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Here’s our weekly look at the SEC quarterbacks with most difficult assignments on Saturday:
DAK PRESCOTT, MISSISSIPPI STATE
Opponent: vs. No. 2 Alabama
The Bulldogs’ season has been building toward this moment. With an upset win over Alabama, a pair of early-season losses will be all but forgotten as Mississippi State closes in on a second straight 10-win season — and maybe much more. But finding a way past the Tide will be a feat. Alabama ranks first in the conference in rushing yards allowed, total yards allowed, pass defense efficiency, interceptions and sacks. To boot, opposing quarterbacks complete just 50 percent of passes against the Tide. The flip side of those impressive numbers is that Alabama hasn’t faced many — if any — quarterbacks of Prescott’s caliber. Everything in the Bulldogs offense starts with Prescott, who has thrown for 300 yards or more in three straight games and has just one interception on the year, while also leading the team in rushing by nearly 200 yards.
BRANDON ALLEN, ARKANSAS
Opponent: at No. 9 LSU
After a six-touchdown performance in Oxford, Allen and the Arkansas passing game won’t be sneaking up on the Tigers this week. Allen has steadily improved over the course of the season, ranking as one of the conference’s top two quarterbacks in most passing stats. But against LSU, he’ll be facing one of the SEC’s most talented defensive backfields and an aggressive pass rush. Heightening the degree of difficulty: Tiger Stadium at night.
JAKE COKER, ALABAMA
Opponent: at No. 17 Mississippi State
Alabama has taken steps to keep the pressure off Coker as much as possible this season, turning increasingly to Derrick Henry as the focal point of the offense. That will almost assuredly be the game plan again on Saturday, but when called upon to make plays through the air, Coker can expect a slim margin for error. Under defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, the Bulldogs play a highly aggressive brand of defense that excels in creating lost yardage and turnovers. Mississippi State ranks fourth in the conference with 25 sacks — just four behind Alabama — and has 10 interceptions while allowing just five passing touchdowns.
Brent Holloway is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia, LSU and Mississippi State.
