SEC Week Five Preview
Two top 10 teams battle between the hedges as No. 6 LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC) visits No. 10 Georgia (2-1, 1-0 SEC). The Tigers and Bulldogs are two of the most efficient passing teams in the nation with each averaging more than 10 yards per pass attempt. LSU QB Zach Mettenberger, who started his career at Georgia, has thrown 10 touchdowns to one interception through four games, while Georgia QB Aaron Murray has passed for over 1,000 yards in the first three games combined.
The SEC’s second ranked matchup of the week takes place in Tuscaloosa as No. 1 Alabama (3-0, 1-0 SEC) welcomes No. 21 Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0 SEC). The Crimson Tide have won nine-straight over their SEC West rivals dating to 2003, but Ole Miss enters with positive momentum following a road win against Texas two weeks ago. Alabama remains at the top of the rankings following a home win over Colorado State.
No. 9 Texas A&M (3-1, 0-1 SEC) travels to Arkansas (3-1) for the first time since the 1990 season to take on the Razorbacks. The Aggies and Razorbacks have met five times since then, but all came in the state of Texas. In last season’s meeting, A&M QB Johnny Manziel passed for 453 yards and three touchdowns, and added 105 yards on the ground to carry the Aggies past Arkansas, 58-10. This year’s Aggies have been just as effective on offense, leading the nation with 121 first downs through four games.
Kentucky (1-2) hosts No. 19 Florida (2-1, 1-0 SEC), which has beaten the Wildcats 26-straight times dating to 1986. The Gators won their SEC opener over Tennessee this past weekend, but lost QB Jeff Driskel for the season to injury. Junior QB Tyler Murphy will take over for Florida, leading the team to face a Kentucky squad that held tight with No. 7 Louisville for most of the game, before falling 27-13.
No. 13 South Carolina (2-1, 1-1 SEC) makes its first road trip of the season, traveling to Orlando to face UCF (3-0). The Gamecocks have beaten UCF three times before, but this will mark their first road game in the series. South Carolina and UCF both had bye weeks following wins over Vanderbilt and Penn State, respectively.
Tennessee (2-2, 0-1 SEC) concludes non-conference play with a home tilt against South Alabama (2-1, 1-0 Sun Belt). The Vols have lost their last two games, both on the road against ranked foes in Oregon and Florida. Tennessee and South Alabama are meeting for the first time.
Missouri (3-0) looks to complete a perfect non-conference slate, hosting Arkansas State (2-2, 1-0 Sun Belt). The Tigers went on the road to defeat Indiana, 45-28, in week four behind 343 passing yards from QB James Franklin. Missouri last went 4-0 in non-conference play in 2010. Arkansas State fell on the road at Memphis last weekend, 31-7.
Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-2 SEC) returns home to face UAB (1-2) after a road win at Massachusetts. The Commodores’ two losses have come in SEC nail-biters, a week one defeat versus Ole Miss and on the road at No. 13 South Carolina. Vanderbilt is led offensively by senior QB Austyn Carta-Samuels, who has accounted for 889 passing yards and nine total touchdowns.