Ad Disclosure
We all think we’d make great headline writers, but it’s actually more difficult than it looks.
Coming up with something short, simple and witty that can tell the story of an entire football game in just a fraction of a sentence is a unique skill.
This season, we’re going to have some fun trying to predict the headlines you’ll read about your favorite team in your local paper on Sunday morning.
We’re at a disadvantage, of course, because we don’t know how the game will turn out. That’s the part of the prediction that makes things interesting.
Here are our headline predictions for Week 6:
Alabama (vs. Arkansas): Tide rounds up Hogs
Much like it responded to last year’s early season loss to Ole Miss, Alabama again rebounded with a big win against Georgia following a Week 3 loss to the Rebels this season. The Crimson Tide has never lost to Arkansas under Nick Saban’s watch, and it is not about to start doing so now that a path to the College Football Playoff is again reachable.
Arkansas (at Arkansas): Hogs continue Tuscaloosa struggles
The Razorbacks have been playing much better football during the last two weeks, but a victory in Knoxville doesn’t necessarily mean they are ready to do the same in Tuscaloosa one week later.
Florida (at Missouri): 6-0 and halfway home
This is why we enjoy college football. The Gators were branded as a team rebuilding under a first-year coach, and they’re a win at Missouri away from not only being in the driver’s seat for the SEC East title, but they enter the College Football Playoff discussion with a perfect first half of the season.
Georgia (at Tennessee): Dawgs bounce back in Knoxville
Last week’s debacle against Alabama has cast a black cloud over what was a promising start to the season for Georgia. Going in to Knoxville and beating a Tennessee team that has pushed the Bulldogs to the limit in the last two meetings would be a big pick-me-up for a team that still has a good chance at winning the SEC East this season.
LSU (vs. South Carolina): Tigers take advantage
Originally scheduled to be played in Columbia, this game has turned into a fifth conference home game for LSU due to flooding in South Carolina. In what is sure to be a heated SEC West race, that matters. Expect an inspired performance from a Gamecocks team playing for a hurting state, but LSU is too talented to let this one slip.
Mississippi State (vs. Troy): Bulldogs bring bite to Trojans
Mississippi State has played inspired defense and has an offense capable of scoring right along with most teams as long as Dak Prescott is taking snaps, but the Bulldogs just haven’t figured it out in a couple of divisional games against LSU and Texas A&M. Expect them to vent some frustration on Troy this week.
Missouri (vs. Florida): Gators ground Mizzou O
This game will feature two of the league’s better defenses and a pair of freshman quarterbacks, which means points may be hard to come by on Saturday. But when it comes time for someone to score, the Gators have shown to be more capable under the direction of Will Grier.
Ole Miss (vs. New Mexico State): Rebs vent frustrations on NMSU
All week the narrative surrounding the Ole Miss program has involved injuries and the Rebels’ inability to win a big game on the road against Florida. Things could go one of two ways with a winnable game against New Mexico State on the schedule, but I’m guessing we see a team that tries to match the 70-plus point outings it enjoyed in Week 1 and Week 2.
South Carolina (at LSU): Cocks gave it their all
The whole state of South Carolina (and perhaps many of the fans from other teams in the league) will be pulling for the Gamecocks to go into Baton Rogue to give the state a temporary distractions from the harsh realities of flood conditions. Unfortunately, moving the game to Tiger Stadium may be just enough to ensure that the superior team wins in this one.
Tennessee (vs. Georgia): Now what?
2-4 isn’t where the Vols expected to be midway through the season, but they’re staring that record in the face if they lose to Georgia on Saturday. With a bye week, then a trip to Tuscaloosa on the schedule, it will be time for fans and media alike to wonder about the direction of this program under Butch Jones.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
