Week 6: Must-Watch SEC Football Games of the Week

By Gabrielle McMillen @GabbyMcMillen on October 2, 2014

It might be a week of sleepers in the SEC. Three games in which both opponents are ranked will be played out on Saturday, making this Week 1 of the most critical of the season. By Saturday night, three teams will be going home with a loss as the journey to the Georgia Dome tightens.

No. 6 Texas A&M vs. No. 12 Mississippi State

Both teams are undefeated. Both teams have defeated SEC opponents. Both teams need this win to stay perfect on the season. The Mississippi State Bulldogs will host the Texas A&M Aggies in what is going to be a battle of the quarterbacks. The Bulldogs’ Dak Prescott has been firing on all cylinders, leading them to an intense 34-29 victory against LSU in Week 4. He has earned 14 touchdowns so far this season and has proven to be extremely well-rounded with 964 passing yards and 378 rushing yards. The fact Mississippi State has such a complete offense will keep the Aggies guessing, which could lead to them making mistakes. On the other hand, Kenny Hill has pleasantly surprised the A&M fan base with his precise throwing and quick footwork. He faltered in Week 5’s game against Arkansas, only to rally halfway through the fourth quarter and eventually clinch the win. He isn’t much of a rusher, but Hill has 1,745 passing yards and 17 touchdowns on the season.

For either team to garner an advantage, both defenses need to be tougher than ever. Putting pressure on the quarterbacks won’t do as much harm, as Hill fires well under pressure and Prescott is known to rush for first downs on his own. The best ways to stop either teams from advancing down the field are complete sacks and pressure on the wide receivers into making mistakes.

No. 3 Alabama vs. No. 11 Ole Miss

It has taken a few weeks, but people are finally taking the Ole Miss Rebels seriously as they prepare to host the Alabama Crimson Tide. Ole Miss has quietly worked its way up the rankings due to a stout defense, which has given up just 8.5 points. They will need their defensive powers more than ever as they face Alabama’s star wide receiver Amari Cooper and quarterbacks Blake Sims and Jacob Coker. Defensively, Ole Miss is quicker than most of the opponents Alabama has faced. Ole Miss’ best shot at halting Cooper and company from flying down the field is to hit them where it hurts: in the pocket.

Even though the Rebels are hosting the Tide, they still are at a disadvantage. Their schedule hasn’t been as tough, and quarterback Bo Wallace has been effective, but inconsistent. He has thrown six interceptions on the season. Wallace cannot get tunnel vision as he scans the field. The Crimson Tide defense is mature and elite and will be able to read his eyes easily. Wallace must stay cool under pressure and not allow any turnovers for this Ole Miss team to win against Alabama.

No. 15 LSU vs. No. 5 Auburn

After a devastating loss in Week 4, the LSU Tigers are ready to take on another SEC West foe. For LSU to get back in the running for a playoff chance, it must defeat the Auburn Tigers while on the road; a feat that will prove to be extremely difficult. This game is crucial for both teams. In order for either of them to have a chance at winning the SEC West, both teams must secure this win. Auburn is favored to clinch the victory, but LSU still remembers its victory against Auburn last year and will do anything for a repeat.

LSU freshman quarterback Brandon Harris took over for Anthony Jennings in the middle of the fourth quarter in the team’s only loss to Mississippi State, when the score was 34-16. In half that quarter, he managed to rally the team to within a score of the Bulldogs. Even though it was too little too late, the comeback was noticed by Les Miles and Harris started against New Mexico State and dominated. LSU needs to keep up the momentum with Harris. If he continues to throw the ball with efficiency and is focused, Auburn will have a tough time forcing punts and getting interceptions.