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The SEC East race tightened in Week 7 as Florida fell for the first time this year. While Georgia climbed back into the race, other story lines, such as the first game in the post-Steve Spurrier era in South Carolina dominated the division’s news cycle. All told, the SEC East went 2-4 over the weekend.
Here’s a few things we learned about the SEC East during Week 7 action.
Florida Gators
Week 7 result: Lost to LSU 35-28
What we learned: Florida might not have won, but the Gators hung tough and even came back on LSU, arguably the best team in the SEC this season. Any questions about Florida playing a weak schedule were laid to rest, even if the Gators wound up on the south side of a 35-28 verdict. Jim McElwain’s team wasn’t slowed by the absence of suspended starting quarterback Will Grier, as Treon Harris threw for 271 yards, good enough for the second-best passing performance by a Gators signal caller this season. The combination of Grier and Harris have provided a stability in the passing attack that Florida hasn’t seen since the 2009 season — four games of 250-plus yards are the most since that year. Despite the loss, Florida is still in command of the SEC East and can theoretically lock up with division after a bye week with a Week 9 contest against second-place Georgia (5-2, 3-2) in Jacksonville.
Georgia Bulldogs
Week 7 result: Defeated Missouri 9-6
What we learned: Georgia got itself back in the SEC East race with a win over Missouri and a Florida loss to LSU, but confidence isn’t exactly sky high in Athens right now. The Bulldogs’ Week 8 bye couldn’t come at a better time for the badly dinged-up squad ailing on both sides of the ball (RB Nick Chubb, OLB Jordan Jenkins). Even when healthy, the Georgia offense is struggling posting just three first-half points in each of its last two games. The defense was stellar against Mizzou, holding the Tigers to 34 second half yards, 21 total rushing yards, including minus-1 rushing yards in the first half. The Bulldogs defense gets this team pretty far, but the offense is sputtering, making it hard to believe that Mark Richt’s team can overtake Florida. We find out for sure in two weeks.
Kentucky Wildcats
Week 7 result: Lost to Auburn 30-27
What we learned: They might not always win, as was the case in Week 7 against Auburn, but Kentucky (4-2, 2-2 SEC) plays their opposition tightly. All six of the Wildcats’ games this season have been settled by a touchdown or less. Their two losses (Florida and Auburn) have come by less than five points. Kentucky is still in the novice stage under second-year head coach Mark Stoops, but once the Wildcats can learn to consistently close teams out, the wins will follow.
Missouri Tigers
Week 7 result: Lost to Georgia 9-6
What we learned: The Missouri defense should be considered among the elite. The Tigers held Georgia to three first half points and out of the end zone for the first time in five years. The defense was beyond strong, but drew weary down the stretch thanks to a Bulldog offense that kept the Mizzou defense on the field for 18 more minutes. We’ve heard all year how the Georgia offensive line is the best in show when it comes to the SEC. But The Tigers front-seven routinely victimized the Bulldogs’ O-line to the tune of 8 tackles-for-loss. Defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. (6 tackles, sack), defensive end Charles Harris (9 tackles, sack) and linebacker Kentrell Brothers (17 tackles) each set career-highs for tackles, while Harris added his fifth sack. With the SEC East having arguably a down year, if Mizzou had any semblance of an offense, the Tigers could very well be contending for their third-straight division crown. As it stands, Gary Pinkel’s rushing attack is difficult to watch.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Week 7 result: Defeated Vanderbilt 19-10
What we learned: All eyes on Columbia as South Carolina played its first game without Steve Spurrier since the 2004 season. The Gamecocks struggles continued on both sides of the ball, but South Carolina showed some fight during Shawn Elliott’s head coaching debut. The Interim Ball Coach brought an air of excitability to the Gamecocks’ sideline in the team’s 19-0 win over Vanderbilt. South Carolina won’t win much the rest of the way, but Elliott as his squad are suddenly building a feel-good season overcoming the adversity of both a statewide flood and losing their head coach of a decade within a week’s time frame.
Tennessee Volunteers
Week 7 result: Bye Week
What we learned: Tennessee entered its Week 7 bye on a high note after a signature win over Georgia a week prior. The Volunteers used the time to prepare for an Alabama team that is coming off a dismantling of No. 9 Texas A&M. The Tide have won nine of the last 10 meetings over the Vols, including eight-straight. The last time that Tennessee beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa, quarterback Casey Clausen needed five overtime sessions to power UT to a 51-43 win nearly 12 years ago to the day of this year’s contest during the 2003 season.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Week 7 result: Lost to South Carolina 19-10
What we learned: Vandy played tough and lead 10-6 midway through the third quarter in Columbia. But the difference between finishing as the SEC East’s penultimate team this year or alone in the basement likely came down to the Commodores’ inability to control the ball. South Carolina forced five turnovers (3 INTs, 3 FF, 2FR) and used a big play from Pharoh Cooper to ultimately doom Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-3) to its third conference loss.
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
