SEC football: Five things to watch for this Saturday
It’s almost time for SEC football again, and SEC Network’s Peter Burns and Chris Doering listed five things to watch for within the conference Saturday.
It’s going to be a fun weekend, with 12 SEC games on tap, including two between conference opponents. No. 1 Alabama at No. 11 Florida highlights the day, but there is plenty of other action to enjoy as well.
Below is a summary of the five things to watch for in the SEC.
5. Texas A&M offense
The Aggies suffered a huge blow in Week 2 when starting quarterback Haynes King went down with an ankle injury. Zach Calzada entered to replace him, but the offense was stagnant for much of the game.
Calzada eventually recovered and threw the game-winning touchdown with 2:42 remaining. Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher said after the game he was proud of his quarterback for making plays that matter, but the game ended with a lot of work to be done.
The Aggies will look to get the running game going, and an extra week to prepare should help calm Calzada’s nerves. A&M takes on New Mexico at 12 EST. EST on Saturday in College Station.
4. How Arkansas handles success
The Razorbacks are coming off of perhaps their biggest win in the past five seasons after beating No. 15 Texas this past weekend.
Sam Pittman took over the rebuilding project a year ago and has wasted no time turning around the program. The Hogs dominated the Longhorns with their rushing attack, posting 333 yards on 7.1 yards per carry.
No. 20 Arkansas faces Georgia Southern at 4 p.m. EST on Saturday in Fayetteville. Although it is a game they should easily win, they need to be careful not to get caught looking ahead to Texas A&M next week.
3. Will Ole Miss-Tulane break 100?
Ole Miss is averaging 48.5 points per contest, good for sixth in the country. Tulane ranks third with 52 per game.
We know quarterback Matt Carrol is capable of putting up points in a hurry. He has already passed for 662 yards and six touchdowns and also had 90 yards on the ground.
The key will be whether the Rebels defense can slow down the Green Wave. Ole Miss has so far kept its opponents to an average of 20.5 points per game. Tulane leans on quarterback Michael Pratt, who has already thrown for 420 yards and five touchdowns.
This is perhaps the most intriguing of the five things to watch for in the SEC this weekend.
2. How will Auburn handle Happy Valley?
Auburn has itself a primetime matchup against No. 10 Penn State. The Nittany Lions are planning a Whiteout for the game, which will be featured on ESPN’s College GameDay.
The Tigers haven’t performed well in big-time games recently, but this is a new season under first-year coach Bryan Harsin. Quarterback Bo Nix has traditionally struggled on the road, but has an added year of experience.
No. 22 Auburn outscored its first two opponents by a combined 122-10. We’ll find out Saturday whether the Tigers are contenders or pretenders.
1. How Florida’s defense plays Alabama
No. 1 on the list of the five things to watch for in the SEC is a big one, as expected. The Crimson Tide travel to Gainesville to face the Gators in the most anticipated game of the week.
Nick Saban and Alabama are fresh off of yet another national title, and once again look the part this season. Freshman quarterback Bryce Young has lived up to the hype so far, while Jameson Williams has emerged as another receiving threat alongside John Metchie III.
The Gators are surrendering just 17 points per game, which ranks 34th in FBS. They have been especially stingy on the ground, giving up just 100.5 yards on average.
Despite playing at home, they enter as 15-point underdogs. Can the defense slow down the Crimson Tide offense and secure the upset?