It's Only SEC (but I like it....)
GEORGE SOMERVILLE – THE TOUCHDOWN SEC CORRESPONDENT
week 5
There is no shortage of talking points across SEC football this week as the season nears the midpoint of college football. And to keep the momentum going, we also have another amazing slate of games coming this weekend, including the Tide rolling into Athens, LSU vs. Ole Miss, and the first time the Irish visit Fayetteville!
SEC football at its best!
But in case you were worried, we still have the usual level of nonsense and shenanigans.
So it’s time to catch up on what’s been happening in and around SEC football! Yup, it’s time for some “It’s Only SEC”….
Here’s what’s going on in SEC football country!
this weeks sec Stories
Tide v Dawgs
Athens, Ga
There is no doubting that Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA, will host this week’s top game when the Alabama Crimson Tide roll into Georgia.
This is a game that will have ramifications not just for the two teams but also for the SEC Playoff hopes.
Almost certainly, a second defeat in only five games for Kalen DeBoer will signal the end of Alabama’s playoff hopes for a second successive season. A win for Georgia will see the monkey fall from Kirby Smart’s back in terms of beating Alabama. However, a victory for the Tide will have the pundits giddy with joy that the Tide is back!
This means that there is pressure on both Head coaches. However, neither coach this week was evidencing that pressure.
“I’m just one of those people who’s never going to look at what we’ve done, it’s what we can still do” said Smart during Monday’s press conference.
But it is clear that Smart is focused on the threat that Alabama QB Ty Simpson brings,
“he’s a tremendous athlete” said Smart. “I would say he’s probably the hottest quarterback right now in all of college football”.
Although I think if Coach Saban was still around the Alabama program he would call it “rat poison”.
DeBoer singled out Georgia’s run game as the part of Georgia’s offense that is likely to cause Alabama the most issues.
“there’s alway a physicality that comes with their style of play…then you add in Gunner Stockton into the mix with his timely keeps, his ability to keep plays alive. It’s certainly something you gotta be ready for”.
DeBoer did put his finger on the key to winning the game, and that is discipline.
“a lot of these games you have in the SEC come down to one possession – you’ve got to be able to be focused and be disciplined for four quarters and more if needed”.
Not a truer word said. Let’s see if his team has taken his advice to heart.
OLe Miss v LSU hate/love week
Oxford MS/ Baton Rouge, LA
You can’t help but think that Netflix should really consider a new reality TV show called “Life With the Kiffins”. Maybe they have, and it’s under discussion.
However, we know life is rarely dull around Ole Miss Head Football Coach Lane Kiffin. It turns out that it’s not exactly quiet around the rest of the family either.
This week Ole Miss travel into Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers in Death Valley.
Seems one member of the Kiffin Clan is in Baton Rouge already, ahead of the Rebels, even getting on a bus.
Kiffin’s daughter, Landry, caused all sorts of eyebrow-raising this week as she announced her relationship with Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks on social media.
While no commentary was attached, Landry Kiffin posted a photo of her in Weeks’ arms.
So, as you can imagine, during the week’s build-up to what is a huge game for both teams, social media lost its collective mind.
As you might expect, Landry’s dad, Lane, had something to say on social media. But on Wednesday’s Head coaches teleconference, Kiffin expanded his thoughts
“Whit’s an awesome kid who comes from an awesome family. I’m glad they are happy together”. “But it has no bearing on the game Saturday”….
Mateer injury drama for Sooners
norman, ok
Oklahoma Head coach, Brent Venables, took a gamble when he brought QB John Matter and OC Ben Arbuckle from Washington State this year. Well, that gamble has well and truly paid off in the first four weeks of the season with Mateer an early frontrunner for Heisman and the Sooners 4-0 after the first third of the season has ended.
Which makes the news that Matter suffered a thumb injury during the hard-fought win over Auburn last Saturday all the harder to take. Oklahoma University confirmed Tuesday that the injury will require Matter to undergo surgery.
“After consulting with medical experts, it became clear that surgery is the best option for John and his short- and long-term future,” said coach Brent Venables. “He’s extremely disappointed he will miss some game action but is eager to correct the issue and move forward. As he is with everything, we know he will be aggressive with his rehabilitation and work to return to the field as quickly as possible.”
On Thursday, Mateer confirmed via his own social media that the surgery had gone well. And if you needed a reminder about the craziness of college football, especially in the South, the MD who carried out Mateer’s procedure posted his success on a Sooner’s Message Board.
Doctor Steven Shin commented on
“We are pleased to report that Mr. Mateer successfully underwent open reduction and internal fixation of a thumb fracture. The procedure was completed without complications, and post-operative recovery is progressing as expected. Based on our team’s evaluation, Mateer is anticipated to be cleared for full competition in 15-21 days”.
And if this situation couldn’t get any wilder, Oklahoma Sports TV channels have been reporting live from outside the hospital that Mateer is in. Oh, and the Oklahoma Attorney General has just issued Dr Shin a commendation!
Manning's Mom says cut it out
Austin, TX
Many have been perplexed by the form of Texas QB Arch Manning so far this season. Manning has looked far from the Heisman in waiting QB superstar we all expected to see.
However, on Saturday against Sam Houston, Manning found his swagger. In fact, against the Bearkats, Manning might have demonstrated too much swagger.
Manning scored five touchdowns against Sam Houston, and at one point, the 21-year-old quarterback stood over his opponent in the end zone and appeared to taunt him.
The move was criticised by some, including Momma Manning, who was not a fan of Arch’s actions.
“Probably a little much there. My mom was pretty mad about it,” Manning said. “I think it was some built-up frustration for the past few weeks.” said Manning in his post match interview.
Texas has a bye this weekend before facing Florida and then the Red River Showdown in the Cotton Bowl. If Manning is still showing that swagger in three weeks time, I doubt anyone is going to complain. Not even Mom.
Arkansas first for the Irish
Fayetteville, AR
College football has been played for over 150 years, making it challenging to find something happening for the first time.
But this week on Saturday, September 27th, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will make their first-ever visit to Fayetteville. Yup, the match-up between the Gold-Domers from South Bend and those Arkansas Razorbacks has never happened before. Wow.
There is genuine excitement on both sides for this historic matchup.
Arkansas Head Coach, Sam Pittman is looking forward to welcoming the Irish to Donald Reynolds Stadium and to experiencing the Hogs fans.
“I think it encompasses our football team, our town, our university, and then what it really is like to be in that stadium on Saturday,” Pittman said on his radio show midweek. “Notre Dame has been to a lot of storied stadiums, but they haven’t been to Arkansas, so let’s show them what we’re all about. I’m looking forward to that.”
On Wednesday, during the SEC Head coaches teleconference, Pittman talked about how the Hogs fans could affect this game
“our crowd affecting the opponent is a huge advantage…a lot of them tanked up & ready to go. I expect a huge & loud crowd to give us an advantage”
This has the potential to be a cracking game, especially if the Hogs can keep the game tight early on. It’s the early kick-off, so a 5pm UK time kick. No excuses! Grab your popcorn!
#woopigsooie
Week five Schedule
Across the SEC
Week Five serves up some amazing fixtures, and, as I have already mentioned, games that will have an impact on both the SEC title race and the CFB playoff standings.
There is no doubt that Alabama’s visit to Georgia is the game of the week, and I think we will find that it turns out to be the game of the season.
But also LSU travels to Ole Miss, and Notre Dame will play in Donald K Reynolds Stadium to face an Arkansas side which needs to win to save Head Coach Sam Pittman’s job.
The other standout game is Auburn at Texas A&M with the Aggies looking to move to a 4-0 record, which should propel them to a top ten ranking going into the second half of the regular season.
Here are this week’s games, which feature SEC teams (all kick-off times are local time). Stats from SEC Media.
Week Five
(2024 Record)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Notre Dame (1-2) at Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC)
Series: First Meeting
11 a.m. CT • ABC
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000)
Utah State (3-1) at Vanderbilt (4-0, 1-0 SEC)
Series: First Meeting
11:45 a.m. CT • SEC Network
Nashville, Tenn. • FirstBank Stadium (35,000)
LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at Ole Miss (4-0, 2-0 SEC)
Series: LSU leads, 64-42-4
2:30 p.m. CT • ABC
Last: LSU, 29-26 OT (2024 at Baton Rouge)
Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038)
Auburn (3-1, 0-1 SEC) at Texas A&M (3-0, 0-0 SEC)
Series: TAMU leads, 8-7
2:30 p.m. CT • ESPN
Last: AU, 43-41 4OT (2024 at Auburn)
Bryan – College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (102,733)
Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (4-0, 0-0 SEC)
Series: UT leads, 30-16-1
3:15 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Last: UT, 33-14 (2024 at Knoxville)
Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (60,311)
UMass (0-3) at Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC)
Series: MIZ leads, 1-0
6:30 p.m. CT • ESPNU
Columbia, Mo. • Faurot Field (57,321)
Alabama (2-1, 0-0 SEC) at Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC)
Series: UA leads, 44-26-4
7:30 p.m. ET • ABC
Last: UA, 41-34 (2024 at Tuscaloosa)
Athens, Ga. • Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (93,033)
Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at South Carolina (2-2, 0-2 SEC)
Series: SC leads, 21-14-1
7:45 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Last: SC 31-6 (2024 at Lexington)
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559)
Open Date:
Florida (1-3, 0-1 SEC);
Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 SEC);
Texas (3-1, 1-1 SEC).
GEORGE SOMERVILLE
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRITER
GEORGE IS A LONG STANDING FANATIC OF LIFE AND FOOTBALL IN THE DEEP SOUTH AND WRITES HIS WEEKLY COLUMN CALLED “IT’S ONLY SEC” FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. HE IS ALSO CO-HOST AND ONE THIRD OF THE COLLEGE CHAPS PODCAST, THE UK’S FIRST PODCAST DEDICATED TO THE COLLEGE GAME.