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With six matchups involving Southeastern Conference teams on the docket for this Saturday, here’s a list of the players to watch in each SEC game for Week 8 (all kickoff times are for Eastern Standard Time):
NOON, AUBURN AT ARKANSAS, SEC NETWORK
Cassanova McKinzy, LB, Auburn
McKinzy accounts for half of Auburn’s sacks this season with 3 and will be going up against an Arkansas offensive line that has let up the least amount of sacks in the SEC (5). But against a running back like the Razorbacks’ Alex Collins, McKinzy’s focus in this game might be more on stopping the run than it is getting after the passer.
3:30 P.M. ET, TENNESSEE AT NO. 8 ALABAMA, CBS
Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee
Dobbs is having an excellent season under center for the Volunteers. As a dual-threat quarterback, Dobbs has accumulated 1,469 total yards and 13 touchdowns (8 passing, 5 rushing). Dobbs has also done a good job of taking care of the ball with only 2 interceptions this season. But Alabama is one of the best at picking off passes in the country and has 10 interceptions in its last four games, including 3 pick-sixes last week against Texas A&M.
4 P.M. ET, MISSOURI AT VANDERBILT, SEC NETWORK
Walter Brady, DE, Missouri
Brady is just a redshirt freshman but he has already mastered the art of getting after the quarterback. His 6 sacks leads the Tigers defense, and he also accounts for 1 of Missouri’s 8 interceptions this season. Brady causes havoc in the backfield and will have plenty of chances to do so against a Vanderbilt offense that leads the SEC in pass attempts.
7 P.M. ET, WESTERN KENTUCKY AT NO. 5 LSU, ESPNU
Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
Western Kentucky won’t be able to hang with the Tigers, but the Hilltoppers do sport an impressive passing attack that is effective against most other teams they play. White is LSU’s top cornerback but has yet to get his first interception this season. But with Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty letting the ball fly early and often, White should have plenty of opportunities to get his first pick in this game.
7 P.M. ET, NO. 15 TEXAS A&M AT NO. 22 OLE MISS, ESPN
Laremy Tunsil, LT, Ole Miss
This will be Tunsil’s first game of the season after serving a seven-game suspension as the NCAA conducted an investigation into whether or not he had contact with sports agents. Tunsil is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, left tackle in college football and is expected to be one of the top picks in the next NFL Draft despite missing half of his junior season. Getting Tunsil back should provide a huge boost for the Rebels offense as Ole Miss takes on an Aggies team that is also coming off a loss. But it will be interesting to see if Tunsil has any rust that needs to be shaken off.
7:30 P.M. ET, KENTUCKY AT MISSISSIPPI STATE, SEC NETWORK
Matt Elam, NT, Kentucky
With a season-ending injury to defensive tackle Melvin Lewis, Elam must step up and be the anchor of the Kentucky’s 3-4 defensive front. While filling in for Lewis last week, Elam recorded his career-high in tackles with 6. He’ll have a tall task this week against a talented Mississippi State offensive line and a mobile quarterback in Dak Prescott.
Pat Donohue is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @SportsDownPat.
