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For this edition of SEC Debate, the SDS staff considers which of the six conference games scheduled for Saturday presents the juiciest matchup.
WHICH SEC GAME ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WEEKEND AND WHY?
Brad Crawford (@BCrawfordSDS): Alabama at Ole Miss
I picked the upset before SEC Media Days in July and got tons of flack from our readers, Twitter fans and radio callers. It’s all about the players in this game and I think for the first time in years, the Rebels are comparable to Alabama position-by-position. I’m not sold on Bo Wallace as an elite quarterback, but if you look back at nearly all of the Crimson Tide’s losses under Nick Saban, the opposing passer has had near career days. It’s going to take an epic performance from No. 14 to win on Saturday and I’m anxious to see if that hard-hitting Ole Miss secondary has an answer for Amari Cooper — the SEC’s Heisman frontrunner in my opinion.
Jon Cooper (@JonSDS): Texas A&M at Mississippi State
One pretender will essentially get eliminated in Starkville. The perception is that Mississippi State will handle Texas A&M, but is perception reality? The biggest mismatch could be the Aggies’ passing game against the MSU secondary. MSU’s defense looks very stout, but the back end is the most vulnerable and TAMU is good enough to exploit the mismatch. Nonetheless, MSU should have the best player on the field at all times in Dak Prescott, and he’s absolutely lived up to the hype. Should Prescott have another big game on the national stage, he’ll make a serious push for the Heisman Trophy.
Chris Walsh (@CrimsonWalsh): Alabama at Ole Miss
If you asked me about this weekend during the offseason or even training camp I would have immediately said LSU at Auburn. But with the quarterback issues with the Tigers I think you have to call Alabama at Ole Miss the marquee game now. The Crimson Tide is in a strong position to get better as the season progresses while the Rebels have a lot of returning starters, so this will be a strong indication of Alabama’s progress. Ole Miss has been foaming at the mouth to get Alabama at home and it’s being called one of the biggest games in program history.
Ethan Levine (@EthanLevineSDS): Texas A&M at Mississippi State
This matchup has flown under the radar for most of the week, but despite a noon kickoff the showdown between Mississippi State and Texas A&M is the most intriguing game of the weekend. This matchup has everything: two top 15 teams that have already exceeded preseason expectations, two premier quarterbacks in Kenny Hill and Dak Prescott, and two fantastic pass rushing defenses. If you told me this game was a physical, low-scoring battle like last week’s game between A&M and Arkansas, I’d believe you. And if you told me this game was a high-scoring shootout featuring two explosive offenses, I’d believe that too. Another A&M win would be a huge step toward an SEC West crown, but a Mississippi State win would likely affirm to most casual fans that this Bulldogs team is for real. This game is a true wild card and should be close to the very end, which is all a fan can really ask for, right?
Jason Hall (@JasonHallSDS): Florida at Tennessee
For the first time in several years, the Vols are favored at home. The Gators have won every game since 2005 and currently hold a nine-game winning streak. Tennessee looks like a team on the rise and both teams possess strong running games. Plus, Lil Jon is rumored to be at the game. So there’s that.
Jordan Cox (@Jordan_Cox): Texas A&M at Mississippi State
That’s such an intriguing game. You have a leader for Mississippi State that touches the ball every play in Dak Prescott, and a defense that can really create pressure. The Bulldogs have also never beaten two Top-10 teams in the same season.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
