Four conference games were on tap, including a Top 10 and a Top 25 match-up, and Mississippi State headed out west to face a stingy opponent. The result of the weekend came with one big surprise, a few disappointments and one great game. Here’s what we learned from week seven of the SEC season…..
Don’t fill out Derek Mason’s epitaph just yet
Vanderbilt should not have beaten Georgia. Vandy had just 9 first downs and just 171 yards of offense in the game. That is not a winning combination. Yet, because Vanderbilt played smart football, didn’t turn the ball over and thoroughly whipped Georgia on special teams they kept the game close and somehow inched out a victory at the end. This Vanderbilt team plays hard, is fundamentally sound, and the defense is very good. In the long run, if Mason wants to keep this job, they have to find someone to run this offense.
Georgia has the worst special teams in the land
Georgia finally found a field goal kicker as Rodrigo Blankenship stepped up and nailed three field goals. The problem? Georgia failed in every other aspect of special teams. They gave up a 95 yard kick-off return at the beginning of the game, which was basically the difference in the game. They couldn’t field a punt or kick-off to save their lives. When Georgia has to rely on special teams, the fanbase collectively holds their breath. Georgia fans have been crying for a special teams coach for as long as I can remember. Ever hear the phrase, be careful what you ask for?
Tennessee is the Jekyll and Hyde of college football
Depending on which half of football or which quarter is being played, we just don’t know what Tennessee team is going to hit the field. To be fair, the Vols were banged up heading into their game with Alabama. After showing flashes of being a brilliant football team over the last few weeks (they also showed flashes of being decidedly mediocre), the Vols were never in the game against Tennessee. They got beaten from bell to bell. The Vols are still in search of their identity. The good news for them? It’s all downhill from here. Just look at that schedule. It’s the weakest in all of college football on the remaining slate. Their remaining schedule is what we like to call a “reverse Baylor”.
Arkansas has built a sustainable model for success
Bret Bielema is the brunt of a lot of jokes but all kidding aside, he’s built something that will be successful for a long time at Arkansas. The main problem for Bielema and Arkansas is that they are in the same division as Nick Saban and Alabama. Because of that, every team in the division is constantly raising the bar. Despite the setback against A&M, and the loss to Alabama, this Arkansas team is one that will be in every game for the rest of the year and they aren’t going to go away after the season is over.
Alabama is a steamroller and your team is the pavement
The biggest problem with Alabama is that it can score from anywhere on the field at any time, even when they don’t have the football. And when I say it’s a “problem”, I mean it’s a problem for their opponent. Against Tennessee, Alabama had an interception return for TD and a punt return for TD. Its QB also had two runs for a TD and a pass for a TD. Their fourth leading rusher had an 85 yard TD run! Alabama is on fire. For their sake, hopefully they aren’t peaking too early. For your sake, hopefully you aren’t their next opponent.
