Around the SEC Football: Week 8

The most anticipated matchup of the week turned into a statement victory, while other top teams handled their business in a fairly predictable week of SEC football.

No. 11 Alabama hosted No. 17 Tennessee in the sequel of arguably the game of the year last season, with it ending in Tennessee’s goalpost being thrown in the Tennessee River.

The matchup would be very different this season, as both teams lost multiple key players to the NFL draft. This includes number one overall pick and former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Tennessee’s own starting quarterback in Hendon Hooker and Biletnikoff Award recipient Jalin Hyatt.

The rematch appeared to be going Tennessee’s way early as they had a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

However, the Volunteers only mustered seven points for the remainder of the game and were shut out in the second half.

Alabama, on the other hand, recovered nicely after a slow first half. The Crimson Tide opened the second half with a 75-yard touchdown drive that they completed in only two plays. The Crimson Tide were dominant for the rest of the half, outscoring the Vols 27-0.

Maligned Bama quarterback Jalen Milroe had a solid outing, throwing for 220 yards and two touchdowns while running back Jase McClellan contributed 115 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

With The Crimson Tide clinging to a seven-point lead in the middle of the fourth quarter, linebacker Jihaad Campbell returned a Tennessee fumble for a touchdown to essentially clinch the game.

The win put Alabama back in the top 10. After their bye week, they will take on another ranked team when Heisman candidate Jayden Daniels and No. 15 LSU visit Tuscaloosa in two weeks.

Tennessee dropped to No. 21 and will travel to Lexington to face a rested Kentucky team next week.

No. 13 Ole Miss struggled against a bottom-tier SEC opponent for the second straight week.

Despite their 0-3 conference record and getting blown out by LSU the week before, Auburn was not a cakewalk for Ole Miss. The Tigers tied the game at 14 at the beginning of the second quarter, and it remained that way until a one-yard touchdown run by Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart as the third quarter expired.

A four-yard touchdown run by running back Quinshon Judkins with 7:51 left in the game gave Ole Miss a comfortable lead, and a late garbage time touchdown by Auburn made the score look a little better for Auburn fans.

No. 20 Missouri continued their surprising season by dismantling South Carolina, a team that had high hopes after season-ending wins against Tennessee and Clemson last year.

Quarterback Brady Cook hooked up with superstar wide receiver Luther Burden III for a 42-yard touchdown in the first quarter, but the typically potent passing attack was lackluster at best for the Tigers.

However, they rode running back Cody Schrader to the tune of 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns and a staunch defense that contained Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Missouri showed they can win games in other ways than an unrelenting aerial attack which will benefit the team in the long run. Cook is only a Junior, so Missouri could potentially be in contention next year assuming Cook does not declare for the draft.

No. 19 LSU decorated their end zones in camouflage to welcome Army into Baton Rouge before obliterating them 62-0.

Alex Perez is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email app5877@psu.edu.