Alabama and Georgia are clearly the two best football teams in the Southeastern Conference.
Who’s third?
Most considered Ole Miss until the Rebels were blown out by Alabama last week.
According to national rankings, No. 13 Arkansas is third despite getting blown out even worse by Georgia last week. The Rebels and Razorbacks play this week. But that might only determine the SEC’s fourth-best team.
Kentucky looks like the SEC’s bronze medalist.
Admittedly, that sounds crazy. The Wildcats don’t show up in the national polls until basketball season. Heck, they were 5-6 last season.
Yet, Kentucky is 5-0, ranked No. 16 and coming off a 20-13 victory over Florida. You know Florida...the team that only lost to Alabama 31-29.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops fielded a team that finished 10-3 in 2018. This team could be better.
Matt Stone/Courier Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has put his team in position for a potential breakout season.
The 2018 team featured a strong running game with Benny Snell and a stout defense. These Wildcats have a strong running game featuring Christian Rodriguez and a stout defense, which has limited three opponents to 13 points or less.
But unlike the 2018 team, Kentucky has a decent passing game to complement the rushing attack. Quarterback Will Levine has thrown for 989 yards and eight touchdowns.
In 2018, Kentucky’s passing offense was the worst in the SEC. Quarterback Terry Wilson passed for just 1,889 yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 games.
If Kentucky defeats LSU on Saturday, the Wildcats could take realistic aim at an 11-win season.
They don’t figure to beat Georgia on Oct. 16, but after that game, their remaining opponents are Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, New Mexico State and Louisville.
Indeed the biggest threat facing Kentucky — aside from Georgia — might be feelings of complacency. Coach Mark Stoops is guarding against that.
“We’ve been humbled already this year with our play,” Stoops said earlier this week. “I always tell the players that, in our business, you’re going to get the opportunity to be humbled every seven days. We have been humbled and fortunately been able to get away with a win, but we haven’t played our best football.”
The Wildcats have room to improve. That would give them a chance to be ranked among the nation’s top ten.
The SEC’s third-best team typically is.
Around the SEC
Who’s hot: Georgia’s defense has posted consecutive shutouts over Vanderbilt and Arkansas. The Bulldogs lead the nation in total defense and scoring defense. They’ve allowed just one touchdown all season. That was in the fourth quarter against South Carolina when the Bulldogs were already leading 40-6.
Who’s not: First, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin was called a clown by ESPN’s Michael Wilbon. Then, he proceeded to make Wilbon look correct by constantly going for fourth-down conversions even on his own end of the field. The Rebels failed to convert three times in the first half, which helped Alabama take a 28-0 lead at intermission. Finally, Kiffin offered an apology for making what he called “stupid” comments to a sideline reporter before the game.
Keep an eye on: Missouri’s run defense should be watched for the same reason viewers like disaster movies and train wrecks. At this point, the Tigers are allowing a worst-in-the-nation 308.4 rushing yards per game. Since Missouri entered the SEC in 2012 no conference team has allowed more than 251.2 rushing yards per game (Tennessee, 2017). Missouri next faces North Texas, which might appear to be a break. Except that North Texas running back DeAndre Torrey is ranked No. 3 in the nation in rushing.
The pressure is on: LSU is 3-2 after falling to Auburn. The Tigers next five opponents are ranked, including No. 16 Kentucky, No. 20 Florida, No. 17 Ole Miss, No. 1 Alabama and No. 13 Arkansas. A losing record is not out of the realm of possibility in Baton Rouge. Would that result in the ousting of coach Ed Orgeron?
Best matchup: The clash between Alabama’s offensive line and Texas A&M’s defensive line matches two talents units. Alabama’s line is dotted with several NFL prospects led by projected first round pick Evan Neal at tackle. A&M’s defensive front is dotted with several NFL prospects led by projected first round pick DeMarvin Leal at end. A&M’s hopes for an upset will depend largely on this matchup.
