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The SEC’s epic Week 7 featured two top-10 matchups, and performances by three of the quarterbacks from those two games made this week’s five biggest surprises. Two other surprises came right off the scoreboard.
5. Ole Miss gave up 31 unanswered points to an AAC team: Most experts said Memphis would pose a tough challenge for Ole Miss, but it was still surprising to see the Rebels jump out to a 14-0 lead and end up losing 37-24. Memphis scored 31 unanswered points, highlighting a problem Mississippi has with making adjustments when problems in the scheme have become exposed.
4. Georgia won without a touchdown: UGA only scored nine points against Missouri, but that was better than the six points the Tigers could muster (and it counts the same as any other win). The last time the Bulldogs won without scoring a touchdown, 12-3 over Kentucky in 1995, Mark Richt was still the offensive coordinator at Florida State. Georgia’s previous offensive effort without crossing the goal line came in a a 10-6 loss to UCF in the 2010 Liberty Bowl.
3. Kyle Allen threw more touchdowns for the Crimson Tide than the Aggies: Texas A&M QB Kyle Allen entered Saturday with 13 touchdowns and two interceptions through four games. He threw three picks against Alabama on Saturday, with two of them returned for touchdowns. The Crimson Tide pass rush was too much for Allen (20-of-40, 263 yards, TD, 3 INTs), who threw off target too many times on Saturday.
2. Treon Harris’ LSU box score was better than Will Grier’s road numbers: The suspension of UF QB Will Grier caused the betting lines to move in LSU’s favor, and most people said it hurt Florida’s chance of winning at Death Valley, but QB Treon Harris came away with a road box score (17-of-32, 271 yards, 2 TDs) better than Grier’s numbers at Kentucky (13-of-22, 125 yards, INT) and at Missouri (20-of-33, 208 yards). There are a number of factors when comparing the stats – such as game plan, experience and opposing defenses – but Harris’ stat line should be a pleasant surprise to the Florida faithful.
1. For 15 minutes, Brandon Harris ruled the world: Forcing LSU’s offense to pass was supposed to be a focal point of Florida’s defensive game plan, but Tigers QB Brandon Harris put together a second quarter to remember (7-of-8, 148 yards, 2 TDs) in Saturday’s 35-28 victory. Harris showed good awareness of Florida defenders confused by the route or beat deep. UF adjusted in the second half, holding Harris to 3-of-7 passing, but the damage was done after LSU’s explosive 28-point second quarter.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.