Predicting SEC top performers for week ten
The SEC Championship and bowl season are right around the corner. As the games intensify, who will step up this week as a top performer?
COLLEGE STATION, TX - OCTOBER 08, 2016 - linebacker Colton Jumper #53 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. Photo By Craig Bisacre/Tennessee Athletics
There are a few interesting games that are sprinkled in this week, but overall it is a light schedule this week in the SEC. However, some of these games have a lot riding on them. Here are a few names to watch this week.
Trevor Knight, Texas A&M QB
Trevor Knight led the Aggies to 7-1 after an easy, 52-10 beating of New Mexico State last week. In the win, Knight threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns. This week, Texas A&M faces off against the struggling Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs gave up 41 points and over 450 passing yards to Samford in a 56-41 win last Saturday. After giving up lofty numbers to the Samford offense last week, Mississippi State will find it difficult to stop one of the best receiving corps in the SEC that includes Josh Reynolds, Christian Kirk and Speedy Noil. The Bulldogs have allowed 81 points in the past two weeks, so look for Knight and the Aggie offense to have a big day in College Station.
Nick Chubb, Georgia RB
Georgia’s SEC Championship hopes were crushed once and for all after a 24-10 loss to the Florida Gators last week. Nick Chubb was held to a measly 20 yards rushing on nine attempts. In the past two weeks, Chubb and the Bulldogs have faced two stout rush defenses in Vanderbilt and Florida. But this week, Georgia travels to take on the Kentucky Wildcats who rank 88th in the nation in rush defense. Chubb has not had a 100 yard rushing game since South Carolina in week seven. However, look for Chubb to dissect the reeling Wildcats’ rush defense in Lexington this week.
Rico Dowdle, South Carolina RB
South Carolina is coming off of a 24-21 upset win over Tennessee to improve their record to 4-4. In the big win, true freshman running back Rico Dowdle totaled 127 rushing yards on 27 attempts for a touchdown. This week, the Gamecocks face off against the Missouri Tigers, who are coming off a loss to Kentucky. Missouri is 116th in the nation in run defense and gave up nearly 400 yards in the loss to Kentucky last week. The Tigers are now on a four-game losing streak that includes a loss to Middle Tennessee. Look for Dowdle to have a big game, as this is the worst rush defense South Carolina has seen all year.
Edited by Dalton King
Featured image by Craig Bisacre, courtesy of Tennessee Athletics
