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Week 6 was a two-day affair for the SEC East as Georgia and South Carolina concluded the weekend’s action Sunday afternoon due to Hurricane Matthew.
For the second week in a row, Tennessee was involved in what might have been the most exciting game in the country. The Vols couldn’t deliver yet another epic comeback, however, and the SEC East fell to 0-6 against the West this season.
Here’s what we learned this weekend.
Florida Gators (4-1, 2-1)
Week 6 result: DNP
What we learned: The Gators’ game against LSU has been the topic of much debate after the two teams could not play this weekend in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. The SEC has insisted that “it’s important to play that game,” but the logistics have yet to be worked out. If the game cannot be rescheduled, it could have implications in the division race. Florida would avoid one of the tougher teams on its schedule and could win the SEC East if it runs the table and Tennessee drops another game.
Georgia Bulldogs (4-2, 2-2)
Week 6 result: Defeated South Carolina 28-14
What we learned: There’s nothing wrong with Georgia’s run game. Jacob Eason had the worst outing of his young career, but the Bulldogs more than made up for it on the ground. Nick Chubb and Sony Michel each topped 100 yards, gaining 121 and 133 yards, respectively. Brian Herrien chipped in with 82 yards as Georgia rushed for a season-high 326 yards.
Eason did not have nearly as enjoyable an afternoon. The true freshman quarterback was 5-of-17 for just 29 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Kirby Smart’s team is still a work in progress, but as long as they keep winning, life in Athens will be a little easier.
Kentucky Wildcats (3-3, 2-2)
Week 6 result: Defeated Vanderbilt 20-13
What we learned: Kentucky stuck to its running game against Vanderbilt, and it proved to be a good decision. Four players gained 50 yards or more, led by Benjamin Snell, who gained 94 yards on 20 carries. Jojo Kemp and quarterback Stephen Johnson had identical statistical outings on the ground, earning 55 yards and a touchdown, apiece.
Johnson wasn’t great throwing the football, something that limits Kentucky’s offensive capacity, and completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes for only 49 yards with an interception. The Wildcats’ defense did a good job containing Ralph Webb, limiting him to 100 yards. Webb entered the day as the SEC’s leading rusher but slipped to second after Texas A&M freshman Trayveon Williams ran for 217 yards against the Volunteers.
Missouri Tigers (2-3, 0-2)
Week 6 result: Bye week
What we learned: After a disappointing 42-7 loss at LSU in Week 5, Missouri got a week off to prepare for their upcoming division showdown at Florida. The Tigers had several things to address.
South Carolina Gamecocks (2-4, 1-4)
Week 6 result: Lost to Georgia 28-14
What we learned: Unlike Georgia, South Carolina was able to move the ball effectively through the air but couldn’t get anything going on the ground.
Perry Orth had his best outing of the season and clearly enjoyed having Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards back in the fold. Orth was 26-of-36 for 288 yards with an interception. Samuel hauled in 4 passes for 90 yards, while Edwards snagged 3 for 35 yards.
Orth isn’t the runner that Brandon McIlwain is, however, and without a run game, those yards never really amounted to much. The Gamecocks gained only 31 yards on the ground and lost two fumbles. The defense allowed a season-worst 326 rushing yards, too. It was a step forward for Orth and South Carolina’s aerial attack, but the team has now lost three in a row. Afterward, coach Will Muschamp told reporters that every job was open.
Tennessee Volunteers (5-1, 2-1)
Week 6 result: Lost to Texas A&M 45-38 in double overtime
What we learned: For a minute, it appeared that Tennessee’s magical run was going to continue and it was going to earn its fifth comeback victory in six games. Unfortunately for the Vols, they fell just short in the double overtime loss.
Seven turnovers hampered the team’s ability to build momentum, and overshadowed some truly impressive performances. Jalen Hurd was injured and didn’t play, but Alvin Kamara looked brilliant as Tennessee’s starting running back, gaining 288 total yards and scoring three times.
Joshua Dobbs threw for nearly 400 yards and had both a passing and receiving touchdown, but he also tossed two interceptions, including the game-ending one in overtime.
Moving forward, the turnovers must be fixed, but injuries are easily the biggest concern. There are as many as nine starters who are injured and in jeopardy of missing time. With No. 1 Alabama coming to Knoxville this weekend, Tennessee’s toughness and resolve might not be enough.
Vanderbilt Commodores (2-4, 0-3)
Week 6 result: Lost to Kentucky 20-13
What we learned: Another week, another low-scoring outing for Vanderbilt, which has failed to score more than 13 points in four of its six games.
Derek Mason’s defense has become a capable unit, but the Commodores can’t score enough to win the close games. Quarterback Kyle Shurmur was again ineffective moving the ball as he went 17-of-29 for 141 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
The team’s lone offensive bright spot, Ralph Webb, gained 100 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry, but he was only given the ball 18 times. It was the defense that actually scored Vanderbilt’s lone touchdown, which came on a fumble recovery by cornerback Taurean Ferguson.
