Whew! We're already through one-third of the college football season, and the top half of the SEC is starting to separate itself from the bottom. Week Four saw a team in free fall, a closer contest than expected, and a team that is gaining confidence and leading the division. Let's start the rundown.
1. Florida is establishing itself as a serious contender in the East.
Florida went on the road and won tough games against Texas A&M and Tennessee in weeks two and three, and it would've been easy to coast into Saturday's game at home against lowly Kentucky with a lackluster performance. Instead the Gators hammered the hapless Wildcats 38-0. The fact that Florida beat Kentucky isn't very surprising - in fact, it was the Gators' 26th consecutive win in the series - but what made Gator fans happy was the balanced attack (203 yards passing, 200 rushing) and the complete domination of the Wildcats on both sides of the ball. Along with South Carolina and Georgia, who both took care of business, the Gators have staked their claim as the class of the East, and it will be interesting to see who rises to the top.
2. Zach Mettenberger looks like a first-year quarterback.
Many college football prognosticators proclaimed that LSU's offensive issues from last year were all resolved now that Mettenberger has taken over the role of signal caller for the Tigers. At least one ESPN pundit put him on his Heisman Watch list before the season even started, although he had only played a few downs in garbage time last season. To be sure, Mettenberger looked good coasting through the early teams on the Tigers' schedule, but Saturday's game against Auburn was a rude awakening. Despite the fact that LSU won 12-10, Mettenberger had two first half fumbles that helped Auburn stay in the game, missed a number of open receivers, and generally looked average against his first SEC defense on the road. Mettenberger finished 15/27 for just 169 yards, and failed repeatedly to drive LSU in the second half when the game was in jeopardy. Auburn's offense was anemic at best, garnering less than 200 yards total, but it almost didn't matter, and an early safety by the defense ended up being the difference. Without some major improvement, LSU will be lucky to make it to November 3rd undefeated.
3. Arkansas has collapsed.
Clearly, the problems with the Razorbacks weren't solved with Tyler Wilson back on the field. While Wilson threw for 419 yards and three touchdowns, he also tossed two interceptions. Arkansas's defense gave up over 500 yards to Rutgers while the 'Backs rushing game garnered only 73. It was clear that the team didn't give up this week: Wilson hit an 80-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter and looked to tie it up with a two-point conversion that ultimately failed, but unfortunately, John L. Smith appears to be phoning it in at this point. For a team that entered the season thinking about an SEC title, it looks less and less like Arkansas will even manage to make it to a bowl game.
4. The Good
(7) South Carolina 31, Missouri 10
South Carolina and Connor Shaw finally looked like the team that closed out 2011 against Nebraska, overpowering Missouri at home. The Tigers have obviously run out of gas in their first two conference games, confirming for many that Mizzou will have difficulty competing with the best in the SEC due to size and talent.
(1) Alabama 40, Florida Atlantic 7
Some day, a team will challenge Alabama for more than a half of football, but it was not this day.
(5) Georgia 48, Vanderbilt 3
Complete domination in all phases of the game by the Bulldogs, who seem to have hit their stride. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, has taken a step backward.
(14) Florida 38, Kentucky 0
Florida is improving every week into a real SEC title game contender. Joker Phillips' run at Kentucky is all but over now, as the Wildcats have only one likely win remaining on the schedule.
Texas A&M 70, South Carolina State 14
The Aggies, behind five touchdowns by quarterback Johnny Manziel (three passing, two rushing) got on track offensively, and appear to be peaking for next week's showdown with Arkansas.
Ole Miss 39, Tulane 0
The Rebels exploded for 26 first quarter points to hammer the Tulane Green Wave, recovering quickly from last week's loss to Texas.
Mississippi State 30, South Alabama 10
The Bulldogs have sleepwalked their way to 4-0, their best start since 1999.
5. The Bad
Rutgers 35, Arkansas 26
It just keeps getting worse for the Razorbacks, who are going to struggle to win six games. At this point you hope that the players make it safely through this debacle.
6. The Ugly
Tennessee 47, Akron 26
This game was tied 23-23 midway through the third quarter before the Volunteers finally pulled away. That might be blamed on a hangover from the Florida loss or on looking ahead to next week's showdown with Georgia, but either way, the Vols are lucky that they were playing the Zips this week.
7. Games to Watch in Week Five
Tennessee at (5) Georgia
Tennessee begins a slate of four difficult games on the road in Athens. The Vols need to win one of these for Dooley's hot seat to cool down some, but I don't think it will be this one. Look for a convincing win from the 'Dawgs.
Arkansas at Texas A&M
Nothing I have seen from Arkansas this year convinces me that they will win this game. Texas A&M should be the first of the SEC newcomers to win a conference game.
Ole Miss at (1) Alabama
The Rebels have improved since last year's embarrassing 52-7 loss to the Tide . Saturday, we'll see how much.
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