Around the SEC: Week 5 (Football)

Story posted October 2, 2020 in CommRadio, Sports by Spencer Ripchik

The SEC was shocked in Week 1 when the defending National Champions, the LSU Tigers, lost to an unranked Mississippi State team 44-34. It was not the downfall of the Tigers, but the outstanding 623 yards and five touchdowns from quarterback K.J. Costello that led the Bulldogs to an upset win.

The now No. 20 ranked LSU will look for a much-needed win over Vanderbilt in Week 5. A win over Vanderbilt will restore confidence in junior quarterback Myles Brennan. Brennan threw two interceptions in the loss to Mississippi State.

Vanderbilt lost their first game of the season to Texas A&M 17-12. The Commodores kept it close against the sloppy Aggies, who had three fumbles. Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals threw two interceptions that gave Texas A&M opportunities to score.

No. 13 Texas A&M will play a big road game against No. 2 Alabama. Running back Isaiah Spiller helped the Aggies pull off their win over Vanderbilt with 117 yards rushing. The Aggies must take care of the football against the best team in the SEC.

Alabama dominated in their season opener against Missouri 38-19. Junior quarterback Mac Jones threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Jones showed why he was the best option to replace former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

With their powerful offense and Heisman hopeful running back Najee Harris at the center point, Alabama is the front runner in the SEC. Harris had three touchdowns and 98 yards against Missouri.

Right behind the Crimson Tide are the No. 3 Florida Gators. The Gators put on an offensive spectacle, beating new head coach Lane Kiffin of Ole Miss 51-35.

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask threw to his favorite target, tight end Kyle Pitts for four touchdowns. Trask ended the game with six touchdowns and 416 yards in the air. The Gators take on 0-1 South Carolina in Florida on Oct. 3 at 12 p.m.

South Carolina put up a solid fight against the No. 16 Tennessee in Week 4, only losing 31-27. Graduate transfer quarterback Collin Hill led the Gamecocks back from a 21-7 deficit, tying the game at 24 in the fourth quarter. South Carolina’s defense could not stop the 32-yard touchdown catch by Josh Palmer to put Tennessee ahead.

The South Carolina defense will have to stop the Trask-to-Pitts connection if they want to upset the No. 3 Gators on the road.

The game of the week in the SEC is No. 7 Auburn at No. 4 Georgia.

Auburn is coming off a ranked win over Kentucky 29-13. Auburn quarterback Bo Nix took over the game in the second half by throwing three touchdowns. The defense struggled to get Kentucky off the field, though, letting up 10 first downs on third down.

Auburn’s defense will have to step up in order to defeat Georgia.

Georgia made up for a terrible first half by putting up 32 points in the second half to beat Arkansas 37-10. Junior Stetson Bennett came into the game in the second quarter to give the Bulldogs some life. Bennett threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

After the poor performance from starting quarterback D’Wan Mathis, head coach Kirby Smart said that he will be evaluating all of his options at the position.

The Bulldogs have a quarterback problem, with four quarterbacks on their roster that have a shot at the starting job. The situation became complicated when USC transfer quarterback J.T. Daniels became healthy.

Smart has not yet named a starting quarterback for the game against Auburn on Oct. 3.

The game will come down to how well the Bulldogs’ offense plays. Another slow start in the first half could have Georgia on upset watch in Week 5.

Spencer Ripchik is a freshman majoring in journalism. To contact him email ripcspen@gmail.com.

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Spencer Ripchik

Freshman / Journalism

Spencer Ripchik is a second-year student from Saratoga Springs, New York majoring in journalism. He is a writer for the CommRadio sports department. His weekly content includes NFL Game Picks, Heisman Watch, Around the SEC, College Football Game of the Week, and other sports-related articles. If you would like to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).