Best and Worst SEC Football Performances: Week 11

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Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) reacts after a play in the third quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium. Alabama won 31-6. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Dak Prescott as a runner, QB, Mississippi State

– Just as I predicted way back at the beginning of the season when Dak Prescott was met by a real team that plays solid defense — he doesn’t stand a chance. Somehow, Prescott managed to rack up 300 passing yards against the Crimson Tide. Albeit for no points, but still impressive. So credit him for that.

But what we don’t have to give him a lick of credit for is his performance running the ball or in the backfield. Prescott ran the ball or failed to get out of the grasps of Tide defenders in the backfield 26 times on Saturday. He tallied a total of 14 yards rushing in the Bulldogs’ 31-6 loss.

So much for being a dual threat quarterback. If a team can eliminate one of your ways to be a threat, I don’t think you qualify as an all-around QB. That could be just me because I think Prescott is overrated but the numbers from the stat sheet in week 11 would agree with me.

Prescott will have a difficult time as his senior season winds down as he faces a hungry Arkansas team next week and the ‘Landshark’ defense from Ole Miss to close his senior campaign.

Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

– There’s no way that the all-powerful Leonard Fournette can have two poor weeks in a row is there? WRONG. There is.

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) on the field during warm-ups prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a proven fact that in every game this season that Fournette fails to rush for 100 or more yards, the Tigers lose. That held true for the second straight week on Saturday as the Tigers fell to Arkansas 31-14 in Baton Rouge.

Fournette carried the ball 19 times, matching his lowest number of the season after carrying the ball 19 times against Alabama and Auburn, and turned in his second worst performance of the season.

Fournette ran for only 91 yards against Arkansas, who seemed to have the Tigers’ number all night. It was the second straight week Fournette has rushed for under 100 yards and the road won’t get easier for Fournette.

He is still making national headlines, though, as NFL running back Todd Gurley (former Georgia RB) told the media he thinks Fournette should stay in school next year and not test the NFL waters yet. Gurley said don’t sit out and get healthy for the NFL, just stay in school and play. Considering Gurley’s story, I would think Fournette would listen closely.

Patrick Towles, QB, Kentucky

– For the second straight week, Towles walked right back onto the worst of the week portion of the best and worst article. Just like he walked to his spot on the bench Saturday.

Towles was benched in the Wildcats’ 21-17 loss to Vanderbilt as Kentucky fell to 2-6 in the SEC.

Towles was absolutely horrendous in this game. He averaged 2.6 yards per reception, only completed 10 of his 26 passing attempts and threw one interception.

He couldn’t help himself on the ground either — adding only 26 yards on eight carries from the back field.

Towles was benched and replaced by freshman Drew Barker who did something Towles couldn’t — find the end zone.

As Kentucky’s season winds down I don’t see how they can win another game with quarterback controversy. If they fully commit to the freshman they have a chance to win in week 12, but will not beat Louisville in the final week of the season.

Next: The Hurry Up: Biggest takeaways from week 11 in the SEC West

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