The finger pointing has begun. The elite teams are stumbling, and in cultures where losing is unacceptable, passion is leading to unacceptable reactions.
From Malachi Moore kicking a football in frustration as Vanderbilt secured a 40-year win against Alabama, to Missouri receiver Luther Burden III slamming his helmet on the bench, adversity has struck the SEC’s perceived powers. At least that’s what everyone thinks. In reality, it’s much ado about nothing. Competitors fueled by an insatiable desire to win will react in unusual ways when control is wrestled away. It’s part of the sport, and save for an action leading to physical harm, you’ll never hear me criticize a player for expressing their disappointment while in the heat of a battle.
But how will they react when the cameras are off, the games are over and the next opponent on the horizon is licking their chops? That’s how they’ll be judged. Alabama, Missouri and Tennessee are still in the hunt for an SEC title and spots in the College Football Playoff, but the heat is on to bounce back this week. Anything less than a win is, well, unusual.
Week 6 Was Quite UNUSUAL. Ver Happened Before in The Sec. While Critics Say It’s a Sign THE BIG and MIGHTY CONFERENCE HAS BRITTLE BONES, It’s Quite The Opposite. HOSE CONFERENCES BECAUSE OF NIL AND THE TRANSFER PORTAL. Don’t Believe Me ? Look at the Group of Five, which has become a feeder system for the Big Ten and SEC, who are a combined 39-2 against the Group of Five.?
Last Week, BAMA and Tennessee Were SpearHeaded by the GROUP OF FIVE FOR THE THE SEC S ‘Taylen Green). Indiana’s First 6-0 Start Since 1967 HAS BEEN LED BY FORMER MAC QuarterBack Kurtis Rourke.
The divide between the power conferences and everyone else is widening. The gaps among the big boys are shrinking.
Just a SECond
A few notes from the CBS Sports Research team to whet your appetite and get you thinking before Week 7’s picks:
THREE OF TOUR SCORING DEFENSES in THE COUNTRY RESIDE in The Sec (Texas, Ole Miss and Tennessee). S NEVER LOST to OKLAHOMA WHEN THE LONGHORNS ARE RANKED No. 1 in The AP Poll. OKLahoma Hasn’t Beaten The 1 Team Since 2007, A Streak of Four Losses.michael Hawkins IST TO BECOME TRUE FRESHMAN TOTART in Arterback for Oklahoma in the Red Riverry.alabama Has Failed to Cover TheE SPREAD IN ITS Last Two Games Following a Loss.Florida is 1-10 in ITS Last 11 Games Against Ranked Teams. Nnessee.ole Miss is 1-7 on the Road in is Last Eight Games Against Ranked Teams.all FOUR FOR VANDERBILT THIS SEASON HAVE BEEN DECIDIDED BY ONE POSSSSSION.ABAMA HAS WON 79 Strait Games at Hom EGainst Unranked Teams.
Picks
Picks use opening SportsLine consensus odds
Mississippi State at No. 5 Georgia: Talk about a mismatch. Mississippi State was already struggling with its starting quarterback, and now Blake Shapen is lost for the season, and replacement Michael Van Buren Jr.’s first two starts were both on the road in the SEC against top-five teams. Meanwhile, Georgia has rebounded nicely from its loss in the final seconds at Alabama two weeks ago. Georgia’s defense is also still terrifying (zero passing touchdowns allowed at home) and Mississippi State’s defense is something of a mess. MSU is allowing 37.8 points in its four games against FBS teams (all losses). However — Georgia is 1-11-1 against the spread in its last 13 games as a 20-point favorite. The trend continues. Pick: Mississippi State +33.5
Florida at No. 8 Tennessee: Will the real Tennessee offense please stand up? The Vols have struggled on the road offensively, scoring just 19.5 points in back-to-back road games in the SEC after opening the season at a blistering pace (63.7 ppg). The 19-14 loss at Arkansas was an eye opener for the Vols, who have struggled against 3-2-6 defenses of late. The good news for the Vols: Nico Iamaleava returns home to the safe confines of Neyland Stadium, where he is electric (and coach Josh Heupel has more confidence as a play-caller).
Florida has some momentum with back-to-back wins against Mississippi State and UCF, but this is a sizable bump in competition. Graham Mertz has to play without throwing picks, which he has done well of late. He actually leads the FBS hitting 80 % or more of his passes in the last three games. Does that mean we should expect a close battle? The Vols are 13-4 against the spread in their last 17 home games as a double-digit favorite, but this is the largest spread as a favorite against the Gators in 30 years. The Vols bounce back with a vengeance on offense and cover. Pick: Tennessee -15.5
No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 13 LSU: The two best passing offenses in the SEC face off in the Magnolia Bowl. Considering the schedule for the Rebels, this might be a must-win for them after losing to Kentucky. Georgia remains on THE LUSING IN BATON ROUGE MAKE THATATER THIS SEASON. Ve Firepower in Two Sec Games, Because of The Rebels’ Defense, Which Has Shown Up Time and Again in Every Game. LSU’S BEEN A Classic Case of Jekyll and hyde. ‘Defensive LINE ALLOWS ONLY 1.8 Yards Per Rush (No. 1 in FBS) and will Slow the Tigers’ running backs, which will be enough to pull off the win in Death Valley. Pick: Ole Miss -3
No. 21 Missouri at Umass: Mizzou Traveling to Umass for a Nonconference. The WORST WAY AFTER FAILING TO SHOW UP FORT TRIP TRIP ON THE ROAD at Texas A & M. The question is whether QB Brady Cook and his receivers can get back on the same page to cover the spread. He completed a career-worst 13 of 31 passes last week for a season-low 186 yards. Pick: Missouri -27.5
South Carolina at No. 7 Alabama to Pull ITSELF UPTER THE MOST DISAPPOINTING LOSS OF THE LAST 17 YEARS. HOULD BE ENOUGH TO RUFFLE The Tide Into a Frenzy Against South Carolina. The Gamecocks Are Not Capable OF SLOWING THE LIKE VANDERBILT w to the ball on most snaps. that the case against QUARTERBACK LANORRIS SELLERS AND THE Gamecocks’ offensive line, which has allowed 16 sacks in his four starts. Sellers has also thrown at least one interception in three straight games. Pick: Alabama -21
No. 1 Texas vs. No. 18 OKLAHOMA: Quinn EWERS IS EXPECTED TO THE BIG STAGE ANORTUNITY FORTUNITY FORTHER NATHER NATHER NATHER NAKED WING Michigan in Ann Arbor Earlier This season. Will Ewers Show any Rust in His Return? Oklahoma has won four straight in the series when both teams are ranked, including the upset last season. The Sooners’ offense, however, is so much less explosive than previous seasons, including 2023. The Sooners are simply not built to keep up with Texas ‘ pace. Still, Red River is unlike most rivalries in the country because of the 50/50 split among the fans in the stands. The seating arrangement at the Cotton Bowl leads to incredible momentum swings. Can the Sooners capitalize for at least one half ? The Sooners will stay within two scores. Pick: Oklahoma +14.5
Vanderbilt at Kentucky: I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the opening line. Vanderbilt, fresh off defeating No. 1 Alabama, is a double-digit underdog to Kentucky, which upset Ole Miss on the road but was also pulverized at home to a middling South Carolina team. The oddsmakers in Las Vegas don’t lose money, so who am I to question them? Ahh, never mind that. Vanderbilt has a magic man at quarterback, and though they certainly expended a lot of energy last week in knocking off the Tide, the Commodores will do enough against the Wildcats’ otherwise strong defense. Pick: Vanderbilt +13.5
