Alabama came up just short against Georgia in a loss that carried a certain grim satisfaction for the Bulldogs’ side of the rivalry ledger, while Georgia kept doing damage even without a clean performance and even while playing through key injuries.
That result sat near the center of another SEC weekend that delivered plenty of familiar chaos. Arkansas, for one, earned a reminder that “moral victories” do not always deserve the eye roll they usually get. Florida, on the other hand, was reduced to the kind of reaction that needs no further explanation: Hahahahahahahahahaha (stops to catch his breath) hahahahahahahaha.
Elsewhere, Kentucky is trying to build something new under Will Stein, a fresh identity for a program that has had a few modestly successful versions of itself before, only to see them fade. LSU, meanwhile, apparently missed out on landing an elite head coach like Kentucky’s Will Stein during the offseason coaching derby.
Mississippi State had the week off and now heads to LSU, with Kamario Taylor’s health hanging over the matchup and leaving everyone wondering whether he’ll be available enough to ruin Lane Kiffin’s evening. Missouri, meanwhile, keeps stacking wins and now sits at 5-1 and in playoff contention, which is the sort of development parents may want to explain to their kids before they hear about it out on the streets.
Oklahoma remains exactly what it has been: the kind of team that turns a rock fight into a full-on demolition job, with Brent Venables showing up early and bringing flowers made out of rocks. Ole Miss, with Kewan Lacy back, looks like it may be sliding into midseason form after whatever that thing was against Florida.
South Carolina continues to live the LaNorris Sellers experience, especially when he spots uncovered receivers running free toward the end zone against a ranked opponent, which means Gamecock fans get six more weeks of Shane Beamer. Tennessee had to rally from behind in the fourth quarter to beat Arkansas, which raises its own obvious question about whether that really qualifies as a victory.
And then there is Texas, which if you define “Texas is back” as being back to wondering how it lost Red River again and reconsidering whether Steve Sarkisian can handle both play-calling and head coaching duties, then yes, Texas is back.
In Other News...
Georgia Is No. 1 But The Real Test Starts Now
Georgias rise to No. 1 in the latest AP Poll came on the heels of a statement win over Alabama and Texas loss to Oklahoma, a combination that pushed the Bulldogs to the top of the rankings with 66 of 70 first-place votes. Notre Dame, Miami and Indiana picked up the other votes, even without the same kind of marquee wins on their rsums, but Georgias spot at the summit comes with a familiar catch: being the target is usually harder than getting there.
The Bulldogs are still the SECs last unbeaten team, and the calendar is not about to make things easier with five conference games left. The road ahead includes a trip to Ole Miss and a home date with Missouri, matchups that could shape Georgias path to the SEC Championship Game and determine how long the No. 1 label stays on the teams chest. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Defense Just Sent A Clear Message In The Alabama Win
Georgias win over Alabama had the feel of a statement game from the start, but the defense made sure it stayed that way. The Bulldogs came away with a 20-17 victory after keeping the Crimson Tide to 17 points, a sharp turn from the explosive pace Alabama had shown earlier this season. Linebacker Chris Cole and safety Khalil Barnes pointed to the physical edge of Georgias preparation and the units defensive focus as big reasons the group looked so locked in when it mattered most.
The second half is where Georgia really separated itself, allowing only three points after halftime and nothing at all in the final quarter. Barnes said the defense was ready because of the way the team practiced during the week, and the performance backed that up on Saturday. For Georgia, it was more than just getting a win over a heavyweight opponent. It was a reminder that this defense can still set the tone when the stakes rise. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Just Took A Huge Step Back Toward The Top
Georgias win over Alabama did more than add another marquee result to the rsum. It also reshuffled the top of the college football picture, with Texas losing to Oklahoma and South Carolina knocking off Florida, creating the kind of weekend that can send a team surging straight to the front of the AP Top 25 discussion.
For Kirby Smarts program, the timing matters almost as much as the victory itself. The Bulldogs are positioned for a return to the top of the poll after building the kind of profile that gets rewarded in October, and the ripple effects from around the country only strengthened that case as the latest rankings take shape. [Read more 🡒]