SEC Week Seven Preview
Ranked teams face off in Baton Rouge as No. 17 Florida (4-1, 3-0 SEC) visits No. 11 LSU (5-1, 2-1 SEC). Since 2002, LSU has won six of 11 meetings, outscoring Florida by a combined score of 230-229. LSU’s only loss came on the road at Georgia, but they rebounded this past week with a 59-26 victory at Mississippi State. LSU’s offense will be tested against a Florida defense that ranks fourth nationally in points allowed at 12.2 points per game.
No. 12 South Carolina (4-1, 2-1 SEC) plays its first of three-straight road games, traveling to Arkansas (3-3, 0-2 SEC). The Gamecocks have relied heavily on RB Mike Davis this season, as the sophomore has rushed for over 100 yards in four of five games, including a 106-yard, two-touchdown performance against Kentucky last week. Arkansas is in the midst of a four-game stretch against ranked opponents, having lost to Texas A&M and Florida already, and traveling to Alabama next week.
The only unbeaten team in the SEC East, Missouri (5-0, 1-0 SEC), travels to No. 7 Georgia (4-1, 3-0 SEC) for a divisional matchup. The Tigers opened up conference play with a 51-28 victory at Vanderbilt, increasing their average points per game to 46.4, which ranks eighth nationally. Georgia survived an overtime thriller at Tennessee, defeating the Vols, 34-31, for its fourth-straight win. The Bulldogs defeated Missouri last season in the teams’ first meeting since the 1960 Orange Bowl.
Kentucky (1-4, 0-2 SEC) faces its fourth-straight ranked foe, hosting No. 1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC). The Wildcats have dropped the first three games against ranked opponents, but lost by only a touchdown last weekend at South Carolina. Alabama has allowed nine points in the last three weeks, cruising to wins over Colorado State, Ole Miss and Georgia State. Kentucky has not beaten the Crimson Tide since a home win in 1997.
Ole Miss (3-2, 1-2 SEC) returns home following back-to-back conference losses to face No. 9 Texas A&M (4-1, 1-1 SEC). The Rebels started 3-0 before suffering defeats at Alabama and Auburn the past two weeks, while Texas A&M claimed its first conference win of the season in week six at Arkansas. QB Johnny Manziel continues to lead the Aggies on offense, passing for 1,489 yards and rushing for a team-leading 314 yards through five games.
Mississippi State (2-3, 0-2 SEC) concludes non-conference play, hosting Bowling Green (5-1, 3-0 MAC). The Bulldogs are 2-1 in non-conference play with wins over Alcorn State and Troy, and a loss to Oklahoma State in week one. Bowling Green is off to its best start since starting 7-1 in 2003 on way to the MAC Championship game.
Auburn (4-1, 2-1 SEC) hosts FCS foe Western Carolina (1-5, 0-3 Southern) following a 30-22 upset win against Ole Miss.