Here's a look at what we learned from watching SEC games in Week 7.
1. It's time for a showdown (WARNING: statistical analysis). Texas A&M and Alabama are both undefeated, ranked No. 1 and No. 6 respectively, and play next week with control of the SEC West on the line.
All you really need to know is it's the SEC's best offense vs. the SEC's second-best defense. A&M gains 533 yards per game (eighth nationally) and Alabama allows 274 (fifth nationally). But things get ugly when you look at the other side. A&M has the SEC's third-worst defense (tied for 98th nationally) and Alabama has the second-best offense (17th nationally).
It's particularly interesting when you just look at rushing numbers. Alabama gains 265 yards per game, which is 10th nationally and second in the SEC behind A&M, which gains 274 yards per game on the ground. However, Alabama has the nation's top rushing defense, allowing 62 yards per game. The Aggies give up 159 yards per game, which is tied for 68th nationally.
For some common opponent context, consider that Tennessee averaged 8 yards per carry against A&M two weeks ago and averaged one yard per carry Saturday against Alabama.
The Aggies get a half turnover a game more than Alabama and the Crimson Tide get half a sack more per game than A&M. But the biggest concern for the Aggies will be third downs. A&M is converting .387 percent of third downs. That's 75th nationally. Alabama's defense is 12th nationally, allowing conversions on .297 percent of opponents' chances.[1]
And, for what it's worth, Alabama has 11 non-offensive touchdowns this year and at least one in every game so far.
2. Don't taunt Alabama. Here we go, again. Every year, someone or multiple someones think it will be fun to engage in a little trash talk prior to playing Alabama, and then end up looking foolish a few days later.
Tennessee is a repeat offender in this regard after calling Alabama "the red team" in 2013. That preceded a 35-point loss. Well, in 2016, the Vols had an unkind message for Lane Kiffin, flew an anti-Kiffin banner, wore some anti-Kiffin buttons and, perhaps most egregiously, discussed plans for rushing the field.
Alabama won 49-10. Oof.
For as much as Alabama (7-0, 4-0) could survive on talent and doesn't need to look for motivation, it's still not a good idea to make it easy to find some. Kiffin's offense rolled up 594 yards and Alabama won with a bigger margin than it had against Kentucky and Western Kentucky.
Aggies, here's some advice. Look at what you're planning to do and say this week and determine if there is anything in it that could be interpreted in any way as a slight toward Alabama. If there is, Do. Not. Do It.[2]
3. Tennessee had The. Worst. Day. Let's start with this: Trevor Daniel outpunted Tennessee's offense by 320 yards.
But more importantly than that, the Vols have dropped consecutive games and don't control their destiny in the SEC East any more. That's now Florida, which Tennessee beat. Florida still has to play Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina and LSU while Tennessee must face South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt.
That sets up better for Tennessee (5-2, 2-2). All they need to do is win out and have Florida drop a game, and they're back in. And with Georgia losing to Vanderbilt (more on that in a minute) that removes a hypothetical three-way tie Tennessee could have sneaked in on.
Currently, the Vols are tied with Kentucky - yes, Kentucky - for second place in the division. And, not to forget, it's been a really long time (3/647 days) since Tennessee beat Alabama.[3]
That's this many years for those of you keeping score at home:
1. It's time for a showdown (WARNING: statistical analysis). Texas A&M and Alabama are both undefeated, ranked No. 1 and No. 6 respectively, and play next week with control of the SEC West on the line.
All you really need to know is it's the SEC's best offense vs. the SEC's second-best defense. A&M gains 533 yards per game (eighth nationally) and Alabama allows 274 (fifth nationally). But things get ugly when you look at the other side. A&M has the SEC's third-worst defense (tied for 98th nationally) and Alabama has the second-best offense (17th nationally).
It's particularly interesting when you just look at rushing numbers. Alabama gains 265 yards per game, which is 10th nationally and second in the SEC behind A&M, which gains 274 yards per game on the ground. However, Alabama has the nation's top rushing defense, allowing 62 yards per game. The Aggies give up 159 yards per game, which is tied for 68th nationally.
For some common opponent context, consider that Tennessee averaged 8 yards per carry against A&M two weeks ago and averaged one yard per carry Saturday against Alabama.
The Aggies get a half turnover a game more than Alabama and the Crimson Tide get half a sack more per game than A&M. But the biggest concern for the Aggies will be third downs. A&M is converting .387 percent of third downs. That's 75th nationally. Alabama's defense is 12th nationally, allowing conversions on .297 percent of opponents' chances.[1]
And, for what it's worth, Alabama has 11 non-offensive touchdowns this year and at least one in every game so far.
2. Don't taunt Alabama. Here we go, again. Every year, someone or multiple someones think it will be fun to engage in a little trash talk prior to playing Alabama, and then end up looking foolish a few days later.
Tennessee is a repeat offender in this regard after calling Alabama "the red team" in 2013. That preceded a 35-point loss. Well, in 2016, the Vols had an unkind message for Lane Kiffin, flew an anti-Kiffin banner, wore some anti-Kiffin buttons and, perhaps most egregiously, discussed plans for rushing the field.
Alabama won 49-10. Oof.
For as much as Alabama (7-0, 4-0) could survive on talent and doesn't need to look for motivation, it's still not a good idea to make it easy to find some. Kiffin's offense rolled up 594 yards and Alabama won with a bigger margin than it had against Kentucky and Western Kentucky.
Aggies, here's some advice. Look at what you're planning to do and say this week and determine if there is anything in it that could be interpreted in any way as a slight toward Alabama. If there is, Do. Not. Do It.[2]
3. Tennessee had The. Worst. Day. Let's start with this: Trevor Daniel outpunted Tennessee's offense by 320 yards.
But more importantly than that, the Vols have dropped consecutive games and don't control their destiny in the SEC East any more. That's now Florida, which Tennessee beat. Florida still has to play Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina and LSU while Tennessee must face South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt.
That sets up better for Tennessee (5-2, 2-2). All they need to do is win out and have Florida drop a game, and they're back in. And with Georgia losing to Vanderbilt (more on that in a minute) that removes a hypothetical three-way tie Tennessee could have sneaked in on.
Currently, the Vols are tied with Kentucky - yes, Kentucky - for second place in the division. And, not to forget, it's been a really long time (3/647 days) since Tennessee beat Alabama.[3]
That's this many years for those of you keeping score at home:
