SEC Halloween Football 2015: What Could Have Been

Before the season began, week 9 looked like a can’t miss type of week around the SEC. Not only would teams be playing on Halloween (which has hosted some memorable games, see Billy Cannon run), some of the most anticipated matchups of the preseason were slated for this weekend. Unfortunately, though, a lot of those games have lost much of their luster. While SEC Halloween Football is still enticing, it is disheartening to think about what could have been.

Texas A&M V South Carolina

This was supposed to be a battle of solid teams with outside chances of winning their respective divisions. After a blistering start, however, Texas A&M has lost back to back games. Neither was very close, either. Not to be outdone, South Carolina never really got out of the gates and lost their coach before they reached the midpoint of the season. What could have been a make-or-break type game for both teams is just a “should win” for Texas A&M.

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Tennessee V Kentucky

Even more so than TAMU-USCe, this was supposed to be a marquee game. Especially for Tennessee, a dark horse to win the SEC before the season started. While Kentucky is still scratching their way to a bowl, Tennessee is nowhere near the contender they were supposed to be in 2015. Both could still find a way to be a major player in the SEC East this season, but does anyone outside the two states care about this “rivalry” this year? Yes, I have to use “” for rivalry when Tennessee is 29-1 in their last 30 games against Kentukcy.

Mississippi V Auburn

That was supposed to be an SEC West/College Football Playoff eliminator, with Auburn likely being favored at home. Instead Auburn eliminated itself from the Playoff within a month of the season opening and from the SEC West conversation after 6 weeks. While Mississippi still controls it’s own destiny in the SEC West, a loss to Memphis pushed them out of playoff contention. Each team is still loaded with talent, however, and the memory of the Treadwell play could turn this into the game of the week.

Florida V Georgia

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This was supposed to be the year this game regained it’s historical significance, especially with the emergence of Will Grier. Add in a dose of Nick Chubb and the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party was supposed to determine the winner of the SEC East. Unfortunately for all of us, Grier decided to take supplements without consulting the team and Chubb suffered a horrendous injury. It is impossible to be salty with Chubb; one can only feel bad for him. Grier on the other hand? That guy might just be a special kind of, well, nevermind. To be fair, this game still has the most appeal of all of the SEC’s offerings in week 9.

SEC Halloween Football 2015. Oh what you could have been.

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