No. 9 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) lost 45-38 in a thrilling double overtime game to No. 7 Texas A&M (6-0, 4-0 SEC) in College Station. After week six, the Vols remain at No. 9 in the AP Poll and No. 11 in the Coaches Poll. Tennessee hosts No. 1 Alabama this Saturday for the Third Saturday in October rivalry game.
Virginia Tech blasts North Carolina
The No. 25 Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1, 2-0 ACC) defeated the No. 17 North Carolina Tar Heels (4-2, 2-1 ACC) 34-3. Hokie quarterback Jerod Evans went 7-of- 17 for 75 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground. It was a rough game that was played during heavy rain and wind from Hurricane Matthew. The Vols defeated the Hokies 45-21 on September 10th at the Battle of Bristol.
Ohio defeats Bowling Green
The Ohio Bobcats (4-2, 2-0 MAC) defeated the Bowling Green Falcons 30-24. Bobcat quarterback Greg Windham threw for 190 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a score late in the third quarter to help push the Bobcats to victory. The Vols defeated the Bobcats 28-19 on September 17th.
Florida-LSU postponed
Due to hurricane Matthew, both Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC) and LSU (3-2, 2-1 SEC) postponed the game indefinitely. Throughout the week, LSU offered Florida numerous options such as moving the game to Sunday or even hosting the Gators in Baton Rouge. Obviously, this has caused some controversy throughout the SEC. If this game isn’t made up, then it could affect the division races, especially in the East.
If Tennessee goes 6-2 in the conference and the Gators finish 6-1, by rule, the Gators would be crowned East champions because the division winner is based on winning percentage even though Tennessee beat Florida in the regular season. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has expressed his concerns and hopes this game can be played at some point this season.
Georgia edges South Carolina
The Georgia Bulldogs (4-2, 2-2 SEC) edged out a 28-14 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks (2-4, 1-4 SEC). Freshman quarterback Jacob Eason had his worst outing so far, only completing five passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. However, the story of the day was the successful return of Georgia’s duo of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Chubb ran for 121 yards and two scores while Michel added another 133 yards. The Gamecocks had some turnover issues that ended up costing them. Tennessee defeated the Bulldogs last Saturday 34-31 thanks to a last second Hail Mary from Josh Dobbs to Jauan Jennings. The Vols will travel to Columbia to face the Gamecocks on October 29th.
Alabama rolls Arkansas
The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0, 3-0 SEC) defeated the No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks (4-2, 0-2 SEC) 49-30. Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, while adding two more scores on the ground. On defense, Minkah Fitzpatrick grabbed three interceptions including a 100-yard pick six in the fourth quarter. Alabama now has 18 consecutive wins, the longest winning streak in the country. The Crimson Tide will travel to Knoxville this Saturday for the annual Third Saturday in October rivalry game.
Tennessee Tech falls to Jacksonville State
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (2-4, 2-2 OVC) 40-21. TTU couldn’t muster much of anything on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Michael Birdsong threw for 167 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions. Tech’s best playmaker, wide receiver Dontez Byrd, recorded 75 yards on seven receptions and a score but it wasn’t enough to help out the Eagles. Tennessee will host Tennessee Tech on November 5th for Homecoming.
Kentucky survives Vanderbilt
The Kentucky Wildcats (3-3, 2-2 SEC) pulled out a 20-13 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores (2-4, 0-3 SEC). Kentucky quarterback Stephen Johnson only threw for 49 yards and an interception but came up big with a rushing touchdown and a late fourth down conversion. Vanderbilt struggled offensively and only scored on two field goals and a 22-yard fumble recovery. The Vols will travel to Lexington on November 12th and the Commodores will play the Vols in Knoxville on November 26th.
*Appalachian State will play Louisiana Lafayette on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
*Missouri had the week off and will travel to Gainesville this Saturday for a pivotal SEC East match-up
