NCAA Football East: Four Undefeated SEC Teams, Will this Change in Week 7?

With conference play pretty much in full swing, the SEC still has four undefeated teams ranked in the Top 25: #3 South Carolina (6-0, 4-0), #4 Florida (5-0, 4-0), #1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0) and #19 Mississippi State (5-0, 2-0).

The odds of these teams remaining undefeated aren’t necessarily high, so you have to ask, which one will fall first? Taking a look at this week’s schedule, there’s two games that could change this: # 19 Mississippi State vs. Tennessee and #3 South Carolina vs. #9 LSU.

#19 Mississippi State vs. Tennessee

Tennessee QB Tyler Bray

Both teams entered the season with low expectations and they have fared better than expected. This week, the game is a must-win for both as the Vols need an October victory and the Bulldogs need to show they are for real.

Mississippi State is enjoying its best start in 13 seasons and a lot of this comes from its tough defense. Nationally, the Bulldogs are tied for No. 4 with 15 forced turnovers and No. 11 with its 13.4 average points allowed.

Last week against Kentucky, they held the Wildcats to 228 yards of total offense.

As for the Vols’, the same can’t be said of its defense, especially when trying to stop the run. Per game, Tennessee has been giving up 186.2 yards on the ground and 5.2 yards per carry.

In previous games, the Volunteers gave away 336 rushing yards to Florida and 274 yards to Georgia.

The team will need to keep an eye on the Bulldogs’ lead running back LaDarius Perkins. To-date, he has 82 carries for 499 yards and six touchdowns. He sits at No. 2 in the conference.

Offensively, Tennessee has its talented quarterback, Tyler Bray. To-date, he is 118 for 193 passing, 1582 yards and 14 touchdowns. Put in his rising running back Raijon Neal with his 460 yards and four touchdowns, along with wide receiver Justin Hunter with 456 yards and four touchdowns, and this team can score.

Look for am interesting battle between Tennessee’s wide receivers and Mississippi’s secondary and its penchant for turnovers.

History is on Tennessee’s side: they’ve won the last seven meetings between the two. But a slight nod goes to the Bulldogs at -2.5 with a 57 over/under.

#3 South Carolina vs. #9 LSU

South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore

After its 35-7 pounding of Georgia last week, the Gamecocks have gained a little respect while LSU sorely needs some.

Both teams will also be looking for the win as South Carolina will try to advance its 10-game win streak–a first for the school–while LSU,  playing in front of the home crowd, could redeem itself after its 14-6 loss against Florida last week.

LSU’s offense will need to step up. With its total 200 yards in the Florida game, it represented the fewest for a regular season game since October 2009.

Its quarterback Zach Mettenberger will also need better play this week after his 11 for 25, 158 yards and one pick an interception in the Gators’ game.

The LSU defense could have its hands full with South Carolina’s top running back Marcus Lattimore. He’s had three 100-yard rushing game with nine touchdowns along 18 receptions for 133 yards.

South Carolina’s quarterback Connor Shaw has been viewed as a game manager and has completed 75.7 percent of his passes with 733 yards, seven touchdowns and two picks. Shaw can run and has an average per game of 56 yards.

The Gamecocks defense was tough to beat least week against Georgia, only allowing 224 yards of offense. Nationally, they rank No. 4 in scoring defense (10.5 points per game), No. 11 in total defense (278.0 yards per game) and sits tied for greatest number of sacks at 25.

Oh yeah, South Carolina also has that talented defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney.

LSU’s offense isn’t its strength so they will need to stay on their toes.

The Tigers play well at home with its 21-game win streak and the bettors think it will continue  with the home team at -3 and a 40.5 over/under.

Other games around the conference on Saturday includes #1 Alabama (-21.5) vs. Missouri and #4 Florida (-8.5) vs. Vanderbilt.