It’s Week 11 of the college football season, which means we are officially in the stretch run.
While we already know the SEC championship match-up, that doesn’t mean that the games don’t matter.
In fact, if there’s a time when Alabama and Georgia could be caught off guard, it would be this week. Nick Saban and Kirby Smart almost always have their teams disciplined and ready to go, but it’s worth wondering how they’ll do this week, with both teams coming off emotionally charged wins, and both teams banged up.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the best games from the best conference in Week 11. (RELATED: SEC Week 10 Recap: Alabama Kicks Some Tail. Ed Orgeron With A Major Fail)
Kentucky vs. Tennessee
Both the Vols and Cats played very poorly last weekend. Tennessee got away with it since they were playing Charlotte. Kentucky obviously didn’t and got destroyed by Georgia.
This week, the Wildcats will have to respond to their SEC East hopes being dashed, while Tennessee will be fired up for a possible upset. The difference in motivation will overcome the talent differential, and Tennessee will pull the upset.
Prediction: Tennessee 20 Kentucky 17
Alabama v. Mississippi State
The traditional post-LSU trap game for Alabama. The Crimson Tide usually starts slow against the Bulldogs but pulls away at the end.
Last season, Mississippi State nearly took down Alabama for the first time in a decade. They led late in the first quarter until Jalen Hurts led two touchdown drives to give Alabama a 31–24 win.
The Bulldogs have underachieved this season, but they could certainly make up for it with a win in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. Senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald knows that and appears to be relishing the opportunity. It will be up to Fitzgerald to excel as both a runner and a passer, in order to keep his squad in the game.
Based on what we’ve seen this year, I can’t see that happening. The Tide will start slow but pull away for the blowout in the second half.
Prediction: Alabama 31 Mississippi State 3
Auburn v. Georgia
Few match-ups are able to stand the test of time, but Auburn-Georgia is both the oldest rivalry in college football and still one of the best. Last season, these two teams met twice with Auburn drubbing then top-ranked Georgia in Jordan-Hare Stadium, and the Dawgs returning the favor in the SEC championship game.
This year, Georgia will return to the SEC championship game while Auburn will sit at home the first weekend of December, which means that Gus Malzahn’s team will make this game their Super Bowl. It will be close, but the Dawgs will pull it out. (RELATED: Auburn’s Football Team Reportedly Makes Massive Decision. Fans Might Not Be Pleased)
Prediction: Georgia 30 Auburn 20