SEC PRIMER (Week 6): We pause the season for a brief history of our favorite snack
STAFF REPORT
Thanks to Lane Kiffin, it’s time for a brief history of popcorn.
No, we aren’t giving away recipes, although a nice drizzle of chocolate or caramel makes a great topping. And don’t forget the butter…. lots of butter.
But the fan favorite in snackdom has a long tradition of “winning” in football and other viewing events.
Which makes it so ironic since the Ole Miss Rebels have not enjoyed that tradition, at least continually, for quite some time.
But enough jabs…. Popcorn apparently originated as a food to the gods, or “maze,” in South America and was considered a delicacy back in the day. The date of its origin is still up for debate but some historians believe popcorn goes back some 9,000 years (which is about the last time Ole Miss won an SEC Championship).
The food was a big hit soon after America became a country and was called “Prairie Gold” at one time. Poems were written about the tasty treat.
It made its first appearance at baseball games in the form of “Cracker Jacks” in the early 1900s (remember the song – “buy me some”?). Football games followed soon after although no official date has been sighted.
But the snack took center stage in other capacities in football, particularly when former NFL star (and Alex City native) Terrell Owens used it as one of his props to celebrate a touchdown.
Kiffin’s call to “get your popcorn ready” has been awarded to Owens as the originator of the slogan by the slang world on the Internet, although it’s been used for many years by Southerners of all ilk. Terrell probably heard it from family members growing up.
It’s a one-week fad that will make the year-end highlight reel, which will come out long after the Rebels are accepting their bid to the Birmingham Bowl to face Indiana again.
It’s been fun, Lane. Thanks.
SEC Schedule for Oct. 9 (Rankings are from AP)
(13) Arkansas (4-1, 1-1 SEC) at (17) Ole Miss (3-1, 0-1 SEC)
11 a.m. CDT • ESPN
Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038)
Series: ARK leads, 37-28-1 (Last meeting - 2020, @ ARK, 33-21)
Last week: Alabama def. Ole Miss, 42-21; Georgia def. Arkansas, 37-0
What about OLE MISS/ARK
Arkansas was shut out last week for the first time since 2018 (Missouri) and the first time as a ranked team since 1995 (LSU).
Last week, Ole Miss QB Matt Corral was held to his lowest passing output of the season (21-29/213 yds) and lowest since Auburn in 2020 (16-27/154 yds)
Ole Miss has forced a turnover in 14 of last 15 games.
After leading the nation in scoring, the loss to Alabama dropped Ole Miss to fifth nationally (44.8 ppg).
Arkansas freshman kicker Cam Little missed his first field goal attempt of the season against Georgia. He had made eight straight.
RRS PREDICTION: Arkansas 34, Ole Miss 30 (Ole Miss favored by 6)
Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-1 SEC) at (20) Florida (3-2, 1-2 SEC)
12 p.m. EDT • SECN
Gainesville, Fla. • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Spurrier-Florida Field (88,548)
Series: UF leads, 42-10-2 (Last meeting – 2020, UF, 38-17)
Last Week: Vanderbilt def. UConn, 30-28; Kentucky def. UF, 20-13
What about VU/UF
UF has won seven straight in the series and 29 of the last 30.
Dan Mullen has never lost to Vandy (5-0).
Fla. outgained Kentucky, 382 to 224 yards, in last week’s loss.
The Gators had 15 penalties for 115 yards, the most penalties since 2011 (Tennessee – 16).
VU’s Joseph Bulovas’ game-winning field goal as time expired was the first since 1996 (Duke).
RRS Prediction: Florida 35, Vanderbilt 13 (VU favored by 38.5)
(2) Georgia (5-0, 3-0 SEC) at (22) Auburn (4-1, 1-0 SEC)
2:30 p.m. CDT • CBS
Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
Series: UGA leads, 61-56-8 (Last meeting, 2020 - UGA, 27-6)
Last week: Auburn def. LSU, 24-19; UGA def. Arkansas, 37-0
What about AUB/UGA
UGA has won nine of last 11 meetings and 16 of 20 in the series.
The Dogs lead the nation in scoring defense allowing just 4.6 ppg. The next closest is Iowa (11.6 ppg). They have outscored opponents 205-23.
John Samuel Shenker’s 102 yards receiving was the first 100-yard game by an Auburn tight end since 1994 (Andy Fuller, UF).
Auburn leads the SEC with an average of 9.0 TFL per game, which is also second nationally.
The Auburn offense has allowed just six sacks which ranks sixth nationally.
UGA passed for just 72 yards against Ark., the lowest output since 35 yards vs. Kentucky in 2019.
RRS Prediction: Georgia 27, Auburn 13 (UGA favored by 15.5)
North Texas (1-3) at Missouri (2-3, 0-2 SEC)
3 p.m. CDT • SECN
Columbia, Mo. • Faurot Field (62,621)
Series: Mizzou leads, 1-0 (Last meeting – 1995 @ MIZZOU, 28-7)
Last week: Tennessee def. Missouri, 62-24; La Tech def. North Texas, 24-17
What about MIZZOU/NT
Missouri ranks dead last in Rush defense in the nation, allowing 307 yards per game.
Tyler Badie became the first player in Mizzou history to rush for more than 1,000 yards and 1,000 yards receiving.
Missouri has scored touchdowns in the Red Zone 88 percent of the time.
RRS Prediction: Missouri 42, North Texas 21 (Mizzou favored by 18.5)
Tennessee (3-2, 1-1 SEC) at South Carolina (3-2, 0-2 SEC)
12 p.m. EDT • ESPN2
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559)
Series: UT leads, 27-10-2 (Last meeting - 2020, UT, 31-27)
Last week: South Carolina def. Troy, 23-14; Tenn def. Missouri, 62-24
What about SC/TENN
Seven of the last nine meetings have been decided by four points or less.
Fifth-year senior QB Hendon Hooker had 225 yards and three TDs in the win over Missouri last week. The Vols rushed for 458 yards, the third most in program history.
SC has just one rushing touchdown this season – ZaQuandre White.
SC is ranked ninth nationally with nine interceptions.
The Vols are averaging 2.89 plays per minute, which is tied for third in the nation.
RRS PREDICTION: Tennessee 28, South Carolina 20 (UT favored by 10.5)
(1) Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC) at Texas A&M (3-2, 0-2 SEC)
7 p.m. CDT • CBS
College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (102,733)
Series: Bama leads, 11-2 (Last meeting - 2020 @ Bama, 52-24)
Last week: Miss St def. A&M, 26-22; Alabama def. Ole Miss., 42-21
What about BAMA/A&M
A&M has not lost three straight games since 2014 (Miss St/Ole Miss/Bama) but is in danger of that after dropping back-to-back games to Arkansas and Miss St.
Alabama has never lost in College Station (5-0) and has won by an average of 14.4 points per game.
Bama running back Brian Robinson had his best performance of his career with 171 yards and four TDs on 36 carries. In five games he has tied his season mark of 6 TDs set last season.
A&M QB Zach Calzada was sacked three times last week in the loss to Miss St.
A&M enters the game with the fifth best scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 12.6 ppg. Bama is the third best scoring offense, averaging 45.6 ppg.
RRS Prediction: Alabama 35, Texas A&M 20 (Bama favored by 18)
LSU (3-2, 1-1 SEC) at (16) Kentucky (5-0, 3-0 SEC)
7:30 p.m. EDT • SECN
Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000)
Series: LSU leads, 40-16-1 (Last meeting – 2014, @ LSU, 41-3)
Last week: Auburn def. LSU, 24-19; Kentucky def. Florida, 20-13
What about LSU/KY
First trip to Lexington for LSU since 2007, which was a 43-37 3 OT loss. The Tigers would go on to win the national title.
KY is 5-0 for the fourth time in 70 years and 13th time in school history. It is the best start since 1977 (6-0).
KY ran just 47 plays in the win over Florida, the fewest in a win since 2019 (Louisville).
LSU is one of nine teams nationally to be perfect in the Red Zone (14 of 14) with 9 TDs and 5 field goals.
KY’s win over Florida was the first against an AP Top 10 team since 2010 (South Carolina).
RRS Prediction: Kentucky 23, LSU 20 (UK favored by 3.5)
OPEN DATE: Mississippi State
RRS RECORD: Last week: 6-2 (3-5 vs. spread); Season: 43-12 (20-25 vs. spread)