A Moral Victory??
Most coaches will never admit there is no such thing as a moral victory, it is all in the wins and losses. However the Kentucky Wildcats performance against the top ranked Alabama Crimson Tide would rank as just that.
Mark Stoops‘ club got out to an early 3-0 lead and the game was tied 3-3 at the end of the first quarter. However a rash of fumbles by quarterback Stephen Johnson and Alabama’s depth finally took over leading to a 34-6 win for Nick Saban’s club.
The Wildcats defense, which has been a sore spot all season, held the Crimson Tide to their lowest rushing yards of the season (173), as well as their lowest point total (34). Stoops saw improvements in his squad for a third straight game.
Kentucky, Coach Mark Stoops find plenty of things they can build on from the loss at Alabama. https://t.co/QNThEDQwUq
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) October 3, 2016
Vanderbilt at Kentucky Preview and SEC Predicitions
Two Similar Teams
Vanderbilt at Kentucky- (4:00 SEC Network)
Before each season the Wildcats and Commodores look at their schedule and count this game as a win. Both teams come into this game with 2-3 records and the all-time series between the two schools is tied at 42 wins with four ties. Vandy has won four of the last five including a 21-17 win last season that may go down at Stoops’ worst loss.
Mark Stoops on 2015 loss to Vanderbilt: ‘It’ll probably bother me for the rest of… https://t.co/2jcK4Ri7rc #BBN pic.twitter.com/UrWTytjkyy
— SEC Country Kentucky (@SECCountryUK) October 3, 2016
The Commodores nearly beat Florida last week and went up I-65 two weeks ago and beat a good Western Kentucky team. Quarterback Kyle Shurmur suffered an eye injury against the Gators and will wear a protective shield on Saturday. Shurmur threw for two touchdowns last season against the Cats in his third career start.
Controlling the Ball
In order to win Kentucky must control the ball with Boom Williams and Benny Snell. Johnson also has to cut down on his turnovers. On the flip side the Kentucky defense must find a way to stop Ralph Snell. The SEC’s leader in both rushes (118) and yards (582) will present a tall challenge to a defense that has had trouble stopping the run.
If the Wildcats want to make their first bowl game since 2010 this is a game they have to win. A loss here and fans will start dreaming of basketball season and a chance to win the school’s ninth national championship. Playing at home Stoops will get the big win he needs as they head into their bye week.
Kentucky 23-17
Time to take a look at the rest of the games in the SEC. Last week the Old Krystal Ball went 6-1 making the season record 44-8. The only miss was the predicted Missouri upset of LSU and the less said about that the better.
LSU at Florida- (NOON- ESPN)
The Ed Orgeron era in Baton Rouge couldn’t have gotten off to a better start with a 42-7 throttling of Missouri. The Tigers torched the heralded Missouri defense for a school record 642 yards. Leonard Fournette will be back for LSU after missing last week.
The Gators have struggled without quarterback Luke Del Rio and they hope to have him back on Saturday. This should go down to the wire and LSU will go to 2-0 with Orgeron as head coach.
LSU 27-24
Auburn at Mississippi State (NOON- SEC Network–
For the first time all season the Tigers will be playing a game away from the plains. Coach Guz Malzahn’s team followed up their big win over LSU with a 58-7 dismantling of Louisiana-Monroe.
After a week off the Bulldogs have to win this game to have any chance of getting to six wins and a bowl game. This should be another close game and again the road team will win.
Auburn 28-23
Tennessee at Texas A&M- (3:30 CBS)
The Vols have had to come from behind in four of their five wins this season. They beat Georgia in one of the most exciting games in recent memory. If you haven’t seen the Hail Mary or just want to relive it again here you go.
Josh Dobbs. Jauan Jennings. Hail Mary.
VOLS WIN THE FOOTBALL GAME!!!
VOLS WIN THE FOOTBALL GAME!!!Rocky Top Can't Be Stopped. #TENNvsUGA pic.twitter.com/2ax4JrhDPd
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 1, 2016
The Aggies were without four starters including defensive standout Myles Garrett but were still able to beat South Carolina. Kevin Sumlin‘s team will need all of these players healthy to knock off the Vols.
This will be the first time these two schools have ever played in College Station. Playing in front of the 12th Man, the Aggies will get to 6-0 for the first time since 1994.
Texas A&M 31-21
Alabama at Arkansas- (7:00 ESPN)
If the Crimson Tide have any hopes of defending their NCAA Championship they will have to survive a brutal stretch of games that begins in Fayetteville. Following this game the Crimson Tide has to go to Tennessee, hosts Texas A&M and then goes to LSU after a bye week.
The Razorbacks are coming off a blowout over Alcorn State. The feel they can match up against the massive Alabama offensive line. As the Wildcats found out last week, that is easier said than done. The Razorbacks are 0-9 against Saban in his time in Tuscaloosa and after Saturday it will be 0-10.
Alabama 35-20
Georgia at South Carolina- (7:30 SEC Network)
There is a chance Hurricane Matthew could affect when this game will be played. The game will be a battle of two teams in desperate need of a win. The Bulldogs have lost two straight after last week’s heartbreaker to Tennessee while the Gamecocks played Texas A&M tough before losing 24-13.
Kirby Smart‘s club will get back on track pulling out a hard fought win.
Georgia 24-17
Missouri and Ole Miss have the week off. Thanks for reading see you next time.it
