SEC Football, The Hurry Up: Biggest Takeaways from Week 9

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. You’ve just got to love SEC football.

Ole Miss:

After their loss to Memphis, I made the claim that Ole Miss was through in 2015. I still stand by that as it pertains to the team’s preseason goals. Kelly threw two interceptions and the secondary looked suspect. You can blame the refs all you want, but a team should not complete multiple deep passes against double and triple coverage. Ole Miss will have a nice season, it just won’t be what they were hoping for.

Auburn:

It is becoming more andmore clear why Gus Malzahn stuck with Jeremy Johnson as long as he did. Sean White has certainly played better than Johnson was, but he clearly also was not ready for SEC competition this year. White went 12-28 and even his 258 yards couldn’t save him from a 27.5 QBR from ESPN.

Georgia:

Mark Richt to Miami is gaining some serious steam. After losing yet another “big one” to rival Florida, Georgia fans are sure to be calling for his head. Richt will most assuredly curse his bad luck — Todd Gurley/Nick Chubb — but also be tired of fans complaining and may finally look elsewhere. Miami offers a similar stage with an easier path to national prominence.

Florida:

Florida without Will Grier looks a lot like Will Muschamp Florida. The Gators relied on their rushing attack, stifling defense and some great special teams play to dominate the Georgia Bulldogs. That’s the good news. The bad news it the Gators have no chance of winning in Atlanta if Treon Harris does not start completing at least half his passes.

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Vanderbilt:

Wow. I don’t even know what to say. A week after finally claiming an SEC win, the ‘Dores don’t even show up against Houston. I know Houston is good, but wow.

South Carolina:

It was time for Steve Spurrier to go. I was a proponent of it before the season ever started. Say what you will about the Ole Ball Coach’s legacy and accomplishments, but there is no way they play Texas A&M in a tight contest if Spurrier were still leading Gamecock nation. South Carolina has some decent talent and will be ok moving forward.

Texas A&M:

I have 0 reaction to this game. I keep hearing about how great Kyler Murray is and how his total yards are so impressive. But this was against South Carolina’s defense. Kyle Allen looked good against worse defenses. I’m taking the wait and see approach here.

Arkansas:

Take everything I just said about TAMU and apply it here. Brandon Allen threw for 4 touchdowns and 300 yards against UTEP in week 1 in a dominating win. Alex Collins finally went off and scored touchdowns against Tennessee Martin in a beat down. Arkansas can beat subpar competition. There is literally nothing to take from this game, as Arkansas has been completely inconsistent between the two games I just mentioned.

Next: Week 10 College Football Polls Released

Tennessee:

Tennessee looked legit Saturday and could very well finish the season with 8 wins. This has not been the breakout many Volunteer faithful were hoping for, but 8 wins will still be an improvement of last year. Dobbs continued his solid play, accounting for 4 touchdowns. The real takeaway here is what happened to Kentucky?

Kentucky:

Seriously. Again? After starting 2014 5-1, the Wildcats failed to make a bowl game. After starting 2015 4-1, the Wilcats now sit at 4-4. They have a gimme against Charlotte, but Vanderbilt looks like it could be a stiff test if the Wildcats don’t find a way to step it up. Saturday’s performance was embarrassing by the defense.

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