SEC PRIMER (Week 5): No time for comparisons for Jones, Burrow
STAFF REPORT
This won’t take long.
The Southeastern Conference is four weeks in and the only decision made is who is on top and who is on the bottom.
At least for the moment.
Alabama proved its point last week with a nice second half and an offense that is quickly becoming favorably compared to last year’s unstoppable LSU offense complete with a quarterback that makes plays possibly when you least expect it.
No one is comparing Mac Jones to Joe Burrow… yet. But the signs are there. Look at the stats.
After four games:
Burrow 75-90-2 for 1,122 yds 11 TDs 223.9 passing efficiency rating
Jones 90-115-2 for 1,518 yds 12 TDs and a 220.1 passing efficiency rating
The difference? Burrow’s numbers were built against the likes of Georgia Southern, Texas, Northwestern State and Vanderbilt.
Jones has played an all-SEC schedule including what most consider the top defense in the country in Georgia.
Yes, it’s too early to start wondering where this season might take the Alabama quarterback. But at the moment, Jones is making a lot of people compare him to last year’s Heisman winner.
And no, we haven’t forgotten who he was a backup to the last couple of years.
As for the bottom of the league, it might get crowded in a few weeks. Vanderbilt has the foothold but it might have company if a couple more teams don’t turn up the juice. We won’t mention which ones but they are lurking in the shadows and might come out on Halloween (which is next Saturday).
This week’s four-game schedule will do for now. We don’t have another one like this until Dec. 12 – at least as is, so enjoy the games and quit counting.
VOICE OF THE SEC
Mark Wiedmer has been covering SEC football for decades, particularly the Tennessee Volunteers. He gives his opinion on what chances the Vols have against Alabama this week and whether or not it’s time to head to the Smokey Mountains to check out some Fall foliage.
OCT 24 Schedule/Notes
GAMES POSTPONED
Missouri (1-2) at Florida (2-1) – rescheduled for Oct. 31
Georgia (3-1) at Kentucky (2-2) - rescheduled for Oct. 31
Auburn (2-2) at Ole Miss (1-3) – 11 a.m. CDT (SEC Network)
Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium – Oxford
Series: AU, 33-10 (Last: 2019 - @ AU, 20-14)
Last Week: AU lost to South Carolina, 30-22; Ole Miss lost to Arkansas, 33-21
5 Things to know about AUB/OLE MISS
1. Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore is second in the nation in receiving yards (143.8) and receptions (10.5) per game.
2. Ole Miss fell to second in total offense in the SEC but stayed 14th in total defense after the loss to Arkansas.
3. Auburn’s offense did not score a touchdown in the second half for the second time in three weeks vs. South Carolina.
4. Both Auburn and Ole Miss rank near the bottom in opponents 3rd down conversions with the Tigers allowing 55 percent and Ole Miss allowing 53 percent.
5. QB Matt Corral is second in the SEC in total offense averaging 362 yards per game.
RRS PREDICTION: Auburn 35, Ole Miss 31 (AUB favored by 3.5)
Alabama (4-0) at Tennessee (2-2) - 2:30 p.m. CDT (CBS)
Neyland Stadium, Knoxville
Series: UA, 56-38-7 (Last: 2019 - @ UA, 35-13)
Last Week: Bama def. Georgia, 41-24; Tennessee lost to Kentucky, 34-7
5 Things to know about UT/BAMA
1. Mac Jones became the first QB in Alabama history to have multiple 90-yard TD passes last week. Jaylen Waddle has the most 80-plus yard TDs in school history.
2. Alabama continued an FBS record scoring 35-plus points in 17 consecutive games.
3. Devonta Smith is five shy of setting the record for most career touchdown catches (Amari Cooper – 31).
4. Since the second half of the loss to Georgia, Tennessee has been outscored 61-7.
5. Tennessee has lost 24 straight games to Top 5 opponents.
RRS PREDICTION: Alabama 42, Tennessee 24 (Bama favored by 21.5)
Kentucky (2-2) at Missouri (1-2) – 3 p.m. CDT (SEC Network)
Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
Series: KY, 7-3 (Last: 2019 - @ KY, 29-7)
Last Week: Kentucky def. Tennessee, 34-7; Missouri did not play
5 Things about KY/MIZZOU
1. Kentucky ended a losing streak at Tennessee last week, which began in 1984 (36 years). It was the largest margin of victory over a ranked team on the road in school history.
2. Kentucky ranks second in the SEC and 10th nationally in scoring defense.
3. UK had three consecutive defensive possessions with an interception, two returned for touchdowns against Tennessee. The Cats have nine interceptions on the season, second only to Arkansas (10).
4. Missouri snapped an eight game losing streak to ranked opponents at home in the win over LSU, dating back to 2013 (Texas A&M).
5. QB Conner Bazelak passed for 406 yards and 4 TDs in the win over LSU.
RRS PREDICTION: Kentucky 27, Missouri 24 (KY favored by 5.5)
South Carolina (2-2) at LSU (1-2) – 6 p.m. CDT (ESPN)
Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Series: LSU, 18-2-1 (Last: 2015 – @ LSU, 45-24)
Last Week: Miss St lost to Kentucky, 24-2; A&M def. Florida, 41-38
5 Things to know about SC/LSU
1. LSU plays its first night game of the 2020 season at Tiger Stadium.
2. Despite a 1-2 start, LSU is ranked third in the SEC in total offense (467.3 yards per game) and third in scoring (38.7 points per game).
3. Ed Orgeron announced that QB Myles Brennan would not play Saturday due to a “lower body injury.”
4. SC DB Jaycee Horn recorded two interceptions and deflected another pass for an interception in last week’s win over Auburn. All three were eventually turned into touchdowns.
5. SC will attempt to post back-to-back wins over a Western Division team for the first time since 2013 (Arkansas/Miss St.)
RRS PREDICTION: LSU 31, South Carolina 28 (LSU favored by 5)