Nick Fitzgerald is one of the toughest players in the SEC, but he endured an absolute nightmare in Baton Rouge on Saturday. He threw four interceptions at LSU which pretty much ended any chance his team had at pulling off a big, road upset. In fairness to Fitzgerald, he was Mississippi State’s only offensive weapon in the game. He also led the Bulldogs with 131 yards rushing on 23 carries. Joe Moorhead tried to put the whole ballgame in his quarterback’s hands, but that just didn’t work.
Gus Malzahn’s team needed a win and they got it at Ole Miss. This isn’t the sort of victory that saves their season, but it does make life on campus easier for everyone associated with the Auburn program this week. JaTarvious Whitlow was the start of the show for the Tigers on Saturday. He blasted the Rebels defense for 170 yards on just 19 carries. His efforts on the ground allowed Jarrett Stidham to play a much more comfortable game. Look for Malzahn to try to replicate that formula in the coming weeks.
Florida got a bye week ahead of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party next week. Their game against Georgia will likely determine the winner of the SEC East. It’s debatable whether or not the opportunity to play Alabama or LSU in the SEC Title game is actually a reward. If the Gators are going to defeat the Bulldogs, Feleipe Franks is going to need to play one of the best games of his career. He’s got the arm talent to make that happen, but the coaching staff has to keep it simple for him. Expect the Gators to have installed a lot of trick plays this week designed to catch Georgia off guard.
Aggie fans have a legitimate gripe to argue that they’re being ignored in the SEC West race. They host LSU on Nov. 24. That game could end up determining who goes to the SEC Title game. Jimbo Fisher has a difficult trip to Starkville next week before they worry about the Tigers though. Mississippi State is going to be hopping mad after their loss at LSU. Expect a really physical game between the Aggies and Bulldogs on Saturday.