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With six matchups involving Southeastern Conference teams on the docket for this Saturday, here’s a list of the players to watch in each SEC game for Week 9 (all kickoff times are for Eastern Standard Time):
NOON ET, No. 19 OLE MISS AT AUBURN, ESPN
Jaylen Walton, RB, Ole Miss
Ole Miss has struggled to find a consistent runner out of the backfield this season to compliment its impressive passing attach, but Walton usually gets the first crack at the majority of the carries. In the Rebels 23-3 win over Texas A&M last week, Walton was effective on the ground rushing for 97 yards on 22 carries while adding another 20 yards on 2 receptions. He should be a valuable asset for Ole Miss this weekend as the Rebels get set to take on an Auburn defense that ranks 101st against the run this season, allowing an average of 199.9 rushing yards per game.
NOON ET, SOUTH CAROLINA AT TEXAS A&M, SEC NETWORK
Armani Watts, FS, Texas A&M
Watts leads the Aggies with 69 tackles this season and it’s not even close. He has 23 more than any other defender on Texas A&M. As a whole, the Aggies defense will be playing with a chip on its shoulder after a disappointing showing against Ole Miss last week. But Watts has nothing to be ashamed about when it comes to his performance against the Rebels because he finished the game with 20 tackles and an interception.
3:30 P.M. ET, GEORGIA AT NO. 11 FLORIDA (Game played in Jacksonville,Fla.), CBS
Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida
It’s no secret, especially after Will Grier’s suspension, that Florida wants to primarily run the ball on offense, and the Gators rely on Taylor for most of the workload. Taylor will look to repeat last year’s performance against Georgia where he rushed for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns. If he can do that, Florida will most likely come away with its second consecutive victory over the Bulldogs. However, Taylor has only rushed for more than 100 yards once this year with 102 in Week 4 against Tennessee.
4 P.M. ET, TENNESSEE-MARTIN AT ARKANSAS, SEC NETWORK
Kody Walker, RB, Arkansas
Walker returned last week after being sidelined for four games and helped Arkansas beat Auburn in overtime. Walker complemented starting running back Alex Collins throughout the game and finished with 32 yards and 2 touchdowns. With the Razorbacks expected to lead for most of the game against Tennessee-Martin, expect to see more of Walker, especially in the second half and around the goal line. The 6-foot-2, 256-pounder is a load to bring down around the end zone and has 3 touchdowns in three games played this season.
7 P.M. ET, VANDERBILT AT NO. 18 HOUSTON, ESPN2
Ralph Webb, RB, Vanderbilt
What will be the most effective way for Vanderbilt to slow down Houston’s high-scoring offense? Get Webb going early and often and control the pace of the game. Webb has been the Commodores’ most prolific player on offense this season. He leads the team in rushing with 594 yards and has also found the end zone four times. Webb has 312 yards in his last three games combined and Vanderbilt is 3-0 when he scores a rushing touchdown.
7:30 P.M. ET, TENNESSEE AT KENTUCKY, SEC NETWORK
Corey Vereen, DE, Tennessee
With Derek Barnett soaking up most of the attention on the other side, Vereen is able to do some damage for the Volunteers defense. In last week’s tough loss to Alabama, Vereen had his best game of the season, recording his first 2 sacks and finishing with 5 total tackles. The junior pass rusher will be key in getting after Wildcats quarterback Patrick Towles this week.
Pat Donohue is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @SportsDownPat.
