Around the SEC: Week 15 (Football)

Story posted December 11, 2020 in CommRadio, Sports by Charlie Murray

Last weekend, the No. 1 team in the nation traveled to Death Valley for another installment of the classic LSU-Alabama rivalry. The Crimson Tide, led by quarterback Mac Jones, absolutely manhandled the Tigers in a decisive 55-17 victory.

Jones passed for 385 yards and four touchdowns while completing over 70% of his passes. The backfield wasn't quiet either, with senior running back Najee Harris rushing the ball 21 times for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Expect more of the same this weekend, as the Tide will travel to Arkansas to play the Razorbacks.

No. 8 Georgia was supposed to be in action last weekend against Vanderbilt, but due to COVID-19 within the Vanderbilt program, the game was canceled. Both teams are scheduled to play this weekend, as Georgia will take on Missouri, and Vanderbilt will play host to Tennessee.

The surprise team in the SEC this year has undoubtedly been No. 5 Texas A&M, whose hopes for a playoff spot are still alive with a win over Auburn last week. However, their game this weekend against Ole Miss has been postponed due to positive COVID tests at Ole Miss. As of now, this is the only SEC game to be postponed this week.

No. 6 Florida took on the Tennsessee Volunteers last week in what ended up being a win for the Gators. While they couldn't get much going on the ground, they made up for it in their passing game. Quarterback Kyle Trask did what he has been doing all year, playing at Heisman level and winning games. He threw for 433 yards and four touchdowns in a win to secure a spot in the SEC championship in just a few weeks.

Florida will move on to host LSU this week in the swamp, and the Volunteers will travel to Vanderbilt this week to face the Commodores.

The Kentucky Wildcats ran past the Gamecocks last week in a 41-18 victory over South Carolina. Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. put the Wildcats on his back, rushing for 139 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries. The Gamecocks simply couldn't handle the rushing attack of Kentucky in what appears to be a trend for their defense.

Kentucky and South Carolina both have their byes this weekend and will not be in action.

In what was the closest game last week in the SEC, Missouri managed to squeak by Arkansas in a 50-48 victory. After being down big early in the fourth quarter, the Tigers rallied back to take the 47-40 lead with only 4:47 left in the game. Arkansas then answered with a touchdown of its own and took the 48-47 lead with only 43 seconds left. Miraculously, the Tigers put together a drive to put themselves in field goal range. The final play of the game was a game-winning, 32-yard field goal by Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis.

The Razorbacks will have their hands full again next week against No. 1 Alabama. Meanwhile, Missouri will take on the well-rested Georgia Bulldogs.

 

Charlie Murray is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email charliemurray175@gmail.com.

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