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Here is a look at some of the SEC’s top performing position units in Week 11:
QUARTERBACKS — Missouri: It was a weak week for quarterback play in the SEC. Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott threw for a league-high 300 yards but was sacked nine times, intercepted and lost 31-6 to Alabama. So instead we’ll focus on a true freshman that turned in the most promising performance of his career to bring an end to a four-game losing streak for Missouri. Drew Lock completed 19 of 28 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown during the win over BYU in Kansas City. Runner-up award goes to Texas A&M QBs Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen for their combined four touchdowns against Western Carolina.
RUNNING BACKS — Arkansas: We give a lot of credit to the Razorbacks offensive line around these parts, but this week we’re tipping our caps to the work of the men running behind the big uglies. Alex Collins had a huge game during the 31-14 win at LSU, rushing for 141 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, which included an 80-yard breakaway score. Kody Walker, who has spent most of the season nursing an injury, added 88 yards on 17 attempts. In total, the Razorbacks rushed for 299 yards in the win.
WIDE RECEIVERS — Texas A&M: No Josh Reynolds or Speedy Noil due to disciplinary reasons? No problem for the Aggies during a blowout win against Western Carolina. Freshman sensation Christian Kirk had the league’s best performance of the week at WR, hauling in nine passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremy Tabuyo caught five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, Ricky Seals-Jones had three catches for 34 yards and Damion Ratley had four catches for 33 yards and a touchdown.
OFFENSIVE LINE — Alabama: RB Derrick Henry went for 204 yards on 22 attempts in the rushing game and QB Jake Coker was not sacked during a 31-6 road win at Mississippi State. For a unit that has struggled with tackles for loss this season, that’s a pretty productive day.
DEFENSIVE LINE — Alabama: This one is not even close this week. The Crimson Tide defensive line turned in one of the most dominant performances of the season. Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott was sacked nine times during the Alabama 31-6 win, including three sacks from Jonathan Allen and 2.5 sacks from A’Shawn Robinson. The Bulldogs were also held to just 89 yards rushing on 42 attempts.
LINEBACKERS — Missouri: Surprise, surprise. Tigers linebackers Kentrell Brothers and Michael Scherer were on the prowl once again, this time in an emotional 20-16 win against BYU in Kansas City. Brothers led the Tigers with 11 tackles, include one for a loss, and also recovered a fumble. Scherer was second on the team with eight tackles, and the Tigers defense allowed just two touchdowns from a BYU team that has scored as many as 70 points this season.
DEFENSIVE BACKS — Georgia: The Bulldogs’ secondary rendered both Auburn QBs Jeremy Johnson and Sean White largely ineffective during a 20-13 road win in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry on Saturday. The Tigers garnered only 62 yards passing on 27 attempts, which works out a putrid 2.3 yards per pass attempt. Malkom Parrish secured an interception for the Bulldogs.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
