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ALABAMA: The Crimson Tide took on Florida this past weekend in a rematch of last season's SEC title game, a contest dominated by 'Bama. Saturday's meeting brought more of the same, as the Tide crushed the Gators by a 31-6 final. Heisman winner Mark Ingram scored twice, and quarterback Greg McElroy completed 11-of-17 passes for 84 yards. Marquis Maze threw a touchdown pass for the Crimson Tide, who have reeled off 29 consecutive regular-season victories. Alabama has little time to celebrate the thrilling victory, as a road date with South Carolina is on the docket this coming weekend.
ARKANSAS: The Razorbacks were idle this past weekend and will get back to action on October 9th against non-conference foe Texas A&M on the road. There is no doubt that Arkansas is still stinging from a 24-20 loss to Alabama last time out, especially since the Hogs allowed the game to slip away in the fourth quarter. Ryan Mallett threw for 357 yards and a touchdown on 25-of-38 passing in that tilt, but he was intercepted three times for Arkansas, which fell to 4-12 all-time against the top-ranked team in the nation. Jarius Wright was Mallett's main target, catching six passes for 131 yards, while Ronnie Wingo hauled in a touchdown pass. Both teams had 421 total yards of offense, and Arkansas's leading rusher was Knile Davis with 42 yards.
AUBURN: Non-conference foe ULM came to town on Saturday, and the result was a lopsided 52-3 victory for the Tigers as expected. Cam Newton continues to put up big numbers for Auburn, as the quarterback tossed three touchdown passes against the Warhawks. Newton completed 14-of-19 passes for 245 yards and was picked off once as the Tigers rolled up 505 yards of offense. Mario Fannin rushed for 89 yards and a score for the Tigers, who have won all eight meetings with ULM. In fact, Auburn has never lost to any of the current members of the Sun Belt Conference (16-0). The Tigers will do battle with SEC foe Kentucky on the road this coming weekend.
FLORIDA: The Gators traveled to Tuscaloosa to clash with the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, and there is no doubt that Urban Meyer and his players wanted revenge for the beating they endured in last season's SEC title tilt. Unfortunately, the result was another lopsided loss to the Tide, a 31-6 beating to mark Florida's first regular-season setback in a span of 25 games. John Brantley was 16-of-31 through the air for 202 yards and he was picked off twice, one of which was returned by Alabama for a touchdown. The Gators committed four turnovers overall. Another tough game awaits Florida this coming weekend, as undefeated LSU invades The Swamp.
GEORGIA: The Bulldogs stepped outside of conference this past weekend for a road matchup with the Colorado Buffaloes of the Big 12 Conference. The result was yet another painful defeat, as Georgia fell to 1-4 with a 29-27 loss to the Buffs. Caleb King ran for 100 yards on 12 carries for the Bulldogs, who have now lost four straight. Aaron Murray was 16-of-27 through the air for 221 yards and three touchdowns. A.J. Green, who returned to the lineup after serving a four-game suspension, caught seven balls for 119 yards and two scores. Georgia outgained Colorado 409 yards to 393 yards. This Saturday, Tennessee comes to Athens to take on the Bulldogs in SEC action.
KENTUCKY: The Wildcats played a road game against the Ole Miss Rebels this past weekend, and that tilt ended in a heart-breaking 42-35 defeat. Kentucky was led by quarterback Mike Hartline who threw for 300 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Running back Derrick Locke carried the ball 19 times for 68 yards and two scores, while also amassing 108 yards receiving on eight catches in the loss. While the 'Cats are a respectable 3-2 overall, they are now 0-2 in the SEC standings. Expect the Wildcats to have their hands full on Saturday when Auburn comes to town. Clearly, Kentucky can't afford another setback if the team hopes to be relevant in the SEC standings.
LSU: The Tigers collided with a talented Tennessee team on Saturday, and that game was extremely physical as expected. It was the ending, however, that left everyone talking. After time appeared to run out on LSU deep inside UT territory, it was revealed that the refs flagged the Vols for having too many men on the field. That gave LSU another chance at the end zone from one yard out, and Stevan Ridley plunged in for the game-winning score with no time left on the clock. The 16-14 triumph enabled the Tigers to remain unbeaten at 5-0 overall, including 3-0 in SEC play. Jarrett Lee was 16-of-23 for 185 yards and one interception, while Ridley finished with 123 yards on 22 carries for the Tigers. A much-anticipated meeting with Florida in Gainesville will take place on October 9th.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs had a great opportunity to add another victory to their record this past weekend as Alcorn State, an FCS squad, visited Starkville. MSU cruised to a 49-16 triumph, as Vick Ballard led the charge with 119 rushing yards and three touchdowns on only eight carries. Ballard showed his explosiveness by breaking free for a 75-yard scamper. Chris Relf completed 11-of-15 passes for 209 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions, which Chad Bumphis made nine catches for 133 yards and two scores. MSU finished the game with 566 total yards, including 336 yards through the air. The Bulldogs won easily despite losing the time of possession battle by more than seven minutes. Another non-conference game is on the schedule this Saturday for the Bulldogs, as they will face Houston on the road.
OLE MISS: In Saturday's clash with Kentucky, Ole Miss showed a great deal of toughness to emerge with a 42-35 victory. Brandon Bolden carried the ball 23 times for 108 yards and a touchdown to lead his squad to the win. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli completed 9-of-17 passes for Ole Miss, throwing for 90 yards and three touchdowns. Masoli also had nine carries for 43 yards and a touchdown in the win. Ole Miss was able to recover a late onside kick to seal the hard-fought victory. The Rebels are the only SEC team that will not be in action on Saturday, October 9th. They will return to the field on October 16th against No. 1 Alabama.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Steve Spurrier and his Gamecocks had an opportunity to rest and regroup during this past weekend's open date, and they will return to the field on October 9th against mighty Alabama. In their most recent outing, the Gamecocks certainly put forth a tremendous effort against Auburn on the road, but the result was a 35-27 defeat. Stephen Garcia was 15-of-21 for 235 yards with three touchdown passes. Two of the scoring strikes went to sophomore Alshon Jeffery, who racked up a career-best 192 yards on eight receptions. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore scored on the ground, but the Gamecocks' rushing attack was bottled up to the tune of 79 yards.
TENNESSEE: The Vols are undoubtedly disappointed after a controversial and rather bizarre loss to LSU on Saturday. Tennessee appeared to win the game when LSU botched a snap in the closing seconds, but the Vols were flagged for two many men on the field. That enabled LSU to plunge into the end zone on a one-yard run with no time left. Matt Simms finished 12-of-23 for 121 yards and appeared to have rushed for the winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter for the Volunteers, who have dropped three of four. Tauren Poole posted 109 yards and a score on 24 carries, while Gerald Jones added five receptions for 46 yards in the setback. Tennessee will clash with Georgia on the road this coming weekend.
VANDERBILT: The Commodores stepped outside SEC play to tangle with Connecticut of the Big East on Saturday, and the result was an ugly 40-21 loss. Larry Smith paced the Vanderbilt attack with 157 yards and two touchdowns on 15- of-25 passing, in addition to a team-high 64 rushing yards on 13 carries. However, Smith was also intercepted twice and sacked five times in the loss. The Commodores proved to be weak against the run, as they allowed UConn's top tailback to run for 190 yards. The Huskies scored on all five of their red- zone trips, while Vandy was just 1-of-2 in the red zone. UConn also enjoyed a nearly 13-minute edge in time of possession. The Commodores will take on Eastern Michigan, another non-league opponent, this coming weekend.