SEC Week Twelve Previews
No. 25 Georgia (6-3, 4-2 SEC) visits No. 7 Auburn (9-1, 5-1 SEC) as the teams renew their rivalry in a pivotal conference game. Both teams need wins to stay in the hunt for a division championship as each team sits one game back of the leaders. Auburn finished up its road slate with a 55-23 win over Tennessee, and return home for games against Georgia and Alabama to finish the season. The Bulldogs have won two-straight games following a two-game losing skid, including a 45-6 win over Appalachian State in which Aaron Murray set the SEC record for career touchdown passes with 115. Auburn has been led on the ground by RB Tre Mason (1,038 yards, 16 TD) and QB Nick Marshall (734 yards, 7 TD). Georgia has won two-straight over Auburn and six of the last seven meetings.
Mississippi State (4-5, 1-4 SEC) welcomes in the nation’s top ranked team, No. 1 Alabama (9-0, 6-0 SEC). The Bulldogs have dropped back-to-back games against ranked opponents, falling on the road at South Carolina and Texas A&M. Alabama survived a home test against No. 13 LSU, winning 38-17 to stay atop the SEC West standings. The Crimson Tide defense has allowed only 10.6 points per game, leading the nation. Mississippi State has not beaten Alabama since a home win in 2007.
No. 10 South Carolina (7-2, 5-2 SEC) concludes SEC play with a home game against Florida (4-5, 3-4 SEC). The Gamecocks have won two-straight games against Missouri and Mississippi State and need a win over the Gators to have a chance at their second SEC East championship. Carolina is led by the SEC’s leading rusher, Mike Davis, who has rushed for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns. Florida has dropped four-consecutive games to fall under .500 and need to beat either South Carolina or Florida State to have a chance at bowl eligibility. The Gators defeated the Gamecocks, 44-11, last season in the Swamp.
Kentucky (2-7, 0-5 SEC) visits Vanderbilt (5-4, 2-4 SEC) for an SEC East matchup. The Commodores are coming off of their first win at Florida since 1945. Vanderbilt forced four Florida turnovers leading the team to 34 points despite only accumulating 183 total yards. Running back Jerron Seymour rushed for three touchdowns in the win. Kentucky dropped a 48-17 decision to Missouri in week 11. Vanderbilt has won two-straight over the Wildcats by a combined score of 78-8.
Ole Miss (6-3, 3-3 SEC) plays its final non-conference game of the season, hosting Troy (5-5, 3-3 Sun Belt). The Rebels have won three-straight, defeating LSU and Arkansas in conference play, as well as Idaho. This will be the first ever meeting between Ole Miss and Troy.