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Rivalry Week didn’t produce quite the anticipated drama, but Week 13 games did provide some outstanding performances and convincing results. The Iron Bowl removed any doubt as to the best team in the SEC. The Egg Bowl proved that a team is better than an individual. And down on the bayou, an inspired team and fan base saved its coach.
Here’s what we learned about every SEC West team following the final regular season weekend of college football in the Deep South.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Week 13 result: Defeated Auburn 29-13
What we learned: Just like last season, following an early loss to Ole Miss, Alabama was not to be denied. The Crimson Tide came up big in the biggest games down the stretch. Now the stage gets bigger from here on out. Alabama goes to Atlanta as heavy favorites to win the SEC Championship Game on Saturday and an opportunity to advance to the College Football Playoff. We also learned that RB Derrick Henry is not only the best back in the country but the most durable as well, setting the school single-game record for carries with 46. His 271 rushing yards were the most at Alabama since 1996.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Week 13 result: Defeated Missouri 28-3 (Friday)
What we learned: Much like a year ago, Arkansas finished the season strong. Winning five of their final six games after starting the season 2-4, the Hogs completed a late-season run that resulted in a rise to third place in the highly competitive SEC West. The power run game has enabled the Hogs to move the ball and control the last handful of games. In 2016 they need to figure out how to start the season that way and maintain it throughout.
Auburn Tigers
Week 13 result: Lost to Alabama 29-13
What we learned: A strong defensive effort and the ability to run the football will keep most teams in games. But the Tigers found out that against the better teams, a passing game is essential. In losing their last two conference games to Georgia and Alabama, the Tigers didn’t have that key ingredient. Auburn QB Jeremy Johnson was just 10 of 23 passing for 169 yards and a touchdown. Although he didn’t throw an interception, Johnson’s 28.6 quarterback rating isn’t going to get it done against the upper echelon of SEC opponents, especially a team like Alabama. Auburn will go bowling at 6-6, but finishes last in the SEC West with a 2-6 conference mark.
LSU Tigers
Week 13 results: Defeated Texas A&M 19-7
What we learned: Can an administration be swayed by a single game? That’s what some media reports are saying. Whether that’s true or some underlying aspects were at work, Les Miles remains the coach at LSU after the Tigers beat Texas A&M Saturday. He had the support of his team and the fan base, and both showed up in the Tigers’ inspiring victory over the Aggies. Despite three disappointing and lopsided losses, Miles was able to lift up a downtrodden team for one last push. Saturday’s victory saved the season and likely saved Miles’ job. The Tigers (8-3) are looking at a pretty decent bowl game after finishing tied for third place in the SEC West with a 5-3 conference record.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Week 13 results: Lost to Ole Miss 38-27
What we learned: In a battle of the SEC’s two top quarterbacks, it was the Bulldogs defense that let them down. Ole Miss gained 472 total yards, much of that in the first half when the Rebels rolled to a 28-3 lead at halftime. But there’s no quit in Bulldogs QB Dak Prescott. Playing in his final Egg Bowl, the senior made the game respectable by throwing for 254 yards and two second-half touchdowns. Prescott completed 31 of 42 passes with one interception. He also led the Bulldogs in rushing with 63 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. The one-man show accounted for 317 of the Bulldogs’ 402 total yards.
Ole Miss Rebels
Week 13 results: Defeated Mississippi State 38-27
What we learned: The Rebels finished strong with impressive victories over LSU and Mississippi State to close the regular season. Only a fluke fourth-down play resulting in a one-point overtime loss to Arkansas kept the Rebels from advancing to Atlanta to play in the SEC Championship Game next week. The 9-3 Rebels, runners-up in the SEC West with a 6-2 conference record, looked every bit a team deserving of a Sugar Bowl bid. They scored touchdowns on each of their first three drives of Saturday’s game and mixed in a pick-six to take a 28-3 lead at halftime.
Texas A&M Aggies
Week 13 results: Lost to LSU 19-7
What we learned: The Aggies have an identity crisis. Known for high-scoring offense and somewhat porous defense, the roles seemed to reverse as the 2015 season wore on. Texas A&M scored 3, 10 and 7 points in SEC West losses to Ole Miss, Auburn, and LSU respectively. The Aggies defense shut out Vanderbilt in a 25-0 victory and limited LSU to 19 points on Saturday. The 8-4 Aggies are going bowling this season but with a mediocre 4-4 conference record and fifth-place finish in the SEC West, they must find an identity moving forward.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
