Carroll County News: High School Sports: Should be better brand of football this week in SEC (10/02/12)

After Saturday's showing of Southeastern Conference football was settled, I must admit I was pretty well spot on for the most part concerning the results of a less-than-interesting weekend.

The only real surprise to me was the 51-44 score between Georgia and Tennessee, 95 points that the rest of the conference was happy to see.

Elsewhere, the Texas A&M rout of the Razorbacks came as no surprise to anyone, South Carolina took care of business against Kentucky and Alabama flexed its muscle, though later than anticipated against Ole Miss.

Missouri showed its weakness by narrowly escaping UCF, 21-16, and LSU made the loudest thud by struggling against Towson in a 38-22 win.

That sets up this weekend's schedule that will separate the cream of the conference from the rest of the league. And while Hog fans will enjoy an SEC win against one of the worst Auburn teams in recent memory, the guys up top are more interested in staying there.

After LSU's near disaster against Towson, the Tigers are going to have a hard time convincing anyone that they can go to Gainsville and do anything but get chomped in The Swamp. South Carolina's defense will not be near as flexible as Tennessee and the Gamecocks win easily at home against Georgia. Georgia surrendered 44 points to the Vols...44.

That will leave Florida and South Carolina at the top of the East.

With Alabama taking the week off, like it needs it, and LSU falling flat on its face in Gator territory, Mississippi State visits Kentucky in a critical Western Division matchup. The outcome of that game will dictate if LSU and it's unworthiness or Mississippi State and its untested group will hang around to test the Tide down the stretch.

Texas A&M plays in Oxford against Ole Miss and based on its recent success should have no trouble against the Rebels, leaving the Aggies in contention for the West title after LSU's true colors show during the stretch run. But the time it all comes to a head, the Aggies will probably finish second in the West behind the Tide and just ahead of the Bulldogs from Starkville.

Oh yeah, Vanderbilt plays at Missouri this weekend.

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Chan Davis is the sports editor for The Carroll County News. He can be reached at ccnsports@cox-internet.com or at 870-654-2742.