Best and Worst SEC Football Performances: Week 9

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Oct 31, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles with the ball during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Kyler Murray, QB, Texas A&M

– Making his first career start, true freshman Kyler Murray absolutely lit up the stat sheet against South Carolina on Saturday.

After losses to Alabama and Ole Miss, the Aggies opened up a quarterback competition that had been won by Kyle Allen at the start of the season and Murray stepped up into the starting role.

Prior to the season, I predicted that during this game Sumlin would make the switch between quarterbacks during the middle of the game — taking out the overrated Kyle Allen and replacing him with a dual-threat in Murray. Turns out my prediction was only a little bit off. The falseness came in that Sumlin didn’t wait to make the switch — he did it prior to week 9.

And good thing he did. Murray took the start and ran with it – literally. Murray ran for 156 yards and a rushing touchdown while throwing for 223 and adding a touchdown through the air.

Murray was stellar for the Aggies and, despite the defense not doing its part and the game being a lot closer than in should have been, A&M was still led to victory by the true freshman.

I think that Murray will continue to get better and lead the Aggies to another win in week 10 against Auburn.

Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas

– Despite having a big-mouthed coach and a leadership-changing injury that shaped Arkansas’ early season results, the Razorbacks have been able to turn in around it the past couple of weeks. When they went up against Tennessee-Martin in week 9, most people could predict the outcome.

Oct 31, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) rushes against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated UTM 63-28. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Razorbacks by a lot.

The catalyst for Arkansas Saturday came from the backfield, an area where they haven’t had dominant production from this season after the aforementioned injury to Jonathan Williams. I think that injury really shook up the emotions of the Razorback runners.

This week that w,as all put to rest by the performance of running back Alex Collins. Collins ran 173 yards and five touchdowns against the Skyhawks including a 68-yard touchdown scamper as the game neared the fourth quarter.

The play of Collins is reminiscient of John Clay and Montee Ball who played under coach Bret Bielema at Wisconsin. If he continues to produce yardage on the ground, Arkansas can be a dangerous upset underdog in the remainder of their SEC games this year. Couple that with the arm of a veteran quarterback they have in Brandon Allen and the Hogs might even put themselves in a spot to go to a semi-decent bowl game in December.

Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee

– Joshua Dobbs is no stranger to the Best and Worst of the week list. It just hasn’t always been on the best list, as his play has fluctuated between great and really bad this season. This week, he proved once again he could dominate a game and give opposing defenses fits.

Earlier in the year, Dobbs gave the Florida Gators all they could handle. Georgia tried to replicate that this week, – but we’ll talk about that later. He also has had flashes of greatness under center.

But I think in week 9 people saw what Dobbs can really do.

Besides an early fumble caused by poor blocking and an interception, Dobbs played lights out against Kentucky.

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Dobbs ran for 51 yards and two rushing touchdowns and added three more scores through the air. He was 16 for 26 for 233 yards and led his team to a 52-21 victory over the Wildcats.

If he can continue to play well and the Volunteers don’t have any more late game issues like in week 8, the Volunteers could end up in second place in the SEC East behind Florida, assuming the Gators can handle business against South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

Now let’s get on to those pesky underwhelming performances that unfortunately have to couple some top-notch talent every week.

Next: Worst of the Week

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