By Cole Mantell (@LightningDragon)
We are 3/4ths of the way through the season and have just two weeks to go. Two teams have established themselves at the top of the playoff race, and now the SEC race will come down to that last third automatic spot. Given the playoff races going on around the CFSL, it is very possible that only three SEC teams make the big show this season. Who will they be? Let’s get into it.
SEC Offense Shows Out
It was a week of great offense in the SEC, with three players making the CFSL Offensive Player of the Week voting. Let’s start with the Florida-Tennessee game. Florida had one of their best offensive showings ever in team history in the 70-42 win over the Volunteers. It keeps their playoff hopes alive, and two Gators got nominated in the win. Honestly, given Tennessee’s output, I’m a little surprised they didn’t get a nomination, too.
For Florida, voters can choose between QB Jack Schmidt and WR Aiden Bontrager this week. Schmidt combined for an incredible 9 touchdowns (6 passing, 3 rushing), good for maybe the best individual performance of any SEC QB this season. However, his 3 interceptions could hurt him in the voting. His receiver, Bontrager, was having his best game of his career so far. The freshman had more receiving yards against Tennessee (187) and receiving touchdowns (2) than in his previous three games combined (LSU, Auburn, and Texas). Talk about a statement game for the young receiver.
Meanwhile, this week, my CFSL Offensive Player of the Week vote went to Auburn HB Thomas Scally. Scally rushed for 264 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns in Auburn’s 55-10 dismantling of Georgia. Scally now has at least 96 rushing yards in five straight games, dating back to Week 2 against Virginia Tech. He is firmly in the conversation now for an All-American nomination at HB, and the senior is finally, it seems, jumping into the national conversation at HB. After so many seasons of Bo Yost and Taylor James, it seems finally people are noticing Thomas Scally as well.
The Third SEC Playoff Spot
Moving on from players, let’s talk playoffs. As of right now, Alabama and Auburn will likely take the first and second spots in the SEC for the playoffs. Once again, it seems the Iron Bowl in Week 8 will decide the SEC. So the bigger question becomes, then, who takes the third automatic spot? Given the playoff race around the CFSL, it seems very possible that the third spot will be the only way Florida or LSU gets in.
LSU is in the driver’s seat here. With their 48-45 win over Florida in Week 4, Florida is in a tight spot, having to leapfrog LSU in the conference standings. That game may have already decided this race. But for Florida to get in, they’ll need to win out. They’ll also have to hope LSU stumbles once or twice down the stretch, too. LSU already lost to Alabama this week.
Now, LSU gets Auburn in what is their most important game yet. It will be a tough test. But for LSU, a win over Auburn all but guarantees they make the playoffs. A loss gives more room for their rivals to take that spot. For Florida, they get a similarly tough test in the Alabama Crimson Tide. Needless to say, lots of playoff stories could be decided this week in the SEC.
Players Who Stood Out This Week
We’ve already talked about the great performances of Schmidt, Bontrager, and Scally. Although his team lost big, I’ll also add that Tennessee HB Kelby Fulton has had an excellent season once again. He’s 2nd in the SEC in both rushing yards and touchdowns.
As we start talking postseason awards, the SEC is best positioned at receiver to win some trophies. Florida WR Stacey Smith has an almost lock, it seems, at some big nominations, sitting 2nd in the CFSL this week in receiving yards. Not far behind her are Alabama WR Quincey Asher and Florida WR Duke Hancock.
On defense, the SEC has multiple possible nominations for All-American or better as well. Georgia OLB King Harris leads the CFSL with 63 tackles and is probably the conference’s best chance at Defensive Player of the Year this season. Alabama FS Nikolai Storm has been the best safety in the CFSL this season, sitting tied for 2nd in the CFSL with 4 interceptions this season. Another name to watch could be Alabama MLB Billy Savage, tied for first in the CFSL in forced fumbles right now.
SEC Results Week 6
Alabama beats LSU, 48-27
Florida beats Tennessee, 70-42
Auburn beats Georgia, 55-10
SEC Schedule Week 7
Wednesday, June 18th
Florida vs Alabama (6:15 PM, YouTube)
Thursday, June 19th
Auburn vs LSU (6:30 PM, Twitch)
Tennessee vs Georgia (8:30 PM, YouTube)
Potential SEC Game of the Week
It’s no secret that Auburn vs LSU will be maybe the biggest game of LSU’s season so far. While Alabama vs Florida will be entertaining, and I expect Tennessee vs Georgia to have an exciting amount of offense, that’s my pick. LSU has shown it can hold its own against some of the toughest competition the CFSL has to offer. They also have been nearly mercied this season by that same tough competition. This game will show us once and for all who this LSU team is in their first season back in the SEC.
For Auburn, this is business as usual. They need to keep rolling here to keep pace with rival Alabama. While they can win the SEC with a win over Alabama next week, they need to hold court here on the road against a hungry LSU team to do so. It’s must-see action, so tune in early for this key matchup!
