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Texas A&M Football

SEC Round-Up: After dominant stretch, can Auburn threaten Alabama?

November 16, 2017
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As often is the case, next week’s Iron Bowl clash will determine the winner of the Southeastern Conference West Division.

However, lately there seems to be some uncertainty whether Alabama or Auburn projects as the better team.

Records and rankings indicate Alabama is clearly superior. The No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide is undefeated, while sixth-ranked Auburn is 8-2. That doesn’t tell the whole story, though.

Alabama did not show its typical dominance in recent victories over LSU and Mississippi State. The Tide defense has endured several injuries. Linebackers Christian Miller, Terrell Lewis, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Mack Wilson are sidelined. Star defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick is slowed by a sore hamstring. Miller, though, is expected to play in the Iron Bowl.

Also, the offense hasn’t been overpowering, and guard Ross Pierschbacher is now out with an ankle injury.

Andrew Kilzer, TexAgs
Auburn has reeled off victories over Arkansas, Texas A&M and Georgia in recent weeks, while Alabama has scraped by Mississippi State and LSU.

Meanwhile, Auburn has posted three convincing victories since blowing an early 20-point lead in a 27-23 loss to LSU on Oct. 16.

The Tigers beat Arkansas, 52-20, Texas A&M, 42-27, and posted a surprisingly lopsided win over Georgia, 40-17.

They’ve outscored those opponents 80-38 in the second half.

”I think the biggest difference is that we learned to finish," Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson told Alabama reporters. "The LSU game we were doing the same things to those guys that we did here in the first half.  We just didn't finish, and we kind of took our foot off the gas. We learned to finish, and we learned what was necessary to do. And I think the proof is in the pudding.”

Auburn still has much to prove. Some remain unconvinced the Tigers are a legitimate threat to Alabama’s three-year reign as SEC champion. Former NFL linebacker Corey Miller — Christian’s father — made that clear in a radio interview this week.

"Alabama's still Alabama," Miller said. "One thing I know: People now want to take Auburn, and I'll say this — I talk to the guys and I talk to my son — these guys are going to be ready to play. I'm not one ounce worried about Alabama. They are built to play on big stages, in a big atmosphere to take everyone's best punch.”

No doubt, the Tide has done that. Auburn just seems to have more punching power than Alabama’s previous foes.

Around the SEC...

Who’s hot: Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson rushed for 167 yards in last week’s victory over Georgia. That was the fourth time in five games he’s exceeded 140 rushing yards. He’s beginning to gain traction as a Heisman candidate.

Who’s not: Texas A&M’s running game was averaging 255.6 yards and ranked 14th in the nation through the first five games of the season. But over the last five, the Aggies are averaging just 91.2 yards. They’ve failed to rush for 100 yards in four of the past five games and last week managed just 63 against New Mexico. It will be interesting to see how the Aggies’ running game fairs against Ole Miss. The Rebels are 13th in the SEC in rush defense.

Running back Derrius Guice set an LSU school record with 285 rushing yards last year against Texas A&M. He may exceed that on Saturday against Tennessee’s deplorable run defense.

Keep an eye on: Running back Derrius Guice set an LSU school record with 285 rushing yards last year against Texas A&M. He may exceed that on Saturday against Tennessee’s deplorable run defense. Guice was plagued by early-season injuries, but is healthy again, as last week’s 147-yard output against Arkansas indicates. Meanwhile, Tennessee is 127th in the nation in rush defense. Only Tulsa, San Jose State and UCLA are worse. A week ago the Volunteers gave up 433 rushing yards to Missouri. Running back Ish Witter rushed for 216 yards. That was just the second time this year Witter had exceeded 100 rushing yards. This just in … Guice is a much better running back than Witter.

The pressure is on: The Georgia Bulldogs are in a weird place … and, no, that isn’t a shot at Athens. Georgia remains in the national championship hunt despite last week’s stunning 40-17 loss to Auburn. However, the Bulldogs cannot afford another loss. Normally, Kentucky wouldn’t be viewed as much of a threat, especially in a game at Athens. But this isn’t a normal Kentucky team. The Wildcats (7-3) are actually decent and could be a problem if the opponent isn’t focused. Georgia cannot be flat after the emotional loss in Auburn and cannot be looking ahead to next week’s clash with rival Georgia Tech.

Best matchup: Kentucky running back Bennie Snell has rushed for at least 116 yards in each of the past three games. In that stretch the Wildcats have averaged 246.6 rushing yards. They face a tough test against a Georgia defense that is second in the SEC against the run. However, the Bulldogs allowed 237 rushing yards in last week’s loss to Auburn.

This week’s schedule: Texas A&M at Ole Miss; Mississippi State at Arkansas; LSU at Tennessee; Kentucky at Georgia; Missouri at Vanderbilt; Mercer at Alabama; ULM at Auburn; UAB at Florida; Wofford at South Carolina

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SEC Round-Up: After dominant stretch, can Auburn threaten Alabama?

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