SEC Wrap Week 5
By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer Football Reporters Online
Southeast Region
LSU 20 Georgia 13
This is another reason the SEC is the best football conference in the nation and here is some proof. This is a conference where you are made or broken. Ole Miss found that out when they could not produce in primetime against a conference foe. This week it was LSU’s turn to prove the voters right and the doubters wrong. They were ranked fourth in the nation just like Ole Miss was last week and were the underdogs in this one. True to form, you never know which Tiger team is going to show up. They were able to move the ball in the first half, control the clock, but had only six points for all the effort. Georgia was trying to make a statement in the conference as well. So they took the hit from LSU for three quarters and were only down six. In the third quarter the momentum seemed to shift towards the Dawgz. After a good drive they opened the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Shaun Chapas that gave Georgia a 7-6 lead. For all the Tigers had done, mistakes kept them from leading by a few touchdowns. They had two chances inside the Georgia ten and came away empty after a pick in the end zone and a failed fourth and inches. So after the Georgia touchdown the Tigers went to work on a 13 play 88 yard drive that ended in a two yard Charles Scott run that made it 12-7. The two-point conversion failed and Georgia got the ball back with just under three minutes to go and time to answer the latest Tiger score. So that is exactly what they did as QB Joe Cox led them on a six-play 79 yard drive to put Georgia up 13-12. They also went for and failed on their two-point conversion and the stage was set for the finish. There was 1:09 left in the game and the Tigers found themselves suddenly fighting for their season. They knew that next week was Florida so they had to take care of business today. There were reasons to pack it in and say they tried but it would not be. On the Georgia score wide receiver A.J. Green was penalized for excessive celebration so his team had to kick off from the 15. Trindon Holliday returned the kick to the Dawgz 43 and another penalty put the ball at the Georgia 38 with a chance to win the game with a field goal. Instead Scott took the second down handoff and fought of defenders on his way to the game winning 33-yard touchdown. So it was now done and the Tigers could move forward to the huge task at hand next week. They face Florida for power positioning in the SEC. This is the way football is played here and the teams that are real will go to the head of the class. Slip up and this conference will expose you quickly.
(3) Alabama 38 Kentucky 20
When things go your way they just go your way. Alabama was up when they were pinned deep in their territory. Running back Trent Richardson took a handoff and appeared to be tackled in the end zone. The officials came back and ruled that he just got the ball out of the end zone on time. The Tide would then move the football the length of the field and go ahead for good. It was that kind of day as Alabama basically dominated the Wildcats in every form and fashion. They were so dominant in the second half the outcome was never in doubt. Running back Mark Ingram had a career day as has had 140 yards on 22 carries to go with two touchdowns. Quarterback Greg McElroy was efficient in going 15-26 for 148 yards and two scores. More importantly he did what was expected of him when he was needed. This game showed that the Tide have earned their number three national ranking. They are deep everywhere with depth and experience as well as a load of talent. In order to get past this team you are going to have to come well prepared for a long hard fought game. Kentucky on the other hand has work to do. They can feel good about what they were able to do in this game. They were able to move the ball for the most part but were sabotaged by three Mike Hartline interceptions and another time he completed the pass but it was knocked free and Courtney Upshaw scooped it up and ran it back 45 yards for the score. That pretty much did it for the Wildcats and now they have faced the two of the top three teams in the nation the past two weeks and as head coach Rich Brooks said, “They're a great football team. I expect to see them in the SEC championship game."
Ole Miss 23 Vanderbilt 7
Speaking of being broken in the conference we check in on the Rebels. Last week they were riding high before game time. They had the highest ranking in forever at number four. They were being cast into the spotlight in primetime and got whipped. So now they had to regroup and quarterback Jevon Snead would lead the way against a weak Vandy team that has struggled this season. Instead he threw three interceptions when the team had already built a rhythm in the first half. Head coach Houston Nutt said that he was disappointed that Snead did not make better decisions and tried to force things. Yes he had three touchdown passes in the first half but the second half breakdown worries his coaches and himself. He came into the season much hyped and is now trying to hold it together so that his team may have a shot a major bowl. Vanderbilt came in ranked third nationally in pass defense but was lit up at the start. Mistakes helped give them a chance but they could not capitalize. Larry Smith was ineffective going 10-27 for 69 yards. He was sacked four times and when he drove Vandy to a possible score his pass got picked off. So there is plenty of work to do as Head coach Bobby Johnson knows. The Dores have to find some form of offense because defense wont win it here alone.
Elsewhere:
Auburn 26 Tennessee 22
The rebuilding continues as Auburn gained 459 yards of offense as they were balanced and never trailed. Vols manage to show some of their own offense with 410 yards but the game was not as close as the score would indicate.
South Carolina 38 South Carolina St. 14
The Gamecocks tie their best start in the Steve Spurrier era and Stephen Garcia ran for a touchdown and passed for two more. Still the small Bulldogs squad held their own showing S.C. they better be prepared when the big boys come a knocking.
Arkansas 47 Texas A&M 19
Georgia Tech 42 Miss. St 31
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