The Crimson Tide were off in week nine but there was still plenty of football around the country to watch. Alabama likely controls their own destiny when it comes to the College Football Playoff but somehow still needs help in their own division. That is how chaotic and amazing this college football season has been. While Alabama prepared for a date with LSU, their regular season opponents mostly had a good week. Only Georgia and UL-Monroe lost to a team that is not (yet) on the Alabama schedule while Charleston Southern got the biggest win of the week.
Week 1: vs. Wisconsin – Win vs. Rutgers 48-10
The Badgers scored five touchdowns on the ground en route to a blowout conference victory. The defense forced two turnovers and allowed just 165 total yards of offense.
Next week: at Maryland, 2:30 pm CST, BTN
Week 2: Middle Tennessee – BYE
The Blue Raiders are coming off a bye at 3-5 overall and 2-2 in Conference USA. They sit in third place of C-USA East and host the division leaders this weekend.
Next week: Marshall, 2:30 pm CST, ESPN3
Week 3: Ole Miss – Win at Auburn 27-19
Chad Kelly threw 51 passes and a game-clinching touchdown pass to Laquon Treadwell. The senior wide receiver finished with 114 receiving yards and the touchdown. The Rebels racked up 508 offensive yards but two turnovers kept the game close until the end. The Rebels still control their destiny in the SEC West and will come on CBS just before the Alabama game.
Next week: Arkansas, 2:30 pm CST, CBS
Week 4: Louisiana Monroe – Loss at UL-Lafayette 24-30
The Warhawks held a 24-9 halftime lead and outgained Lafayette by 80 yards but still managed to lose. The Ragin Cajuns scored two touchdowns in the final seven minutes to win and dropped UL-Monroe to 1-7 on the season.
Next week: at Troy, 2:30 pm CST, ESPN3
Week 5: at Georgia – Loss vs. Florida 3-27
Georgia went with a new quarterback to try to change their fortune. It did not work. They had their worst offensive performance of the year and now Mark Richt is on the hot seat with a 5-3 overall record, 3-3 in the SEC. The Bulldogs had only 220 yards of total offense and five total turnovers.
Next week: Kentucky, 11:00 am CST, SECN
Week 6: Arkansas – Win vs. UT-Martin 63-28
The Razorbacks got back to .500 after Alex Collins ran for 173 yards and five touchdowns against the Skyhawks. Brandon Allen threw for two more scores while the offense racked up 591 yards of total offense. Unfortunately, the defense also gave up over 500 yards of offense but three turnovers helped keep the game out of hand.
Next week: at Ole Miss, 2:30 pm CST, CBS
Week 7: at Texas A&M – Win vs. South Carolina 35-28
Kevin Sumlin finally made a chance at quarterback and Kyler Murray had a huge game for the Aggies. The freshman finished 223 passing yards, 156 rushing yards and three total touchdowns while not turning the ball over. A&M got back to their winning ways, despite allowing 440 yards to one of the worst offenses in the SEC.
Next week: Auburn, 6:30 pm CST, SECN
Week 8: Tennessee – Win at Kentucky 52-21
The Volunteers had no letdown after the close loss in Tuscaloosa. Josh Dobbs had four total touchdowns and led a balanced offense to 448 total yards. Cameron Sutton had an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown to cap a 28-point third quarter.
Next week: South Carolina, 3:00 pm CST, SECN
Week 10: LSU – BYE
LSU is sitting at 7-0 and ready for the trip to Tuscaloosa after a much needed bye week. Expect a lot of in-depth coverage here at Touchdown Alabama throughout the week, starting with the Les Miles press conference.
Next week: at Alabama, 7:00 pm CST, CBS
Week 11: at Mississippi State – BYE
The Bulldogs got their bye week at a good time and prepare for a tough back-end of the schedule. Dak Prescott is still in the Heisman talk and could make a push in some of the big games.
Next week: at Missouri, 7:00 pm CST on Thursday, ESPN
Week 12: Charleston Southern – Win vs. Coastal Carolina 33-25
The Buccaneers knocked off the number one team in FCS last week. They scored 27 first-half points and then held off the Chanticleers for the biggest win in program history. Charleston Southern was once again led by their backfield trio of Darius Hammond, Mike Holloway and Ben Robinson, who combined for 287 total yards and three touchdowns. They are now ranked 13th in the FCS Coaches’ Poll.
Next week: at Kennesaw State, 1:00 pm CST
Week 13: at Auburn – Loss vs. Ole Miss 19-27
Another game that the Tigers had too much trouble inside the red zone as they fall to 4-4 overall and 1-4 in the SEC. Sean White finally threw a touchdown pass but it was from 47 yards out and was the only touchdown of the day for Auburn. The Tigers settled for four field goals, three of them inside the 15 yard line.
Next week: at Texas A&M, 6:30 pm CST, SECN
Caleb Turrentine is a contributor at Touchdown Alabama Magazine. Follow him on Twitter, @CalebTurrentine.
