The Week in Review - Week 4 in the SEC

Alabama's Mark Ingram and Greg McElroy were outstanding late in Fayetteville. /AP

ALABAMA at ARKANSAS - Heck of a ballgame in Fayeteville, that I am sure Ryan Mallett will tell you, the Razorbacks should have won. Against a team of Alabama's caliber (the one we saw in the 4th quarter on Saturday) you can't make mistakes and get away with it. So, after his three interceptions, the Hogs have nobody to blame but their Heisman candidate under center. However, the Hogs may have provided a blueprint for beating the Tide, racking up 357 yards in the air. Also note, Mark Ingram AND Trent Richardson are both really good.

SOUTH CAROLINA at AUBURN - I actually thought we saw two very good football teams in this game. The Auburn defense rose to the challenge of stopping the USC running game, but the Gamecocks responded well through the air. I was very surprised at South Carolina's inability to stop the Auburn running attack (namely Cam Newton), but credit the Tigers for exploiting that fact. Auburn has a very good football team but a brutal schedule LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas still standing in their way of a division title.

UAB at TENNESSEE - I think it is evident at this point that the Vols have less talent than they have had in a long time. While they got the win, we again learned that they just aren't where they need to be to compete in this league and I think a 7 win season would be a miracle in Knoxville.

KENTUCKY AT FLORIDA - Welcome to the SEC schedule Wildcats. And welcome to 2010 Florida. The Gators finally formed an identity under new quarterback John Brantley and found a new star in Trey Burton. While this was a great breakout performance for the Florida offense, we will learn a lot more about whether they are truly "back" this weekend in Tuscaloosa. Remember Gator fans, Kentucky defense = not good.

GEORGIA at MISSISSIPPI STATE - Sad, sad state of affairs in Athens right now. A team many were picking to win the East is in disarray right now. Luckily for them, they get AJ Green back in Colorado this weekend. On the other hand, great win for Dan Mullen and MSU. They continue to improve and I think they are a year away from making some noise in the crowded SEC West.

FRESNO STATE at OLE MISS - Give the Rebels credit for bouncing back and making a stand when their season looked really bleak. Brandon Bolden put the Rebels on his back with 220-plus yards rushing, and should be the focus of their offense moving forward. Not sure how good Fresno is, but this was a must-win for Ole Miss and they got the job done. 

WEST VIRGINIA at LSU - Is anyone else curious how LSU is 4-0? Well, while I say that, I also know the answer. Defense. The Bengal Tigers got the job done again this weekend against WVU, but their offense (mainly their quarterback play) is dreadful. They are going to have a tough time if somebody can actually force them to throw the football.


Check back tomorrow for some performers of the week, Unqualified Perspective style. Follow me on twitter @jboog1285.

Guessing UP a storm - Week 4 Picks in the SEC

Cam Newton and Auburn will lose a tough battle against South Carolina. /AP

Alright, so 6-2 wasn't bad for my first week, but things don't get any easier in week 4 in SEC play. A couple of headliners top the schedule with Arkansas hosting Bama, and South Carolina visiting Auburn. Let's take a shot at it shall we?

ALABAMA at ARKANSAS - In the biggest game in Fayetteville in over 30 years, the Razorbacks will put up a fight. But the Crimson Tide running backs will wear down the Arkansas defense late in this one and Bama will win a high-scoring contest. Alabama 34 - Arkansas 27.

SOUTH CAROLINA AT AUBURN - This game is huge for both teams as they look to establish themselves as contenders in their respective divisions. The Tigers fought a tough battle in to overtime against Clemson last week and I think that plays a role in this one. Look for South Carolina to put pressure on the shaky Auburn defense early and wear them down in the running game late. I like the Gamecocks by a touchdown and a half. South Carolina 27 - Auburn 17.

UAB AT TENNESSEE - The Vols have struggled, but showed some fight against Florida last week. I think this is still a ballgame in the late third quarter, but Tennessee pulls away late. Tennessee 21 - UAB 10

KENTUCKY AT FLORIDA - This is an interesting matchup as it should tell us a lot about both teams. Kentucky finds out if it is really an improved team in 2010 and Florida fans are just looking for week to week improvement. I say the Swamp is too much for the admittedly improved Cats, and the Gators win a nail-biter late. Florida 24 - Kentucky 17.

GEORGIA AT MISSISSIPPI STATE - The Dawgs are desparate, and Mark Richt will have them ready to play, because he can't afford not to. Aaron Murray has a coming out party of sorts, and Georgia gets their first SEC win of the season in impressive fashion. Georgia 34 - Mississippi State 14.

Jeremiah Masoli will lead his team to a rare victory this week. /AP

FRESNO STATE AT MISSISSIPPI - Another desparate soul resides in the person of Houston Nutt, and I think the Rebels rally here as well. Pat Hill will have the Bulldogs ready, but the fighting Masolis give the home crowd something to cheer about. Ole Miss 31 - Fresno State 21.

WEST VIRGINIA AT LSU - In what might be the most wildly tailgated game in recent history, we should also have a decent football contest. I like the Mountaineers squad, but I think the LSU defense makes a big stop late and the Tigers survive. LSU 14 - West Virginia 10.

Game of the Week Preview - Week 4

So, while I think the Arkansas vs. Alabama game is obviously the headliner this week, there is another game that should have as much of an impact on the SEC race as the game in Fayetteville, and that is the matchup between the Auburn Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks. But first things first, on to the Tide visiting the Razorbacks.

Alabama Offense vs. Arkansas Defense

This will be an interesting matchup as both offenses have been largely untested  in my opinion. Alabama faced a ranked (at the time) Penn State team that slowed them down slightly, but nobody has been able to contain the Tide offense that ranks in the nation's top 20 in rushing and passing.

The Crimson Tide is loaded with weapons on the offensive side of the ball, and while they might prefer the ball control style of offense, they can beat you with the home run from a number of different positions.

First, the two-headed monster of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson at running back. BOTH of these guys can take it to the house from anywhere on the field on any play.The Arkansas defense has held opponents to less than three yards per carry so far this season, but they haven't seen an offensive line or a pair of running backs like Alabama provides. Look for the Alabama backs to have a good day and be the focal point of the offense.

Bama quarterback Greg McElroy has graduated this season from game manager to playmaker, and is a legitimate concern for the Arkansas defense. He also has one of the league's top receivers in Julio Jones, and again they will test the Arkansas defense who's toughest test has been Freshman Aaron Murray and the AJ Greenless Georgia Bulldogs. The Razorbacks let a number of Georgia receivers get behind them last week, and can't afford for that to happen against the Tide on Saturday.

In conclusion, the Tide are going to score, and I don't see the Arkansas defense holding up the standard they have early in the season against Georgia and some lesser competition. ADVANTAGE: ALABAMA

Bobby Petrino will have to call a masterpiece to beat the Tide. /AP

 Arkansas Offense vs. Alabama Defense

If we learned anything about the Arkansas offense last week, it's that they too have the ability to beat you with the big play. Ryan Mallett is clearly the SEC's top quarterback three weeks in and has a stable of weapons around him in receivers Greg Childs and Joe Adams, as well as tight end D.J. Williams. Alabama has not seen an offense that threatened them through the air, so we don't have much of a gauge on their pass defense just yet.

While Arkansas has thrown the ball very effectively, they have been miserable running the football. They rank 98th in the nation in rushing, and the bottom line is, you can't be one-dimentional against a Nick Saban coached defense. They will need to get Broderick Green off and going at running back and keep the Tide safties honest in order for Mallett to open up the field.

I think Arkansas proves a point in this game and puts up some offensive numbers at home against the nation's top-ranked team. ADVANTAGE: ARKANSAS

Special Teams Matchup

Neither team has stood out on special teams thus far, but neither team has been bad either. Special teams can always be a factor, but I don't see it deciding this game. ADVANTAGE: PUSH  

Conclusion

While I do think this is a close game, I don't think the Crimson Tide go down in Fayetteville this week. I think both teams will score some points, but I think Ingram, Richardson and company play ball control late and hold the ball away from the Arkansas offense enough to win. Notch up a couple of big plays from both teams, as well as some sustained drives, and your final score is Alabama 34, Arkansas 27.


Stay tuned for the Auburn vs. South Carolina breakdown later today...

On the UP and UP - Thursday September 23rd, 2010

A Florida player says he expects Chris Rainey to be back with the Gators. /AP

SEC East

• Busy day in Columbia today. Highly recruited running back Jarvis Giles is transferring, much-maligned tight end Weslye Saunders is trying to get reinstated, and the Gamecock offensive line is trying to get healthy.
• Florida center Mike Pouncey says he expects wide receiver Chris Rainey to eventually return to the team, after being arrested for aggravated stalking.
• Georgia nose guard Justin Anderson had surgery for turf toe and will miss the rest of the season.

LSU will face one of the nation's best running backs in WVU's Noel Devine. /AP

SEC West

• Talented freshman Trovon Reed said he was about 80 percent last week for Auburn against Clemson. Coach Gene Chizik says he hasn't improved much this week. 
• An Arkansas blogger puts this weekend's game against Bama in perspective.
• The LSU defense is well aware of how dangerous RB Noel Devine is for West Virginia.
• MSU defensive coordinator Manny Diaz says his unit needs a killer instinct this weekend against Georgia.
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The UP Player of the Week - Week 3

Alabama's Mark Ingram is healthy and ready to defend his Heisman trophy in 2010. /AP

After missing the first two games recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, Alabama Mark Ingram announced his return in style Saturday against Duke.

In just nine carries, Ingram rushed for 151 yards (a 16.8 yard average for those of you keeping track) and two touchdowns, showing the SEC that the Heisman winner is back for more in 2010.

I would like to add that he WAS playing Duke, who looked like, well, Duke. FOUR Alabama running backs five or more times and they all averaged over seven yards per carry in the 62-13 win. 2011 Heisman candidate Trent Richardson (that's right I said it) followed Ingram with seven carries for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Ingram and the Tide will get their biggest test to date this Saturday when they travel to Arkansas.

Coach Speak - Week 4

This guy could really use a win this weekend. /AP

Here's what the SEC's coaches had to say this week.
SEC East

• Coach Steve Spurrier and South Carolina move past the Kenny McKinley tragedy and continue preparations for Auburn.
• Urban Meyer wraps up the Tennessee win and moves on to his team's Saturday tilt with Kentucky.
• Derek Dooley and company look to build on a surprisingly not terrible performance against Florida.
• Joker Phillips talks about the opportunity to play against a team with actual football players instead of tackling dummies who breathe.
• Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs talk about what has become a must win against Mississippi State.

SEC West

• Gene Czhiik says South Carolina will be the best football team Auburn has played to date. 
• Alabama's Nick Saban previews his team's SEC opener against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
• Les Miles previews this week's out of conference showdown with West Virginia.
• Dan Mullen and Mississippi State get another crack at a big win against UGA this week.
• Houston Nutt and Ole Miss lick their Vandy inflicted wounds and look ahead to Fresno State.
• Bobby Petrino and Arkansas get ready for their biggest game of the year as they host Alabama

On the UP and UP - Wednesday September 22nd, 2010

Good morning folks. I won't lie to you, it has been a tough week. But it's back to football today, thank goodness.

Joker Phillips and the Cats will find out who they are this weekend in the Swamp. / AP

SEC East

• South Carolina players are trying to cope with the loss of Kenny McKinley, a former teammate, while getting ready for one of the biggest games of the season. In positive news though, linebacker standout Shaq Wilson practiced for the first time since the preseason.
• Florida is learning that having top 5 recruiting classes every year pays off. Some of the young studs are starting to play a prominent role.
• Injuries along the offensive line are forcing Tennessee to turn to a lot of freshman and sophomores. Unfotunately, Derek Dooley hasn't done as good a job of illegaly getting good players on campus as colleague Bruce Pearl.
• Georgia running back Caleb King says he really, truly is going to play this week. He said that last week, but he was just playin.
• Kentucky is taking a very logical approach to this week's game at Florida. 'If we don't get blown out early, we may have a chance late.' What a novel concept.

This guy could win a Heisman and still be the 3rd best player on the field Saturday. /AP

SEC West

• It will be the "highly recruited running back bowl" when South Carolina travels to Auburn this week. And to think Marcus Lattimore and Michael Dyer were almost teammates, gross.
• The Birmingham News points out that the matchup between Arkansas and Alabama this weekend could historically be a battle of three Heisman trophy winners.
• The Tide defense is doing a little extra conditioning this week to get ready for the high-powered Razorback offense.
• Meanwhile, while Alabama gears up for the pass, Arkansas dreams of having a run game. Probably not the week that's gonna happen Bobby.
• In breaking down film, LSU beat writer says the Tigers are winning with defense and special teams.
• Mississippi State QB Chris Relf is "fine" after taking a helmet to helmet hit against LSU. Well, we should say he is no worse off than he was before the Bulldogs threw 5 picks to the Tigers. So fine might be pushing it.
• Ole Miss is bad and is trying to figure out how to fix that. Paraphrase much?