Mark Stoops’ Selective Memory: Week Seven SEC Preview

Welcome to the Week Seven SEC Preview, where you won’t find excuses for poor picks or predictions. Coaches sometimes like to find “easy targets” (excuses) to blame when things aren’t going well. This week, Kentucky’s Mark Stoops tried to blame NIL for its week six woes. Stoops tried to point to Georgia’s talent to explain his team’s 38-point loss Saturday night to the Dawgs. “Fans have that right (to complain)… I just encourage them to donate more, because that’s what those dudes are doing. I can promise you, Georgia, they bought some pretty good players. You’re allowed to these days. We could use some help.”

Stoops must have forgotten about the help he and the Wildcats got in transfers Devin Leary or Ray Davis in the off-season. Stoops is a good coach and has made Kentucky respectable. But the comment falls flat, especially when Davis used to play in the SEC East for Vanderbilt. NIL and the Transfer Portal have brought greater equity to college football in 2023. Look at the quarterbacks leading the Pac-12 or our Heisman rankings. The excuse or argument was convenient for Stoops to explain the loss. But it doesn’t help explain why he has yet to beat Georgia in his ten years as head coach at Kentucky or why he has just two wins over SEC opponents with winning records during that time.

Week Seven SEC Preview

Week Seven SEC Slate

SEC Preview #1: No 1. Georgia vs. Vanderbilt

Georgia still sits atop the AP Poll. With its #1 ranking this week, Georgia broke Alabama’s record for the longest streak in SEC history and is tied for the fourth-longest streak ever. Kirby Smart and Georgia made a statement last Saturday night in Athens, racing to an early 21-0 lead. While at one time they were RBU, Georgia might now be TEU behind the video game moves and numbers of Brock Bowers. Complacency will again be Georgia’s biggest competition when they travel to Nashville to play Vanderbilt. This has become a pseudo-home game in many years, with many Dawgs fans taking over FirstBank Stadium. Look for Georgia’s streak at #1 to continue for another week.

Prediction: Georgia 52, Vanderbilt 3

SEC Preview #2:  Arkansas vs. No. 11 Alabama

It’s no longer 2021. Sam Pittman deleted his social media last week. Arkansas’ offensive coordinator responded to negative fan mail last week. Things are going from bad to worse in Fayetteville. The Hogs seemed like a program on the rise after the 2021 season, but it is now spinning its wheels and in danger of losing control. Alabama is not the opponent to help Pittman and company right the ship. Jalen Milroe continues to do what is needed to help lead the Tide to victory. It’s not been pretty, but it seems the Tide are destined to meet Georgia in Atlanta again the first weekend in December.

Prediction: Alabama 31, Arkansas 17

SEC Preview #3: Texas A&M vs. No. 18 Tennessee

Gamblers are always looking beyond the numbers. This game has it. Texas A&M has lost its last seven true road games, and Tennessee hasn’t lost at home since 2021. Both of these teams had high hopes for 2023. Tennessee looking to capitalize on a strong 2022. Bobby Petrino coming in to revitalize the Aggie offense. The Vols are 4-1, but its offense has lacked the explosive element that put so much fear into opposing defenses last season. The Aggies are just 3-2 and have dropped both benchmark games this season. This is perfect for the CBS game of the week, because the outcome is wide open for both fan bases, and heartbreak (and outrage) will ensue when the game ends.

Prediction: Tennessee 38, Texas A&M 35

SEC Preview #4:  Florida vs. South Carolina

Billy Napier’s struggles away from The Swamp are nothing short of remarkable. He has a 1-7 record in games played outside of The Swamp, including a 1-5 performance in true road games. The numbers have worsened in 2023, with a dismal 0-2 record and a staggering -32 point differential. Many Florida fans question the connection between buyout money and scared money. In contrast, South Carolina has a disappointing 2-3 record in 2023, but Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks are accustomed to being counted out. Expect Beamer to conjure some magic and turn up the heat on Napier’s coaching seat in 2023.

Prediction: South Carolina 24, Florida 16

SEC Preview #5:  Auburn vs. No. 22 LSU

“Unstoppable object vs immovable force.” Peter Burns of the SEC Network nailed it with his analysis this week. LSU’s Pass defense ranks 121st in the nation. Auburn’s pass offense also ranks 121st. The LSU defense may be just the thing to jump-start Hugh Freeze’s anemic offense. After the bye week, look for Hugh Freeze to present some new wrinkles for LSU. It should start with giving Robby Ashford more time at quarterback. The stats and play on the field show that Payton Thorne isn’t the answer through the air. Ashford is a dynamic runner that Freeze and offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery can scheme to make more dynamic plays. Jaylen Daniels continues to carry the LSU offense on his back; he should get invited to New York in December. Look for lots of points and minimal defense. A perfect SEC Saturday night.

Prediction: LSU 45, Auburn 42

SEC Preview #6: Missouri vs. Kentucky

Maybe next year. Kentucky and Missouri experienced setbacks in Week Six. Missouri capitalized on a vulnerable LSU defense, taking an early lead, but eventually lost ground due to the efforts of Daniels and Malik Nabers. Meanwhile, Kentucky struggled from the beginning against Georgia’s potent offense, hindered by self-inflicted wounds in the form of penalties. While Kroger Field at night has historically favored Kentucky, the crucial factor in this matchup lies in which teams can bounce back from their setbacks last week.

Prediction: Kentucky 24, Missouri 21