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With nine matchups involving Southeastern Conference teams on the docket, here’s a list of the players to watch in each SEC game for Week 5 (all kickoff times are for Eastern Standard Time):
Noon ET, South Carolina at Missouri, SEC NETWORK
T.J. Holloman, LB , South Carolina
Last week against UCF was Holloman’s first start at middle linebacker for the Gamecocks and he turned in a masterful performance with six tackles, two interceptions and a pass breakup. His job against the Tigers may have gotten a little bit easier with the suspension of Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk, so Holloman could be in store for another big game with a few more takeaways.
3:30 p.m. ET, No. 13 Alabama at No. 8 Georgia, CBS
Jordan Jenkins, LB, Georgia
Alabama’s offensive line has probably been its weakest link so far this season, and it will be going up against one of college football’s premier pass rushes this weekend when the Crimson Tide travel to Athens. Alabama tackles Cam Robinson and Dominick Jackson will have their hands full on Saturday with Jenkins, who already has nine quarterback hurries, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks this season.
4 p.m. ET, San Jose State at Auburn, SEC NETWORK
Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn
San Jose State’s biggest strength on offense by far is its running back Tyler Ervin, who rushed for 300 yards on 42 carries against Fresno State last week. Auburn has already had several scares this season by inferior teams, and if it wants to avoid another one, Adams will have to plug up the middle consistently and keep Ervin in check.
7 p.m. ET, No. 3 Ole Miss at No. 25 Florida, ESPN
Cody Core, WR, Ole Miss
With most of the attention being given to the battle between Rebels wideout Laquon Treadwell and Gators cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, Core could present a mismatch that Ole Miss decides to take advantage of on the outside. Core is known as the field stretcher for the Rebels, averaging 22.9 yards per reception. But his 6-foot-3 frame also makes him a valuable red zone target, which has led to three touchdowns for Core already this season.
7 p.m. ET, Eastern Michigan at No. 9 LSU, ESPNU
Darrel Williams, RB, LSU
Williams has not seen much action this season playing behind workhorse Leonard Fournette on LSU’s depth chart, only rushing for 94 yards on 22 carries through the first three games. But Eastern Michigan’s defense has let up an abysmal 373.3 yards per game so far this year, and with the Tigers figuring to be playing with a big lead for most of this game, LSU might opt to give Fournette some well-deserved rest and allow Williams to finally do some damage himself.
7 p.m. ET, Arkansas at Tennessee, ESPN2
Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee
Sutton is by far the best defensive back in a Tennessee secondary that is relatively weak. Arkansas’ passing attack is top 20 in yards and efficiency this season, and Sutton will be asked to shoulder a lot of responsibility to try and slow the Razorbacks down. Sutton has been able to deflect or break up several passes this season but is still looking for his first interception.
7 p.m. ET, Vanderbilt at Middle Tennesse, CBS Sports Network
Ralph Webb, RB, Vanderbilt
Webb played well last week against a tough Ole Miss defensive front, rushing for 90 yards and hauling in a receiving touchdown. He’ll go up against another stout run defense this weekend in Middle Tennessee that is only giving up 120.5 rushing yards per game and 3.5 yards per rush to opposing teams this year.
7:30 p.m. ET, No. 21 Mississippi State at No. 14 Texas A&M, SEC NETWORK
Richie Brown, LB, Mississippi State
Brown is coming off a 13-tackle, two-sack performance against Auburn last week that earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Brown has been playing at an All-SEC level so far this season, recording at least 10 tackles in three of the Bulldogs’ first four games. His 39 tackles this year is tied for fourth in the conference.
7:30 p.m. ET, Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky, SEC NETWORK
Mikel Horton, RB, Kentucky
With the SEC’s seventh-leading rusher Stanley “Boom” Williams’ status for this week’s game in doubt as he deals with personal issues and Jojo Kemp now the starter in Lexington, Horton should have a good opportunity to make some plays in Week 5. The Wildcats should be playing with a lead for most of this matchup with their in-state rival, so there should be plenty of carries to go around for all of Kentucky’s running backs.
Pat Donohue is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @SportsDownPat.
