Hello everyone and welcome to the Kentucky at Louisville Preview and SEC Predictions here at Last Word On College Football. Mark Stoops‘ club is bowl eligible for the first time since 2010 after beating Austin Peay last Saturday. However, in true Kentucky fashion, it wasn’t the easy rout most thought it would be.
Johnson to the Rescue
Going into the game it was a given Luke Wright would get some playing time at quarterback. But as it turned out, he actually got the start. Stephen Johnson was suffering from an injured knee and the plan was to hold him out of the game totally.
However Wright struggled under center and the Governors jumped out to a 13-0 lead. This was an Austin Peay team that was 0-10 in FCS play. Needless to say, fans were anxious with the slow start. However, Johnson came off the bench and quickly led the Cats to 49 unanswered points.
The 49-13 win gave Kentucky six wins for the first time since 2010. Benny Snell led the way, along with Johnson, with 152 yards and two touchdowns.
Snell became the first freshman in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards. With one game remaining Snell and Boom Williams have combined for 2,078 yards, also a school record. That puts the duo in some exclusive company in SEC History.
https://twitter.com/SDS/status/801492652566970368
Battle of the Bluegrass
Kentucky at Louisville- (NOON ESPN)- A number of story lines heading into the “Battle for the Governors Cup.” The Cardinals are coming off a 36- 10 loss to Houston that squashed their chances of a playoff spot.
It will be interesting to see how Bobby Petrino’s club comes out on Saturday. Will they be totally deflated or come out angry to face their in-state rival?
Kentucky receivers coach Lamar Thomas will now have experienced the rivalry from both sides. Jackson held the same title for Petrino’s staff for three years before moving up I-64 to join Stoops.
Lots of fun, interesting stuff from Kentucky wide receivers coach Lamar Thomas on his return to Louisville. https://t.co/0se87pcp9X pic.twitter.com/oZHtHvDjbT
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) November 23, 2016
Thomas is the one who recruited Cardinal quarterback Lamar Jackson to Louisville. The Heisman Trophy favorite’s coming out party was last year against the Wildcats. Down 24-7 at the half Jackson accounted for 316 yards and three touchdowns to lead Louisville to a 38-24 win.
Houston was able to throw Louisville off its game with a myriad of blitzes and gadget defenses. With a bowl bid already secured there’s no reason why Kentucky can’t do much the same. Whatever gimmick defenses Stoops and defensive coordinator DJ Eliot have stowed away now would be the time to use them.
Ultimately for the Cats to have any chance to pull the upset they will have to keep Jackson off the field. A steady diet of the “Benny and Boom Show” is the Cats best shot. As we have seen time and time again this year you can only contain Jackson for so long.
Two weeks ago Joshua Dobbs of Tennessee ran over the Kentucky defense and it will be more of the same on Saturday.
Petrino’s club will make it six in a row in the series with an easy win.
Louisville 49-21
Rivalry Weekend in the SEC
It was a nice bounce back weekend for the Ol’ Krystal Ball going 9-3. That brings the record on the season to 72-18. As the title suggests there are a ton of rivalry games this weekend. We will begin in College Station.
LSU at Texas A&M- (Thursday 7:30 ESPN)
The Aggies haven’t been the same team since losing Trevor Knight. The Tigers blew an opportunity for a Sugar Bowl bid in losing 16-10 to Florida.
Late breaking reports out of College Station say Knight has been cleared to play and will start for Kevin Sumlin‘s club.
SOURCES: Trevor Knight to start at QB for Texas A&M vs. LSU, Jake Hubenak out – https://t.co/0QT2lLjyAS pic.twitter.com/OOgWHJVyuz
— GigEm247 (@GigEm247) November 24, 2016
LSU has won four in a row in this series and a win here would help Ed Orgeron in his quest to remove the “interim” from his name. However the Aggies could be playing for Sumlin’s job and with Knight returning under center will win.
Texas A&M 27-20
Arkansas at Missouri – (Friday 2:30 CBS)
Bret Bielema’s club ran up a school record 661 yards in beating Mississippi State last week.
The Tigers played Tennessee tough for three quarters before eventually falling 63-37 despite gaining over 700 yards
A similar scenario will play out as it will be close for a while before the Razorbacks pull away.
Arkansas 48-37
Georgia Tech at Georgia- (NOON SEC Network)
Kirby Smart‘s squad beat Louisiana–Lafayette to pick up their third straight win. The Bulldogs have won 13 of the last 15 in this series and will have to stop the high powered triple option of the Yellow Jackets. Tech’s running game will challenge Georgia’s defense, but the Bulldogs pull this one out.
Georgia 31-18
Mississippi State at Ole Miss- (3:30 SEC Network)
The “Egg Bowl” has even more at stake than just in-state bragging rights. The Rebels must beat the Bulldogs to make a bowl game for the fifth straight year. Dan Mullen‘s squad will miss a bowl for the first time in seven years and would love to play spoiler against their bitter rivals.
The Rebels will pick up a hard fought win and will get to that six win plateau.
Ole Miss 24-20
Auburn at Alabama- (3:30 CBS)
This year’s “Iron Bowl” doesn’t have the the excitement of previous years as many see it as just another step in the Crimson Tide’s march to another title.
Nick Saban’s club looked sluggish in beating Chattanooga while the Tigers, as expected, destroyed Alabama A&M. Kamryn Pettway returns for the Tigers but even he won’t be enough to help beat Alabama.
Alabama 38-17
Tennessee at Vanderbilt- (7:30 SEC Network)
Florida’s win at LSU knocked the Vols out of contention for the SEC Title game. However according to Coach Butch Jones the team is “Champions of Life.”
Jones’ comment was widely ridiculed but his quarterback quickly came to his defense.
I suspect the reaction will be different but anyway here's the full answer from Josh Dobbs on Butch Jones's "champions of life" comment. pic.twitter.com/KcxU9HDCMy
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) November 22, 2016
Vandy surprisingly routed Ole Miss 38-17 behind Ralph Webb‘s three touchdowns. Derek Mason’s club can make a bowl game with five wins because of their strong APR ranking.
Tennessee’s horrible defense will keep this one close before Joshua Dobbs and crew pull away in the second half.
Tennessee 34-17
South Carolina at Clemson- (7:30 ESPN)
Will Muschamp‘s club picked up its sixth win beating Western Carolina last Saturday but faces a big test this week.
Deshaun Watson leads a high-powered Tiger attack and as long as they aren’t looking ahead to the ACC Title game they should win easily.
Clemson 35-14
Florida at Florida State- (8:00 ABC)
A goal line stand sent the Gators to a victory over LSU and a berth in the SEC title game. They face a Seminoles club whose seniors are trying to be the first to sweep Florida and Miami for their careers.
Jim McElwain’s club is fifth in the country in defense but will face quite a 1-2 punch in Dalvin Cook and Deondre Francois. Playing in Tallahassee, Jimbo Fisher will go to 13-1 all-time against their in-state rivals.
Florida State 27-17
Happy Thanksgiving to all the readers out there and see you next week.
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