SEC Football Week 4 Breakdown
Week three saw highs and lows for the SEC. LSU – Mississippi State certainly lived up to its billing. Florida took a step forward against what many people thought was an up and coming Tennessee squad. On the other hand, Auburn, coming off those two heart-pounding late wins, lost to Clemson, ending their nation leading win streak. South Carolina also had their hands full with the offense that Navy supplied, although Marcus Lattimore was there to help.
Heading into week four, there are some very nice matchups but much of college football is being overshadowed by all the conference realignment talk. The play on the field has almost become background noise to what the future of the sport will hold.
Saturday, September 24
3rd ranked LSU vs. 14th ranked West Virginia
This nice, inter-conference matchup is being swallowed up by super conference talk. The discussion of whether Geno Smith and the Mountaineers will be able to move the ball against this Tiger defense is being ignored. With the Big East fighting valiantly to stay afloat, the future of the conference itself may rest of the outcome of this game though, pitting their best team against one of the best a future super conference has to offer…okay, this is clearly not the case but let’s just say the over/under for how many times conference realignment is brought up during this game is off the board in Vegas. Check out the in-depth analysis of this game. Breaking down LSU at West Virginia
Other notable matchups:
Saturday September 24
13th ranked Arkansas vs. 1st ranked Alabama
Alabama seems to be hitting their stride, a bad sign for the rest of the nation. Some were rightfully skeptical about whether a brand new starting quarterback could lead this Tide and not only has AJ McCarron been leading them, he’s been downright adequate while doing so. Throw in the running game and the best defense in the nation and Alabama is rolling into their first conference game of the season.
Arkansas, meanwhile, will have their first test of the year come in the form of the aforementioned Crimson Tide. Good luck Razorbacks.
Games of no particular note or significance whatsoever:
Saturday September 24
Georgia vs. Ole Miss
Auburn vs. Florida Atlantic
15th ranked Florida vs. Kentucky
Mississippi State vs. Louisiana Tech
10th ranked South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt
A couple remaining thoughts on the rest of these games: Florida looked good a week ago and has this last remaining tune-up before hosting the number one ranked squad from Alabama. Georgia is looking for their first win on the year; Mississippi State is glad to have an out-of-conference game lined up after two crushing defeats, one in the final seconds and the next a literal crushing by the LSU Tigers defense. Auburn could not propel their first two near-death victories into anything against Clemson and after this week’s game, the Tigers face four consecutive ranked SEC opponents.
