The Hurry Up: Biggest Takeaways from the SEC (Week 4)

In the weekly Hurry Up from Southbound and Down, I’ll provide that one thing that stuck out most to me from each SEC team from the weekend. After that it is up to you. We’ll leave the comments section open and you are free to tell me I’m an idiot, agree, or explain why you know something we don’t. This is an SEC page, after all, home of some of the most boisterous fans in the country. As always, we’ll go in the order the teams played.

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Georgia:

There really is not much to say here. Georgia dominated an inferior opponent to the tune of 48-6, Lambert continued his master efficiency (9-10, 146 yards, 2 TDs) and Nick Chubb displayed his dominance (15 attempts for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns in addition to a 24 yard TD reception). Next week (against Alabama) will tell us much more about the 2015 Dawgs.

South Carolina:

While Central Florida can in no way be considered top flight competition, the offense for South Carolina looked much better with Lorenzo Nunez (12-12, 184 yards, 2 TDs) than it ever did under Perry Orth. That is partially due to Nunez’s feet (18 carries, 123 yards) and partially due to the dominance Pharoh Cooper showed (3 rushes for 27 yards and a TD to go with 4 receptions for 69 yards and a TD). Maybe Spurrier has an upset or two left in him after all.

LSU:

For a program that claims to be DBU, they also have an impressive history of running backs. Fournette made history by becoming the first ever Tiger tailback to run for 200 yards in consecutive games. His 244 yards and 2 TDs on 26 carries supported the lackadaisical Tigers and never let this too-close game be in doubt.

Tennessee:

The Volunteers simply do not have the depth to compete in the SEC just yet. Two weeks after blowing a late lead against Oklahoma, the Volunteers gave up a 13 point lead in the 4^th quarter against Florida. They still had a chance to win it with a last-second field goal that barely sailed wide, and that would have changed the narrative. Instead, the story is these Volunteers will be playing to upset the balance from here on out.

Florida:

These Gators are gritty. They beat a decent East Carolina team by 7, held Kentucky to 9 points to win by 5 and have now mounted the first great comeback in the McElwain era. I’m not ready to declare the Gators contenders in the SEC, but another gritty performance against Ole Miss this week would change that conversation quickly.

Alabama:

Much like Georgia did, Alabama dominated an inferior opponent without looking ahead to their next opponent too much. Jake Coker played solid, but unimpressive, football (17-31, 158 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT). Most of the heavy lifting was done by the running game, which saw 5 different playsers take 31 carries for 142 yards. Their matchup with Georgia will be the most intriguing of the week.

Texas A&M

TAMU may have needed a sack and fumble recovery by the national sack leader Myles Garrett, but they did come away with the victory. Kyle Allen is not the problem, who went 21-28 for 358 yards and 2 touchdowns. The rushing game, however, was nowhere near efficient. 4 players combined for 20 carries and 65 yards. If the Aggies want to contend for the SEC West, a running game would be hugely beneficial.

Arkansas:

Arkansas played inspired ball after losing two straight but again came up short, losing their 3^rd straight game of 2015. There will be plenty of debate about the Razorback’s last drive and the fumble that cost them a chance to win in regulation. The real debate, though, will move to whether this preseason dark horse will even be able to make a bowl game.

Ole Miss:

Chad Kelly disappointed by going 24-42 for 321 yards with only 1 TD and 2 INTs. The Landshark defense also failed to record a single sack or turnover. Whether this was a hangover from last week or Ole Miss has more issues than previously thought will be sorted out when the Rebels visit the Gators in Gainesville this week.

Vanderbilt:

I’m giving Derek Mason and his staff credit. He and his staff found holes in Ole Miss that Nick Saban and Co. simply did not. The staff saw underneath passes would be open and McCrary was patient in completing 23-42 for only 194 yards but a TD and 0 INTs. The defense also figured out how to close off the edges with their rushing defense and left two high safeties for Kelly’s regular 3^rd and longs. Mason gave Kelly and Co. far more than they bargained for and Mason may be finding his groove as a head coach.

Mississippi State:

The Bulldogs continued their head scratching offensive play calling by throwing the ball 41 times and only rushing it 21. It seems counter-intuitive for a team that is built around the read option to pass so much but it actually made sense this week. Dan Mullen wanted to force a new quarterback making his first start to prove he could beat them without showing his playbook too much. The gamble worked and the Bulldogs came away with an SEC West win.

Auburn:

Sean White might be the answer after all. Sure, a touchdown would have been nice and would have made this a much better game. But after witnessing absolutely inept quarterback play from Jeremy Johnson, White’s 20-28 day provides some signs of hope for Auburn and the remainder of their season.

Missouri

Mizzou really is a confusing team. After entering the prior 2 seasons with 0 expectations, they won the SEC East. After entering this year as a contender for the SEC, they have looked terrible. They were able to remain unbeaten against less than stellar competition but fell to Kentucky this week. Kentucky is solid, but they’re far from the toughest team Mizzou will play this year. What’s next? Not even Gary Pinkel knows.

Kentucky

Just like last week against Florida, the Wildcats played a tight game with an SEC East for no one was sure what to think about just yet. The difference this time in another one score game? The Wildcats secured an SEC victory and have set themselves on the path to make a bowl game in 2015.

Next: Week 4 AP Poll Released, Makes More Sense than Coaches

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