What you need to know about every SEC West opponent in Week 7
After escaping a wild, double-overtime clash against Tennessee with a 45-38 victory last weekend, Texas A&M became the first SEC West team to reach four conference wins. Although the Aggies (6-0, 4-0 SEC) and Auburn (4-2, 2-1 SEC) each have a bye on Saturday, this weekend should be another action-packed slate in the SEC.
As you prepare for Saturday, here’s a preview of every SEC West team’s opponent for Week 7.
TENNESSEE (VS. ALABAMA)
Tennessee 2016 PPG: 33.8
Tennessee 2016 PPG allowed: 26.7
Strength: With an all-star cast in the backfield featuring quarterback Josh Dobbs and running back Jalen Hurd, the Volunteers have the most explosive offense in the SEC East. In all, Tennessee has recorded 2,592 yards of total offense, and it has averaged 36.6 points per game since it outlasted Appalachian State to earn a 20-13 overtime victory in Week 1.
Even with Hurd out in Week 6, the Volunteers still managed to put up 38 points in the loss at Texas A&M last Saturday. After Tennessee survived the Mountaineers in its opener, the offense has been putting up numbers in bunches.
Must stop: Dobbs is a dual-threat behind center who can pass (1,433 passing yards, 14 TDs) and run (324 rushing yards, 5 TDs), while Hurd has already rushed for 407 yards and 2 scores. Although Hurd is expected to be back for this week’s showdown against the Crimson Tide, running back Alvin Kamara picked up the slack in his absence and ran for 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns while adding 161 receiving yards and a score through the air last week.
Between the two running backs and Dobbs, the Volunteers are loaded in the backfield. But Tennessee also boasts weapons out wide with junior wide receiver Josh Malone (341 yards, 5 TDs) and sophomore Jauan Jennings (281 yards, 3 TDs) serving as Dobbs’ favorite targets.
Notable: Tennessee has lost nine consecutive meetings and hasn’t upended Alabama since 2006 when the Volunteers beat the Crimson Tide 16-13 in Knoxville.
OLE MISS (AT ARKANSAS)
Ole Miss 2016 PPG: 41.6
Ole Miss 2016 PPG allowed: 29.6
Strength: The Rebels have relied on their high-powered offense to outscore opponents throughout the season, showcasing a solid passing attack led by quarterback Chad Kelly. Ole Miss has scored 34 points or more in every game this season, though much of its success can be attributed to the aerial attack, which has accounted for 15 of the 27 touchdowns the Rebels have scored on offense so far.
Must stop: Kelly has established himself as not only one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC, but the entire country. The signal-caller has thrown for 1,596 yards and 13 touchdowns in five games as Evan Engram (479 yards, 4 TDs) and Damore’ea Stringfellow (305 yards, 2 TDs) have been his favorite Rebels to find.
On the ground, Akeem Judd (302 yards, 2 TDs) receives the bulk of the carries for Ole Miss, though Eugene Brazley (181 yards, 2 TDs) has been a weapon at times.
Notable: The Rebels fell 53-52 when the two SEC West rivals met in Oxford last year, and they were also embarrassed in a 30-0 shutout in Arkansas in 2014.
BYU (VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE)
BYU 2016 PPG: 28.2
BYU 2016 PPG allowed: 25.8
Strength: Although the Cougars’ offensive numbers are nearly sliced down the middle — BYU has recorded 1,264 yards through the air and 1,260 on the ground — the team is slightly more inclined to try to run the ball. Through six games, the Cougars have dropped back to pass 204 times, while 234 plays were designed runs. When it comes to scoring, BYU has relied on its running game to manufacture 15 of the 21 total touchdowns the offense has produced.
Fortunately for the offense, quarterback Taysom Hill does a little of both.
Must stop: Hill has completed 120-of-198 pass attempts for 1,255 yards and 6 touchdown passes, but his 6 interceptions are also an indication of why BYU first-year offensive coordinator — and former BYU star quarterback — Ty Detmer prefers to keep the ball on the ground. The signal-caller has helped the unit in that capacity, rushing for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns on 63 carries.
As dangerous as Hill can be, he’s hardly the biggest weapon the Cougars’ offense has at its disposal. That role belongs to senior running back Jamaal Williams, who ranks second in the nation behind only Donnel Pumphrey of San Diego State with 866 rushing yards. So far, Williams has recorded 10 touchdowns on the ground, which leads all running backs.
With 21 catches, 232 receiving yards and a touchdown, Nick Kurtz is Hill’s favorite target when BYU does drop back to pass.
Notable: Saturday will mark the first game of the home-and-home series the Cougars and Bulldogs scheduled in March 2013 with next year’s matchup happening in Mississippi State in October. The two schools scheduled a similar series in 2000 and 2001 with both teams earning victories on the road.
ARKANSAS (VS. OLE MISS)
Arkansas 2016 PPG: 35.0
Arkansas 2016 PPG allowed: 27.5
Strength: Although Arkansas is still searching for its first SEC win of the season, none of the struggles the Razorbacks have experienced this year can be put on the shoulders of the team’s first-year quarterback, Austin Allen. The junior has been stellar throughout his debut season for the Hogs, and his 15 touchdown passes leads the SEC after six weeks. Allen’s 1,632 passing yards ranks second behind only Drew Lock of Missouri, and his 158.1 passer efficiency rating is only outdone by Chad Kelly (163.2), who will be behind center for Ole Miss when the Razorbacks’ defense takes the field.
The Hogs have also had success in the running game as nine different players have combined for 1,058 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Must stop: Part of Allen’s success has been because of his talented arsenal of pass-catchers. Jared Cornelius (408 yards, 4 TDs) and Keon Hatcher (320 yards, 5 TDs) have been key contributors for the offense the entire season, while Drew Morgan (344 yards, 1 TD) has added depth to an explosive passing game. When the Razorbacks get into the red zone, tight end Jeremy Sprinkle (194 yards, 4 TDs) has been a reliable option for Allen as expected.
On the ground, Rawleigh Williams III has been a workhorse, accounting for 113 of the 241 rushes the Razorbacks have had thus far. He has recorded a team-high 605 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, though Devwah Whaley (241 yards, 1 TD) and Kody Walker (110 yards, 1 TD) have both been viable options when their numbers have been called.
Notable: Arkansas has posted a perfect 4-0 record against non-conference opponents this season, but it has lost to both Texas A&M and Alabama in SEC play. The Razorbacks have won five of their past six meetings against Ole Miss in Fayetteville dating back to 2002 (2012 was played in Little Rock).
SOUTHERN MISS (AT LSU)
Southern Miss 2016 PPG: 40.2
Southern Miss 2016 PPG allowed: 27.0
Strength: The Golden Eagles have counted on their offense to lead the way as the unit has recorded a combined 532.2 yards per contest and scored at least 30 points in every game this season. Southern Miss showed its offense is capable of beating SEC opponents in a shootout when the team outlasted Kentucky 44-35 in Week 1.
While both the passing attack and running game are led by dangerous playmakers, the Golden Eagles have relied on each area to combine for 27 offensive touchdowns this season.
Must stop: Quarterback Nick Mullens (1,874 yards, 16 TDs, 8 INTs) can light up opposing defenses, especially when he is getting the ball into the hands of Allenzae Staggers (562 receiving yards, 5 TDs) or D.J. Thompson (291 receiving yards, 4 TDs).
Mullens has also rushed for three touchdowns, though running back Ito Smith is the most dangerous asset for the Golden Eagles’ ground game. So far, Smith has rushed for 711 yards and 6 touchdowns on 119 carries, while George Payne (336 yards, 1 TD) has also carried the ball 58 times for Southern Miss.
Notable: These two non-conference opponents have met before with both matchups happening in Baton Rouge. However, it has been a long time since the Golden Eagles have been welcomed back to Death Valley. The last time Southern Miss played at LSU, it came away with a 20-18 victory over the Tigers in 1994. LSU won the only other meeting, 13-0, in 1951.