SEC Viewer’s Guide: Week 5
Playoff implications are aplenty throughout the Week 5 SEC slate.
As the college football season nears its halfway point, it’s time to find out which teams are legitimate contenders for the conference championship — and perhaps the College Football Playoff.
RELATED: Top SEC Games: Week 5 Edition
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Right now, the Ole Miss Rebels and the Georgia Bulldogs are the presumed favorites to win the SEC, but a lot can change between now and late November.
Here is the SEC itinerary for Week 5 of the season.
10 AM ET
SEC Nation, SEC Network
ESPN’s College GameDay is taking a trip to Clemson this week, so SEC fans will have to kick off their college football Saturday with the next best thing: SEC Nation.
The South’s version of GameDay will be on the University of Georgia campus in anticipation of the top-15 battle between the No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide and the No. 8-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.
Fans will remember the “Black Out” game between these two teams in Athens back in 2008 (a game that ‘Bama led 31-0 at half); hopefully the 2015 version will be a bit more exciting.
Noon ET
South Carolina at Missouri, SEC Network
This is a critical game for both programs. Missouri’s lackluster offense finally caught up to it in last week’s loss to Kentucky; South Carolina edged a winless Central Florida team.
There’s plenty of questions surrounding both teams’ quarterback positions. Additionally, both the Tigers and the Gamecocks are searching for their first conference win.
It could be the battle for sixth place in the East, but it should be an intriguing match-up, nonetheless.
3:30 PM ET
No. 13 Alabama at No. 8 Georgia, CBS
Sep 26, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) runs against Southern University Jaguars defensive back Jamal Jenkins (35) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Southern 48-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama vs. Georgia is the marquee SEC game of the week, if not the year.
It’s been several years since the Crimson Tide opened as an underdog in a conference match-up, but that’s exactly what they’ll be this Saturday against the Bulldogs (+2.5).
This is a must-win game for Saban and Co. if there’s any hope of ‘Bama reaching Atlanta this season. On the other side, coach Mark Richt is looking to finally get over the hump and knock off a top-tier conference opponent.
If the Dawgs can find a way to edge the Tide, they’ll certainly be in contention for a playoff spot.
4 PM ET
San Jose State at Auburn, SEC Network
Just a month ago, the Auburn Tigers were the undisputed favorites to win the SEC. Now, the Tigers would be lucky to finish sixth in the West. They opened up conference play with back-to-back losses to LSU and Mississippi State; Auburn — led by freshman quarterback Sean White — will look to get back on track with a presumed tuneup game against San Jose State.
7 PM ET
No. 3 Ole Miss at No. 25 Florida, ESPN
After an impressive road win over Alabama, Ole Miss struggled against a Vanderbilt team that hasn’t won a conference game since Nov. 23, 2013 (beat Tennessee 14-10 in Knoxville). Were the Rebels overlooking the Commodores in preparation for an undefeated Florida Gators team this week, or is Vandy that much improved?
One thing’s for certain: Ole Miss won’t make it out of the Swamp undefeated if they underestimate these opportunistic Gators.
Arkansas at Tennessee, ESPN2
The Vols will be anxious to get back on the field after last week’s heartbreaking loss in the Swamp (extending their losing streak to 11 against the Gators). Meanwhile, Arkansas looks to snap its three-game losing streak — and they’ll be tasked to do so in a raucous Neyland Stadium.
With Alabama and Auburn looming on the schedule, the Hogs need this win to restore faith in Fayetteville.
Eastern Michigan at No. 9 LSU, ESPNU
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There’s not much to say about this game. A lowly MAC team is pitted against arguably the best team in the conference — and it’s in Death Valley.
Nobody has had any success stopping Leonard Fournette yet; don’t expect the Eagles to have much luck either.
Fournette will add another stat-padded performance to his Heisman résumé in LSU’s rout.
Vanderbilt at Middle Tennessee, CBSSN
Though the spotlight will be on Alabama-Georgia and Ole Miss-Florida, Vanderbilt at Middle Tennessee is plenty intriguing.
A win would be a huge boost for both programs.
Sophomore quarterback Johnny McCrary has played tremendous football the past two weeks, and that’s been all the difference for the Commodores’ offense. Can the Blue Raiders’ defense contain an improving Vandy offense? And how will the ‘Dores defense fare against MTSU freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill?
7:30 PM ET
No. 21 Mississippi State at No. 14 Texas A&M, SEC Network
Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) celebrates with offensive lineman Joseph Cheek (79) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
It’ll be a battle between the SEC’s best quarterbacks when the Mississippi State Bulldogs meet with the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station.
In four games, Kyle Allen has completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 952 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. Prescott has been just as impressive, completing nearly 67 percent of his throws, totaling 1,069 yards, seven scores and zero picks.
In what should be an offensive showdown, the signal-caller who is most consistent will come away with the victory.
Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky, SEC Network
The Wildcats are off to another great start and they’ll look to build off of a 3-1 record against in-state foe Eastern Kentucky. On paper, this is a game Kentucky certainly should win convincingly, but they may have to do so without their star running back “Boom” Williams. Williams suffered a minor knee injury in practice earlier in the week, so his play time could be limited against the Colonels.
Next: SEC Heisman Hopefuls (Post Week 4)
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