Game of the Week
Georgia at Alabama
Georgia and Alabama meet for the first time since the 2018 SEC Championship. Jalen Hurts came off the bench to lead the Crimson Tide to a comeback win after Tua Tagovailoa was injured.
This game expects to play a role in who goes to not only the SEC Championship, but the College Football Playoff. Alabama is currently ranked #2 in the Coaches Poll while Georgia sits at #3.
Alabama has been dominant offensively and Georgia has been dominant defensively. Alabama leads the SEC and country in points per game (51.0), while Georgia leads the SEC and is fifth in the country in points per game allowed (12.3).
While this is a monster matchup, there was a bit of news that interrupted it this week. Alabama head coach Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.
All attention turns towards Saban’s health as this game approaches. What will his absence mean for Alabama? Will a loss be forgiven with Saban not on the sideline?
Player to Watch
Mac Jones
As mentioned earlier, Alabama leads the nation in scoring. That is thanks in large part to quarterback Mac Jones. Jones has been phenomenal through his first three games. Jones is completing 79.5% of his passes, which is second in the country. The matchup with Georgia is a chance to further prove himself against one of the best defenses in the country.
Upset Alert
Auburn Tigers
Auburn was fortunate to get the win against Arkansas. Driving for the game-winning field goal, quarterback Bo Nix mishandled the snap, and spiked the ball backwards. It should have been ruled a fumble, however the play was blown dead. Auburn would go on to kick the game-winning field goal to win 30-28.
Auburn is now 2-1, but it has not been pretty. That is especially true on the road. In their lone away trip thus far, the Tigers were beaten down by Georgia. This week Auburn heads to South Carolina.
South Carolina had a “get right” game against Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks dominated the Commodores in a 41-7 rout. After two tough losses, South Carolina was able to take out their frustration on a hapless Vanderbilt team.
South Carolina is certainly not an easy out. Their defense allows the third-fewest yards per game (330) in the SEC. That presents a challenge for the Auburn offense who has their own struggles. Auburn is near the bottom of the league, averaging only 329 yards per game offensively.
Auburn got a boost in their rushing attack from freshman Tank Bigsby. After not being able to run the ball successfully in their first two games, Bigsby ran for 146 yards against Arkansas. In order to avoid the upset, the Tigers need that to continue.
Woodshed Alert
Hoo boy, did I miss on last week’s woodshed alert! Thanks to the LSU defense, not only did Missouri not get blown out; they won outright!
This week’s games all have point spreads inside of a touchdown. I think we get some good games. Therefore we have no woodshed alert this week.
COVID-19
COVID-19 continues to be a story. This week there are two games not being played due to the spread of coronavirus. On Tuesday, it was announced that Vanderbilt and Missouri would be postponed until December.
Then Thursday it was announced LSU and Florida would be postponed as well.
Having to postpone games due to COVID-19 was almost inevitable. The SEC has been forthright in having this season played. While this adds to the challenge, I believe the conference is equipped to handle it.
Hot Seat
Gus Malzahn
Is it really October if Gus Malzahn is not on the hot seat? As mentioned, the Auburn offense has had its struggles. While Malzahn has removed himself as a playcaller, this still falls on his shoulders. Quarterback Bo Nix was supposed to take the next step as a sophomore, and now there are questions about whether or not he should be starting.
This is a pivotal point in the season for Malzahn and Auburn. Can their offense get it together going into their upcoming games against SEC West foes Ole Miss and LSU? Or will their season start to crumble beginning in Columbia, South Carolina?
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 