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ALABAMA: The Crimson Tide secondary taught us that not all defensive backs are back there because they cannot catch the ball.
Minkah Fitzpatrick returned two interceptions for touchdowns and Eddie Jackson ran another back 93 yards for a touchdown. The Alabama defense outscored the Texas A&M offense 18-16.
If Bama can use that kind of defense to help Jacob Coker manage the offense, the Crimson Tide might not be done yet this year.
ARKANSAS: The Razorbacks had the week off. This week, we will learn if Arkansas is going to have a repeat of last year when it ran off a string of victories.
The stretch run begins Saturday when Auburn comes to Fayetteville.
AUBURN: We learned there is still some heart in War Eagle country. The Tigers had been pretty much left for dead by the rest of the conference, but they proved they still have a heartbeat.
Auburn went to Kentucky on Thursday and dealt the Wildcats their second loss of the season.
The Tigers are becoming one of those teams that other teams want to avoid.
LSU: We learned, and look out college football world, LSU does have a passing attack. Brandon Harris completed 13-of-19 passes against Florida for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Couple this new revelation on offense with the potent Bayou Bengals rushing attack, and LSU is a team no one wants to see on its schedule.
After the win against the Gators, coupled with Texas A&M’s loss to Alabama, LSU is clearly in the driver’s seat in the SEC West.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: We learned the Bulldogs can take a punch in the mouth and not go down for the count. Louisiana Tech jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but Dak Prescott showed why he is the best quarterback in the SEC by throwing for 347 yards and three touchdowns to win going away.
Imagine if MSU could have countered the early punches it took from Texas A&M and LSU earlier this season.
OLE MISS: We learned the Rebels defense is called the Landsharks, but when it, as well as the offense, senses blood in the water, neither can pull off the coup de gras.
Saturday, Ole Miss put up 14 points in its first two drives and the defense stuffed Memphis. Instead of putting the Tigers away, the Rebs took their foot off the gas.
The offense went into hibernation and the defense allowed 24-unanswered points to close out the half. By the time they woke up, the Rebels were in too much of a hole and it cost them the game.
TEXAS A&M: We learned the Aggies’ front seven are great running sideline to sideline. But when a back like Derrick Henry runs straight at it, the defense’s speed is neutralized.
Henry ran for 236 yards on 32 carries to shred the A&M defense.
That does not bode well for the Aggies with LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Arkansas’ Alex Collins looming on the schedule ahead.
Steve Barnes is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football.
