SEC Week Ten Preview
No. 9 Missouri (7-1, 3-1 SEC) hosts Tennessee (4-4, 1-3 SEC) in a pivotal SEC East matchup. The Tigers still control their destiny despite suffering their first loss last weekend at home against South Carolina. QB Maty Mauk tossed for 249 yards in the setback and he faces a Tennessee defense that has surrendered nearly 30 points per game. The Vols upset the Gamecocks two weeks ago and look to avenge a heartbreaking 51-48 loss to Missouri in Knoxville last season.
No. 14 South Carolina (6-2, 4-2 SEC) opens up a four-game homestand to finish the season against SEC West foe Mississippi State (4-3, 1-2 SEC). The Gamecocks rallied from a 17 point deficit to stun Missouri in double overtime and stay alive in the SEC East race. South Carolina has won six-straight against the Bulldogs dating back to 2000. Mississippi State has won two-straight over Bowling Green and Kentucky, but begins a stretch of three-straight games against teams ranked in the top 15.
Georgia (4-3, 3-2 SEC) and Florida (4-3, 3-2 SEC) meet in Jacksonville as three-loss teams for just the second time in the last 34 meetings. The game still has significance in the SEC East race as the winner could still get to Atlanta with help from Missouri and South Carolina. Both teams are on two-game losing streaks with Georgia falling to Missouri and Vanderbilt and Florida dropping road games at LSU and Missouri. The Gators defense has held strong, keeping opponents to under 17 points per game, good for eighth best in the country.
Arkansas (3-5, 0-4 SEC) completes its five-game stretch against ranked opponents, hosting No. 11 Auburn (7-1, 3-1 SEC). The Razorbacks are 0-4 during the tough stretch, dropping home games to Texas A&M and South Carolina, and road games at Florida and Alabama. Auburn has won four-straight, including two wins over ranked opponents, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. The Tigers have relied on the ground game, gaining 315 yards per game via the run, fifth best among FBS programs.
No. 12 Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 SEC) steps out of conference play to host UTEP (1-6, 0-4 C-USA). QB Johnny Manziel passed for 305 yards and four touchdowns in the Aggies’ 56-24 win over Vanderbilt in week nine.
Kentucky (1-6, 0-4 SEC) plays its final non-conference game of the season, hosting Alabama State (6-2, 6-1 SWAC).