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The SEC East had several lackluster performances, three more lopsided losses against the West, offset by one thrilling classic in Week 5.
With its memorable win over Georgia, Tennessee has established itself as the division’s leader. The Vols have a couple of major tests ahead against Texas A&M and Alabama, but right now they carry the East’s banner.
Here’s what we learned in Week 5.
Florida Gators (4-1, 2-1)
Week 5 result: Defeated Vanderbilt 13-6
What we learned: The Gators played their sloppiest game of the season and looked like still had lingering thoughts of letting last weeks’ contest to Tennessee slip away.
Florida mustered very little offense, gaining only 236 total yards, and could not sustain drives to stay on the field.
Luke Del Rio’s return can’t come soon enough for Jim McElwain’s team. Austin Appleby could not push the ball downfield and averaged only 5.1 yards per attempt, while throwing for 144 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Jordan Scarlett looked like the team’s best offensive option, gaining 55 yards and a touchdown, but he only touched the ball 12 times.
Defensively, the Gators allowed 265 yards and let Ralph Webb gain 110 yards. But Florida’s defense ultimately came up with the big interception when it mattered and sealed one of the ugliest victories since Urban Meyer left town.
Georgia Bulldogs (3-2, 1-2)
Week 5 result: Lost to Tennessee 34-31
What we learned: Georgia rebounded from last week’s blowout loss in impressive fashion. Taking an early 17-0 lead, and showing tremendous effort in the process, the Bulldogs looked up to the challenge Saturday afternoon.
Unfortunately, inexperience and undisciplined mistakes cost Georgia down the stretch and left it on the wrong side of an instant classic. The future looks bright in Athens, however, as several freshmen made key plays for the Bulldogs. Jacob Eason continues to impress and tossed a couple of key passes to Isaac Nauta and Riley Ridley, who are also freshmen. Eason’s 47-yard touchdown pass to Ridley was beautiful and looked to have won the game for Georgia with 10 seconds left. Running back Brian Herrien once again ran hard, gaining 74 yards on 15 carries.
Kentucky Wildcats (2-3, 1-2)
Week 5 result: Lost to Alabama 34-6
What we learned: For a brief moment, Kentucky held a lead over Alabama. The Wildcats forced the Crimson Tide to punt on their opening possession and promptly marched down the field to kick a field goal and take a 3-0 lead.
Unfortunately, Kentucky’s next score would come with a little over five minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats had no answer for Jalen Hurts or Calvin Ridley, who connected 11 times for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns.
While Alabama had no trouble moving the ball, Kentucky struggled mightily on offense. Quarterback Stephen Johnson threw for 89 yards, and the Wildcats gained 72 yards rushing to combine for only 161 yards of offense. Kentucky wasn’t expected to compete against the nation’s top team, so a 3-3 tie at the end of the first quarter should qualify as a moral victory.
Missouri Tigers (2-3, 0-2)
Week 5 result: Lost to LSU 42-7
What we learned: After scoring a program-record 79 points against Delaware State, Missouri could not put any points on the board until late in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s loss at LSU.
The Tigers’ high-octane offense was held in check until a trick play resulted in a touchdown pass from receiver Eric Laurent to quarterback Drew Lock. It was a rough day for Lock, who managed to complete only 17 of his 37 pass attempts for 167 yards and an interception.
He received no help from his running backs, who combined to gain 92 yards on the ground. It was LSU’s run game that gave Missouri’s defense fits. The absence of Leonard Fournette was no problem for the Tigers as Derrius Guice and Darrel Williams combined to gain 293 yards and 6 touchdowns. While the offense certainly had a let down, it’s the 418 yards rushing yards and 634 total yards accumulated by LSU that should really concern Missouri.
South Carolina Gamecocks (2-3, 1-3)
Week 5 result: Lost to Texas A&M 24-13
What we learned: South Carolina’s defense is rounding into shape, but the offense remains a complete mess. The Gamecocks’ only touchdown came on the very first play of the game, when running back A.J. Turner broke loose for a 75-yard score.
After that early burst, South Carolina had very little success moving the football. Another quarterback controversy might be in place after Brandon McIlwain threw for only 34 yards and tossed an interception.
Backup Perry Orth entered late in the game and completed 11 of his 18 attempts for 138 yards. The defense did an impressive job slowing down Texas A&M’s offense, which had averaged 43 points per game, and kept South Carolina in it until the fourth quarter.
Tennessee Volunteers (5-0, 2-0)
Week 5 result: Defeated Georgia 34-31
What we learned: Tennessee’s second-half magic continued in Saturday’s thrilling comeback victory over Georgia.
The Vols continue to make plays at critical points of games and kept pushing back until the Bulldogs broke. Early-game struggles are still an issue for Butch Jones’ team, but they’ve been able to overcome them so far. Joshua Dobbs once again sparked Tennessee’s offense, accounting for 256 total yards and 4 touchdowns.
Of course, his most important touchdown came on the final play of the game when his final heave landed in the hands of Jauan Jennings to secure a stunning victory. Defensively, Tennessee’s line created pressure throughout the afternoon. Derek Barnett’s strip sack of Jacob Eason forced a fumble that Corey Vereen recovered for a go-ahead touchdown. The next two weeks will prove whether the Vols are a legitimate playoff contender, as Tennessee takes on Texas A&M and Alabama.
Vanderbilt Commodores (2-3, 0-2)
Week 5 result: Lost to Florida 13-6
What we learned: It wasn’t a pretty game, and it is certainly disappointing, but Vanderbilt took Florida down to the very wire. There aren’t any moral victories, but Derek Mason’s defense played well enough to win.
Adam Butler led a very aggressive defensive line that notched two sacks against the Gators and held Florida to under 100 yards on the ground. The offense is still very much a work in progress, especially the passing game, but Vanderbilt responded with a field goal drive after Florida scored its first touchdown of the game.
Ralph Webb continues to be the team’s top weapon and gained 110 yards on 24 carries against a talented defense. It was his second consecutive 100-yard day against his hometown Gators.
Quarterback is a major problem for Vanderbilt, and this team won’t be able to do much until they can find a solution.
