Week 6 SEC Preview: LSU’s Nightmare Defense

Before the Week 6 SEC preview, let’s return to Saturday night in Oxford. It was SEC football at its finest. This game had it all. Ole Miss outlasted LSU in a 55-49 shootout. For Ole Miss, it gave Lane Kiffin his first signature win as head coach of the Rebels and kept them alive for the SEC West. For LSU, it highlighted the nightmare its defense has been all year. A quick look at the numbers beyond the 55 points tells the tale. Giving up a 49-40 fourth-quarter lead, 34 missed tackles, 0 sacks, and turnovers, and allowing a staggering 706 total yards. Brian Kelly is finding out the hard way about expectations in the SEC. Kelly claimed inexperience is the root cause of LSU’s defensive woes in 2023. While he reiterated his support for defensive coordinator Matt House, it didn’t stop Kelly from making one change.

Kelly brought in Peter Jenkin as a defensive analyst and talked about his role with the Tigers. The 82-year-old Jenkin has a long history with LSU, coaching the team’s defensive line in three different stints 1980-90, 2000-01, and 2016-17.”Pete’s role has not been defined yet other than he will be consulting and assisting our defensive line room,” Kelly said. “He’s a good football coach, but we want to provide our student-athletes with the most resources and Pete gives us the expertise and the ability to help us with technique.” This week adds another tough test for LSU. They travel to Columbia to face the red-hot Missouri Tigers and their star receiver Luther Burden. Another poor performance will give Kelly more nightmares.

Week 6 SEC Preview

Week 6 SEC Slate

All times are EST. The visiting team is listed first. Lines are current as of the time of publishing. Week six picks against the spread are in bold.

SEC Preview #1: No. 23 LSU vs. No. 21 Missouri

LSU’s at times can look like the 2019 Joe Burrow-led Tigers. An average defense would more than likely have the Tigers undefeated and primed to compete for an SEC title and College Football Playoff birth. Instead, the Tiger defense is ranked #125 in stop rate. They are allowing opponents to score on 42.9% of their possessions. This week they travel to Missouri for another early test on the road. They passed their first one two weeks ago against Mississippi State, but this one will be much more difficult. Missouri has one of the most efficient offenses in college football led by Burden and quarterback Brady Cook. Cook doesn’t turn the ball over and has found Burden early and often this season.

Prediction: Missouri 45, LSU 42

SEC Preview #2: Western Michigan vs. Mississippi State

SEC play has not been pretty in Stark Vegas. Mississippi State has struggled mightily in their two games against Alabama and LSU. Last week against Alabama, Mississippi failed to get their running or passing game going. One bright spot was their game two weeks ago against South Carolina. Although that ended in a loss, the game looked familiar to many Hail State fans. Will Rogers threw 48 times for almost 500 yards. This should be the path Zack Arnett and company pursue Saturday when they welcome the rebuilding Broncos.

Prediction: Mississippi State 41, Western Michigan 10

SEC Preview #3: No. 11 Alabama vs. Texas A&M

Rumors of Alabama’s demise appear to be greatly exaggerated. Alabama has shaken off its loss to Texas and whatever you want to call that game against USF to take care of business against the Mississippi schools in back-to-back weeks. They’ve found their identity with a run-first offense and strong defense. If Jimbo Fisher is to silence the doubters this may be his best chance. The Aggies have bounced back after their Week 2 defeat in Coral Gables. Texas A&M is tired of being close and needs more from Fisher. He’s getting paid too much to continually underachieve. If not in 2023, when?

Prediction: Alabama 27, Texas A&M 24

SEC Preview #4: Vanderbilt vs. Florida

Speaking of nightmares, nobody is happier to return to the Swamp than Billy Napier and the Gators. Kentucky ran all over Florida last week in the 33-14 loss. Penalties, special teams mistakes, and a lack of tackling spelled doom for the Gators. Vanderbilt has long been the elixir to help ease any SEC woes. That wasn’t the case last year when Vanderbilt upset Florida in Nashville. Vanderbilt has failed to seize on their last season 2022 momentum and is off to a 2-4 start. Limiting turnovers will prove vital if they want to make it two straight against the Gators.

Prediction: Florida 27, Vanderbilt 21

SEC Preview #5: No. 20 Kentucky vs. No.1 Georgia

“All is well.” One can’t help to think of the classic Animal House GIF as Georgia fans reflect on the 2023 season. Georgia has trailed more than it has led in its first two SEC games this season. Brock Bowers broke the hearts of Auburn and the Jordan-Hare faithful with his heroic performance last week. Bowers had eight receptions for 157 yards, including the game-winning touchdown. The Auburn game also highlighted that the Georgia defensive wall may not be as strong as in years past. Payton Thorne’s 61-yard first-quarter scamper highlighted the issues. This week they will face a considerable challenge against Kentucky’s Ray Davis. Davis ran for 280 yards and four touchdowns in the win against Florida. Plenty of Georgia recruits will be on hand Saturday night, will Georgia’s defense too?

Prediction: Georgia 31, Kentucky 28

SEC Preview #6: Arkansas vs. No. 16 Ole Miss

How a team handles success is the true mark of a mature team. Ole Miss is flying high off its win last week against LSU. They are rewarded this week with another night game at the Vaught. The Arkansas-Ole Miss game has had plenty of head-scratching moments and last-second scores leaving opposing fans on both sides speechless. Arkansas is struggling to regain the confidence and swagger they found in 2021. This rivalry will bring plenty of eyeballs and spark. Get your popcorn ready.

Prediction: Ole Miss 49, Arkansas 43