World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party Leads Weekend of Several SEC Snoozers
All eyes were on the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail party this weekend as Gators edged Georgia, cementing themselves atop the SEC East. Yawn.
12:00 ET
Kentucky – 35 at Missouri – 21
Missouri had no answer for the rushing attack of the Kentucky Wildcats. Stanley “Boom” Williams and Benny Snell Jr. both set career highs in rushing yards, rushing for 182 and 192 yards, respectively. Both backs got into the end zone twice. Missouri trailed 35-7 after Snell’s second touchdown run at the beginning of the 4th quarter, scoring twice in garbage time to make the game look closer than it really was.
Kentucky moves to 5-3 (4-2 SEC) and will host Georgia next week while Missouri falls to 2-6 (0-4 SEC) and travels to South Carolina next week, looking for their first conference win. They are the only SEC school that has yet to win a conference game.
3:30 ET
No. 14 Florida – 24 at Georgia – 10
Somebody had to win this game. That pretty much sums up how college football fans feel about the SEC East. Florida’s longest scoring drive was 44 yards. Both teams combined for 410 yards. The longest play of the game came on a 38 yard pass from Georgia’s Jacob Eason to receiver Terry Godwin. Overall, this game was a snoozer.
Florida moves to 6-1 (4-1 SEC) and will visit Arkansas next Saturday. Georgia falls to 4-4 (2-4 SEC) and will take on Kentucky in Lexington next week with the Bulldog’s bowl hopes on the line.
Samford – 41 at Mississippi State – 56
Our fellow writers at Mississippi State’s Maroon and White Nation said that fans attending this weekend’s contest “might actually see a competitive football game.” They got more than the bargained for with Samford, who were within one score at the beginning of the 4th quarter.
Mississippi State won, but they gave up 41 points to Samford. Their record now stands at 3-5 (1-3 SEC) and they host Texas A&M next week.
7:15 ET
No. 15 Auburn – 40 at Ole Miss – 29
There were no punters sighted on the field during the first half as the Tigers and Rebels scored on every offensive drive. The teams combined for 623 yards before halftime, and didn’t let up in the second half. After 1124 total yards and seven touchdowns, Auburn came out on top courtesy of a Kerryon Johnson three yard touchdown run to seal the victory.
In a losing effort, Chad Kelly threw for 465 yards and 3 touchdowns. Not too shabby, but Ole Miss is now the “best 5 loss team in the country” after dropping to 3-5 (1-4 SEC). They play host to Georgia Southern next week. Auburn improves to 6-2 (4-1 SEC) , and will play Vanderbilt at home next week.
No. 18 Tennessee – 21 at South Carolina – 21
Tennessee was trailing South Carolina at half time and came out flat to start the third quarter. The Vols lethargic play was interrupted by Evan Berry, who returned an Elliot Fry punt 100 yards for a touchdown. That would bring Tennessee within a field goal.
With 3:58 remaining, Josh Dobbs took the field, needing a game-winning 80 yard touchdown drive. Instead, he was intercepted by Jamarcus King. Somehow, the Volunteer magic got them the ball one last time. With no time outs remaining and 35 seconds on the clock, Dobbs would get the Vols a chance for a 58 yard field goal to force overtime. The kick was short and South Carolina got the win at home. Looks like Tennessee just ran out of luck.
Tennessee’s record drops to 5-3 (2-3 SEC), and they will host Tennessee Tech next week while South Carolina improves to 4-4 (2-4 SEC) and will welcome Missouri to Columbia next Saturday.
Next: Justin Evans Named Jim Thorpe Semifinalist
Next Week in the SEC
No. 1 Alabama at No. 19 LSU
Alabama is the front runner in the SEC West, pending a trip to Death Valley to take on the red hot LSU Tigers. According to ESPN’s FPI, the Tigers have the best chance of beating Alabama (35.3%) of any team remaining of the Crimson Tide’s schedule. Don’t hold your breath, but it still might be a game worth tuning into next weekend.
*** Stats from ESPN and Sports-Reference***