(12) South Carolina vs Central Florida
Just as every team that South Carolina has faced this year has done, UCF will be forced to game plan heavily around Jadeveon Clowney. UCF quarterback Blake Bortles, who has a 7:1 touchdown to interception ratio thus far, will be able to handle the pressure better than any other quarterback South Carolina has faced, but Bortles has less surrounding talent. He and running back Storm Johnson will be the backbone of the offense as they try to keep up with South Carolina’s strong offense. Connor Shaw, South Carolina’s dual threat quarterback that has yet to throw an interception, will attack UCF’s defensive back as he is complimented by Mike Davis’ ability to run all over any defense he faces.
South Alabama vs Tennessee
Following their loss to Florida, Tennessee faces a lesser opponent that they will dominate. Despite him being mediocre, Jason Worley has secured the job as the starting quarterback and should have few issues with South Alabama, especially behind his superior offensive line. Rajion Neal, Tennessee’s leading rusher with 299 yards, will make Worley’s task even easier as he forces South Alabama to crowd the box. Tennessee’s most daunting defensive task will be containing Jay Jones, South Alabama’s 205 yard rusher.
(6) LSU vs (9) Georgia
Jeremy Hill has been averaging a jaw dropping 8.3 yards per carry through LSU’s four games and will uphold such average against a young, inexperienced Georgia defense. Zach Mettenberger, who’s already thrown 10 touchdowns this season, will be able to feed off of Hill’s success and violate Georgia’s secondary. Although, Georgia’s Todd Gurley is the most feared running back in the nation and currently has 377 yards on the year after just three games. Aaron Murray, being the efficient system quarterback he is, will need to keep the turnovers at a minimum if he plans to carry the Bulldogs over LSU.
(21) Ole Miss vs (1) Alabama
Classic SEC will be on display as both teams’ dominant defensive lines clash to see who can out pressure the other. Alabama’s Jeoffrey Pagan and Adrian Hubbard have the advantage over Ole Miss’ Robert Nkemdiche and CJ Johnson, but the Ole Miss duo is not to be handled lightly. Nkemdiche and CJ Johnson each have four tackles for loss this year and should give the young Alabama line fits. Such pressure will collapse the pocket on AJ McCarron, who has already thrown two interceptions this year. TJ Yeldon may be averaging 5.6 yards per carry, but his opposing running back, Jeff Scott of Ole Miss, is averaging a whopping 9.4 yards per carry. Ole Miss is primed to have a legitimate shot to upset the Crimson Tide.
(10) Texas A&M vs Arkansas
The spectacular Johnny Manziel takes the stage once again against a fellow SEC opponent. Although, despite his 15 total touchdowns, he also has four interceptions through four games. With Mike Evans at his disposal, Manziel won’t have an interception against Arkansas as long as he reads the field correctly. Arguably the most overlooked aspect of Texas A&M’s offense is Ben Malena. He’s averaging 5.8 yards per carry and already has five rushing touchdowns, accompanied by one receiving touchdown. Arkansas, as usual, will have to rely on their SEC leading rushing attack headed by Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams, who struggled last week, to gain them the victory. Quarterback Brandon Allen has been less than impressive with his 59% of completion.
(20) Florida vs Kentucky
New Gators quarterback Tyler Murphy has stepped into a huge role and thus far, has been all one could ask for. In his debut against Tennessee, he did not turn throw an interception, unlike Jeff Driskel, who did not even finish the first quarter. Thus far, Mack Brown and Matt Jones have been sub par for the Gators, both averaging 3.8 yards per carry or less. With the Florida defense being the 2nd best in total yardage in the nation, the offense won’t need many points to win. Although, Za’Darius Smith of Kentucky will be closing the pocket on Murphy and is a better pass rusher than anyone that Tyler Murphy saw against Tennessee.
Arkansas State vs Missouri
The multi talented James Franklin enters the game with seven total touchdowns through his three previous games. More impressively, running back Russell Hansbrough is averaging 7.7 yards per carry and is tied for the team lead of three rushing touchdowns. Dorial Green-Beckham rounds out the offensive trio with 239 receiving yards and two touchdowns from his 17 receptions. On defense, Kony Ealy and company will have to slow down Arkansas State’s staple of their offense- their rushing attack.
UAB vs Vanderbilt
Although it will be to a lesser extent, Vanderbilt will demolish UAB just as LSU did. Austyn Carta-Samuels is a serviceable quarterback, but the real firepower of the passing attack is wide receiver Jordan Matthews and his partner in crime, Jonathan Krause. The two are mismatches for any cornerback and will especially be so against UAB. Vanderbilt’s only defensive issue will be stopping Darrin Reaves, who has 366 rushing yards on the year, but that should not be too daunting of a task for the SEC defense.