SEC Football: Takeaways for Each Team from Week 7

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After another crazy weekend of SEC football, it is time to identify the biggest takeaways for each team.

Week 7 of the SEC football season served as a gut check for many teams around the conference. The state of Mississippi is yearning for 2014, Tennessee is backwards and Georgia can’t get going under Smart.

It wasn’t all bad for everyone, though. Arkansas, LSU and Florida all continued to build steam as their season progress. Alabama made another claim at being the king pin of SEC football once again.

Of course, we also have teams that fall somewhere in the middle. Not every team gained or lost momentum. Some just remained stagnant and waited for the hyped matchup with Alabama (looking at you Texas A&M).

Which teams are licking their wounds after Week 7? What teams are still vying for an SEC Football Championship berth? Read on to find out just that and much more.

Oct 14, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) waits for the snap in overtime against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs

No, Mississippi State did not beat BYU.

Yes, that is an awesome picture.

No, I do not think I should have put a frowning Mullen picture in its place.

For all the talk about how the team doesn’t want to play for Fitzgerald, he is doing his best to will his team to victory. Had things turned out differently, his overtime touchdown would go down in Mississippi State lore. Instead, it is just a great play everyone will forget about.

I had to give him credit for that one, but the Bulldogs are now reeling. Mullen’s team is sitting at 2-4 (1-2) with games against Texas A&M, Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss remaining. The fat lady isn’t singing, but it doesn’t appear the Bulldogs will be bowling this year.

Impact Moving Forward

Life-sapping loss of momentum

Mississippi State wasn’t supposed to be great this year. The Bulldogs also weren’t supposed to get beaten by South Alabama and BYU.

It was good to see a ton of effort compared to last week’s lackluster showing against Auburn, but it just wasn’t enough. While I think Mullen is a great X’s and O’s coach, not losing this team will be one tall order.

Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver D.J. Chark (82) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

LSU Tigers

The Tigers are back to being a dominant SEC football team. Say what you want about Miles and/or Orgeron, but the Tigers are back to dominating inferior competition the way they should.

After getting off to a slow start, many in SEC country had to be wondering if the outburst against Missouri was pure emotion. Instead, the Tigers dominated the second half after being tied at 10 at halftime.

Orgeron and Co. used a 28-point third quarter to seal the deal and begin prepping for a reeling Ole Miss team next week. That game looked like a dominant Ole Miss win a month ago.

Now?

Good luck Rebs.

Impact Moving Forward

Continued momentum surge

LSU has scored 40+ points in back-to-back for the first time since Vietnam. Or so it seems like that. While the team sputtered against even inferior competition under Miles, the offense is hitting big plays under Orgeron.

Ole Miss has shown it is suspect at best while defending big plays, so the Tigers have another shot at a big win this weekend. If they can beat the Rebels in Baton Rouge, look out. LSU would then get a bye week to prepare for a huge SEC football showdown with Alabama.

Of course, though, it is one step at a time.

Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Marcus Maye (20) tackles Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators won 40-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri Tigers

It is hard to remember, but Missouri was a good SEC football team. Just two years ago the Tigers were coming off back-to-back SEC Championship appearances.

Now?

The get skull-drug by anyone with a heart beat and a few blue chip recruits. The Florida offense looked terrible. Missouri’s offense was just worse.

The Tigers lost 40-14 while only allowing two offensive touchdown. Two.

The Missouri defense only allowed 12 points from touchdowns against Florida and still managed to give up 40 due to a pair of pick six’s and a kickoff return.

Barry Odom is the new Derek Mason of SEC football.

Impact Moving Forward

Zombie mode

Missouri football is going into zombie mode.  After pushing Georgia to the brink, the Tigers have allowed 40 points to LSU and Florida. As good as those programs are, neither is considered an offensive juggernaut in 2016.

The good news, though, is that Missouri gets games with Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina and Vanderbilt in the next 4 weeks. While SEC football is tough, first year head man Barry Odom has to be grateful he is coaching in the SEC East. Even going 2-2 in that stretch will breathe new life into Missouri football to close out the season.

Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators tight end C

Florida Gators

26 point victories aren’t common in SEC football, regardless of the competition. So we’ll acknowledge the Gators there. Outside of that, though, this team looks like it’s still playing from Mushcamp’s influence.

Sure the Gators didn’t need much help from their offense, but that’s not the point. Jim McElwain is supposed to be an offensive guru. While that may be true, he certainly isn’t flexing those muscles in Florida.

Although his team won’t by 26 points, his returning quarterback threw for only one touchdown and three interceptions on his way to a 32.3 quarterback rating, according to espn.

Someone please let me know when Florida has an offense.

Impact Moving Forward

Slight momentum bump

Florida won big and moves on to bigger foes — and it’s a good thing they did win.

While Florida began with a soft open, their schedule is about to get nasty. Although South Carolina will be an easy win — Georgia, Arkansas, LSU and Florida State make up their remaining schedule.

Florida could, of course, find an offense and win most of these games. If the Gators cannot, though, it will be a rough second half of the season.

Sep 19, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt reacts to a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated South Carolina 52-20. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Bulldogs

Although it’s been a rough start to the season, have no fear. Mark Richt is an SEC football legend.  Everyone slips up sometimes.

Wait.

O yeah.

Georgia fired Mark Richt.

For not winning the big ones.

I can see why Georgia got tired of falling flat in big games, but I wonder how much the Bulldogs wish they had Richt right now.

Instead of bashing Smart, though, let’s all enjoy one of Richt’s finest moments together:

Next: Vanderbilt Commodores

Oct 15, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason pumps his fist reacting to a defensive stop against the Georgia Bulldogs at the end of the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Vanderbilt defeated Georgia 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores

Derek Mason now has his signature win, and it is a big win indeed. Although I admit I had my doubts throughout the year, I called Mason getting a signature win this year. I’ll be the first to admit, though, that I had given up on that actually happening.

O me of little faith. Mason clearly was able to keep his team motivated, and it paid off with an upset AT Georgia. That’s right.  Not only did Vandy get an upset, the Commodores did it BETWEEN THE HEDGES.

Props Derek Mason. Props.

Impact Moving Forward

Huge momentum gain

Because of this game, Derek Mason is safe. He will certainly return as the head coach next year.

Although Vanderbilt’s schedule doesn’t lend itself to making a bowl game, the Commodores can reach 5 wins. No one expected Vandy to pull the upset against Georgia, either, so let’s hold off on expecting no bowl appearance from Mason’s crew.

Since I had my doubts and said Mason should be interviewing for defensive coordinators positions soon, I have to eat crow. But I couldn’t be happier for Mason and his squad.

Oct 15, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Ryan Pulley (11) defends as pass intended for Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Ole Miss 34-30. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss Rebels

Repeat after me Rebel faithful:

This team isn’t as good as we thought it was.

If the Rebel faithful can remind themselves of that, then the rest of the season will be much more enjoyable.

The picture above sums up the Rebel’s evening perfectly, although it is unfair to blame the loss soley on the offense. We do have to acknowledge, though, the obvious lack of chemistry between Kelly and Jefferson. Clearly the coaches thought Van Jefferson posed a matchup problem, as Kelly went to him repeatedly.  Unfortunately, however, they were never on the same page.  Van Jefferson finished the game with exactly one reception.

Even so, Kelly did enough with his legs to win the game.

After going up 30-27 with little time left in the game, the Landshark D fell flat. The Rebels had Arkansas down to a 2nd and 18 in their own territory and could not deliver a stop to seal the game.

7 OT’s, 4th and 25, 2nd and 18. The Ole Miss-Arkansas games over the years have had it all.  Unfortunately for Ole Miss fans, though, it appears that Arkansas always prevails in the insane games.

Impact Moving Forward

Impossible to tell

One of the most interesting storylines to follow over the next few weeks will be how Ole Miss reacts now that they’re out of SEC Football Championship contention. Although the Rebels are not completely out mathematically, two SEC football losses this early in the season will be impossible to surmount.

College Football Playoff? Nope.

SEC Football Championship? Maybe next year.

How will the Hugh Freeze’s team react? We’ll be watching.

Oct 15, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jared Cornelius (1) scores a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels as wide receiver Drew Morgan (80) looks on at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Ole Miss 34-30. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas Razorbacks

While it wasn’t the prettiest of performances, the Razorbacks were able to notch a victory over what was thought to be an elite SEC football team. After coming up short against Texas A&M and Alabama, Arkansas has their first SEC football win of the season.

And it couldn’t have come in more dramatic fashion.

The story of redemption was there to be had for Ole Miss, but the Rebels just could not deliver.

Ole Miss had the ball down one score with a 4th and 16 to convert to redeem giving up last year’s 4th and 25. Kelly pulled the ball down and began sprinting toward the first down marker.  Unlike last year’s Razorback miracle, though, there was no magic for the Rebels and Arkansas pulled out a thriller.

Impact Moving Forward

Huge momentum gain

Arkansas football was in familiar territory. While the Razorbacks were headed to a bowl, they appeared destined for a mediocre season. Although losing two SEC West games already eliminates them from SEC Football Championship contention, the Razorbacks are going to get a slight surge up the rankings.

I think it’s time we start showing Bret Bielema and Austin Allen some love.

Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones looks on during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers

Although I do feel a bit of validation in being right, I wish I wasn’t this right. I called Tennessee being a fluke two weeks ago, but even I didn’t think Tennessee would be straight up embarrassed at home against Alabama.

Tennessee was embarrassed to the tune of 49-10, but even that seems generous. Jalen Hurd was the team’s leading rusher with 28 yards and Joshua Dobbs couldn’t even muster 100 yards passing.

Dobbs did toss a touchdown pass yesterday, although unfortunately for him it was to Ronnie Harrison and put Alabama up 14-0. While this was an embarrassment for Butch Jones and Co, the season is far from over.

Impact Moving Forward

Nothing major

‘Don’t let ‘Bama beat you twice.’

It has become a motto that has become all too familiar with many SEC football teams over the past several seasons. Fortunately for Tennessee, though, that concern shouldn’t be a problem.

After having a bye week to recover from this game, Tennessee will run down a series of hapless opponents and rebuild momentum going into the SEC Football Championship Game.

Yes, I’m still calling for the Alabama-Tennessee rematch in Atlanta.

No, I do not think it will be close this time.

Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate their 49-10 victory with a traditional victory cigar after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide

Geez.

Many expected Saturday’s contest to be tight the entire time, but those predictions were entirely inaccurate.  Alabama football rode their defense and special teams — which put up 2 more scores — to an absolute drubbing of Tennessee.

The Crimson Tide’s hotly anticipated matchup with Texas A&M looms large next week, though those games haven’t been close since Johnny Football left College Station.

While we have to give A&M credit for coming into this game undefeated, it feels like no one can get in the way of Alabama this season after they shook the Ole Miss monkey from their back.

Impact Moving Forward

Huge momentum gain

Although many around Alabama football will chalk this up as any other Saturday, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Alabama-Tennessee is a big league rivalry. To come out and destroy your rival like that creates a natural surge in momentum.

If Alabama can steamroll Texas A&M like Tennessee, the only thing that will be left standing in the Crimson Tide’s way to Atlanta will be a collapse for the ages.

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