SEC Roundup: Texas goes down, but so does over-rated Oklahoma

For those of you new to the SEC, we are often a conference of surprises. Just within the past year we have seen both Oklahoma and Texas leave the Big 12 to join our ranks, John Calipari left Kentucky for Arkansas, and Vanderbilt beat a No. 1 ranked Alabama team in football.

Week 8 of 2024 football was actually kind of an “as expected” weekend, especially in comparison to what we have experienced in the weeks leading up to this point.

There was, however, some hostility, the usual disappointment, and even calls for coaches to be fired throughout the mass we call social media. We will look at some of these as we go through our SEC Wrap-up for Week 8.

Three Takeaway Games

(5) Georgia 30, (1) Texas 15: All we have heard for weeks is how a decent amount of Texas fans wanted to see Freshman quarterback Arch Manning take the starting spot from veteran Quinn Ewers who was returning from an abdominal strain. This group of Manning campaigners finally got their wish when Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian temporarily benched a struggling Ewers. For two offensive series, we verified what most of us already knew: Manning may be as good, but he is not better than Ewers at this point.

Sarkisian put Ewers back in, and Texas did everything they could to make a game of it in the second half; however, this game proved to be simply another validation of what we all knew. Georgia is by far the better coached and more talented team. Troy Aikman in his prime could have suited up for the Longhorns, and the outcome would have been pretty much identical.

Georgia should be at least No. 2 in the Top 25, Texas will probably drop to No. 5. Both are primed to meet for the SEC Championship and both will most likely make the playoffs.

(7) Alabama, (11) Tennessee 24: Bama fans are not happy, and they have their first two losses before the end of October since 2007. Add to that, they barely escaped South Carolina last week. Crimson Tide faithful Rob posted Alabama’s issues fall on “Mainly discipline. Saban had these dudes coached to the point of being robots. Now there [are] penalties and blown plays every series.”

Rob is not alone. Others are screaming new Bama coach Kalen DeBoer has lost the strict leadership of which those in Heart of Dixie have become accustomed.

Take nothing away from Tennessee. They are on a mission to get back to their winning ways since their upset loss at Arkansas. Only one of these teams will make the playoffs, and this game is probably the deciding factor.

Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman against LSU | Nilsen Roman-HitThatLine.com

(8) LSU 34, Arkansas 10: Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman’s seat moved back up on the thermometer, not because the Hogs loss, but because of how badly they loss. Even though we had mentioned this game would be decided by the coordinators, the head coach is ultimately responsible. Even though he is beloved, there are pleas for his time at Arkansas to come to an end. Keith Jackson (no, not that one – a guy who goes by ChiefKJackson) wrote on ‘X’: “Can Sam Pittman please move to Lake Hamilton for good and ride off into the sunset as the man that tried his best and liked a loud jukebox and a cold beer once in a while?”

On a plus sign for the Hogs, their fans showed they can be extremely loud and disruptive, creating countless false start penalties against the Tigers.

LSU has a solid road victory to put on its resume as an SEC Championship and playoff berth both remain in their crosshairs. The Tigers control their own destiny, and a win over A&M next week will leave them as the lone undefeated team in conference play. After that, they play a down Alabama team and a handful of “should-wins”.

Remaining Results for Week 8

(14) Texas A&M 34, Mississippi State 24: Despite a 1-6 record, with Jeff Lubby being in his first year at Mississippi State, a coaching dismissal in not even a possible mention.

The reason this game ranks 4th in relevance this week is, like LSU, the Aggies are in the driver’s seat for an SEC Championship. Their match-up against the same Tigers next week will leave the SEC with only one undefeated conference team. The difference is, A&M will still have a very tough game against Texas to close out the season.

Auburn 17, (19) Missouri 21: Closer than expected, but the challenge of having to make a comeback at home might have been a good test of guts and dedication for the Missouri players. Missouri is about where they need to be in the rankings, and, with just one loss, they are still in contention for an SEC Championship and a playoff berth.

Daylan Carnell from Missouri had one of the hardest hits I have ever seen on Auburn receiver Rivaldo Fairweather. Carnell also had a complete moment of classlessness when he taunted an injured Fairweather. Carnell had no idea the extent of the injury. Kids, this is not a knock on the good people of Missouri, it is a call for sportsmanship to be put at the forefront of a “look at me” generation.

Ball State 14, Vanderbilt 24: Closer than expected? Yes. A good non-conference test for a Vandy program on the rise? Probably not. A win closer to bowl eligibility? Yes. No matter how you categorize this game, it is good to see the progress of the Commodores as they try to leave the label of “perennial cellar dweller”.

South Carolina 25, Oklahoma 9: “They are who we thought they were,” has almost come across as cliche in the sports world since Dennis Green uttered his frustration through those words. Speaking for me, I have stated multiple times Oklahoma has more often than not come into a season overrated. The Sooners also rolled into their inaugural SEC campaign completely unprepared.

Many of the Sooner faithful state they would not fare well in any conference. Others are putting blame where they feel blame lies, and that is in the hands of coach Brent Venables’s staff. Gunner Hathcock stated on ‘X’, “Give him a year to hire an OC. If this is the same product next year, let him go.”

Kentucky 20, Florida 48: It is possible some see the lopsided victory of this game a surprise, but given the way the Wildcats have played like up-and-down like a cheap wave pool, it was probably expected by a decent minority.

Check back here next week for more SEC Wrap-up.