SEC Football:What We Saw, What We'll See:Week 8-9

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

foxsports

Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scores against Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Week 8 in the SEC saw No.1 Alabama resist what was arguably its most formidable challenge of the regular season, overcoming a shaky start to vanquish No.9 Texas A&M 33-14. There is wonder among fans if anyone can challenge the Tide, who control their own destiny in a quest to win back to back conference and national titles. The Tide get a bye on October 29 before facing LSU in Death Valley November 5.

That LSU team dominated Ole Miss, the Tigers, led by interim Coach Ed Orgeron, rode the record-setting legs of Leonard Fournette to a 38-21 win over the cratering Rebels. The Tigers were expected to implode following the firing of Les Miles after a Week 3 loss to Auburn. However, Orgeron and company have won three straight. The Bayou Bengals figure to have at least a shot at knocking off UA ; both teams will be coming off bye weeks going into that contest.

Kentucky outpaced MSU in a thriller, South Carolina saw its highest score of the season in a sloppy W over UMass, Florida,Georgia, and Tennessee took days of rest, Auburn obliterated Arkansas, and Missouri fell to mid major Middle Tennessee while Vandy dispatched FCS Tennessee State.

We’ll take a closer look at what we saw in week 8, and what we’ll see on October 29, below.

WHAT WE SAW: TIDE KEEPS ROLLING,A&M LATEST VICTIM

<img class="wp-image-8027 size-full" src="//cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/356/files/2016/10/9625478-ncaa-football-texas-a-m-alabama.jpg" alt="Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) celebrates his returned fumble for a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports” width=”850″ height=”566″ /> Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) celebrates his returned fumble for a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

BAMA STARTS STRONG, THEN SLIPS

The partisan crowd at Bryant Denny Stadium was pleased as their top ranked Alabama Crimson Tide solidly shut down the visiting Texas A&M team by a 33-14 count. Their contentment was preceded by anxiety, however, as Kevin Sumlin‘s boys took a 14-13 lead on the opening drive of the second half. The Tide had built a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter on a pair of Adam Griffith field goals and a Jalen Hurts to OJ Howard touchdown pass. However, miscues by the Tide kept A&M within striking distance in a second quarter sloppy for both squads, the Ags scored on a Trevor Knight to Josh Reynolds connection just before the break, and when Knight found Christian Kirk for a second TD to put TAMU up by one, the tension in Tuscaloosa could be cut with a knife.

The Tide wouldn’t have to worry long.

BAMA RESTORES ORDER

The next drive saw Hurts locate Calvin Ridley for a 4 yard touch and put UA back on top, 20-14. Sumlin and Saban’s clubs traded punts, then on the ensuing Aggie drive, ‘Bama Defensive End Jonathan Allen picked up the dropped football of A&M RB Keith Ford, and marched 30 yards to the Crimson colored end zone to extend the Alabama lead to 26-14. The series effectively turned the tide, as two on-downs turnovers illustrated Texas A&M’s performance for the rest of that game. Jalen Hurts added one more touchdown, on a spectacular 37 yard keeper, and the Tide settled fans’ nerves with a 33-14 victory. Texas A&M may be effectively out of the SEC West race, and they have lost their last four against Nick Saban. The Ags last beat UA in 2012 at Bryant Denny; their first season in the SEC, on the legendary arm of Johnny Manziel, who effectively won the Heisman with his showing that day.

WHAT WE’LL SEE: ALABAMA RECUPERATE, A&M REGROUP

Saban and Co take advantage of a bye week before a November 5 date with Louisiana State. Texas A&M will host non-conference challenger New Mexico State next Saturday, and seek to pound out their frustrations on fellow “Aggies”. A&M will then resume their conference slate in Starkville against a plummeting Mississippi State on November 5, who lost a two point decision to Kentucky this past weekend.

WHAT WE SAW: KENTUCKY FINALLY WON A CLOSE ONE

Oct 22, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats kicker Austin MacGinnis (99) celebrates with teammates after kicking the game winning field goal against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Mississippi 40-38. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

If there is a theme for the Mark Stoops era in University of Kentucky football history, it’s coming up short. The 2014 season was particularly agonizing for the Wildcats; while they beat Steve Spurrier‘s Gamecocks, an overtime loss to Florida in a game they should have won, and the collapse of a comeback effort against Missouri saw UK again stay home during bowl season. While 2015 saw the ‘Cats score an unprecedented second straight victory over South Carolina and upset a top 25 Missouri team, even closer losses to Florida, Auburn, and Vanderbilt soured the mood in Lexington, and heated the seat for Stoops. Some wonder if Kentucky football will ever step out of the shadow of the basketball dynasty and see Commonwealth Stadium wrapped with the type of ticket camp out lines that commonly surround Rupp Arena during the winter.

A last second win over Mississippi State doesn’t immediately answer that question. However, it certainly doesn’t hurt.

SHOOTOUT IN LEXINGTON

The Wildcats hosted Dan Mullen‘s Bulldogs Saturday night, and found themselves trailing 14-6 at the half. However, UK’s first half series saw a 44 yard touchdown strike from Wildcat QB Stephen Johnson to Jeff Badet cut into the MSU lead and set the tone for the rest of the game.

A subsequent Westin Graves field goal extended the Miss St. lead to 17-12. The ensuing UK possession was capped with another long score; a 34 yard TD run by Benjamin Snell,Jr. Following a 2 pt. conversion the Wildcats had a 20-17 lead, their first all game.

What followed was a shootout between the two squads. MSU Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald took it to the end zone from 38 yards away to give his group a 24-20 advantage, only for a second 40+ yard TD pass from Johnson to Bedet put UK back in front, 27-24. Quarter number 4 began with Kentucky S Marcus McWilson with a 45 yard pick six, and make it a ten point ball game in favor of the Wildcats. However, MSU’s Cory Thomas would outdo McWilson with a 81 yard fumble return to the opposing end zone. The game was now a 34-31 affair. Kentucky got the football back and a 61 yard drive ended with an Austin McGinnis field goal. UK had a 37-31 lead with less than 7 minutes left to play.

CATS,DOGS TRADE RALLIES

The next MSU drive looked like the stuff of legend. Beginning at their own 23, Nick Fitzgerald salvaged plays with his running ability multiple times. Even though Fitz threw a couple incomplete passes his squad did not lose momentum and moved the ball in their wake. Following a crucial pass interference penalty that put the ‘Dogs in the red zone, Fitz threw a 7 yard strike to trusty WR Fred Ross, and MSU finally had the lead back, 38-37. Fitzgerald was ready for hero status.

The next series would haunt MSU.

With 1:02 remaining on the clock, the Wildcats needed to answer fast to avoid slipping to a losing record. Stephen Johnson responded with 3 passes to Jeff Bedet, the last of which landed UK on the Bulldog 33 with 3 seconds left. Austin MacGinnis connected on a 51 yard FG. With his victorious kick; it was he, not Fitzgerald, that was the game’s hero. A 40-38 Kentucky victory was the Wildcats first over the Bulldogs since 2008; their first at home since ’05. n a tenure that has seen Stoops come up on the losing end of these showdowns, the result was cathartic for Mark Stoops. Kentucky is now 4-3. Meanwhile, MSU slips to 2-5 as the painful adjustment to life without Dak Prescott continues.

WHAT WE’LL SEE: KENTUCKY TRAVELS TO MISSOURI, MSU HOSTS FCS SAMFORD

October 29 gives the Wildcats an opportunity for a second straight win as they face Missouri in Columbia. Missouri’s program is in a rough patch, with a 2-5 mark that includes no conference wins, and a loss to mid-major Middle Tennessee State among their woes. A second straight Wildcat win over MU looks easy to attain as the Tiger program weathers a tough year.

Mississippi State will regroup as the Samford Bulldogs of the FCS Southern Conference visit Davis Wade Saturday. A season marred with agonizing defeats has proven just how much former QB Dak Prescott, currently with the Dallas Cowboys, meant to the program, even though his successor Nick Fitzgerald has proven a capable leader. MSU returns to conference play on November 5, when Texas A&M comes to town.

WHAT WE SAW: LSU OUTLASTS REBS

Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers players celebrate with the Magnolia Bowl trophy following a win against the Mississippi Rebels in a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Louisiana State football looked to be at a low point when Les Miles, the program’s coach since 2005, lost his job following a heart wrenching 18-13 loss to Auburn. The Tigers had a GW touchdown taken from them when an official review determined that time had expired before the ball was snapped. Ed Orgeron took the Tiger team off Les’ hands, and proceeded to cruise to victories against Missouri and Southern Miss before Ole Miss arrived in Baton Rouge on October 22. Many remember Orgeron as the man who salvaged Southern Cal’s 2013 after the abrupt termination of Lane Kiffin.

LSU WINS ON STRONG SECOND HALF

Though Hugh Freeze’s squad was only 3-3 ahead of the contest, few expected the Tiger team to beat on the Rebs the way they did Saturday night, especially after the visitors opened up a 10-0 first quarter lead on the arm of QB Chad Kelly and the first half ended in a 21 all tie. After Ole Miss opened the third quarter with a punt, LSU’s RB Leonard Fournette took the football 78 yards to the end zone, in a play that gave LSU a 28-21 lead and proved a turning point in the contest, as LSU did not allow another Mississippi score and chewed clock efficiently as Fournette set a single game rushing record, in his first game both back from injury and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger’s new scheme.

FOURNETTE THE GREAT

Fournette’s performance not only inspired his fans and teammates but also chewed clock, as seen on a 6 minute touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Though he’s only played in three games this year, the stellar junior is already approaching the 700 yard mark, and eyeing a third straight 1000+ yard rushing season. The 240 pound Fournette is a popular guess for the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft. At 21, he’s already a legend among LSU supporters, who is expected to join Odell Beckham, Jr., Tyrann Mathieu, and Shaq among the ranks of the Bayou’s most prolific alumni. Ole Miss falls below .500, and looks ahead to an Auburn game in which the odds do not favor them.

WHAT WE’LL SEE:BYE FOR LSU; OLE MISS VS AUBURN

LSU will not play on October 29. The following week, they get a crack at Nick Saban, whose Alabama team has not dropped a LSU contest since the infamous sans-touchdown grinder at Bryant Denny in 2011, which they would avenge in New Orleans

Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) throws against the LSU Tigers during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

to claim that year’s national title. The Tide handled the Tigers, 30-16 last year.

HOTTY TODDY VS WAR EAGLE

Ole Miss will face Auburn, and having home field is one of the few advantages they’ll have. The Auburn Tigers boast the SEC’s leading passer in Sean White; who showcased his arm while torching Arkansas this week, and the Rebel defense ranks 90th. The secondary has suffered since the injury of CB Ken Webster in a season opening loss to Florida State. They’ve given up 231 throwing yards per game.

Ole Miss’ offense is above average, QB Kelly’s already past the 2000 passing yard mark. Most of those passes have gone the way of Tight End Evan Engram, but a weak run game does them no favors against the Tigers’ top 20. A long night could be in store for the boys from Oxford.

WE’LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK

The world’s largest outdoor cocktail party highlights Week 9, as Georgia, humiliated by Vandy on homecoming, looks to upset a solid Florida group. Tennessee heads to the Palmetto state to face Muschamp and South Carolina, Bama and LSU recoop before their de facto SEC West title game, and Ole Miss will see what it can do against Gus Malzahn’s team. What we may see is a very clear post season picture after next week. We’ll find out.