Around the Sec: Week 12 (Football)
Due to several positive COVID-19 tests, the SEC was forced to postpone four of the seven games on the slate last week. The three games left on the schedule were high-scoring affairs, one of which had College Football Playoff implications. Here's a recap of the Week 11 games in the Southeastern Conference and a preview of Week 12.
Squaring off in Lexington, the Vanderbilt Commodores (0-6) traveled to the Bluegrass State to face the Kentucky Wildcats (3-4). Kentucky began the contest with a delay of game penalty in honor of the recent passing of offensive line coach John Schlarman. The Wildcats paid tribute to Schlarman by claiming victory 38-35.
Senior tight end Justin Rigg initiated Kentucky's scoring with an opening-drive, 15-yard touchdown reception. From there, running back Chris Rodriguez took over as he posted 149 rushing yards and found the end zone twice en route to a Wildcats win.
The shootout of South Carolina (2-5) and Ole Miss (3-4) featured a player from each team totaling five touchdowns. Rebels quarterback Matt Corral exploded for 513 yards, as well as four touchdowns through the air and one more on the ground. For the Gamecocks, running back Kevin Harris amassed a ridiculous 243 rushing yards and five scores, averaging 9.7 yards per carry, albeit in a losing effort, as Ole Miss triumphed 59-42.
Down in the swamp, Arkansas quarterback Feleipe Franks faced his former team, as No. 6 Florida (5-1) battled the Razorbacks (3-4). Kyle Trask had another monster game, passing for 356 yards and six touchdowns.
With Trevor Lawrence missing two games after contracting COVID-19 and Mac Jones and Alabama having their Week 11 contest postponed, it's safe to say Trask is one of the Heisman frontr-unners from here on out.
Only one game has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns in Week 12, as No. 5 Texas A&M (5-1) was supposed to take on Ole Miss. Despite this, there are plenty of games on tap for Week 12. Here's a glimpse at each of them.
LSU (2-3) will play Arkansas, as Franks will have another chance to impress NFL scouts. Neither defense is particularly talented, so expect this game to be a shootout regardless of which team emerges victorious.
Florida, meanwhile, heads to Nashville to play Vanderbilt. Vegas odds have the Gators favored by 31 ½ points, but expect a win by a wider margin. The lowly Commodores can't compete with an offense as potent and high-powered as Florida, especially with the Heisman contender Trask lining up under center.
Nick Saban and the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) will aim to maintain their unblemished record against Kentucky. The combination of two NFL-bound stars, quarterback Mac Jones and running back Najee Harris, who leads the SEC in rushing touchdowns, should have a field day. The Wildcats will likely be just another notch on Alabama's belt as it cruises toward another College Football Playoff appearance.
No. 23 Auburn (4-2) hosts Tennessee (2-4) in a predictable matchup. The Vols are on a four-game skid, and the Bo Nix-led offense and stout Auburn defense are presumably enough for the Tigers to get their fifth win of the season.
In a battle of Bulldogs, No. 13 Georgia (4-2) welcomes Mississippi State (2-4) to Athens. Last week, there were some questions about who would start at quarterback for Georgia, but as of now, Stetson Bennett remains QB1. The running game should play a significant role for Georgia, as Zamir White has carried the team all season. Mississippi State should be no match for heavily-favored Georgia.
The final matchup of the week pits Missouri (2-3) against South Carolina. These two teams are fighting for pride at this point in the season. Missouri can compete for a bowl appearance, but this game is about developing young talent for the future. Some inexperienced players will look to earn their stripes in this game in order to prepare for next season and beyond.
JC Colavita is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. You can contact him via email at jrc6383@psu.edu.
