SEC Rewind | UK even for lead in loss column
There's a long way to go, sure, but even as the University of Kentucky went out of conference on Saturday, the Cats' likelihood of playing for an SEC title in Atlanta improved a bit.
Georgia blasted Missouri, bringing UK to a tie (in the loss column, at least) without the Bulldogs at the top of the East Division. Given that, here's how the league shakes out:
EAST DIVISION
1. Georgia (5-1, 3-1) — The Bulldogs didn't need star running back Todd Gurley to beat Missouri, who formerly sat atop the division. Georgia routed the Tigers, 34-0, thanks to freshman back Nick Chubb's 143 yards rushing on 38 carries, more than Gurley ever tallied in a single game. (http://cbsprt.co/1qMugZa)
2. Kentucky (5-1, 2-1) — The Cats trailed early against Louisiana-Monroe before rattling off the game's final 45 points to move into a tie — at least when looking at the loss column — atop the division. (http://cjky.it/1tSi2Aa)
3. Florida (3-2, 2-2) — Ahead of UK's game against LSU, Florida had every shot at beating the Tigers. Instead, the Gators walked away with a 30-27 defeat, in part because of a late interception thrown by quarterback Jeff Driskel. (http://bit.ly/ZAcZMD)
4. Missouri (4-2, 1-1) — The Tigers had an extra week to prepare for the Georgia game, and coach Gary Pinkel said, "Everything looked right up until kickoff." Then it turned into Missouri's first shutout loss since 2002. (http://bit.ly/1tSiy0Q)
5. South Carolina (3-3, 2-3) — Following a loss to UK, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said six or seven wins would mark a decent season for the Gamecocks. Taking a look at second-half schedule, it's possible with games remaining against Furman and South Alabama. (http://bit.ly/1tSiy0Q)
6. Tennessee (3-3, 0-2) — In a 45-0 victory over Chattanooga, senior quarterback Justin Worley showcased another wrinkle in his game. The Vols' signal caller rushed for a pair of scores on top of passing for three others Saturday. (http://bit.ly/1wnpeXu)
7. Vanderbilt (2-5, 0-4) — Against a previously unbeaten FCS foe, the Commodores slipped past Charleston Southern despite not scoring in the second half. (http://tnne.ws/117Puvq)
WEST DIVISION
1. Ole Miss (6-0, 3-0) — The Rebels' offense reached a new level of efficiency in Saturday's win over Texas A&M. Ole Miss ran just 54 offensive plays in a 35-20 victory. (http://on.thec-l.com/1D5kZEb)
T1. Mississippi State (6-0, 3-0) — Heisman Trophy candidate Dak Prescott called his performance against Auburn "one of my worst games." It was still good enough, as the quarterback guided the Bulldogs to a 38-23 victory. (http://on.thec-l.com/1nikwe1)
3. Alabama (5-1, 2-1) — The Crimson Tide's defense gave up just one first down after Arkansas took its final lead midway through the third quarter, allowing Alabama to overcome an ugly day on the road and nab a 14-13 win. (http://bit.ly/1stjwnR)
T3. Auburn (5-1, 2-1) — A game of momentum shifts ultimately swung away from Auburn at Mississippi State, with the Tigers done in by a start its players described as frustrating. "They referees didn't let us play our ball game," safety Robenson Therezie said. "It was close, all those pass interferences and penalties." (http://bit.ly/1roSXuK)
5. Texas A&M (5-2, 2-2) — Another record-setting crowd, one measuring 110,633, saw the Aggies take their second straight loss in a game where Ole Miss jumped out to a 21-0 lead. During that time, Texas A&M's offense made it across midfield just once. (http://bit.ly/1yqjMYh)
6. LSU (5-2, 1-2) — Sophomore safety Rickey Jefferson earned praise for his performance late in a close win over Florida. First, he deflected a pass that would have moved the Gators near field goal range. Later, he picked off a pass and positioned LSU for a game-winner instead. (http://bit.ly/1qg6y8r)
7. Arkansas (3-3, 0-3) — The Razorbacks have lost 15 straight SEC games despite knocking on the door so many times, most recently the 1-point loss to Alabama. (http://es.pn/1vUtQ8p)
Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner .