College Football Scores: SEC Week 9

There may be questions about who the number 2 team in the country is, but there are no questions about which team is number 1. The Crimson Tide (8-0) cruised to an easy 38-7 victory over the previously undefeated Mississippi State Bulldogs. The  No. 11 Bulldogs (7-1) were only able to avoid the shutout after Alabama’s second and third string defensive players took the field. Even after Alabama’s starting offensive line checked out en masse early in the fourth, the Tide still scored on MSU. “It didn't matter that Mississippi State brought a No. 11 ranking or an undefeated record to Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide did what they've done all season -- and for much of the past four years -- and applied a python-like vise grip on their opponent,” ESPN reports. Next week, the Tide rolls into Baton Rouge to settle the SEC West. MSU hosts the Aggies. 

In other SEC action:

No. 10 Georgia 17, No. 2 Florida 9 - It was ugly and, at time, downright painful to watch, but the Georgia Bulldogs made just enough stops and caught just enough breaks to topple No. 2 Florida in a 17-9 upset.  The win will likely secure No. 10 Georgia (7-1) a berth in the SEC championship game. As Steve Greenberg of the Sporting News wrote, “They almost can’t mess this thing up.” Almost. Georgia still needs to win against Ole Miss next week in Athens, and on the road at Auburn on Nov. 10. Then, depending on how things play out in Baton Rouge, they’ll face the Tide or Tigers in Atlanta. Florida (7-1) wraps up SEC play next week against Missouri. 

Ole Miss  30, Arkansas  27 – A last minute field goal was just enough to net the Rebels (5-3) their second SEC win of the season.  “Arkansas outgained the Rebels 464-355 in total yardage, and Wilson finished 24 of 43 passing for 297 yards, but it couldn't stop Ole Miss when it needed to the most,” Yahoo Sports reported. Arkansas (3-5) hosts Tulsa next week as Mississippi travels to Athens to take on No. 10 Georgia.

No. 20 Texas A&M 63, Auburn 21 – Could things get much worse for Gene Chizik and his Auburn Tigers (1-7, 0-6)? Yes, and they will. The Tigers got a shellacking at the hands of Johnny Football and the Aggies, but things are only going to get worse when Georgia comes to town on Nov. 10 and then much worse when the Tigers head to Tuscaloosa on Nov. 24 to take on the juggernaut that is their archrival. “[A&M quarterback Johnny] Manziel accounted for 350 yards of total offense (260 passing; 90 rushing) and five touchdowns. His can’t-catch-me, side-to-side and diving runs and well-placed passes made for a nice rebound from a tough showing in the previous week’s 24-19 loss to LSU,” the Dallas News reported. The Aggies (6-2, 3-2) travel to Starkville next week; Auburn hosts New Mexico State. 

Kentucky 10, Missouri 33 – Kentucky (1-8) remains winless in the SEC thanks to new league member Missouri (4-4). SB Nation gives credit for the win -- the first SEC victory for the Tigers -- to the Missouri defense, “who shut out Kentucky in the second half, and forced three total turnovers, including a fumble returned for a touchdown by E.J. Gaines.” Up next for Missouri is Florida. Kentucky hosts Vanderbilt. 

Tennessee 35, South Carolina 38 – It was a costly win for South Carolina (7-2) as star running back Marcus Lattimore left the game with a severe knee injury. Lattimore, who missed six games last season with a knee injury, was taken to the hospital after a horrific hit in which his leg appeared to flop to the ground as if completely disjointed. "He's going to do wonderful things," Coach Steve Spurrier told ESPN, while acknowledging, "I don't know what field of life." The news was better for Gamecock quarterback Connor Shaw who threw for three touchdowns and a career-high 356 yards. South Carolina plays next on Nov. 10 against Arkansas. Tennessee (3-5, 0-5) hosts Troy on Nov. 3.

University of Massachusetts 7,  Vanderbilt 49 – Yahoo Sports reports, “Sluggish most of the penalty-filled first half, the Commodores (4-4) broke open a seven-point game with two late first-half touchdowns in 55 seconds. They added four touchdowns in the third quarter to claim successive wins for the first time since starting 3-0 last year.” Next week, Vanderbilt (4-4) travels to Lexington to face the 1-8 Kentucky Wildcats.

Idle: LSU

You might also be interested in reading:

• College Football Scores: SEC Week 1
• College Football Scores: SEC Week 2
• College Football Scores: SEC Week 3
• College Football Scores: SEC Week 4
• College Football Scores: SEC Week 5
• College Football Scores: SEC Week 6
• College Football Scores: SEC Week 7
• College Footbal Scores: SEC Week 8