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We’re back! A little later than last week, but here’s what we learned from a big Saturday in the SEC.
1. Auburn is for real
The Auburn Tigers had perhaps the biggest ‘statement win’ of the season in their 56-3 stomping of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Auburn rushed for over 450 (!) yards against the Hogs, showing that even with stagnated quarterback play, it doesn’t matter if they have a rushing attack like they do. It’s time to start paying more attention to the Tigers, because they’re fixing to wreak havoc in the West.
2. Leonard Fournette is back to being a cheat code
What else can you say about No. 7? LSU’s running back ran all over Ole Miss on Saturday Night with one of the best rushing performances of the season and in his career. He’d been held back due to injury the past few weeks, but Fournette certainly re-announced his presence on Saturday night in Baton Rouge.
3. Things keep getting worse for Missouri
As if the Tigers’ luck wasn’t good enough to begin with, they were dealt an embarrassing loss to Middle Tennessee on Homecoming in Columbia. Mizzou’s offense may have put up 45 points, but the defense was a sieve, and continues to be problematic and detrimental to their success. Tough times may continue to lie ahead for Mizzou even with winnable games on the slate, as they’ve looked like the worst team in the SEC East.
4. Maybe Kentucky and Vanderbilt will go bowling after all
Both the Wildcats and Commodores were able to score victories on Saturday night over Mississippi State and Tennessee State respectively. Those wins put them at 4-3 and 4-4, giving them only two necessary victories to become bowl eligible. Lost seasons? Eh, maybe not so much yet.
5. Alabama is the team to beat and the margin might not really be that close
The Crimson Tide put on yet another clinic on Saturday, trucking Texas A&M to remain unbeaten. Their non-offensive TD streak marched on and although they lost Eddie Jackson for the season, the Tide look as fierce as ever. There may not be a team in the SEC — or the country for that matter — who is as great as Alabama, and we might just have to deal with that.