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With 10 matchups involving Southeastern Conference teams on the docket for this Saturday, here’s a list of the players to watch in each of those games for Week 12 (all kickoff times are for Eastern Standard Time):
NOON ET, FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT NO. 8 FLORIDA, SEC NETWORK
Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
Vernon Hargreaves III gets most of the attention in the Gators secondary, but Tabor is putting together an impressive sophomore season in his own right. The former five-star recruit has 3 interceptions already this season, including one last week against South Carolina. He has also taken 2 of those interceptions to the house for touchdowns — vs. East Carolina and at Missouri.
NOON ET, THE CITADEL AT SOUTH CAROLINA, SEC NETWORK
Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina
Cooper’s 51 catches this season account for more than one-third of the Gamecocks’ total production through the air. He has 696 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns this season and is a threat to take any reception to the house with his ability to pick up yards after the catch. He also serves as a kick returner for South Carolina and can cause plenty of damage that way as well.
3:30 P.M. ET, NO. 17 LSU AT NO. 25 OLE MISS, CBS
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
Nkemdiche will be playing this game with a lot on his mind because his older brother and Rebels inside linebacker, Denzel Nkemdiche, remains hospitalized with what is being called a non-life-threatening condition. But the younger Nkemdiche will be integral in stopping LSU’s rushing attack that features Heisman candidate Leonard Fournette.
4 P.M. ET, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT NO. 2 ALABAMA, SEC NETWORK
Damien Harris, RB, Alabama
Against an FCS school this week, Nick Saban could opt to give Alabama’s starting running back Derrick Henry, who is a Heisman candidate that has averaged 29 carries over his last six games, a little bit of rest. And with backup running back Kenyan Drake now out for the season with a broken arm, it could be Harris’ time to shine. Harris is a freshman that was highly recruited out of Kentucky and is expected to be a big part of the Crimson Tide backfield in the next several years.
4 P.M. ET, IDAHO AT AUBURN, SEC NETWORK
Jonathan Ford, DB, Auburn
The junior defensive back can do it all for the Tigers. Ford not only makes plays in the secondary for Auburn, but he also returns kicks and averages 28 yards per return. Ford has recorded 14 tackles in three different games this season but only has 1 interception. However, he will have plenty of chances to make plays against Idaho, which likes to air it out.
7 P.M. ET, MISSISSIPPI STATE AT ARKANSAS, ESPN
Fred Ross, WR, Mississippi State
Ross’ teammate and fellow receiver De’Runnya Wilson should be good to go against Arkansas but is coming off an injury scare from last week, which could hamper his production and open up more opportunities for Ross. Although Wilson is physically imposing and someone defenses have to prepare for, Ross has actually been the Bulldogs’ most consistent receiver this season, leading the team with 59 receptions. He’ll have a good chance to have a big game against a Razorbacks defense that allows an SEC-worst 282.3 passing yards per game.
7 P.M. ET, GEORGIA SOUTHERN AT GEORGIA, ESPNU
Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
Michel is the Bulldogs’ leading rusher with 795 yards and 5 touchdowns this season. His breakaway speed makes him a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball and should find plenty of room to run against Georgia Southern. Michel is also a serious receiving threat out of the backfield, accounting for 20 receptions, 219 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns so far this year.
7:15 P.M. ET, TENNESSEE AT MISSOURI, ESPN2
Cameron Sutton, DB, Tennessee
Tennessee’s passing defense isn’t great, but Sutton is the best playmaker the Volunteers have in the secondary. For that reason, opposing offenses don’t usually throw his way, and he has yet to record an interception this season. But the decision-making of Missouri’s quarterback Drew Lock has been questionable, so Sutton will look to capitalize on any mistakes he makes.
7:30 P.M. ET, TEXAS A&M AT VANDERBILT, SEC NETWORK
Kyle Shurmur, QB, Vanderbilt
This will only be Shurmur’s third career start, but he was able to help lead the Commodores to a victory last week against Kentucky. He’ll have an even bigger challenge this week against an Aggies defense that has one of the best pass-rushes in college football. How he performs against Texas A&M could go a long way in determining whether or not Shurmur keeps the starting job.
7:30 P.M. ET, CHARLOTTE AT KENTUCKY, SEC NETWORK
Drew Barker, QB, Kentucky
After losing to Vanderbilt last week, Wildcats coach Mark Stoops has opted to bench Patrick Towles and give Barker a chance to start. This will be Barker’s first chance to show what he’s got, and it will be against an inferior non-conference opponent. Barker is a redshirt freshman and a former four-star recruit that is expected to be the signal-caller for years to come in Lexington.
Pat Donohue is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @SportsDownPat.
