10 Reasons Why No. 3 Arkansas will Beat No.1 LSU

The previous 2011 “game of the century” between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama will be a forgotten afterthought Friday night when No. 3 Arkansas travels to Death Valley to take on No. 1 LSU. In a season full of upsets, the Razorbacks look to add one more team to the list.  

Arkansas vs. LSU has quietly become one of the best SEC rivalry games and one of the best throughout college football. Since 2005 Arkansas and LSU have split their series 3-3. 21 total points separates the winning team from the losing team with Arkansas having the largest winning margin, winning by 8 points in 2010 in Little Rock, Arkansas. That’s a 3.5 average margin of victory between the two schools.

This year’s winner not only receives the Golden Boot Trophy but should end up in the BCS National Title Game. Thankfully CBS put this game back on the schedule the Friday after Thanksgiving before a college football hungry crowd.

The following information lays out how the Hogs will beat the Tigers.

Bobby Petrino versus Les Miles

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino has defeated Les Miles two out of the three times they have faced each other as head coaches in the SEC. In 2010 No. 12 Arkansas beat No. 6 LSU 31-23, 2009 No. 17 LSU beat unranked Arkansas 33-30 in overtime, and in 2008 Arkansas beat LSU 31-30.

Les Miles may have a BCS National Championship Trophy on his mantle but after Friday’s Razorback win over the Tigers so will Petrino.

Arkansas’ Improved Defense

In 2010 the Razorbacks finished the season ranked 36th in total defense. The Razorbacks’ defensive play started out poorly in 2011. Arkansas gave up 397 total yards of offense to Alabama in week four and 628 total yards to Texas A&M in week five.

Since their early season troubles the Hogs have slowly started to dominate their opponents on defense. The Hogs’ defense is currently ranked 44th in total defense.

The turnaround in play is due to the return of healthy players on defense. The Hogs were without both starting defensive ends Jake Bequette and Tank Wright and both starting cornerbacks Darius Winston and Isaac Madison for several games during the heart of their midseason schedule.

With the starters returning to action, Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson has been able to develop more depth on the team but more importantly start calling stunts and blitzes again. The base 4-3 defense the Hogs had to run was putting very little pressure on the opposing quarterbacks.

Arkansas’ Improved Running Game

Breaking in three new starters along any college football team’s offensive line will take time before the players gel. The amount of time for the entire line to gel may take longer when two true freshmen, a junior college transfer, two sophomores, and two seniors are learning to play together for the first time.

Offensive line coach Chris Klenakis has progressively done a solid job of getting these guys ready to play week after week. Early season run blocking woes have subsided with the return of running backs Dennis Johnson and Broderick Green from injury.

Johnson, a junior, missed all of 2010 with a bowel injury and started the 2011 season with a hamstring injury. Johnson was slow to get back to full health but by the seventh game of the season he had a season high 15 rushing attempts for 160 yards. Over the past five games Johnson has averaged 98.6 rushing yards per game.

Johnson is only 44 total rushing yards behind LSU’s leading rusher Spencer Ware and 19 rushing yards behind LSU’s second leading rusher Michael Ford on the year.

Senior running back Broderick Green was thought to be lost for the entire 2011 season after tearing his ACL in spring practices. Green returned for the Texas A&M game to provide depth and power running for the Hogs on short yardage and goal line plays. Green has five rushing touchdowns in the six games he has played in this year.

Fearing the LSU Defense?

LSU was among the top defensive teams in the nation during the 2010 season finishing 12th in total defense. 2011 has been an even better statistical year for LSU’s second ranked defense in total yards allowed per game. But is LSU’s defense really better than last year’s?

The loss of lock-down cornerback Patrick Peterson was thought to be difficult to replace along with his abilities as a kickoff and punt returner. Middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard was a beast for LSU in 2010 totaling 116 tackles. Who has replaced these leaders on defense?

LSU’s leading tacklers are safeties Brandon Taylor and Eric Reid with 61 and 58 tackles respectively. It’s not unusual for a safety to lead a defense in tackles but it is preferred that your linebackers make stops before the running back gets to “the defense’s next level”.

Junior cornerback Morris Claiborne has continued to play well in Peterson’s absence. Claiborne led the Tigers in interceptions in 2010 with five and has four this year.

No one has replaced Peterson’s special teams play on punt returns. Tyrann Mathieu leads the Tigers with 186 return yards with no punt returns for a touchdown.

Another note about LSU’s defense is the skewed statistics they have tallied this season. In games against Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, and Ole Miss the Tigers were facing either the worse offensive units in the SEC or a backup quarterback.

Also, last year was a stellar year for offensive players in the SEC. There’s an impressive list of offensive SEC players that are gone to the NFL or injured this season. The list includes: Ryan Mallett, Cam Newton, Darvin Adams, Marcus Lattimore, Greg McElroy, Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, Mike Hartline, Derrick Locke, Knile Davis, Randall Cobb, and A.J. Green. Without these players in the SEC it seems easier for teams to rack up stronger defensive numbers than in 2010.

Arkansas has Better Playmakers on Offense than LSU

Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson leads the SEC in passing yards with 3,215 total yards. Jarrett Lee is 7th in the SEC with 1,306 total passing yards.

Arkansas’ senior receiver Jarius Wright is tied for the lead the SEC in receiving yards with 1,002 yards despite missing one game this season. LSU’s leading receiver is Ruben Randle with 755 yards.

Arkansas’ second leading receiver is Joe Adams with 595 total receiving yards. LSU’s second leading receiver is Odell Beckham with 410 total yards, 47 total receiving yards behind Arkansas’ tight end Chris Gragg and 31 total receiving yards behind the Hogs’ third leading wide receiver Cobi Hamilton.

LSU’s Spencer Ware has 650 total rushing yards to Dennis Johnson’s 606. Johnson has a 6.7 yard per carry average to Ware’s 4.1. Ware has also carried the ball 160 times; Johnson only has 91 rushing attempts on the season.

Overconfidence of LSU

LSU’s team confidence seems to be at an all time high, and rightfully so. They are the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation with quality wins over Oregon and Alabama.

LSU is battle tested after playing six ranked teams with two of those teams being Top 10 teams at the time of the game, but so are the Razorbacks.

Arkansas has played four ranked teams this season with two of those teams being in the Top 10. Mississippi State was ranked at the time LSU played the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were not rank at the time Arkansas played them.

Three of the ranked teams LSU beat are no longer ranked.

Win One for Garrett Uekman

After Arkansas took care of Mississippi State Saturday in Little Rock 44-17, the team was shocked to find out that their teammate Garrett Uekman had passed away Sunday. The sudden death of the 19-year-old redshirt freshman tight end will undoubtedly have a dramatic affect on the team entering the LSU game.

Not that the Razorbacks need extra motivation for their game against the Tigers with a possible BCS National Title Game berth on the line, but the opportunity to rally around a fallen player can prove to be an emotional and powerful tool for any team looking for a motivational edge.

LSU’s Defense versus Passing Offenses

LSU has not faced a passing offense like Arkansas’ this season. How well do the Tigers’ defense respond to offensive minded teams?

Oregon’s offense outgained LSU’s 335 to 273. The Ducks also ran 12 more plays than the Tigers, had a 4.1 yard per play average to the Tiger’s 3.9. Darron Thomas threw for 240 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception against LSU.

West Virginia’s quarterback Geno Smith threw for 463 yards against the mighty Tiger defense. Smith finished the game 38 of 65 with 2 touchdowns and 2 picks. The Mountaineers outgained LSU 533 to 366.

Oregon and West Virginia both lost the turnover battle against the Tigers. The Ducks fumbled three times losing all three times while the Mountaineers also fumbled three times losing the ball twice. LSU intercepted Oregon once and WVU twice.

LSU did not throw an interception against either team.

Even “run first” Alabama not only outgained LSU’s passing attack, throwing for 199 yard to LSU’s 91 total passing yards but more importantly had success against their secondary.

One can argue that LSU’s bend but don’t break defense works. One can also argue that LSU has been lucky and, to their benefit, opportunistic at the right time.

Arkansas has the 10th best passing offense in college football with pass catching ability at wide receiver, tight end, and running back. Arkansas has better a better talent level and overall team speed that LSU has not faced in 2011. In 2010 Arkansas gave this same LSU defense trouble as the Hogs finished with 320 yards passing with three touchdowns.

The Hogs’ 5-2 Defense is ready to stop the Tiger’s Rushing Attack

Many fans may forget that the Hogs experimented with a 5-2 defense against early season foes and in fall practices. The thought was the Razorbacks could stop Alabama’s rushing attack with a 5-2 defensive front. The 5-2 defense was not put into use against the Tide as both of Arkansas’ starting defensive ends did not play a full game against Bama.

The Razorbacks have their starters back and depth along the defensive front. Look for the Hogs to use the 5-2 defense against the Tigers to slow down their running game making LSU one-dimensional. The Hogs would love for Jordan Jefferson or Jarrett Lee to try to beat them with their arm.

Arkansas has been slow to stop the opposition’s quarterbacks from running at times during the season. Using a 5-2 defense will help keep Jefferson contained and limit running opportunities throughout the game as well.

The Razorbacks are Overdue!

The last Arkansas Razorback National Championship in football came in 1964. The Hogs have been a couple of games away a time or two in the past but have not been this close to playing for the national championship since 2006.

The SEC has won five straight BCS National Championships with three of those wins coming from their SEC West counterparts: Florida in 2007, LSU in 2008, Florida in 2009, Alabama in 2010, and Auburn in 2011. Arkansas would like to add the sixth straight title to the SEC’s run. 

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HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 12

1. LSU 10-0
2. Oklahoma State 10-0
3. Arkansas 9-1
4. Alabama 9-1
5. Oregon 9-1
6. Oklahoma 8-1
7. Georgia 8-2
8. Houston 10-0
9. Virginia Tech 9-1
10. Clemson 9-1
11. Michigan State 8-2
12. Wisconsin 8-2
13. South Carolina 8-2
14. Stanford 9-1
15. Nebraska 8-2
16. Kansas State 8-2
17. TCU 8-2
18. Boise State 8-1
19. USC 8-2
20. Michigan 8-2
21. Southern Mississippi 9-1
22. Penn State 8-2
23. Florida State 7-3
24. Arkansas State 8-2
25. Tulsa 7-3

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College Football Preview: Predicting Every SEC Game in Week 7

Week after week the SEC features great college football match-ups. This weekend is no different as three SEC East teams continue their fight to stay alive for a conference title game berth and two of the top teams in all of college football look to keep pace with each other in the SEC West.

Two teams are on byes this week, Arkansas and Kentucky.

Arkansas travels to Ole Miss next week.

Kentucky hosts Jacksonville State.

No. 15 South Carolina at Mississippi State

Believe it or not, South Carolina versus Mississippi State is the SEC game of the week.

Mississippi State and South Carolina started the season off in similar fashion, with high hopes. MSU’s came crashing down fast while USC still has a shot to right the ship.

The Bulldogs are 3-3 after starting the season ranked 20th. MSU moved up as high as 16th in the nation but quickly lost their way after Auburn shut quarterback Chris Relf down at the goal line on the final play of their game.

The two head coaches, Steve Spurrier and Dan Mullen, find themselves in the middle of a quarterback controversy this week.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier dismissed senior quarterback Stephen Garcia from the team on Tuesday after he reportedly failed an alcohol test. Garcia had lost his starting job to sophomore Connor Shaw for USC’s game against Kentucky last weekend. Garcia had been suspended five times previously by Spurrier.

Another upstart sophomore is pushing an established senior quarterback for playing time in the SEC. This time MSU head coach Dan Mullen has to make some hard choices about who will start and who will sit and how many snaps each quarterback will get in the game.

Chris Relf has struggled much of 2011 after having a solid junior campaign. He is ranked 9th in the SEC in total passing yards (860), 7th in completion percentage (58.1), but has 5 interceptions thrown to four touchdown passes thrown.

MSU quarterback Tyler Russell started the second half against UAB which lead to a 21-3 come from behind win for the Bulldogs. Russell completed 11 of 13 passes for 166 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Relf finished the game 6 of 10 for 46-passing yards.

The in-game battle will be between Mississippi State running back Vick Ballard and USC’s running back Marcus Lattimore. Ballard is fifth in the SEC in total rushing yards with 531. Lattimore leads the SEC with 779 but has 61 more carries on the season than Ballard.

Lattimore appears to be slowing down some. His last three games he’s had one 100-yard effort (102 yards vs. Kentucky). Mississippi State’s linebackers have trouble stopping the run.

Ballard had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season against UAB.

Neither team has a signature win this year.

Both quarterback situations are sketchy at best but USC has the better defense especially with the return of DE Melvin Ingram.

USC wins at Davis-Wade Stadium 35-21.

No. 2 Alabama versus Mississippi

Ole Miss welcomes one of the top defenses in the nation to go against their offense, one of the worst in the nation.

Rebel fans are optimistic that junior quarterback Randall Mackey will be the key to ignite their offense. Mackey was penciled to be the starter for Ole Miss after spring practices but Houston Nutt went with Zack Stoudt and Barry Brunetti to start the season.

Mackey completed eight passes for 214 yards and one touchdown in their last game against Fresno State. Mackey also had ten incomplete passes against the Bulldogs, a team allowing 392.5 yards per game.

Scat back Jeff Scot rushed for a career-high 138 yards against Fresno State.

Alabama’s offense:

19th best rushing attack in the nation averaging 217 yards per game with 18 touchdowns.

Bama’s total offense is second best in the SEC at 434.8 per game.

The Tide features the 4th best passing game in the SEC averaging 226.80 yards per game.

Scoring at a rate of 37.67 points per game is 22nd best in the nation.

Alabama’s defense:

Top scoring defense in the nation allowing 7 points per game.

Third best total defense in the nation, 191.33 yards per game.

Best rushing defense in the nation by holding teams to 39.83 yards per game.

4th best pass defense in the nation limiting opponents to 151.50 yards per game.

Common opponent: Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt 30, Ole Miss 7.

Alabama 34, Vanderbilt 0.

Linebacker C.J. Mosley returns from an elbow injury suffered against Arkansas. 

Life does not get better for Houston Nutt. Ole Miss losses another one 38-7.

Florida versus No. 24 Auburn

A reoccurring theme in the SEC is quarterback play or lack thereof. Auburn head coach Gene Chizik is sticking by his struggling junior quarterback Barrett Trotter and Florida cannot keep a quarterback healthy enough to play.

Quarterbacks John Brantley and true freshman Jeff Driskel (Oviedo, Florida) both injured their ankles against Alabama. Florida head coach Will Muschamp made a game time decision to not start Driskel against LSU in favor for another true freshman quarterback, Jacoby Brissett (West Palm Beach, Florida).

The game will come down to who can stop the run. Florida has the 4th best rushing attack in the SEC (194 per game) and Auburn has the 3rd best (204 per game).

Florida’s rush defense is 32nd in the nation. Auburn’s is 103rd allowing 201.83.

Auburn and Florida did not play each other last season.

Auburn has more stability at quarterback but Florida may have more raw talent under center.

Florida holds Dyer to 115 rushing yards and Chris Rainey finds the holes to keep the Gators on the field.

Jeff Demps was limited to two carries last week in Baton Rouge due to an ankle injury. His playing time will be a game time decision.

Florida 21, Auburn 18.

Georgia versus Vanderbilt

First year head coach James Franklin has already passed expectations at Vanderbilt. He has eclipsed last year’s win total and scored a SEC conference victory against Ole Miss. More importantly the Commodores have been competitive.

The final score in their past two games may not reflect the abilities of his team, at No. 12 South Carolina 3-21 and at No. 2 Alabama 0-34, but their defense is playing tough and they are young. Franklin is laying ground work for a strong Commodore team next season if they can find any offense.

Georgia has turned their season around after two straight home losses to fifth ranked Boise State and twelfth ranked South Carolina. The Bulldogs are on a four game winning streak and tied with the Gamecocks for first place in the SEC East.

Georgia head coach Mark Richt started true freshman running back Isaiah Crowell after the South Carolina loss and the Bulldogs offense has responded.

The Bulldogs have the 4th ranked total offense in the SEC (2,435 yards) while averaging 405.80 yards per game. Crowell is fourth in the SEC in total rushing yards with 573 after seeing limited action in the first two games of the season.

Georgia’s starting quarterback Aaron Murray now has a complement to his passing abilities. Murray is third in the SEC in total passing yards with 1,327, second in passing touchdowns (13), and fourth in quarterback rating (150.2). Murray’s tendency to take a sack (SEC worst 13) and throw interceptions (6) has got to improve against the opportunistic Commodore defense.

The Commodores lead the SEC with 14 interceptions. Three of those picks have been returned for touchdowns.

Georgia has the sixth best defense in the nation.

Vanderbilt has the 117th worst offense in college football, 244.40 yards per game.

Vandy quarterback Larry Smith has missed time in the last two games due to injuries. Smith could have returned against Alabama last week but Franklin played Jordan Rodgers the rest of the game.

Georgia gets a bye next week before playing Florida in Jacksonville. The Bulldogs will not get caught up in a trap game.

Georgia has enough offense to beat Vandy’s determined group. Georgia wins 21-7.

No. 1 LSU versus Tennessee

Another SEC team, another starting quarterback injured. Tennessee’s Tyler Bray broke the thumb on his throwing hand last week against Georgia. Now LSU will face their second straight game against a quarterback making their first start of the season.

Senior quarterback Matt Simms takes over for Bray. Simms was the starter last year before injuries and solid play by Bray in the final five games of 2010 resulted in him losing his starting job.

Simms threw for 1,460 yards and eight touchdowns last season against the hardest part of Tennessee’s schedule: Oregon, Florida, LSU, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.

Simms almost pulled off an upset win against the Tigers last year in Baton Rouge. Simms was 12 for 23 for 121-yards passing with five sacks, no touchdowns, and zero interceptions in last year’s meeting. Their performance last season has the Vols excited about their chances this week.

The difference in last year’s Vols team and this year team is a running game. Tauren Poole has not clicked with the offensive line yet this season. Poole had 109 yards rushing against the Tigers in 2010 to pace UT’s offense.

Poole left last week’s game with an injured hamstring in the first quarter. His status for this week is a game time decision.

LSU has the fifth best defense in the nation.

Tennessee was held to negative 20 yards rushing against Georgia.

LSU escaped with a last second 16-14 win in 2010 against the Vols. Don’t look for LSU to take Tennessee lightly this year nor ruin a chance to play for the BCS National Championship by looking ahead to Auburn.

LSU methodically breaks down Tennessee for a 48-3 win. 

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College Football: Picking Every SEC Game in Week 5

The SEC rolls out another slate of BCS Championship caliber games in week five of the 2011 season. Alabama travels to the Swamp to face Florida, Arkansas plays Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas, and Georgia tries to get their season on track against Mississippi State.

No. 1 LSU welcomes Kentucky, Tennessee comes off a bye to face Buffalo, Auburn travels to No. 10 South Carolina, and Ole Miss looks for their running game at Fresno State.

Vanderbilt (3-1) has a bye week. The Commodores travel to Alabama October 8.

Alabama (4-0, 3-1) versus Florida (4-0, 1-0)

There are several key SEC match-ups this week but none more important than the outcome of the No. 3 Alabama versus No. 12 Florida game. This game should shape how the conference races in both SEC divisions play out.

An Alabama win keeps them on pace with preseason SEC West favorite LSU. A loss by Alabama puts LSU in the driver’s seat until their November 5, game against LSU in Tuscaloosa.

A Florida win keeps the Gators on pace with South Carolina in the SEC East. A loss by Florida followed by a road trip to LSU could put the Gators out of control of their own destiny for the rest of the season.

Both teams play tough defense and are committed to stopping the run. Alabama and Florida use a tandem running back rotation opposing defenses have to account for. Bama uses Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy while Florida uses Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps. The Crimson Tide averages 230.75 rushing yards per game and the Gators average 259 yards per game.

Alabama’s defense only gives up 45.75 rushing yards per game. Florida gives up 56.50.

Which team will be able to run the ball better and complete critical third down passing conversions when needed?

Both teams have a similar third down conversion rate as well; Bama 41.18, Gators 42.55.

Who wins this one in a tight matchup? Bama won last year’s game 31-6. This one goes down to the wire with the Tide winning 24-18.

Arkansas (3-1, 0-1) versus Texas A&M (3-1)

In a non-conference, but soon to be conference showdown in 2012, No. 14 Texas A&M takes on No. 18 Arkansas in the Southwest Classic.

Much will be made about this game one way or another… either A&M does not belong in the SEC by fans boycotting their acceptance into the SEC or this is a preview of things to come with an A&M victory.

Both sides are banged up on defense thus very little knowledge about either team will be gathered from this game. The Aggies could be without three starters on defense; S Steven Campbell, CB Coryell Judie, and DL Jonathan Mathis. DB Louie Swope could miss the game as well.

The Razorbacks will be without starting defensive end Tenarius Wright (arm) and possibly their other starting defensive end Jake Bequette (hamstring). Issac Maddison hurt his knee in the Alabama game but is expected to play this weekend.

The Razorback rushing attack could receive a boost if running back Broderick Green plays against the Aggies. Green tore his ACL during Arkansas spring practices and was expected to miss the rest of the season. Reports are he has been practicing for the past three weeks and is expected to take some snaps this weekend. Arkansas will need him against the Aggies 7th rated rush defense (60.33 yards per game).

The key match up is Arkansas’ passing attack (312.25 yards per game) versus Texas A&M’s passing defense (279 yards per game; ranked 109th in the nation. A&M leads the nation in total sacks (14) and sacks per game (4.67). Can Tyler Wilson avoid the rush and find receivers down field? Or will A&M’s “Sack Attack” be too much for the Razorbacks inexperienced offensive line?

Arkansas won last year 24-17. Look for Arkansas to hold on for a 28-24 win this year.

Mississippi State (2-2, 0-2) versus Georgia (2-2, 1-1)

The Mississippi State versus Georgia game pits two teams with similar disappointing starts to their seasons. Georgia had tough games against Boise State and South Carolina while MSU lost tough games to Auburn and LSU.

MSU has had injuries along their offensive line and have had difficulty replacing their linebacker unit from last season. Chris Relf did not play well against Louisiana Tech last week but did enough to secure the 26-20 overtime home win with the game winning touchdown pass.

Georgia has reversed their early season stumble with two convincing wins, one over SEC West foe Ole Miss last week 27-13 and Costal Carolina 59-0.

Georgia has had injury problems as well and has had to use walk-ons in key positions. Georgia is young and largely inexperienced. 2012 may be a breakout year for these Bulldogs but there is still hope to their 2011 season as they only have two top 25 teams left on the schedule.

Georgia’s commitment to starting true freshman Isaiah Crowell could be looked at as the turning point in their season. Crowell has responded with two 100-yard rushing games. Crowell will have to take the majority of the snaps as fellow running backs Carlton Thomas and Ken Malcome are not expected to play this weekend.

MSU OL Tobias Smith (knee, out for season) and LB Chris Hughes (disciplinary) will both be out against Georgia.

MSU won last year’s match up 24-12. Look for this one to be tight too with Georgia taking the win at home 24-17.

Kentucky (2-2, 0-1) vs. LSU (4-0, 1-0)

Kentucky travels to Death Valley for their second game straight game out of three versus a top 25 foe. The Wildcats have the unfortunate task of playing LSU after two road trips; The Tiger faithful will be excited to have the number one team in the nation back home.

Kentucky’s offense has been non-existent. The loss of WR Randall Cobb, RB Derrick Locke, WR Chris Matthews, and QB Mike Hartline has been too much for Joker Phillips to replace; understandably so.

LSU’s defense has been lights out as needed against top tier offenses. Their offense has steadily improved under the direction of quarterback Jarrett Lee.

Perhaps the biggest question out of the Bayou Bengal camp is what will Les Miles do with Jordan Jefferson?

Jefferson has been reinstated by LSU after Baton Rouge police lowered their charges to simple battery against Jefferson. Will Les integrate Jefferson back into the offense and eventually place him back into the lineup as a starter. Or will Miles keep a great thing going with Lee? Both players are seniors and have a lot left to prove to NFL scouts. A two headed quarterback rotation could spell disaster for the Tigers.

Kentucky has to hope they can catch LSU looking forward to next week’s game versus University of Florida otherwise the pairing of LSU’s 14th ranked scoring defense (14.25 points per game) against Kentucky’s 107th ranked scoring offense (17 points per game) will get ugly quick.

LSU wins this one before halftime: 42-10.

Auburn (3-1, 1-0) vs. South Carolina (4-0, 2-0)

Auburn rolls into South Carolina after an adjustment game against Florida Atlantic in week four. Auburn won easily (30-14) but serious questions remain about their defense.

South Carolina’s offense was shutdown for the first time this year against an upstart Vanderbilt team. The Gamecocks defense bailed the offense out as USC won 21-3.

Auburn and South Carolina’s offense are good at filling up the score board, 34.25 and 36.50 points per game respectively. The game will come down to either team’s defensive ability to stop the other team’s high potent offensive attacks. South Carolina gives up 27.75 points per game to Auburn’s 31 points per game.

Not much separates these teams by their schedules to date.

South Carolina’s rush defense gives up 137.75 yards per game, including a tough game against Navy’s rushing attack. Auburn gives up 226.50 yards per game; 112th worst in FBS.

This one is a shootout 42-31: Marcus Lattimore and Michael Dyer will put on a running back clinic. Lattimore gets the better of Dyer as South Carolina gets the win because they are playing at home and they can stop the run better than Auburn.

Mississippi (1-3, 0-2) vs. Fresno State (2-2)

Houston Nutt needs this win and boy does he need it badly if the Rebels have any hope to make a bowl game this season. The Rebels get a bye next week and then start the heart of their SEC schedule with Alabama and Arkansas coming to Oxford then back to back road trips to Auburn and Kentucky before finishing the season at home against LSU and at Mississippi State.

Fresno State has played an unbalanced schedule to date. The Bulldogs started the season off losing two road games to California 36-21 and Nebraska 42-29. Then Fresno State beat North Dakota 27-22 at home and won at Idaho 48-24. They have taken care of lesser competition to date.

Now Ole Miss comes to town, a team that beat them 55-38 in Oxford last year. Which team is Ole Miss this season, the lesser competition or a BCS Conference school?

Fresno State gives up 31 points per game while Ole Miss gives up 23.75 points.

Fresno State averages 31.25 points per game to Ole Miss’ 18.75 per game.

If Fresno State is able to limit the Rebels running game, which only averages 91.80 yards per game, the Bulldogs should walk away with another victory against a BCS power conference team for the fifth year in a row.

Ole Miss could be blessed with the return of their top two tailbacks, Brandon Bolden and Enrique Davis. Their status is a game time decision.

Fresno State will be without RB A.J. Ellis, DB Zak Hill, and OL Matt Hunt.

Ole Miss sneaks by 24-14.

Buffalo (1-3) versus Tennessee (2-1, 0-1)

Tennessee welcomes the Bulls to Knoxville after a bye week spent fixing offensive line issues and trying to limit big plays given up by their defense.

Tennessee had a frustrating 33-23 loss to Florida at the Swamp before their bye. Perhaps even more frustrating was the loss of wide receiver Justin Hunter for the season to a torn ACL in the Florida game. Hunter was Tyler Bray’s top target and a beast for opposing defensive coordinators to have to deal with.

Tennessee’s tune-up game against Buffalo is much needed before going on a brutal four game SEC stretch that includes Georgia, LSU, Alabama, and South Carolina. Look for head coach Derek Dooley to give running backs Tauren Poole and Marlin Lane as many touches as he can to get the Vols rushing attack on track before their four-game October stretch.

Tennessee wins easily 35-7.

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SEC College Football Recap: All Teams Week 3 in Review

The SEC had a rough week in out of conference action when Auburn and Kentucky lost their games to Clemson, ACC and Louisville, Big East respectively.

The rest of the SEC teams held their ground in preparation for this week’s big games: Arkansas vs. Alabama, LSU vs. West Virginia, and Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina.

LSU (2-0) vs. Mississippi State (1-1)

Mississippi State and their fans still had questions left over from their road loss to Auburn… LSU’s defense answered the rest of their questions. MSU is not ready to take that next step in the SEC as they lost 19-6 to the Tigers.

Vick Ballard was held to 38-yards rushing after averaging 150-yards rushing per game in the first two games of the season. MSU’s only netted 52 yards rushing for the entire game.

LSU’s defense harassed Chris Relf sacking him three times and sacking Tyler Russell once.

Jarrett Lee got the job done for LSU and answered his critics, yes he can win a big game on the road, by completing 21 of 27 passes for 213-yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Spencer Ware pounded the MSU defense 22 times for 107-yards rushing.

Ruben Randle was Lee’s go to guy hauling in six catches for 98-yards receiving with one score.

This week’s games:

LSU (3-0) vs. West Virginia (3-0)

Louisiana Tech (1-2) vs. MSU (1-2)

Ole Miss (1-1) vs. Vanderbilt (2-0)

James Franklin is all smiles after he led the Commodores past Ole Miss 30-7 in Nashville. Franklin has surpassed last year’s win total of two games and earned his first SEC in-conference victory in the process.

Vanderbilt’s defense gave the Ole Miss offense all they could handle picking off Zack Stoudt four times returning one of those picks for a touchdown. Ole Miss was held to 234-yards of total offense while Vandy amassed 387-yards, 281-yards rushing.

Junior Zac Stacy led the Commodores with 169-yards rushing on eleven attempts and one score. Larry Smith was efficient for Vanderbilt finishing 13 of 20 for 103-yards passing.

Ole Miss’ lone score was with 2:48 seconds left in the game on a 47-yard pass play from Stoudt to Donte Moncrief.

This week’s games:

Vanderbilt (3-0) vs. South Carolina (3-0)

Georgia (1-2) vs. Ole Miss (1-2)

Auburn (2-0) vs. Clemson (2-0)

Everyone was waiting to see if or when Auburn would lose their winning magic from the 2010 season. Clemson found a way to stifle the Tiger’s offense in the second half winning 38-24.

Tied at 21-21 going into halftime, Clemson struck first after halftime on their opening series on a 65-yard pass play from Tajh Boyd to Sammy Watkins. Auburn would respond with a field goal later in the third but the Clemson Tigers tacked on another Boyd to Watkins touchdown to pull ahead 35-24.

Tajh Boyd finished the day with four passing touchdowns and completing 30 of 42 passes for 386-yards.

Michael Dyer led Auburn with 151-yards rushing on 16 attempts.

Auburn’s defense allowed 624-yards of total offense.

This week’s games:

Florida Atlantic (0-2) vs. Auburn (2-1)

Florida State (2-1) vs. Clemson (3-0)

Coastal Carolina (2-0) vs. Georgia (0-2)

Georgia unleashed some early season frustration on the Chanticleers beating them 59-0.

Aaron Murray completed 69 percent of his passes for 188-yards and three passing touchdowns while adding one rushing touchdown against Coastal Carolina. True freshman running back Isaiah Crowell finished with a game high 86-yards rushing in his first start as a Bulldog.

Georgia shut down Coastal Carolina’s offense only allowing 10 different runners a total of 63-yards rushing. The Chanticleers finished the game with 49-yards passing.

This week’s games:

Georgia (1-2) vs. Mississippi (1-2)

Coastal Carolina (2-1) vs. North Carolina A&T (1-1)

Tennessee (2-0) vs. Florida (2-0)

Chris Rainey and Florida extended their six-game dominance over the Vols to seven games, winning 33-23 in the Swamp.

Rainey had 108-yards rushing, 104-yards receiving with one touchdown, and blocked a punt against Tennessee. Rainey’s performance has gained him additional national Heisman recognition with voters.

Florida’s defense was too much for Tyler Bray and the Volunteers to handle. Bray was sacked three times and threw two interceptions. The Gator defense dropped several would be interceptions throughout the game as the Vols offense was one dimensional during the game. Bray finished the game 26-48 for 288 yards-passing with three touchdowns.

Bray’s stat line was impressive but that was all the offense Tennessee could muster against the Gators. The Gators shut down Tennessee’s running attack not allowing any positive yards for the game (negative nine yards). Tauren Poole has not gotten on track during the 2011 season for Tennessee. Poole finished the game with 18-yards rushing on ten attempts.

Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter left the game with a torn ACL and will be out the rest of the season. He only had one catch for 12-yards before his injury.

John Brantley was not flashy but got the job done throwing two touchdown passes on 14-23 attempts for 213 yards.

This week’s games:

Tennessee (2-1) Bye

Florida (3-0) vs. Kentucky (2-1)

Navy (2-0) vs. South Carolina (2-0)

South Carolina hung on for a well deserved victory against Navy winning 24-21.

Both teams are known for their rushing attacks but the game came down to a fourth-down Midshipmen pass that was intercepted by the Gamecocks to stop Navy’s upset bid.

South Carolina ran their sophomore sensation Marcus Lattimore 37 times for a career high 246-yards rushing and three touchdowns in the game. Steve Spurrier did not have another running back carry the ball against Navy.

Stephen Garcia completed 72 percent of his passes finishing with 204-yards passing and one interception.

South Carolina’s defense held Navy to 274-yards rushing, 126-yards below their 400-yards per game average entering the game.

Navy held the lead twice during the game. The Midshipmen scored first leading 7-0 in the first quarter then regained the lead with 4:23 left in the third quarter on a two-yard touchdown run going up 21-17 over the Gamecocks.

Neither team lost a fumble during the game on a combined 91-rushing attempts.

This week’s games:

Vanderbilt (3-0) vs. South Carolina (3-0)

Air Force (1-1) vs. Navy (2-1)

Louisville (1-1) vs. Kentucky (2-0)

Louisville ended their four-game losing streak to the Wildcats winning 24-17 in Lexington.

Louisville’s passing attack was the primary concern for Kentucky going into the game but their rushing attack made the difference. The Cardinals ran for 181-yards to the Wildcats 35-yards rushing.

Louisville played most of the game without their starting quarterback, Will Stein. True freshman Teddy Bridgewater replaced Stein finishing the game with 106-yards passing and two touchdowns on 10 of 18 passing attempts.

Morgan Newton finally found a rhythm throwing the ball in the second half for Kentucky. Newton ran Kentucky’s no-huddle offense for a late touchdown in the fourth quarter to pull within 24-17. Perhaps Joker Phillips will use their no-huddle offense in upcoming games to help make Newton more effective in the passing game?

Newton finished with two passing touchdowns on 27-41 attempts for 255-yards.

This week’s games:

Florida (3-0) vs. Kentucky (2-1)

Louisville (2-1) Bye

North Texas (0-2) vs. Alabama (2-0)

Alabama ran past the Mean Green 41-0 in a tune-up game for the Arkansas Razorbacks. This was the first shut-out for Alabama since 2009.

Alabama’s backfield combo of Trent Richardson and Bo Lacy set an Alabama rushing record as both backs topped the 160-yard mark. Alabama has never had two backs rush for more than 150-yards each in a game previously. Richardson finished with 167-yards rushing on eleven attempts with three rushing touchdowns and Lacy finished with 161-yards on nine rushes with two scores.

Even though their defense was outmanned, the Mean Green stopped Alabama inside the red zone twice in the first half forcing them to kick two field goals. Bama’s offense gave up four sacks in the game, sacking AJ McCarron three times.

The Tide’s defense only gave up 169-net yards for the game.

This week’s games:

Arkansas (3-0) vs. Alabama (3-0)

North Texas (0-3) vs. Indiana (1-2)

Troy (1-1) vs. Arkansas (2-0)

Arkansas avoided a trap game with Troy before finally winning 38-28 in Fayettville, Arkansas.

Tyler Wilson added another 300-yard passing game and two more passing touchdowns to his collegiate resume against the Trojans. The Razorback offense seemed fairly basic in their final tune-up game before starting conference play against Alabama. The Razorbacks rarely stretched the field with their passing game instead choosing short yardage pass plays to help move the chains.

Ronnie Wingo Jr. had his best rushing performance of the season and his career with a game high 109-yards rushing and two scores. Wingo also had a six-yard touchdown catch for the first score of the third quarter.

The Razorbacks were up 31-7 in the third quarter before Corey Robinson and the Trojans made the game interesting. Troy did not give up against the Hogs as the Arkansas game was their last chance to defeat a major BCS Conference team during the regular season.

Robinson attempted 63-passes, completing 36, for 373-yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The Trojans intercepted a Tyler Wilson pass which was returned for a touchdown making the score 31-21 Arkansas.

Arkansas would respond in the fourth quarter with a 56-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Joe Adams (eight catches, 109-yards receiving). Robinson threw his third touchdown of the game with 47 seconds to play making the final score 38-28.

Arkansas looked flat at times against the up-tempo Trojan offense as they seemed to be looking ahead to this week’s game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Robinson may be the best quarterback the Hogs will face during the regular season. Robinson is the fifth-rated quarterback in FBS and the eleventh rated quarterback in yards per game at 315.5.

This week’s games:

Arkansas (3-0) vs. Alabama (3-0)

Middle Tennessee (0-2) vs. Troy (1-1) 

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Team Overviews of the SEC Intra-Conference Schedules

This is part four of a series previewing the 2011 SEC college football season. 

SEC East Schedule Overview

The SEC East was the weaker division intra-conference during the 2010 season and South Carolina took advantage of the opportunity. The Gamecocks had big wins at home versus Georgia, Alabama, and at Florida but lost handedly to Auburn on the road, Arkansas at home, and a close one on the road to the Wildcats (let down game). This year Georgia should be better with sophomore Aaron Murray under center again. Florida is the wild card team. How will the immensely talented Gators respond to their new head coach and new offensive philosophy? Were the last 5 games of Tennessee’s 2010 schedule a preview of things to come or a lucky break in their schedule? South Carolina has a lot of offensive weapons; can they be stopped? It looks like 2011 is a repeat of last year in the SEC East.

Individual Team Overviews

Florida Gators (2010 record 8-5, 4-4 SEC)

Will Muschamp gets his first SEC action against Tennessee September 17^th, but his first real SEC test will be on the road against Joker Phillips and the Kentucky Wildcats. This game should prove to be a good measuring stick for both teams. After Kentucky, Florida is at home versus Alabama, at LSU, at Auburn, bye week, and then Georgia in Jacksonville. Welcome back to the SEC Mr. Muschamp. If Florida had one more tough non-conference or conference game their schedule would be as demanding as LSU’s.

Georgia Bulldogs (2010 record 6-7, 3-5 SEC)

The Dawgs better be ready right out of the gate. They have Boise State in week one and then the Gamecocks in week two. Their national title hopes and SEC title hopes could be in serious trouble before they make it to their third game against Coastal Carolina (September 17). The Coastal Carolina game could be the break Georgia needs to figure out what has gone wrong or a “let’s rest up and get ready for the rest of the season” game. If Georgia splits their first two games, they could still be on track for a great season and top tier bowl. With nine weeks left in the season anything is possible. They get Florida in Jacksonville at the end of October, after their bye week, and they do not have to play Arkansas, Alabama, or LSU this year.

Kentucky Wildcats (2010 record 6-7, 2-6 SEC)

Kentucky should be bowling around New Year’s Day again in 2011. They have a tough stretch at the end of September into October; vs. Florida, at LSU, at South Carolina. Going 1-2 in that stretch would be a coup of sorts for UK as they had a three game losing streak around the same time last year (at Florida, at Ole Miss, vs. Auburn). Kentucky has an opportunity to win tough games at home versus Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. If Mr. Phillips can get two late season road wins against Vanderbilt and Georgia, the Wildcats could sway some die hard UK basketball fans into Commonwealth Stadium for a raucous SEC finale vs. Tennessee. They should pad their win total this year and improve on the 6-7 record, 2-6 in the SEC, they had last season.

South Carolina Gamecocks (2010 record 9-5, 5-3 SEC)

South Carolina has a middle of the road SEC schedule. They’re at Georgia, at MSU, and at Arkansas. They get Florida and Clemson at home. The Gamecocks could be 8-0 before their third straight road trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas November 5. Their bye week comes between the MSU and Tennessee games. South Carolina does not play Alabama or LSU this year. The Gamecock’s schedule lines up for a great run in 2011.

Tennessee Volunteers (2010 record 6-7, 3-5 SEC)

Tennessee needs to have a weak conference schedule if they hope to make a bowl game this year. They get a bye after Florida (September 17), then they play vs. Buffalo, vs. Georgia, vs. LSU, at Alabama, vs. South Carolina, and at Arkansas (November 12). Tough year for a proud program and second year coach Derek Dooley trying to turn the Vols program around. Tennessee should be one of the scrappier teams in the SEC. Trap game for every team in the SEC. 

Vanderbilt Commodores (2010 record 2-10, 1-7 SEC)

The litmus test for new coach James Franklin will come September 17^th when Ole Miss comes to town. Vandy has owned Ole Miss over the last four years (3-1), especially since Houston Nutt arrived at Oxford, and this could be their best and only chance for a win in conference this season; and this is not a slight to Vanderbilt, the players, or Mr. Franklin. The Commodores have a five game SEC stretch that includes South Carolina at home, at Alabama, vs. Georgia, vs. Arkansas, and at Florida. If Franklin has things going his way the last three games of the season could put the Commodores in a bowl game; vs. Kentucky, at Tennessee, at Wake Forest.

SEC West

Holes to fill and questions left unanswered, that’s how to sum up the SEC West during the preseason. The SEC West is full of talent, hype, and promise. Arkansas, Alabama, and LSU all have great defenses returning but serious question marks at prominent positions on offense. Mississippi State should improve upon their 2010 season and make life tough for every other team in the SEC. Auburn has lost a lot of talent off their 2010 BCS Championship team but with Gus Malzahn running the offense and the previous recruiting efforts of Gene Chizik and staff, Tiger fans expect to reload not rebuild. Ole Miss has a tough haul in 2011 and could be the poster child for being left behind in a hurry. The SEC West has 5 teams that should spend time in the AP Top 25, 3 in the top 10. The West side of the conference proves to be the toughest division in college football.

Alabama Crimson Tide (2010 record 10-3, 5-3 SEC)

Alabama has a pretty easy SEC schedule (remember SEC schedule!). Bama gets Arkansas and LSU at home. Their toughest road games should be a trip to the Swamp and a November trip to MSU. Bama does not have to play South Carolina, whom they lost to last year 35-21 or Georgia. If Bama wins two of their three toughest games (Arkansas, LSU, and Florida) they should be in line for a SEC Title Game appearance which would be their third in four seasons.

Arkansas Razorbacks (2010 record 10-3, 6-2)

Arkansas has two tough road games with Bama and LSU, the later being another Arkansas/LSU game with the winner going to the SEC Title Game. The schedule shines on the Hogs as they drop Georgia, pick up an upstart Tennessee team and don’t have to face the Florida Gators. With home games against South Carolina, a team they beat at South Carolina 41-20 last year, and MSU, a 38-31 double overtime win in Starkville, Arkansas could have an easier road to the SEC Title Game than their conference foes.

Auburn Tigers/War Eagles (2010 record 14-0, 8-0 SEC)

Auburn may have the toughest six straight games of any team in college football. October 1^st starts the run of games at South Carolina, at Arkansas, vs. Florida, at LSU, Ole Miss, and then at Georgia. The Tigers’ early games include home versus MSU, at Clemson, and their season finale is the Iron Bowl at home versus in-state rival Alabama; a series that Auburn has dominated 8 wins to 3 losses since 2000. What can anyone say to Auburn and their fans but good luck?

Louisiana State University Tigers (2010 record 11-2, 6-2 SEC)

LSU arguably has the toughest schedule in college football. The silver lining is breaks come their way with only two tough in-conference road games; at MSU and at Alabama; their other SEC road games are against Tennessee and Ole Miss. Home games versus Kentucky, Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas will make their schedule easier to manage. LSU’s only back to back demanding games are against Mississippi State and West Virginia, both on the road. Not having South Carolina or Georgia on the schedule helps as well. The Tigers have a demanding schedule but everything lines up for another possible run to the SEC Championship game.

Mississippi State Bulldogs (2010 record 9-4, 4-4 SEC)

Mississippi State has a lackluster non-conference schedule which could hurt them come bowl time. They have two tough road games, at Georgia and at Arkansas and they get LSU, South Carolina, Alabama, and in-state rival Ole Miss at home. MSU’s final three games against Alabama, Arkansas, and Ole Miss could make or break their season. Mullen recruits for his scheme not stars, and hopefully he has acquired quality depth for his 2011 team. In 2010 they finished 9-4, 4-4 in the SEC. If MSU can finish their six toughest games above .500 they will improve upon their 2010 season.

Mississippi Rebels/Black Bear Rebels (2010 record 4-8, 1-7)

If Ole Miss can turn around their 4-8, 1-7 SEC, 2010 season this schedule will do it for them. Ole Miss gets Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, and LSU at home. Their tough road games could be every road game if Houston Nutt and company start the season with a loss to BYU like they did last year to Jacksonville State. Ole Miss’ SEC road schedule includes Vanderbilt, Auburn, Kentucky, and Egg Bowl rival Mississippi State. They miss SEC East heavyweights South Carolina and Florida this year. Nutt needs to win this year because their road schedule will be killer in 2012.

The SEC Championship Game will be held December 3, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. CBS will televise the game starting at 4:00 p.m. EST.

Predicted Order of Finish

SEC East

Team/SEC Record/Overall Record

South Carolina 6-2, 10-2

Florida 6-2, 9-3

Georgia 5-3, 9-3

Kentucky 4-4, 8-4

Tennessee 2-6, 6-6

Vanderbilt 1-7, 5-7

SEC West

Team/SEC Record/Overall Record

Arkansas 7-1, 11-1

Alabama 6-2, 10-2

LSU 6-2, 10-2

MSU 5-3, 9-3

Auburn 1-7, 4-8

Ole Miss 0-8, 2-10

SEC Championship Game

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

Final Score

31-28

SEC Champion

Arkansas Razorbacks

The SEC Championship Game will be held December 3, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. CBS will televise the game starting at 4:00 p.m. EST. 

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