:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40653496/456222608.0.jpg)
Hello, Auburn Family and War Eagle. It was another great week around the SEC as three games went down to the final minutes. As all of you know, it wasn't always pretty but Auburn improved to 4-0 with its homecoming victory over Louisiana Tech. Lets recap last week and look forward to an exciting October 4th slate.
Week five began with a showdown between the hedges at Butch Jones brought his improved Tennessee squad to Athens to face the Bulldogs. It was the Todd Gurley show as the Heisman candidate ran for 208 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the ‘Dogs. Despite suffering an elbow injury, Justin Worley kept his Volunteers in the game by throwing for 264 yards and 3 touchdowns. In the end Gurley and the Bulldogs were too much as Georgia improved to 3-1 with a 35-32 victory.
Saturday's opening game on the SEC Network did indeed drive me to drinking whiskey as Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 17-7. The win ended a 17-game SEC losing streak for the Wildcats. I think that's enough about that one. The afternoon got rolling with a match up between Arkansas and Texas A&M at Jerry's World in Dallas. Bert's group started off strong behind their strong running attack and a score on a fake punt by Sam Irwin-Hill. The trick play sent the Hogs into the half with a 21-14 lead. The third quarter went back and forth before Brandon Allen's long touchdown pass extended the lead to 28-14. This is when Bert started thinking about his post game Big Mac. Aggie quarterback Kenny Hill connected on two long touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to even the score and force overtime. In the overtime it was all Aggies as Hill threw his fourth touchdown pass of the day to give Texas A&M the lead for good. Arkansas had a shot to force a second overtime but Bert's "normal American football" failed as the Hogs came up short. Texas A&M stayed unbeaten with a 35-28 victory.
The afternoon continued with our Auburn Tigers improving to 4-0 with a non-conference victory over Louisiana Tech. The defense continued their strong play and the offense made some big plays to seal the victory. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs 45-17 to continue their streak of victories at Jordan-Hare. I believe Auburn will continue to improve as they begin a touch stretch of games.
In two non-conference night games, LSU rolled over New Mexico State while Ole Miss improved to 4-0 with a victory over Memphis. The primetime game on ESPN featured Missouri and South Carolina. The game began as a defensive battle as both teams struggled to find a rhythm early. South Carolina held a 10-7 lead at the half, but Missouri would not go away. Maty Mauk showed up late to the party, but led the Tigers in the fourth quarter to steal a victory on the road. The loss knocked the Gamecocks out of the AP Top 25. Lets take a look at the much-anticipated October 4th slate in the SEC:
Florida @ Tennessee
(6) Texas A&M @ (12) Mississippi State
(3) Alabama @ (11) Ole Miss
Vanderbilt @ (13) Georgia
(15) LSU @ (5) Auburn
South Carolina @ Kentucky
Game of the week: (6) Texas A&M @ (12) Mississippi State
Could get interesting: (3) Alabama @ (11) Ole Miss
Bring on the whiskey: South Carolina @ Kentucky
I appreciate you guys taking the time to read my SEC Round Up. I can't wait for Saturday! I think this could be the best weekend in the SEC in some time. Feel free to contact me on Twitter @AUTigerFrank. War Eagle!