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From a marquee matchup to a crazy overtime finish, All-SEC Saturday did not skimp out on any college football drama.
As we continue to process all that happened during Week 10 of the SEC, let’s look back at who was hot and who wasn’t:
WHO’S HOT
- The combo of Alabama’s defense and Derrick Henry. We knew Alabama’s run defense was one of the best, but we still weren’t prepared for its complete shut-down of LSU RB Leonard Fournette, who gained only 31 yards on 19 carries. And while Fournette was getting frustrated, Alabama’s own RB, Derrick Henry, tore up the field with 38 carries for 210 yards and three touchdowns. The Crimson Tide has spoken loud and clear. They want to go to the playoffs, and they will turn Henry loose on anyone who steps in their way.
- Auburn’s team effort. It took the Tigers 10 weeks of football, but after their big win over Texas A&M, it looks like the program finally has things figured out – with Jeremy Johnson included in those plans, no less. While things weren’t perfect, every part of the team contributed to the win. The defense created three interceptions and consistently got off the field on third down. Offensively, RB Jovon Robinson had a big night and Johnson was efficient with quick throws to the perimeter. With this win, Auburn is back within reach of a bowl game.
- Both Chad Kelly and Brandon Allen. Even though Allen got the win and Kelly had to suffer through a heartbreaking loss, both quarterbacks deserve a huge round of applause for the show they put on in the wild 53-52 win by Arkansas over Ole Miss. Kelly used his arms and his legs, throwing for 369 yards and rushing for 110 yards, accounting for three touchdowns each way. Allen used just his arm, but scored six touchdowns as well. He went 33 of 45 for 442 yards. Neither quarterback threw an interception in the defense-optional game.
WHO’S NOT
- Florida’s offense. During Jim McElwain’s postgame news conference, he spoke about how every team on a championship run faces games like the one Florida had against Vanderbilt. That may be true, but it doesn’t make the offense of the SEC East champion look any better. Treon Harris completed 50 percent of his passes, and threw for 158 yards and one interception. Kelvin Taylor rushed for only 47 yards. As a team, Florida only had 258 total yards against Vanderbilt. If the offense stays this way, Florida will be in for a steamrolling once they reach Atlanta.
- Kentucky’s offense. The slide continues. Patrick Towles had his worst game of the season against Georgia, completing only 8 of 21 attempts for 96 yards. He also threw two interceptions. As a team, Kentucky missed Boom Williams sorely, rushing for only 79 yards in his absence. Georgia dominated time of possession, holding the ball for over 15 minutes more than Kentucky. Time is running out for the Wildcats to turn their season around.
- LSU’s rush defense. Remember when LSU ran right over Auburn earlier this season, and how ineffective Auburn’s defenders looked? Well, LSU experienced that themselves Saturday, when Alabama backs ran up and down the field against them all night. Henry bowled over the Tigers, and now LSU knows what its own medicine tastes like.
Christine Wang is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. She covers Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
