
Thats 4 likely wins and maybe another win or two sprinkled in for a 5-6 win season in year 4. Sorry but that wont be enough, not even close.
Pruitt is done. It is just a matter of when, this year or next.
He must start Bailey the rest of the way because he is the guy next year. This year is another wasted season. He complains about the team not getting enough time and reps in. Well, here we go coach. I offer you three additional weeks to prepare for next year. Take it or leave it. If you start G, I’m not sure I can watch the game.
Can’t get to year 4 and not have a QB ready to go. I can’t believe that in year 3 JG is still the best QB option. That’s totally on Pruitt.
I can’t see fulmer able to pull the trigger in firing pruitt….especially this year. barring only 3 wins or a situation where the team has publicly revolted against him and his staff, i don’t see him firing him next year either. he was his hire. his 1st choice. you know better than i that fulmer is a very prideful man, but with the debacle of the last coaching search, i can easily see him convincing himself and others in the admin that it’d be in tn’s best interest to at least go into year 5 with pruitt still in-charge, as opposed to blowing it up again.
Did you say TAMU has arguably the best OL in the SEC just to get Bama fans to come disagree with you? Also, Coach of the Year means looking at them entire body of work. Deciding Pittman, and I’m not saying he isn’t deserving, is already CotY before the year is over undermines the entire point of the reward. If Mizzou beats Arky, wouldn’t Eli have done a better job? Might as well vote for the awards in September if you’re just going to ignore actual results.
Arkansas was 2-10 last year with their only wins being OOC, and Mizzou was 6-6. You’re kidding thinking that a Mizzou win over Arky means that Eli did better. In an ALL SEC schedule, Arkansas already has 3 wins…it had zero sec wins last year…
For getting Matt Luke moved on, Ole Miss should build Elijah Moore a statue.
Well, Arkansas vs Mizzou is postponed and Mizzou is playing Vandy.
Thanks 2020
Completely agree. Should have been playing Maurer and Bailey 4 games ago and let them play it out. I think Bailey would have shown he’s the guy and quite honestly, we may have been able to win a game or two.
No telling who’s going to win Arky vs Mizzou. Arky might want it more because of Odom. Pittman and Drink are both good scrappy coaches. For the first time in this made up rivalry there might be some emotion. I still hate kansas way more that Arky but it’s getting closer. I know, kansas sucks but I don’t care.