Welcome to your Week 9 SEC preview. The Third Saturday in October was a tale of two halves last weekend. Tennessee could do no wrong in the first half. The Vols raced out to a 20-7 lead and looked comfortable. Josh Heupel was 22-0 when Tennessee held a halftime lead. Fans in Oxford and Baton Rouge were checking flights and hotel rates in Atlanta in early December. Signs of Alabama’s demise were everywhere. Then the second half started…and it was like Alabama said to the Tennesse and the rest of the SEC, “Call an ambulance! But not for me!”
The Tide opened the second half and marched 75 yards down the field in two plays to start the comeback. They would go to score on their next three drives and ice the game on a strip sack scoop and score of Joe Milton. Heupel was unhappy with the officiating after the game, choosing silence rather than responding to a question about the officiating. This game though wasn’t about the officials or the Vols forgetting to play both halves. It was about this year’s Alabama team.
They are flawed and far from perfect. Nick Saban admitted as much after the game when asked about the season. “I love it. It’s been great,” Saban said. “The challenges are great. I enjoy coaching this team. That’s not to say they’re not taking years off my life, but I’m OK with that.” Saban loves a challenge, and 2023 has given him one. He’s embraced it. Sorry, Ole Miss and LSU, Alabama isn’t dead yet. It seems like they just might be getting started.
A post-game to remember!
Cigar smiles, giggles & a great win by @alabamafbl ♥️ #ChewOnIt pic.twitter.com/oxFEoQ3Bel— Jenny Dell (@JennyDell_) October 22, 2023
Week 9 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.
| 🗓️ Date | ⏰ Time | 📺 Television | Matchup | 💰 Line | 💵 O/U |
| 10/28 | Noon | ESPN | South Carolina vs. Texas A&M | TA&M -14 | 54 |
| 10/28 | 3:30 p.m. | CBS | No. 1 Georgia vs. Flordia | UGA -14.5 | 47 |
| 10/28 | 3:30 p.m. | SECN | Mississippi State vs. Auburn | AUB -6.5 | 41.5 |
| 10/28 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN | No. 21 Tennessee vs. Kentucky | TENN -4 | 51.5 |
| 10/28 | 7:30 p.m. | SECN | No. 12 Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt | Miss -24.5 | 63.5 |
Week 9 SEC Preview
Let’s get to the SEC preview and predictions for Week 9. Check out the latest stories linked to your favorite SEC team from your favorite Last Word on College Football staff writers.
SEC Preview #1: South Carolina vs. Texas A&M
Nothing says like SEC rivalry, like when the Gamecocks and Aggies get together… The faux rivalry is a byproduct of Texas A&M’s entrance into the league in 2014. The Aggies have dominated the series, winning eight of the nine matchups. Both teams are off to disappointing years. Texas A&M is 4-3 on the season, with many in the 12th Man trying to figure out how to raise $76 million to remove Jimbo Fisher. Texas A&M is backsliding in year six under Fisher, and with Texas and Oklahomas’s entrance into the league next season, the Aggies are in danger of further irrelevance. South Carolina is 2-5 and has seen its offensive line and defense let the team down too often in year three under Shane Beamer. Both teams are coming off a bye week with the hopes of trying to salvage the 2023 season.
Prediction: Texas A&M 31 South Carolina 14
SEC Preview #2: No. 1 Georgia vs. Florida
Get your Cocktails ready. Check back later this week for Georiga-inspired cocktails in a full game preview. What Georgia team will we see in Jacksonville? The one that smashed Kentucky or the one that played with their food against Vanderbilt? This will be the first game without Brock Bowers for Carson Beck and Bulldogs. The all-world tight end is out until at least early December after having tightrope surgery on an injured ankle. While its running game isn’t as strong as years past, Georgia has plenty of options at receiver to give Beck the security to pick apart a vulnerable Gator defense. Look for Georgia to try to take away Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall is the Gator’s big play threat at receiver, and if he is neutralized, Billy Napier and the Gators will be in for a long day.
Prediction: Georgia 42, Flordia 17
SEC Preview #3: Mississippi State vs. Auburn
Mississippi State has been part of some weird games in the SEC. Last week, they beat Arkansas 7-3 in Fayetteville. And who can forget the 3-2 game back in 2008 between Auburn and Mississippi State? Look for more weirdness this Saturday. Neither team has what anyone outside of Iowa would call a functioning offense, and both have just enough defense to make for another interesting day. Take the under in this one.
Prediction: Mississippi State 7, Auburn 6
SEC Preview #4: No. 21 Tennessee vs. Kentucky
What can Mark Stoops do to get Kentucky off the mat? Kentucky is 5-2. Their best win is against Florida, and the jury is still out on whether or not that counts as a “good win.” The Kentucky defense has not been great this season. They are giving up 32.8 points a play in SEC play. Offensively, the team has won or lost on the legs of Ray Davis. Davis is a dynamic transfer from Vanderbilt but will be challenged against a strong Tennessee front. Transfer quarterback Devin Leary and returning offensive coordinator Liam Coen were supposed to bring more to the Wildcat offense. Instead, Big Blue Nation is growing restless. Kroger Field should be plenty excited to welcome the Vols on Saturday night.
Tennessee will look to try to keep their season on track after the loss last week to Alabama. Tennesse had trouble earlier in the season in a loss to Flordia at night on the road. Consistency has troubled Milton all season. The Vols lost earlier in a night road game at Flordia and looked out of sorts. Look for Tennessee’s defense to provide the spark to pick them up.
Prediction: Tennessee 31, Kentucky 24
SEC Preview #5: No. 12 Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt
2023 has been the year of the night game at the Vaught. Every SEC game in Oxford has been given the primetime spotlight. They’ve brought the part in the Grove inside. The Rebels are 18-2 in their last 20 games at the Vaught. This Ole Miss team has been impressive under Lane Kiffin. In previous years, Kiffin and the Rebels worked to outscore their opponents. If their offense wasn’t working, then it was likely they weren’t winning. Adding new defensive coordinator Pete Golding from Alabama has helped solidify the Rebel defense.
The team has also shown maturity and the ability to win in multiple ways, a key for greater teams. They’ve won their shootouts (LSU) and when their offense hasn’t been firing on all cylinders both at home (Arkansas) and last week on the road (Auburn). There is no trap game here. The Rebels role again on another fantastic SEC Saturday night.
Prediction: Ole Miss 35, Vanderbilt 14
