Around the SEC: Week 11
The stage is set: No. 1 Georgia and No. 6 LSU will battle for the SEC Championship on Dec. 3 in Atlanta, Georgia. But other teams in the conference still strive to finish the season on a high note with a very productive Week 11.
Roll Tide in Oxford, MS
It’s very rare to see No. 8 Alabama this low in the rankings, or even with two losses. The Crimson Tide have not been their usual-self this season and went head-to-head with No. 14 Ole Miss. The game was closer than many thought as Alabama came into Oxford as an 11-point favorite.
No. 8 Alabama comes out on top, 30-24.
The Rebels gave Nick Saban and the Tide a run for their money as they took a 17-14 lead into half. Running Back Quinshon Judkins produced for Ole Miss with 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Alabama's Bryce Young stayed cool, calm and collected while battling the passionate Ole Miss fan base. Young finished with 209 passing yards and three touchdowns. Young found receivers Jermaine Burton and Ja’Corey Brooks, and tight end Cameron Latu for the scores.
With the SEC Championship out of the picture for both sides, the Tide and Rebels aim to finish strong in hopes of receiving a New Year’s Six Bowl Game.
Geaux Tigers
After defeating No. 8 Alabama at home on Nov. 5, the confidence sits on the side of Brian Kelly and the Tigers. No. 6 LSU clinched their trip to the SEC Championship game with a win against Arkansas, 13-10.
The Tigers typically post an ugly number on the scoreboard, but the Razorbacks kept them in check and slowed down their high-tempo offense. Quarterback Jayden Daniels finished 8-for-15 on passes with 86 yards in the air.
On the ground, LSU was able to find a soft spot in the Arkansas defense. Lead running back Josh Williams took control of the game as he produced 122 yards on 19 attempts. The junior from Houston, Texas found the endzone in the third quarter on a one-yard run.
Arkansas finally found a smooth tempo in their offense, but it was too-little-too-late for the Razorbacks. Quarterback Cade Fontin found receiver Matt Landers in stride for an impactful 40-yard touchdown late in the fourth.
With a win in the SEC Championship game for LSU, they could find their way into the College Football Playoffs for the first time since their infamous 2020 championship run.
(Anchor) Down Go The ‘Cats
In a stunning upset, the Vanderbilt Commodores took down the Kentucky Wildcats in a photo-finish ending. The Commodores (4-6) outlasted the ‘Cats (6-4), 24-21, and bounced them out of the Top 25 rankings.
As a 17-point underdog, Vanderbilt looked at the points and laughed it off. Timely touchdowns and critical defensive stops put the ‘Dores on top.
Quarterback Mike Wright took control of the game early as he split the defense and found the endzone on a 59-yard run early in the first quarter. Wright set the tone early with the score and never looked back.
Late in the fourth, Wright found lead wideout Will Sheppard for an eight-yard touchdown to ice the game.
Mike Wright led Vanderbilt to one of their best wins in program history. The junior from Fayetteville, GA finished with 184 passing yards, 126 rushing yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing).
On the other sideline, Kentucky continues to slide in the SEC rankings as they now sit at 3-4 in conference play. Will Levis has three touchdowns and four interceptions in his last three matchups.
No. 1 Georgia and No. 5 Tennessee Take Care of Business
Per usual, No. 1 Georgia and No. 5 Tennessee won this week in grand fashion. The Bulldogs defeated Mississippi State on the road, 45-19, while the Vols moved past Missouri, 66-24.
No. 1 Georgia is looking to stay hot as they all-but-clinched the number one overall seed in the College Football Playoffs. The Bulldogs face Kentucky on Nov. 19 and Georgia Tech on Nov. 26 to round out their season.
As for No. 5 Tennessee, they are currently the first team out of the College Football Playoffs. Even with a win against No. 8 Alabama, the CFB committee is not favoring this win over the teams such as No. 3 Michigan and even undefeated No. 4 TCU. The Vols round out their season with South Carolina on Nov. 19 and Vanderbilt on Nov. 26.
Jasper Abrahams is a first-year student studying communications. To contact him, please email jpa5778@psu.edu.
