SEC Rating Game for Sept. 13

Associated Press photo by DAVE MARTINAlabama tailback Eddie Lacy, a former Dutchtown High standout, runs through the tackle of Western Kentucky linebacker Andrew Jackson during Saturday's game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Crimson Tide won 35-0. Show caption
Associated Press photo by DAVE MARTINAlabama tailback Eddie Lacy, a former Dutchtown High standout, runs through the tackle of Western Kentucky linebacker Andrew Jackson during Saturday's game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Crimson Tide won 35-0.

September 24, 2012

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THE RATING GAME

1. Alabama (3-0, 1-0 SEC)

Tide may be better than Saban’s Dolphins ever were.

2. LSU (3-0)

Recipe for win Saturday: Ground. Pound. Repeat.

3. GEORGIA (3-0, 1-0)

Is anyone else waiting for the Bulldogs to throw a rod?

4. FLORIDA (3-0, 2-0)

Can’t help but be impressed with two straight road wins.

5. S. CAROLINA (3-0, 1-0)

The name is Shaw. Connor Shaw. Licensed to throw again.

6. MISS. STATE (3-0, 1-0)

Again, is anyone else waiting for Bulldogs to throw a rod?

7. MISSOURI (2-1, 0-1)

Upset win Saturday, or it’s all over for Tigers in SEC East.

8. TENNESSEE (2-1, 0-1)

Vols can’t rest: Akron fifth in NCAA with 378 ypg passing.

9. TEXAS A&m (1-1, 0-1)

Christine Michael back running, not tweeting for Aggies to run.

10. OLE MISS (2-1)

Texas routed Rebels, but they have to be happy to be 2-1.

T-11. KENTUCKY (1-2)

Tricky Willie Taggart (WKU) auditioning for Joker’s job?

t-11. vANDerbilt (1-2, 0-1)

Shut out a church (Presbyterian). Nice. Good luck with UGA.

13. aUBURN (1-2, 0-1)

Toomer Oaks not only things in Auburn looking sickly.

14. aRKANSAS (1-1)

E.J. Smith captained the Titanic. John L. Smith coaches the Hogs.

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

SATURDAY

No. 2 LSU at Auburn, 6 p.m. (ESPN)

Ole Miss at Tulane, 11 a.m. (FSHOU)

Kentucky at No. 14 Florida, 11:21 a.m. (WBXH)

Missouri at No. 7 South Carolina, 2:30 p.m. (CBS)

Florida Atlantic at No. 1 Alabama, 4 p.m.

Rutgers at Arkansas, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)

South Alabama at No. 23 Mississippi State, 6 p.m.

South Carolina State at Texas A&M, 6 p.m. (FSHOU)

Akron at Tennessee, 6:30 p.m.

Vanderbilt at No. 5 Georgia, 6:45 p.m. (ESPN2)

All times Central

GAME OF THE WEEK

Missouri at S. Carolina

2:30 p.m. Saturday, Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.

On what is a fairly lightweight week in SEC football, this new SEC East rivalry stands out as much as any. The Gamecocks, who pulled out a shaky 17-13 win at Vandy, will get their toughest test. Missouri quarterback James Franklin, whose play is pivotal to the Tigers’ chances for an upset, continues to battle shoulder problems but appears likely to play.

AROUND THE SEC

  • SEC offenses were hard to stop last Saturday, combining for 6,331 total yards, an average of 452.2 yards per team. SEC teams averaged 355.0 ypg on offense last season.
  • More than 2 million fans have already attended SEC games this season, but only 12 of the SEC’s 28 home games have been at or above capacity. Only one of LSU’s three home games, Sept. 8 against Washington, was listed above capacity at 92,804.
  • Four coaches rank in the top 13 in SEC history for best conference winning percentages. Nick Saban is fourth (.753) in stints at LSU and Alabama, Steve Spurrier is sixth (.736) at Florida and South Carolina, LSU’s Les Miles is eighth (.729) and Georgia’s Mark Richt is 13th (.677).
  • LSU ranks first in four of eight major SEC statistical categories: Scoring offense (48.3 ppg), total defense (205.0 ypg), rushing offense (269.3 ypg) and rushing defense (47.0 ypg).

Scott Rabalais