Here are the top games involving SEC teams in Week 9 of college football, ranked from worst game to the best.
Things we learned
From Jadeveon Clowney returning to form to Florida State's complete dismantling of Clemson, here are the lessons learned from the college football weekend. **More ...**
7. Idaho at Ole Miss, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, CSS
Rating: 0.5 stars
The skinny: The Rebels, beset by injuries, could use a break, and the Vandals (1-6) figure to provide good timing. Matchup to watch? Nary a one that we can find. Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief is an NFL talent looking to post back-to-back 100-yard receiving games for the first time this season.
6. Florida Atlantic at Auburn, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN
Rating: 0.5 stars
The skinny: Two of Auburn's NFL hopefuls on the offensive line, C Reese Dismukes and OT Greg Robinson, should get a piece of FAU linebacker Randell Johnson. The Owls' top player, Johnson (6-3, 233) plays inside linebacker on the early downs, where he'll run into Dismukes, but he stands up on the edge as a pass rusher, where he'll work against Robinson. Auburn DE Dee Ford looks to maintain momentum from his two fourth-quarter sacks of Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel.
5. Furman at LSU, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, PPV
Rating: 0.5 stars
The skinny: Paladins' OG Dakota Dozier (6-5, 303) is expected to be a late-round draft pick, and his work against LSU defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson will be his best chance to show NFL scouts what he can do against big-time competition. LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger looks to rebound from his worst performance of the season in last week's loss to Ole Miss.
4. Kentucky at Mississippi State, Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Rating: 1.5 stars
The skinny: The SEC's first Thursday-night matchup since the Ole Miss-Vanderbilt lid lifter in August will bring a much-needed SEC win for one of two teams that are a combined 0-5 in league play. Wildcats middle linebacker Avery Williamson, the SEC's leading tackler, should see plenty of MSU's top overall prospect, OG Gabe Jackson. If there's a matchup that NFL scouts are looking for, this is the one they will pay attention to most.
3. Vanderbilt at Texas A&M, Saturday, 12:21 p.m. ET, SECTV
Rating: 2 stars
The skinny: As a smallish CB prospect, Vanderbilt's Andre Hal will have little to lose in working against 6-foot-5 WR Mike Evans. After all, nobody will be expecting Hal to get the best of the college football's premier jump-ball artist, so if he does, it will be the personal highlight of his senior season. Other pro prospects to watch: Vandy DB Kenny Ladler, WR Jordan Matthews and OT Wesley Johnson; A&M QB Johnny Manziel, OL Jake Matthews, OL Cedric Ogbuehi.
2. South Carolina at Missouri, Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN2
Rating: 2.5 stars
The skinny: South Carolina left tackle Corey Robinson, a fast-rising pro prospect, will have his hands full with either of Missouri's defensive ends: Kony Ealy, or SEC sacks leader Michael Sam. Robinson is a brute of a run blocker, so look for him to have an edge in that area; his pass protection will be tested by the quickness of Ealy and Sam. Standout Missouri CB E.J. Gaines is questionable with a quad injury, as is Gamecocks DL Kelcy Quarles. Other top prospects to watch: South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney, RB Mike Davis, CB Vic Hampton; Missouri WR L'Damian Washington, WR Dorial Green-Beckham.
1. Tennessee at Alabama, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Rating: 3 stars
The skinny: This storied annual rivalry hasn't been competitive for the last three years, but there will nevertheless be plenty of pro prospects on the field. How will Tennessee's vaunted offensive line, with as many as four future pros, handle the Crimson Tide's always-tough defensive front, led by Butkus Award candidate C.J. Mosley? Alabama's interior offensive line, led by guard Anthony Steen, will spend the day working against two of UT's top prospects in NG Daniel McCullers and LB A.J. Johnson. Alabama star RB T.J. Yeldon challenges defenders physically, which is Johnson's kind of game, more so than backup Kenyan Drake. So while Yeldon is the proven star of the Alabama backfield, don't be surprised if the faster, quicker Drake gives Johnson more problems on the perimeter and in the open field.
