SEC Recap: What we learned about every SEC West team in Week 14
Here’s what we learned about every SEC West team following Week 14 action.
RELATED: AP Poll | Coaches’ Poll
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Week 14 result: Defeated Auburn 55-44
What we learned: We all gained a new appreciation for just how dominant this Tide team is following its 55-44 win over Auburn. Alabama allowed 539 yards of offense and fell behind by as many as 12 points in the second half only to then tie the record for points in an Iron Bowl in winning by double figures. If the Tide can survive its SEC championship showdown with Missouri, it’ll be a tough team to beat in this year’s four-team playoff.
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
Week 14 result: Lost to Missouri 21-14
What we learned: Although the Razorbacks lost their regular season finale to Missouri, the Hogs’ performance behind a battered Brandon Allen affirmed the positive steps this program has taken in recent weeks. The Razorbacks won back to back games in impressive fashion leading into Week 14, and their showing against the SEC East champs from Missouri resembled that of a team on the rise. Arkansas’ recent success is less of a hot streak and more a sign of better things to come down the line.
AUBURN TIGERS
Auburn Week 14 result: Lost to Alabama 55-44
What we learned: Auburn taught us defense still wins championships in the SEC, even as the conference shifts from a defensive league to an offensive one. Most teams that post 539 yards and score 44 points win with ease; Auburn did so on Saturday and lost by 11. The Tigers have been involved in numerous shootouts this season, and the loss to Alabama wasn’t even the first time they’d lost after scoring 38-0r-more points this season. Gus Malzahn’s spread rushing attack remains as explosive as ever, but Saturday’s loss proved elite teams still need elite defenses in 2014.
LSU TIGERS
LSU Week 14 result: Defeated Texas A&M 23-17
What we learned: LSU looked to be exactly what we thought it was in Saturday’s win over the Aggies: a good team that runs the ball well but struggles to throw it while playing above-average defense. However, the Tigers did win their first road game in the SEC West this season, showing tremendous growth by a young, emerging team in the conference’s much-tougher division. No one is questioning whether LSU has the talent to remain a title contender going forward, and its ability to win in front of 100,000 fans on the road showed that talent is beginning to mature before our very eyes.
MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS
Week 14 results: Lost to Ole Miss 31-17
What we learned: Bulldog fans won’t like reading this, but Saturday’s loss in the Egg Bowl taught us this Mississippi State team may have been a bit overvalued for much of the year. Don’t get me wrong, Mississippi State remains among the best teams in the nation, but it only won one game this year over a team in the current top 25 (two if LSU breaks back into the rankings next week). Likewise, it played its two worst games of the season against its two toughest opponents, and those losses ultimately kept it out of the College Football Playoff despite MSU spending most of the season ranked in the top 4 nationally. Mississippi State is a good team that appeared to be a great team for much of the season, but Saturday’s loss to a reeling Ole Miss team showed MSU is not quite on the level of “great” just yet.
OLE MISS REBELS
Week 14 results: Defeated Mississippi State 31-17
What we learned: Ole Miss took a different approach to teaching us the same lesson Auburn taught us in Week 14 — defense still wins games in the SEC. The Rebels entered Saturday’s Egg Bowl with a starting quarterback battling a high ankle sprain and its All-American left tackle battling a shoulder injury. By the end of the first quarter it was without its top-two wideouts as well. Nevertheless, the Rebels beat a worthy opponent in a heated rivalry game thanks to the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense, which held Mississippi State to its lowest scoring output of the year (17 points). The Rebels defense has its swagger back, and no one wants to draw Ole Miss this bowl season.
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Week 14 results: Lost to LSU 23-17
What we learned: Texas A&M taught us there’s a difference between throwing the ball often and throwing the ball successfully in its loss to LSU Saturday night. Quarterback Kyle Allen completed 17 of his 22 pass attempts, resulting in a promising completion percentage of 63 percent, but those 17 completions only went for 144 yards on the night. He also threw just one touchdown and one interception, and A&M was stuck at seven points midway through the fourth quarter at home on its Senior Night. The Aggies may still operate out of a spread attack on offense, but they must develop their weapons a great deal to recreate the explosive offense once led by Johnny Manziel and Mike Evans.