TEN GAMES ON THE NOVEMBER 23 SLATE
WEEK 13 GAME SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2024
Mississippi Rebels (8-2, 4-2 SEC) at Florida Gators (5-5, 3-4 SEC)
Series: Tied, 12-12-1
Noon ET • ABC
Last: UF, 51-35 (2020 at Oxford)
Gainesville, Fla. • Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)
SiriusXM: 81 – 106/190
Mississippi Rebels Notes
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• This will be the 26th all-time meeting between Ole Miss and Florida … The series is tied 12-12-2 dating back to 1926. • Ole Miss leads 6-4-1 in Gainesville, its last win a 31-30 upset over No. 4 Florida in 2008. • Head coach Lane Kiffin (103) is one of three active SEC head coaches with 100 FBS wins (Brian Kelly, 192; Kirby Smart, 102) … Kiffin (42-17) recently became the fastest coach to 40 wins in Ole Miss history. • The Rebels are 37-12 overall since 2021 and rank third among all SEC schools in wins in that span. • In SEC play, Ole Miss leads in eight categories, are the only team top-three scoring offense (2nd) and defense (2nd), only team averaging 300 passing yards, and lead by five sacks (33) despite two fewer games played. • The Rebels beat No. 2 Georgia, 28-10, on Nov. 9, one of 15 top-five wins in program history and the first since 2015 … Largest margin of defeat for UGA since 2019, first non-Alabama loss since Florida in 2020. • Ole Miss sacked Georgia five times, the most allowed by UGA in the regular season since 2013, and held the Bulldogs to their fewest yards since 2017 (245) and fewest rushing yards since 2021 (59). • Ole Miss leads the SEC in 21 different categories and leads the FBS in seven, including sacks (46) and TFL (103). • QB Jaxson Dart is 372 passing yards shy of Eli Manning’s career record 10,119 … The record would also move Dart past Manning for 10th in SEC history. • Dart (3,409) owns more passing yards through 10 games than eight of the last 10 Heisman-winning QBs. • Dart leads the FBS in total offense (371.3), passing efficiency (188.6) and yards/attempt (114). • DE Suntarine Perkins is second in the SEC in sacks (10.0) and is tied for second in Ole Miss single-season history. • Ole Miss’ five main defensive line starters (Ivey, Nolen, Pegues, Perkins, Umanmielen) own 54.0 TFL and 33.0 sacks
BY TH N UMBERS
88.4 Ole Miss ranks as ESPN’s third-most efficient team in college football. The Rebels currently are No. 11 in the CFP rankings.
372 QB Jaxson Dart is 372 passing yards shy of Eli Manning’s career record 10,119, which would move Dart onto the SEC top-10.
296 Of Ole Miss’ 447 forced yards lost on defense, 296 have come via the QB sack (66.2 percent).
LAST FIVE GAMES AGAINST FLORIDA
Sept. 26, 2020 • Oxford, Miss. • #5 Florida 51, Ole Miss 35
Despite 613 yards of total offense, the Ole Miss Rebels had few answers for Florida as they fell 51-35 to the No. 5 ranked Florida Gators to open the 2020 season. Matt Corral completed 22 of 31 passes for 395 yards and three touchdown passes. Elijah Moore also had 10 catches for 227 yards, the second most in a single game in Ole Miss history and most against an SEC opponent in school history.
Sept. 30, 2015 • Gainesville, Fla. • #23 Florida 38, #3 Ole Miss 10
In front of a packed crowd of 90,585 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, No. 3 Ole Miss could not overcome a big deficit early in the game. No. 23 Florida scored the first 25 points of the game to hand the Rebels their first loss of the season, 38-10. Chad Kelly completed 26-of-40 passes for 259 yards. The junior quarterback found 10 different receivers throughout the night. On the ground, the Rebels were also led by Kelly with 40 yards on 15 carries.
Sept. 27, 2008 • Gainesville, Fla. • Ole Miss 31, #4 Florida 30
Jevan Snead threw two touchdown passes, ran for another score and led he Rebels to a stunning 31-30 victory at No. 4 Florida. Snead was 9-of-20 passing for 185 yards. His biggest was an 86-yard touchdown pass to Shay Hodge that put the Rebels ahead 31-24 with 5:26 to play. Tim Tebow was 24-of-38 passing for 319 yards and a touchdown.
Sept. 22, 2007 • Oxford, Miss. • Florida 30, Oxford 24
Tim Tebow set a school record for quarterbacks with 166 yards rushing, as his two passing touchdowns and two running scores propelled the Gators to victory, 30-24. Ole Miss cut Florida’s lead to 27-24 late in the third quarter on Seth Adams’ 71-yard touchdown strike to Mike Wallace.
Oct. 4, 2003 • Gainesville, Fla. • Ole Miss 20, #24 Florida 17
Eli Manning directed a late 50-yard TD drive to lift the Rebels to a 20-17 victory over the No. 24 Gators. Vashon Pearson nudged over from 1 yard with 1:10 left for the winning score. Pearson finished with 48 yards, Ronald McClendon had 107 and Ole Miss ran for 223 yards.
GATOR SCOUTING REPORT
Florida heads into the matchup with the Rebels at 5-5 overall and 3-4 in SEC play, and are coming off a ranked win over No. 21 LSU. Offensively, Florida averages 378.9 yards per game, with 231.6 yards per game coming through the air. After a season-ending injury to 2023 starter Graham Mertz, true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway has taken over at quarterback for the Gators. Lagway, who has battled injuries as well in 2024, is completing 58.5 percent of his passes for 1,297 yards and seven touchdowns. Chimere Dike and Elijhah Badger are Lagways’s top targets with 30 receptions apiece. Starting running back Montrell Johnson Jr. is working his way back from injury after carrying the load for Florida prior to getting hurt vs. Tennessee. Johnson Jr. has 387 yards rushing on the year with four TDs. Defensively, the Gators allow 26 points and 399 total yards per game. Trikweze Bridges leads Florida with 53 total tackles on the season. Eight different Gators have tallied an interception on the season. Jeremy Crawshaw ranks No. 4 in the FBS, averaging 46.2 yards per punt.
Florida Gators Notes
THE OPENING DRIVE
• Week 13 marks the 26th meeting between Florida and Ole Miss including the 12th matchup in Gainesville. • While the all-time series is tied at 12-12-1 after Florida’s 2020 win, the Rebels own a slim 6-4-1 edge in The Swamp. • Although UF won just one of the first nine meetings (1-7-1) from 1926-1958, Florida is 11-5 vs. Ole Miss since then. • The two teams first met in Gainesville in 1926 (Ole Miss 12, Florida 7). • Florida’s first win over Ole Miss came in Jacksonville in 1945, 26-13. • The Gators have won three-straight games in The Swamp by double-digits, outscoring opponents by 50 total points. • This is the first meeting between UF HC Billy Napier and Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin as head coaches. • However, Napier and Kiffin coached together under Nick Saban at Alabama from 2014-16 (more on Page 9). • Florida is the only team to have all five of its losses come against opponents currently ranked in the AP Top 15. • The Gators have recorded a takeaway in eight-straight games and have forced a turnover in nine of 10 overall. • Among quarterbacks with at least 90 pass attempts this season, QB DJ Lagway (sixth, 20th – 169.3) and QB Graham Mertz (fourth, 15th – 164.1) both rank top-six in the SEC and top-20 nationally in passer rating. • Florida is one of three teams in the country with two qualified receivers averaging 19.0 yards per catch in WR Elijhah Badger (second – 23.0) and WR Chimere Dike (25th – 19.0), with the others being Ole Miss and East Carolina. • Led by first-year senior analyst Joe Houston, Florida ranks seventh in the FBS in net punting (43.49), 11th in punt return average (15.40) and 60th in kick return average (20.33), and has been inside the top-13 all season in ESPN’s SP+ metric. • Florida enters Week 13 ranking ninth in the SEC and 43rd in the FBS in passer rating (142.1). • Florida started a true freshman QB and RB in QB DJ Lagway and RB Jadan Baugh for the second-time in program history in Week 12 and is now 2-0 with the only two FBS wins this season while starting a true freshman backfield. • C Jake Slaughter grades as the No. 6 center in the FBS (79.0) highlighted by the 18th-best pass block grade (83.7). • The Gators have allowed just 13 sacks all season, which is tied for the fewest in the SEC and t-28th in the FBS. • Since the 2018 season, Napier ranks 15th in the FBS with 56 total wins, ahead of Mike Gundy (54), Sonny Dykes (52), Mike Norvell (51), and Mark Stoops (50) in that time, among others. • The Gators have won 17 of their last 23 games in The Swamp (including 12 of 17), but are 3-19 in their last 22 contests outside The Swamp and 3-14 in their last 17 true road games. • Florida boasts a 363-117-13 (.749) all-time record at The Swamp, holding the third-highest home winning percent- age in the nation since 1990 with a 182-38 (.827) record. » The Gators have outscored opponents, 8,197 to 3,606 in 220 games inside The Swamp since 1990, putting the average outcome at 37.3 to 16.4 (20.9 points). • Florida has scored in 458-consecutive games dating back to 1988 – an NCAA record and 53 games longer than any other college football team in the history of the sport (TCU, 404-straight games, active streak).
Massachusetts Minutemen (2-8) at Georgia Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2 SEC)
Series: UGA leads, 1-0
12:45 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Athens, Ga. • Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (93,033)
SiriusXM: 374
The Georgia-UMass Series
Georgia has faced UMass just once, posting a 66-27 win here in 2018. That was the next to last game of the regular season too and part of a three-game home stretch. The Minutemen (2-8) are 0-2 against the SEC this year, falling 45-3 to then No. 21 Missouri in Amherst on Oct. 12 and 45-20 to Mississippi State in Starkville on Nov. 2.
Massachusetts Minutemen Notes
QUICK HITS
The Massachusetts defense is holding opponents to 159.6 passing yards per game, which ranks fifth in FBS, just behind No. 4 Rice (159.2) and ahead of No. 6 Ohio State (160.1). Massachusetts ranks 11th in FBS in average time of possession (32:43), just behind UTSA (also with 32:43) and ahead of Louisiana (32:31). Georgia enters Saturday ranked 48th (30:50). Massachusetts ranks 54th in FBS in total defense (of 133 ranked), allowing 351.0 yards per game. T.Y. Harding is one of 44 FBS players with a punt return touchdown this season (entering week 13). The Minutemen are tied for 13th in FBS with eight turnovers lost on the season (six interceptions and two fumbles lost). Massachusetts has held opponents to a three-for-nine mark on fourth down (.333), which ranks tied for ninth-best in FBS for fourth down defense. According to ESPN.com, the Minutemen’s remaining Strength of Schedule ranks 11th. In the overtime loss to Liberty (Nov. 16) Gerrell Johnson tallied 10 total tackles for the second consecutive game (at Mississippi State on Nov. 2) to become the first Minuteman since the 2019 season to register 10-plus tackles in back-to-back games, joining Cole McCubrey (12 at Rutgers on Aug. 30 and vs. Southern Illinois on Sept. 7). Seven Minutemen have combined to rush for 14 touchdowns this season, including CJ Hester (3), Taisun Phommachanh (3), Jalen John (3), Brandon Campbell (3), Jackson Paradis (1), AJ Hairston (1) and Ahmad Haston (1). Trivia: Entering week 13 (Nov. 18 – Nov. 24), UMass is the most recent team to defeat currently 9-0 Army West Point (UMass won 21-14 on Oct. 28, 2023, at Michie Stadium).
PASSING GRADE
The Massachusetts defense is holding opponents to 159.6 passing yards per game, which ranks fifth in FBS, just behind No. 4 Rice (159.2) and ahead of No. 6 Ohio State (160.1) The Minutemen posted four pass breakups against CCSU (Sept. 21), marking their third game of the season with at least four pass breakups (also had vs. Eastern Michigan on Aug. 31 and nine at Toledo on Sept. 7). Massachusetts has totaled 29 pass breakups on the season, led by Lake Ellis (4), Tyler Rudolph (3) and Time Grant-Randall (3). The Minutemen also have five interceptions this season, with the most recent coming from Te’Rai Powell against Liberty (Nov. 16). It marked Powell’s second interception of the season, having previously come up with his first career interception against Wagner (Oct. 26). Isaiah Rutherford notched his first interception of the season and the second of his career at Northern Illinois (Oct. 5), while Jalen Harrell (at Miami on Sept. 28) and Ryan Barnes (vs. CCSU on Sept. 21) also recorded their first career interceptions this season.
JULIEN ON THE LOOSE
Redshirt junior Louce Julien posted his second sack of the season and totaled three tackles for loss (for 10 yards) in the win over Wagner (Oct. 26). Julien’s three tackles for loss were the most by a Minuteman since Billy Wooden had three at New Mexico State on September 23, 2023. On the season, Julien has played all 10 games while totaling career highs in tackles (35/16 solo), tackles for loss (5.5), sacks (4.0), while also adding a quarterback hurry, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
HARDING: ALL-PURPOSE
Redshirt sophomore T.Y. Harding is emerging as an all-purpose threat for the Minutemen. The Cambridge, Massachusetts native helped lead the Minutemen past Wagner (Oct. 26) with a receiving touchdown and 58-yard punt return touchdown that iced the game in the fourth quarter. It was the first UMass punt return touchdown since Isaiah Rodgers, currently a defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles, returned a punt for a touchdown at Charlotte on September 14, 2019. Harding ranks 44th in FBS in combined kick return yards this season with 304 and is one of 44 FBS players with a punt return touchdown this season. Harding, who started the season on the scout team, now has five touchdowns including four receiving and the punt return TD.
Georgia Bulldogs Notes
Aiming For Strong Finish Between The Hedges
The Bulldogs have won a school record 29 consecutive home games dating to 2019, and that is the longest active streak in the FBS. Georgia (8-2, 6-2 SEC) is in the middle of a three-game home stretch to close out the regular season. After going over a month without a home game, the Bulldogs returned to Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium last Saturday and registered a solid 31-17 win over No. 7 Tennessee. Georgia senior quarterback Carson Beck was 25-for-40 for 347 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, two passing and one rushing. The Bulldogs blanked the Volunteers in the second half for the second straight year and extended their winning streak in the series to a program-record eight straight. Up next, the Bulldogs play host to UMass (2-8) Saturday at 12:45 pm on the SEC Network. Liberty edged the Minutemen 35-34 in overtime last Saturday in Amherst. UMass led 20-7 at halftime, and the Flames rallied to tie the game at 28 with 3:49 left in the contest. UMass had a chance to win in regulation but missed a 43-yard field goal. In overtime, UMass scored a touchdown first and then missed the PAT. Liberty answered with a score and made the PAT for the win. They now are 0-2 in overtime this year, falling at Miami (Ohio) 23-20 on Sept. 28. The Bulldogs are averaging 30.6 points per game (ppg) while allowing 18.3 ppg. UMass averages 20.7 ppg and has surrendered 32.0 ppg. The Minutemen lost their starting quarterback Taisun Phommachanh to a season-ending injury earlier this month against Mississippi State. He began his career at Clemson and then played at Ga. Tech before transferring to UMass. Freshmen QBs AJ Hairston and Ahmad Haston are now getting a chance to direct the offense. The current trio of home games concludes with Georgia Tech here on Friday, Nov. 29. This season, Georgia is 4-0 at home, 2-2 in true road games and 2-0 at neutral sites.
2024 Offensive Numbers At A Glance
* Averaging 30.6 points/game (46th nationally) * 39-for-42 (93 percent) in the Red Zone with 29 TDs, 10 FGs, 3 TOs *Averaging 6.2 yards per play and 414.8 yards per game
Defensive Playmakers At Each Level
Georgia has had 42 players drafted over the past four seasons, including 23 on defense and eight of those defenders have gone in the first round. * The 2024 unit ranks 15th nationally in Scoring Defense (18.3 ppg). * Did not allow a TD until the fourth game of the year. * Posted first half shutouts versus #14 Clemson, TTU and at #1 Texas and a second half shutout of #7 Tennessee (UT averaged 37.6 ppg overall) * Held #16 OM to 28 points including 5 field goals as they averaged 42.1 ppg
UTEP Miners (2-8) at Tennessee Volunteers (8-2, 5-2 SEC)
Series: UT leads, 3-0
1 p.m. ET • SEC+ / ESPN+
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (101,915)
SiriusXM: 119/191
SERIES INFORMATION
Tennessee leads the all-time series 3-0. All three contests have been played in Knoxville. The Miners and Volunteers last met on Sept. 18, 2018 – Tennessee won 24-0. Tennessee defeated UTEP 56-0 on Sept. 15, 1990, and 26-16 on Oct. 4, 1986. Overall: UT leads 3-0 in El Paso: – in Knoxville: UT leads 3-0 Neutral: – Postseason: – Most UTEP Points: 16 (UT, 26-16, 1986) Most UT Points: 56 (UT, 56-0, 1990) Most Combined PTS: 56 (UT, 56-0, 1990) Biggest UTEP Win: – Biggest UT Win: 56 (56-0, 1990) First Meeting: UT won 26-16 (10.4.1986) Last Meeting: UT won 24-0 (9.15.2018) Streak: UT, W3
UTEP Miners Notes
UTEP CLOSES OUT NONCONFERENCE ACTION AT NO. 10/11 TENNESSEE SATURDAY
Following its bye week, UTEP will step out of league action to play at no. 10/11 Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday afternoon. The Miners and Volunteers are set to kick off their fourth meeting at 11 a.m. MST/1 EST in Neyland Stadium (101, 915). The contest will be televised/streamed on SEC Network+/ESPN+ and can be heard on “The Home of UTEP Football” 600 AM ESPN El Paso.
• WHAT A DAY
QB Skyler Locklear’s 4 TDs vs. KSU were the most since ’14; most in Sun Bowl since ’12; most in CUSA game since ’09.
• THIRD BEST EVER Skyler Locklear’s 84.8 completion percentage vs. KSU ranks third best on the program’s all-time top-10 list.
• MOST TD CATCHES SINCE 2010 WR Kenny Odom’s 3 TD receptions rank t-second on the program’s single-game list; most TD receptions since 2010.
• BIG-PLAY KENNY Kenny Odom ranks second in CUSA with 7 receiving TDs and third in yards per catch (17.8).
• TREY IS GOOD, MAN! WR Trey Goodman career-best 12 receptions, 150 receiving yards vs. KSU; most catches by UTEP player since ’07.
• LEADER OF THE SACK UTEP leads Conference USA and ranks tied for 37th nationally with 25 sacks in 2024.
• LEADER IN TACKLES FOR LOSS UTEP leads CUSA and ranks 19th in FBS with 71 tackles for loss.
• MINER PICKS UTEP has recorded 10 INTs in 2024, the most since 2014 (11 INTs); ranks t-second in CUSA, t-35th in FBS.
VERSUS AP TOP 25
UTEP last faced a Top 25 team last season (hosted no. 22 Liberty). The Miners played at no. 25 UTSA in 2022. UTEP last faced a Top 25 team from a Power 4 conference in 2022, at no. 9 Oklahoma. The Miners are 4-59 all-time versus AP Top 25 teams. The Miners last beat one on Oct. 3, 2009 – a 58-41 win over no. 12 Houston in the Sun Bowl.
NOT SEEING A LOT OF YELLOW
The Miners endured early-season problems with penalties—nine at Nebraska, 14 versus SUU, and 12 versus Sam Houston. UTEP averaged 7.8 penalties in the first five games of the season. Since then, the Miners have averaged 3.2 in the last five games. UTEP drew four penalties on Nov. 9 against Kennesaw. At one point, UTEP was penalized only seven times during a three-game span (at WKU, vs. FIU, at LA Tech).
Tennessee Volunteers Notes
STORYLINES
• VOLS COME UP SHORT IN ATHENS SHOWDOWN:
Tennessee jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead on No. 12 Georgia in Athens on Saturday, but the Bulldogs outscored the Vols 31-7 the rest of the way and 14-0 in the second half to take a 31-17 decision. Tennessee was within a touchdown vs. Georgia midway through the fourth quarter, and the Bulldogs stretched their home winning streak to 29 games. RB Dylan Sampson, a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, went over 100 yards for the ninth time this season, finishing with 101 yards on 19 carries with a 27-yard second-quarter touchdown. Sampson tied the UT single-season record for total touchdowns scored with his 21st on that run. He matched Gene McEver (1929). QB Nico Iamaleava was 20-of-33 for 167 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. TE Miles Kitselman registered his first career rushing touchdown on a 1-yard plunge to put UT on the board. The Vols equaled their season-high with six pass breakups by six different players. S Will Brooks, who will participate in Senior Day, led the Vols with seven tackles. DE James Pearce Jr., a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and Lombardi Award, and DT Bryson Eason each notched a tackle for loss.
• HEUPEL ERA:
Josh Heupel, the 2022 AP SEC Coach of the Year, is in his fourth season at UT. Since taking over a program that was 3-7 prior to his arrival, Heupel owns a 35-14 record and is 28-8 since the start of the 2022 season. The 28 wins since the start of 2022 are third-most in the SEC. Since 2018, he ranks sixth nationally among active FBS head coaches in victories with 63. Heupel has led the Vols to at least eight regular season wins in three straight seasons for the first time since 1995-2004 under Phillip Fulmer. Heupel has assured the Vols of finishing .500 or better in SEC play in now all four of his seasons at the helm.
• TOP 10 IN THE FBS:
Tennessee heads into the UTEP contest ranked in the FBS top 10 in eight major categories: third-down defense (3rd – 27.5), yards per play allowed (6th – 4.46), kickoff return defense (3rd – 13.0), red zone defense (9th – 71.9), total defense (9th – 289.7), scoring defense (8th – 14.4), rushing offense (10th – 226.2) and rushing defense (7th – 100.6). The Vols lead the SEC in third-down defense, kickoff return defense and rushing offense. UT has held nine of its 10 opponents under 20 points. The Vols have issued the eighth-fewest offensive touchdowns in the FBS this season with 16. Opponents have managed only one first-quarter touchdown this season on UT and only five first-half TDs (Alabama 2Q, Kentucky 1Q, Mississippi State 2Q, Georgia two 2Q).
BY THE NUMBERS
24 straight games without allowing a sack by Preseason All-American C Cooper Mays, who is the Vols’ starter for the fourth straight year
28 games producing 200 rushing yards in the Josh Heupel era and own a 26-2 record when doing so (won 20 in a row when doing so)
21 school-record rushing touchdowns by Jr. RB Dylan Sampson, which leads the SEC, ranks t2nd in FBS, No. 6 in SEC single-season history
8 30+ yard plays allowed by Tennessee defense all season, which is the fourth-fewest in FBS, second-fewest in Power Four
NOTING THE TENNESSEE-UTEP SERIES
•Tennessee and UTEP are meeting for the fourth time and the first time since Sept. 15, 2018. All three previous meetings occurred in Knoxville with the Vols winning all three by double-digits. •The Sept. 15, 1990, meeting was a 56-0 blowout and the Vols’ fourth game of an SEC championship season under Johnny Majors. • UTEP head coach Scotty Walden, who is in his first season with the Miners, coached in Neyland Stadium last season. He was head coach of Austin Peay as the Vols defeated the Governors, 30-13, on Sept. 9. •Josh Heupel has never faced UTEP as a head coach. The Vols are 7-0 vs. Group of Five teams under his watch, outscoring them 395-53. The victories include: Kent State (71-0), South Alabama (60-14), UTSA (45-14), UConn (59-3), Ball State (59-10), Akron (63-6) and Bowling Green (38-6). • A total of 1,478 miles separates the two campuses.
Kentucky Wildcats (4-6, 1-6 SEC) at Texas Longhorns (9-1, 5-1 SEC)
Series: TEX leads, 1-0
2:30 p.m. CT • ABC
Last: TEX, 7-6 (1951 at Austin)
Austin, Texas • Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (100,119)
SiriusXM: 106/190 – 81
THE SERIES
• The Wildcats and the Longhorns have only ever played each other once in program history, when Kentucky lost to Texas, 7-6, in Austin on Sept. 22, 1951.
Kentucky Wildcats Notes
QUICK NOTES
• Kentucky and Texas will meet for the first time since 1951 – the lone matchup between the two teams in the all-time series – in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, Nov. 23. • Kentucky will close out the regular season with a contest at No. 3/3 Texas followed by hosting in-state rival RV/RV Louisville at Kroger Field for the Governor’s Cup over Thanksgiving weekend. • The Wildcats have already played three other teams ranked inside the Associated Press Top 10 – actually the top seven – this season, winning one (at No. 6/5 Ole Miss) and dropping close contests to two (No. 1/1 Georgia, at No. 7/7 Tennessee). • The Cats have been outscored by just eight points combined in those matchups. • After playing Texas, the Cats will be the lone team in the Southeastern Conference to have played four teams ranked in the AP Top 7 up to this point in the season. • The Cats defeated the No. 6/5 Rebs, 20-17, on the road on Sept. 28, which marked its highest-ranked triumph at an opponent’s SEC campus stadium in program history. It also marked UK’s highest-ranked triumph in the Mark Stoops era. • Kentucky is coming off a win over in-state foe Murray State, 48-6, last weekend at home. • UK had a season-high 582 yards of total offense, its most since 707 against New Mexico State in 2021. • UK also had season highs for rushing yards (269), passing yards (313), first downs (32) and total plays (79). • 12 Wildcats caught passes in that game, the most since 12 Cats caught passes against LSU in 2000. • Kentucky had three interceptions and limited MSU to only 1-of-12 on third downs. • Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, senior running back, is just 51 yards rushing from eclipsing 1,000 for his college career. • He leads the team with 109 carries for 514 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. • Dane Key, a junior wide receiver, who leads the team with 44 receptions for 686 yards in 2024, has made a big jump up the career lists at Kentucky. • For his career he has 123 receptions – 13th in program history – for 1,841 yards – fifth in program history • Of his 44 receptions, 14 have been 20 yards or more. • The Wildcat defense ranks in the nation’s top 25 in five categories – redzone defense (6th), fewest first downs allowed (11th), punt return defense (12th), scoring defense (21st) and kickoff return defense (23rd). • All-American transfer linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson is leading the UK defense in total tackles (54), despite missing the last game against Murray State on Nov. 16. • Kentucky football head coach Mark Stoops is the longest-tenured active head coach in the SEC and the sixth longest-tenured active head coach in FBS. • Now in his 12th season at Kentucky, Stoops is one of only 19 head coaches who have coached at least 12 seasons at an SEC school since the league’s first season in 1933.
KENTUCKY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
• The Wildcats have a 189-412-12 (.318) all-time record in Southeastern Conference games. • UK head coach Mark Stoops has a 31-61 (.337) all-time record in SEC games.
WILDCATS AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
• Kentucky has played 274 ranked teams in the Associated Press poll in its history, while the Wildcats are 53-216-5 in those games. • In ranked games this season, Kentucky defeated No. 6 Ole Miss, 20-17, on Sept. 28, suffered a narrow defeat to top-ranked Georgia, 13-12, on Sept. 14 and led at No. 7 Tennessee in the second half before losing, 28-18, on Nov. 2. • Two of UK’s biggest wins in the Mark Stoops era have come on the road in 2023 and 2024, including taking down No. 6 Ole Miss on, 20-17, on Sept. 28, 2024 and No. 9 Louisville, 38-31, on Nov. 25, 2023. • The UofL triumph was the highest AP-ranked win of the Stoops era, until the UM triumph took that spot on Sept. 28, 2024. • The Wildcats are 8-10 against their last 18 ranked AP-ranked teams, dating back to a win over NC State in the 2020 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. • Since 2018, the Cats are 12-17 against AP-ranked teams.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
1K FOR BARION BROWN, DANE KEY & JA’MORI MACLIN
• Barion Brown and Dane Key eclipsed 1,000 career yards receiving – in the same game – as sophomores last season at South Carolina on Nov. 18, 2023. • Brown concluded last season with 1,167 career yards receiving after he became the 33rd player in program history to eclipse 1K. • Key concluded last season with 1,155 career yards receiving after he became the 34th player in program history to eclipse 1K. • Ja’Mori Maclin, who played the last two seasons at North Texas (2022-23) after transferring from Missouri (2020-21), led the wide receiver room ahead of the season with 1,389 career yards receiving. In fact, he recorded 1,004 of those yards just last season, logging 57 catches and 11 scores at North Texas in 2023. • Fun Fact: While Maclin committed to Kentucky prior to the hiring of offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, Hamdan was actually Maclin’s wide receivers coach at Missouri in 2020 and 2021.
OFFENSE AGAINST TOP 10 TEAMS IN 2024
VS. NO. 1/1 GEORGIA
• The Wildcats’ 170 yards rushing against the No. 1/1 Bulldogs at home on Sept. 14 are the most ever for the Cats against a No. 1-ranked team and the most against the Dawgs since 2016 (186 yards).
AT NO. 6/5 OLE MISS
• Against an Ole Miss defense that ranked first in the nation in scoring defense (5.5 points per game) and rushing defense (34.5 yards per game) and 12th in the nation in total defense (239 yards per game) going into the matchup in Oxford, Mississippi, on Sept. 28, Kentucky put up 20 points, 336 yards of total offense, 93 rushing yards and 243 passing yards.
AT NO. 7/7 TENNESSEE
• Thanks to Josh Kattus’ 27-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, it marked the first touchdown Tennessee has given up in the first quarter all season.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
VETERAN WILDCATS
• This season, Kentucky retained nine starters on defense from 2023, including: • Defensive linemen: Octavious Oxendine, Keeshawn Silver and Deone Walker • Linebackers: Alex Afari Jr., J.J. Weaver and D’Eryk Jackson • Defensive backs: Maxwell Hairston, Jordan Lovett and Zion Childress • Altogether, 16 defenders on the roster have seen significant action for at least two seasons, either at Kentucky or another school in the FBS, including six defensive linemen, five defensive backs and five linebackers. • Another nine defenders have seen significant action for one season either at Kentucky or elsewhere.
DEFENSE AGAINST T0P 10 TEAMS IN 2024
VS. NO. 1/1 GEORGIA
• Kentucky held No. 1/1 Georgia to 13 points on Sept. 14, the fewest UK has held UGA to since allowing just 12 points in 1995. • It also was the fewest points UK allowed against a No. 1-ranked team since 1959, a 9-0 loss against LSU. • The Wildcat defense also held the Bulldogs to 262 yards of total offense, the Dawgs’ fewest since putting up 260 against Texas A&M in November 2019. • It marked the first time the Cats have held the Dawgs to as little yards since 1996 (212). • It marked the first time the Cats have held a No. 1-ranked team to as little yards since 1964 (187, vs. Ole Miss). • UK’s defense also held UGA to its fewest passing yards – 160 – since Georgia Tech held Georgia to 146 yards in November 2022.
VS. NO. 6/5 OLE MISS
• Kentucky held No. 6/5 Ole Miss to 17 points, 353 yards of total offense, 261 passing yards and 92 rushing yards on the Rebels’ home field. • The Rebels entered the game leading the nation in scoring (55 points per game), total offense (670.8 yards per game) and passing offense (422.8 yards per game), while ranking 12th in rushing offense (248 yards per game). • Ole Miss had punted four times total in its first four games but were forced to kick it away five times in the game.
AT NO. 7/7 TENNESSEE
• For a team that was averaging 39.6 points per game, Kentucky held Tennessee to 28 points on Nov. 2. Moreover, UK kept UT to 185 yards rushing, a team that was turning in 241.6 yards rushing going into the border battle. • The Wildcats kept the Volunteers off the board, in their home stadium, until under five minutes left in the first half.
Texas Longhorns Notes
THE OPENING KICKOFF
• The No. 3/3/3 Texas Longhorns (9-1, 5-1 SEC) host the Kentucky Wildcats (4-6, 1-6 SEC) at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 23, inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ABC with Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Katie George (sideline) on the call. • It’ll be just the second meeting in history between the Longhorns and Wildcats and first since 1951 when Texas defeated Kentucky, 7-6, in Austin. • UT leads the all-time series, 1-0. • Last time out, the Longhorns claimed their 10th-straight true road victory after defeating Arkansas 20-10 on Nov. 16 in Fayetteville. • Texas (8) is the only team in the nation with eight wins vs. FBS opponents that are .500 or better. • Texas’ 10-consecutive true road wins (not including neutral site contests) is the longest streak for the Horns since winning 15-straight road games from 2003-06. It also doubles as the longest active streak in the FBS. • UT boasts the fourth-most wins (957) in NCAA history. Texas holds an all-time record of 957-393-33 (.704). The Longhorns’ 957 wins are the second most by an SEC program following Alabama’s 973 victories. • Texas notched its first 6-0 start to a season since 2009. It’s the fourth time since 2000 that the Longhorns have started the season 6-0 (2024, 2009, 2008 and 2005). • Following Texas’ 56-7 win over UTSA on Sept. 14, Texas moved to No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time since Oct. 26, 2008. The Longhorns spent four weeks this season at No. 1 and have 49 overall appearances at No. 1 in the AP Poll.
A TEXAS WIN WOULD …
• With a win vs. Kentucky, Texas will clinch consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time since 2008-09. The Longhorns finished each season with 10+ wins from 2001-09. • Be Texas’ 958th all-time victory, the fourth-winningest program in college football history. • Give Steve Sarkisian his 82nd victory as a head coach and 35th at Texas in his 131st career game as a head coach. • Enhance Texas’ record to 10-1 on the season and 6-1 in Southeastern Conference play. • Since the start of the 2022 season, the Longhorns would be 17-3 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with its three losses coming against AP Top-5 ranked foes. • Move Texas to 2-0 all-time first Kentucky and give the Horns their first win vs. the Wildcats since 1951. • Texas would also be 2-0 against Kentucky in Austin.
TEXAS AT NO. 3 IN CFP RANKINGS
• Texas football is at No. 3 in this week’s College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings released on No. 12. It ties for the highest CFP ranking in program history. The Longhorns have eight-consecutive top-10 CFP rankings, dating back to Oct. 31, 2023. Texas debuted at No. 5 in the first CFP rankings on Nov. 5 -It was the program’s highest-ever spot in the first week of CFP rankings. Texas has been in the top-25 in each of the last 11 CFP rankings and has 24 overall appearances with its highest appearance at No. 3 in both 2023 and 2024. The Longhorns are currently ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press and US LBM Coaches Poll. UT made its first CFP appearance in 2023 after facing the No. 2/2/2 Washington Huskies in CFP semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Longhorns climbed from No. 7 in the penultimate 2023 CFP ranking to No. 3 on Selection Day.
HORNS STREAKS
• Texas has forced at least one turnover in 18-consecutive games. UT has forced multiple turnovers in five-straight games entering Saturday vs. Kentucky. • It’s the second-straight season Texas is going into its 11th game of the season possessing a 9-1 mark. • The Longhorns started the season 6-0 for the first time since 2009. • Texas’ point differential (+221) through six games was its best since 1915 (+288). • Texas’ 259 points through six games were its most since 2005 (274). • Texas started 5-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2008-09 and for just the second time in 50+ years. • The Longhorns are 16-3 at home over the last three seasons with their only three losses being to No. 1 Alabama (20-19) in 2021, No. 4/4 TCU in 2022 and No. 5/4 Georgia on Oct. 12. • Texas has recorded 10 straight road wins – the most since 2003-2006. • The Horns have earned a Top-10 ranking for 27 weeks in a row.
HORNS HANDLE HOGS
• Last time out, Texas earned its 10th-consecutive road win with a 20-10 win at Arkansas on Nov. 16. • The Longhorn defense forced two turnovers, on a Jahdae Barron interception and a fumble forced by Alfred Collins and recovered by Michael Taaffe. Texas has forced a turnover in all 10 games this season and in 18-straight games overall. Taaffe was the leading tackler with eight total stops, while Barron had seven total tackles. • Quinn Ewers was 20-of-32 passing for 176 yards and two touchdown passes to Matthew Golden. Ewers now has 21 consecutive games with a passing touchdown, the second-longest streak in program history. • Golden, who caught two passes in the game and both were touchdowns, has caught a touchdown reception in three-consecutive games. • Jaydon Blue was the leading rusher with 14 carries for 83 yards, while Quintrevion Wisner carried the ball 17 times for 59 yards. • Texas netted five plays of 20+ yards against the Razorbacks.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (4-6) at Arkansas Razorbacks (5-5, 3-4 SEC)
Series: ARK leads, 4-0
3 p.m. CT • SEC+ / ESPN+
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000)
SiriusXM: 108/202
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Notes
Game notes not available.
Arkansas Razorbacks Notes
THE RUNDOWN
• Arkansas, one win away from clinching bowl eligibility for the fourth time in five seasons under head coach Sam Pittman, takes a break from SEC play to host Conference USA foe Louisiana Tech in the home finale and final nonconference game of the regular season. Kickoff between the Hogs and Bulldogs is 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on ESPN+/SEC Network+. • Under head coach Sam Pittman, Arkansas is 14-3 overall against non-conferences opponents, including an 8-2 mark against non-conferences opponents inside the friendly confines of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. • QB Taylen Green has completed 178-of-288 (61.8%) passes for 2,363 yards and 11 touchdowns through 10 games this season. A dual-threat quarterback, Green has rushed for 407 yards and five scores on 121 carries (3.4 ypc) to help power Arkansas’ dynamic offense, which ranks second in the SEC and 11th nationally in total yards per game (458.3). • RB Ja’Quinden Jackson, the Razorbacks’ leading rusher, returned against Texas (Nov. 16) and ran for 56 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries (5.1 ypc) after missing the previous two games due to injury. In eight games this year, Jackson has recorded a team-leading three 100-yard rushing games and three multi-rushing touchdowns performances. The Utah transfer, who has rushed for a touchdown in seven of his eight games played, ranks third in the SEC in both rushing yards per carry (5.6) and rushing touchdowns (11). • WR Andrew Armstrong has solidified himself as QB Taylen Green’s go-to target and as one of the nation’s top wideouts, leading Arkansas in both receptions (61) and receiving yards (931) despite missing the season opener. Through his nine games played, Armstrong ranks first in the SEC in both receiving yards per game (103.4) and receptions per game (6.8). One of only five FBS pass catchers averaging 100-plus yards receiving per game this season, Armstrong enters Saturday’s contest with a catch in 37 consecutive games and multiple receptions in 32 straight games since his 2021 season at East Texas A&M. • DL Landon Jackson leads the Razorback defense in sacks (5.5) and ranks second in tackles for (7.5) through 10 games this season. The preseason All-American pass rusher, who led Arkansas in both tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (6.5) during the 2023 campaign, is vying to become the first Hog to lead the team’s defense in tackles for loss and sacks in consecutive seasons since Steven Conley, the program’s single-season sack leader (14.0 in 1995), did so in 1994-95.
FOUR DOWNS
6 Arkansas is one of only two teams (also South Carolina) in the country that has faced six opponents ranked in the AP Top 25 at the time of game: #3 Texas, #4 Tennessee, #8 LSU, #16 Oklahoma State, #19 Ole Miss, #24 Texas A&M
26 Led by RB Ja’Quinden Jackson’s team-high 11 rushing touchdowns and QB Taylen Green’s five rushing touchdowns, Arkansas ranks third in the SEC and 14th nationally in rushing scores (26).
69 WR Andrew Armstrong, who has a team-leading 931 receiving yards, needs just 69 more receiving yards to record the fifth 1,000-yard receiving season by an Arkansas pass catcher in school history.
458.3 Through 10 games, Arkansas ranks second in the SEC and 11th nationally in total offense. The Hogs are averaging 458.3 yards of total offense per game, including 180.3 rushing yards per game.
ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE
• Arkansas’ offensive line underwent a makeover during the offseason with the addition of three transfers to a room with two returners that started at least nine games last season. • Led by first-year offensive line coach Eric Mateos, transfers OL Keyshawn Blackstock (Michigan State), OL Fernando Carmona (San Jose State) and OL Addison Nichols (Tennessee) join a unit that returns OL Joshua Braun (12 starts in 2023) and OL Patrick Kutas (nine starts in 2023). • Carmona started 24 straight games for San Jose State before transferring to Arkansas. As a redshirt sophomore in 2023, he finished the season with an overall grade of 81.5 per Pro Football Focus and earned Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference praise after starting all 12 regular season games on the offensive line and guiding San Jose State to a co-regular season Mountain West Championship. • In 2024, his first season as a Razorback, Carmona has twice been named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. He earned the SEC weekly award following Arkansas’ Week 1 win against UAPB and then again following the team’s Week 6 win against nationally ranked Tennessee.
ON THE DEFENSIVE LINE
• In addition to DL Landon Jackson, the Razorback defensive line features a veteran group of key returners. • DL Cameron Ball played in 11 games with six starts, including each of the final four games of the season, as a redshirt sophomore in 2023. The Atlanta, Ga., native had a career-best 32 tackles to go with 1.5 tackles for loss, a half sack and a forced fumble. DL Nico Davillier saw action in all 12 games as a Sophomore in 2023, earning time on the defensive line and special teams. The Maumelle, Ark., product recorded career-highs with 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack. • DL Eric Gregory started all 12 games as a redshirt senior in 2023 and currently has 42 career starts to his name as a Razorback. The Memphis, Tenn., native recorded 16 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack last year. This season, Gregory is second on the team in sacks (3.0) and is third in tackles for loss (5.0) through 10 games. • DL Anton Juncaj, the transfer from FCS powerhouse Albany, played in all 15 games for a team that won the Coastal Athletic Association title and made it to the FCS semifinals. Juncaj earned first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press after leading all of FCS with 15 sacks and finishing third with 21.5 tackles for loss as part of his season-total 55 tackles (34 solo) to go with 12 quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles and three pass breakups. The Port Jervis, N.Y., native had at least one sack in 10 of 15 games and had multiple sacks in three games last season. Juncaj enters the 2024 season, his first at Arkansas, with numerous preseason accolades from College Football Network, including National Preseason Newcomer of the Year, National Preseason Transfer of the Year, Preseason SEC Defensive Newcomer of the Year, Preseason SEC Defensive Transfer of the Year and Honorable Mention Preseason All-SEC.
HOG SPECIALISTS
• WR Isaiah Sategna is a dynamic weapon on special teams and entered the 2024 campaign on the Jet Award watch list. • The Fayetteville, Ark., product earned Freshman All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches and third-team All-SEC honors from Phil Steele as a return specialist in 2023. • Sategna played in all 12 games, totaling 23 kick returns for 500 yards and 15 punt returns for 180 yards and one touchdown. He led the team with 837 all-purpose yards. • His 500 kick return yards cracked the school’s single-season top 10 at 10th, and his 680 total return yards were sixth-most in a single season by a Hog in program history. • K Matthew Shipley, who is 7-for-9 (77.8%) on field goals this season, drilled a career-long 55-yarder against Ole Miss (Nov. 2), Arkansas’ third 50-plus yard make of the season. • Shipley’s 16 points scored at Mississippi State (Oct. 26) are the most scored by a kicker in a game during league play. • Shipley is the first Razorback to make three-plus field goals and seven-plus point-after attempts in a game since K Alex Tejada did so against FIU in 2007. Shipley is also the third Arkansas kicker since 1997 to score 16 points in a game, joining Tejada (2007) and K Cam Little (2021).
Wofford Terriers (5-6) at South Carolina Gamecocks (7-3, 5-3 SEC)
Series: SC leads, 20-4-0
4 p.m. ET • SEC+ / ESPN+
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559)
SiriusXM: 111/192
SERIES NOTES
South Carolina leads 20-4 All games at Wofford: Series tied 2-2 All games at USC: USC leads 18-2 Neutral site games: 0-0 Games in Gibbs Stadium: 0-0 Games in Williams-Brice: USC leads 10-0 Shawn Watson vs. USC: First Meeting Shane Beamer vs. Wofford: First Meeting Last Wofford Win: 20-0 in 1917 Last USC Win: 31-10 in 2017 Last Wofford win at USC: 6-4 in 1896
Wofford Terriers Notes
THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAME
Wofford will play the final game of the 2024 season on Saturday at South Carolina … The Terriers are 5-6 entering the game, following victories over Gardner-Webb (21-20), #14 Richmond (26-19), VMI (31-16), Samford (17-13), and Furman (19-13), along with losses to #13 William & Mary (28-21), #12 Mercer (22-3), Western Carolina (21-17), #19 Chattanooga (37-5), #23 East Tennessee State (24-7), and The Citadel (30-17)… In the Southern Conference, the Terriers finish at 3-5 this season … In a series that began in 1895, South Carolina holds a 20-4 lead over the Terriers … The Gamecocks have won the last 17 meetings, with Wofford’s last win in 1917 … South Carolina was 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Southeastern Conference last season … So far in 2024 they are 7-3 overall, with a 5-3 mark in the SEC after wins against Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and Missouri … They are ranked #19 by the AP and #19 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
TERRIER TOP NOTES
Here are the top notes of interest heading into the game against South Carolina … • Wofford has played five games against teams in the NCAA FCS top 25, the most since 2017. • Against FBS teams, Wofford is 1-25 overall with the win in 2000 against Louisiana-Monroe. • Five Terriers have earned SoCon Player of the Week honors so far this year, the most since eight in 2017. • Shawn Watson is entering his second full season as head coach of the Terriers. • The Wofford defense is 37th in the nation and fourth in the SoCon, with the passing defense 14th overall and first in the SoCon. • Nine players were named to the All-Southern Conference preseason team. Five players earned spots on the first team, the most in the league, including RB Ryan Ingram, TE Jordan Davis, DL Brandon Maina, LB David Powers and DB Maximus Pulley
South Carolina Gamecocks Notes
QUICKLY:
The No. 19/19 South Carolina Gamecocks (7-3, 5-3 SEC) wrap up their 2024 home schedule when they host the FCS Wofford Terriers (5-6, 3-5 SoCon) out of the Southern Conference on Saturday, Nov. 23. The game is slated for a 4 pm kick from Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559) in Columbia. The South Carolina seniors will be recognized on the field prior to their final game at Williams-Brice Stadium. The halftime show will be the annual “Salute the Troops” extravaganza.
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST:
South Carolina has knocked off three ranked opponents in the consecutive weeks for the first time in school history, defeating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20, No. 24 Vanderbilt 28-7 and No. 24 Missouri 34-30 to improve to 3-3 against ranked opponents this season. The Gamecocks are 6-12 against A.P. ranked opponents in the Shane Beamer Era, also logging wins against No. 13 Kentucky, No. 5 Tennessee and No. 7 Clemson, all in the 2022 season. The Gamecocks had lost eight-straight games to ranked opponents before going on the current three-game winning streak. South Carolina and Arkansas are the only teams in the nation that have faced six opponents ranked in the AP Top 25 at the time of game this season. The recent surge has propelled South Carolina to a No. 19 ranking in both the AP and Coaches’ polls this week, its highest ranking since 2014.
GAMECOCKS VS. TERRIERS:
This is the 25th meeting between these two Palmetto-state schools. Carolina has won the last 17 contests to take a 20-4 lead in the all-time series. The teams have met just five times, all in Columbia, since the 1957 season, with the Gamecocks winning by a 38-14 count in 2001, 27-20 in 2006, 23-13 in 2008, 24-7 in 2012 and most recently by a 31-10 score in 2017. Wofford’s last win over South Carolina came over 100 years ago, on Nov. 17, 1917, with a 20-0 score, which also marks Carolina’s last trip to Spartanburg. The Terriers other three wins came either before or at the turn of the 20th century – 1895, 1896 and 1901, with their last win in Columbia coming by a 6-4 count in 1896.
THE LAST TIME THEY MET:
The Gamecocks’ defense held Wofford to just 227 total yards and forced three turnovers which led to 14 points in a 31-10 victory on Nov. 18, 2017, in Columbia. Jake Bentley led the Gamecock offense by completing 22-of-28 passes for 194 yards and a score and tallied a pair of rushing touchdowns. A.J. Turner rushed 11 times for 69 yards and a TD and went over the 1,000-yard mark for his career. Bryan Edwards logged eight receptions. Skai Moore tied the school record with his 14th career interception. Dante Sawyer logged his fifth forced fumble of the season, tops in the SEC and one shy of the school record. The victory marked the 600th win in South Carolina Football history.
DON’T BLAME THE DEFENSE:
The losing team in this series generally can’t blame its defense on the setback, because its offensive performance was abysmal. In the 24 previous contests, the losing team has scored as many as 20 points just once (a 27-20 South Carolina win in the 2006 game), while being blanked a dozen times. The losing team has been held to a touchdown or less in 18 of the previous 24 games.
IN-STATE FCS FOES:
Since the regular season was expanded to 12 games in 2006, Carolina has hosted an in-state FCS opponent 14 times. They are 13-1 in those games, with wins coming against Wofford (2006, 2008, 2012, 2017), South Carolina State (2007, 2009, 2022), Furman (2010, 2014, 2023), The Citadel (2011), Coastal Carolina (2013) and Charleston Southern (2019). The only loss during that stretch came against The Citadel in 2015.
YOU’RE NOT WORTHY:
The Gamecocks are 44-15 in their last 59 non-conference games, a .746 winning clip, with eight of the 15 losses in that stretch coming against Clemson. The Gamecocks are 2-0 in non-conference play this season following a season-opening win over Old Dominion and a win over Akron. They’ll finish the regular season next week with a non-conference game at Clemson.
PROTECT THIS HOUSE:
South Carolina has won 40 of its last 47 home games (.851) against non-conference foes. The Gamecocks have won seven of their last eight non-conference home games. THE
POWER OF FOUR:
Since the turn of the century, the Gamecocks have a 56-4 mark (.933) against teams not currently in a Power-4 conference. The only four losses in that stretch came to UConn in the 2010 Papajohns.com Bowl, to The Citadel in 2015, to USF in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl and to Appalachian State in 2019. It should be noted that UConn was in the Big East, which was a BCS automatic qualifier during the 2009 season.
A South Carolina win over Wofford would…
Give the Gamecocks their eighth win of the season, matching the 2022 season for the most wins in a season since they won nine games in 2017. Extend their winning streak to five games, last accomplished in 2013. Be the Gamecocks’ 18th-straight win over the Terriers. u Improve the Gamecocks to 14-1 over in-state FCS opponents since the regular season was expanded 12 games in 2006. Improve the Gamecocks to 45-15 in their last 60 non-conference games. Give the Gamecocks a 41-7 mark in their last 48 home games against non-conference foes. Give the Gamecocks a 57-4 mark since the turn over the century against teams not currently in a Power-4 conference.
THEY CALL IT A STREAK:
The Gamecocks have won four-straight games, all against SEC opponents. They own the longest current winning streak in the SEC. They are looking to notch their fifth-straight win, something that was last done in 2013 when they won their final six games of the season
IN SEARCH OF NUMBER EIGHT:
The Gamecocks are in search of their eighth win of the season. They have won eight games 15 times in school history, nine of which have come in this century, most recently in 2022. Carolina posted a school-record 11 wins in three-straight seasons from 2011-13.
THEY REMEMBER NOVEMBER:
The Gamecocks are playing game four of a five-game stretch in November that wraps up the regular season. They started the month off with an impressive 44-20 win over No. 10/11 Texas A&M and followed that up with a convincing 28-7 win over No. 24/25 Vanderbilt in Nashville before rallying past No. 24/21 Missouri by a 34-30 count last Saturday. The Gamecocks have played their best ball in November under Shane Beamer, posting a 12-4 mark in the month over the past four years including wins over five ranked opponents.
Missouri Tigers (7-3, 3-3 SEC) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-8, 0-6 SEC)
Series: Tied, 2-2-0
3:15 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Last: MSU, 51-32 (2020 at Starkville)
Starkville, Miss. • Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (60,311)
SiriusXM: 119/191
Missouri Tigers Notes
Mississippi State Bulldogs Notes
Saturday Storylines
• Mississippi State will be celebrating its seniors on Saturday when State hosts Missouri in the Bulldogs final home game of 2024. When the two teams met in 2020 it was also the Bulldogs senior day. • Davon Booth leads the team in all-purpose yards with 1,002 (597 rushing, 124 receiving, 281 kick return) … He is 38 yards shy of surpassing Tulu Griffin’s total of 1,039 last season and 121 yards from exceeding Griffin’s 1,122 yards in 2022. • Kevin Coleman Jr. leads the team with 62 catches and ranks 5th in the SEC and 19th nationally. When he reaches his 65th reception, Coleman Jr. will be 1 of just 6 Bulldogs to have at least 65 receptions in a single season in program history. • Mississippi State has scored 10 offensive touchdowns of 30+ yards this season. It’s the most explosive play touchdowns for the Bulldogs since 2018. • Mississippi State will be playing just its third unranked team since Sept. 21. In that span, the Bulldogs have played three top 10 teams on the road with a true freshman quarterback. • Mississippi State is one of 10 teams nationally that has faced three opponents ranked in the AP Top 10 at the time of the game this season. The others are Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Purdue, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin. • Mississippi State is one of six teams in the nation that has played five opponents ranked in the current AP Top 25. The others are Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma and Purdue. • Coleman has caught a pass in 27 straight games and has 5+ receptions in eight straight. • According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, Mississippi State’s strength of schedule ranks third nationally and third in the SEC behind Georgia and Florida. • Mississippi State is the only SEC team with two players ranked in the top five of the conference in total tackles. Isaac Smith leads the way with 101, and Stone Blanton ranks fourth with 93. If Blanton reached 100 tackles, it will be the third straight season that Mississippi State has had two players with 100+ tackles.
BY THE NUMBERS
101 – Isaac Smith leads the SEC, and is tied for 7th nationally, in total tackles with 101. He is the only SEC player with 100+ tackles this season.
62 – Kevin Coleman Jr. enters Saturday tied for 10th on the State single-season receptions list with 62. He is looking to become just the sixth Bulldog in program history with 65 receptions in a single season.
10 – Mississippi State has scored 10 offensive touchdowns of 30+ yards this season. It’s just the fourth time this decade that State has scored double-digits offensive touchdowns of 30+ yards.
QUICK NOTES
• Mississippi State has scored in 54 consecutive games dating back to Oct. 21, 2020. • State has scored 10 offensive touchdowns of 30+ yards this season … It’s the most explosive play touchdowns for the Bulldogs since 2016 when they scored 16 times on plays of 30 or more yards. • Mississippi State has received the opening kickoff in all 10 games this season. State is 4-6 on the coin toss in 2024. • The Bulldogs have scored 14 offensive touchdowns in less than two minutes. They also have 13 scoring drives that have been 5 plays or less.
OFFENSE FINDING ITS STRIDE
• After averaging just 21.8 points per game in 2021, ranking 105th in scoring offense nationally, Mississippi State is averaging 27.6 ppg (72nd in the FBS) in 2024. • Mississippi State is averaging 20.5 points per game against teams ranked in the AP Top 25. State ranks 49th nationally, 8th in the SEC, in scoring offense vs. AP Top 25 opponents. • In five games played in August and September, Mississippi State averaged 380.2 yards in total offense, ranking 12th in the SEC. In games played in October, State averaged 407.7 yards in total offense, ranking 6th in the SEC. • State’s passing offense improved greatly from August/September to October. In the first five games of the season, State averaged just 243.6 yards per game through the air (11th in the SEC / 56th in the FBS). In October, the Bulldogs averaged 285.7 yards per game through the air (4th in the SEC / 21st in the FBS). • Mississippi State’s 31 points scored against #5 Georgia are the most points the Bulldogs have scored against an AP Top 5 team since 2016, when State scored 35 against #4 Texas A&M. • State’s 31 points scored at #5 Georgia are the most points Mississippi State has scored on the road vs. a Top 5 opponent since the start of the AP Poll in 1936.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE
• Mississippi State scored its first points of 2024 in just three plays and 32 seconds. It was the fastest scoring drive for the Bulldogs in a season-opener since Kylin Hill scored on the opening play by rushing for a 53-yard touchdown against Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 1, 2018. • On the year, Mississippi State has scored 13 of its 34 offensive touchdowns in five plays or less. • Of the Bulldogs’ 34 offensive touchdowns this season, they have scored 14 touchdowns in under 2 minutes, five touchdowns in under 35 seconds, and two touchdowns in under 15 seconds. • The Bulldogs average time of possession per game this season is 26:11. • Mississippi State’s longest drive of the season has been 7:48 at #7 Tennessee. It resulted in State’s first points of the game. • Mississippi State has held the ball for over 30 minutes twice this season (32:47 vs. Florida & 34:57 at #1 Texas). • Mississippi State’s time of possession vs. UMass was 19:11, its lowest TOP total of the season. It was the second time this season that State has held the ball for less than 20 minutes, the other was at Arizona State when the Bulldogs had a TOP of 19:47. • State has scored 10 offensive touchdowns of 30+ yards this season:
Texas A&M Aggies (8-2, 5-1 SEC) at Auburn Tigers (4-6 1-5 SEC)
Series: TAMU leads, 8-6-0
6:30 p.m. CT • ESPN
Last: TAMU, 27-10 (2023 at College Station)
Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (88,043)
SiriusXM: 111/192 – 381
SERIES HISTORY
• Texas A&M leads the all-time series with Auburn by an 8-6 margin. The teams first met in Dallas in 1911, a 16-0 Texas A&M victory, and also played in Dallas at the end of the 1985 season, when the two schools met in the 1986 Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day (a 36-16 Texas A&M win). Prior to the 2018 Auburn 28-24 win at Jordan-Hare Stadium, the visiting team had won every matchup since Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012. Auburn won the last meeting at Auburn by a 13-10 score in 2022; the Aggies were 27-10 winners last season in College Station.
Texas A&M Aggies Notes
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• Texas A&M and Auburn meet for the 15th time Saturday … The Aggies have claimed three of the last four meetings, including a 27-10 victory in Kyle Field a season ago. • Dual-threat QB Marcel Reed has regained his role as the starter and recently posted season-highs with 268 yards, completing 20 passes, including a pair of scoring strikes … The freshman added a rushing score of his own to up his total to six on the year, good for second among SEC signal callers. • The Aggies boast one of the best rushing offenses in the nation, ranking 13th with 212.5 yards per game, while their 24 rushing touchdowns are good for 19th in the country. • Junior RB Amari Daniels has played a key role in the Aggies’ success in the run game throughout the year, ranking 15th in the SEC with 55.0 yards per game and seventh with seven rushing scores, including a 71- yard dash to the end zone against New Mexico State. • The offensive line has controlled the battle in the trenches while clearing the way for A&M’s top-15 rushing attack, as the unit leads the SEC and ranks 11th nationally allowing 37.0 tackles for loss. • Texas A&M has been efficient in the red zone as it ranks fifth in the country and leads the SEC with a 95.0 conversion rate … The Aggies have scored on 38 of 40 trips, including 29 touchdowns. • Sophomore LB Taurean York paced the defense as of late, leading the team in tackles in three of the last four games, most recently tallying eight at South Carolina … York leads the team with 55 tackles, good for 20th in the SEC. • Junior DL Nic Scourton has been a force in league play, tallying 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks through six SEC games and has helped lead a defense that ranks 11th in the country with 73.0 tackles for loss … He ranks eighth in the nation and second in the SEC with 14.0 tackles for loss on the season, while his 5.0 sacks are good for 17th in the league.
QUICK HITS
• The Aggies notched their best start in SEC play, boasting a 5-0 record for the first time since joining the league in 2012 and their best conference start since going 7-0 to begin Big 12 play in 1998 … A&M’s 5-1 record in conference play is its best since going 8-1 in an all-SEC regular season in 2020. • With the wins over No. 8 LSU and No. 9 Missouri, Texas A&M stands as one of just three teams in the nation to take down two AP top-10 teams this season. • The Aggies have held their opponents to 100-or-fewer yards on the ground in five of the last seven games, most recently limiting LSU to just 24 yards on 23 attempts … A&M has only allowed multiple rushing scores in a game twice this season and its nine touchdowns allowed on the ground this year rank 15th in the nation. • The Maroon & White have disrupted the opposition’s aerial attack all season, most recently limiting New Mexico State to less than 100 yards through the air … The Aggies’ 57 passes defended rank 12th in the country and third in the league. • Junior DB Will Lee III has brought veteran leadership to the secondary and ranks 14th nationally with nine breaksups while his 10 passes defended are the fourth-most in the SEC. • Junior DL Cashius Howell and Albert Regis have been menaces for opponent’s passing games, ranking second and third on the team with six and four breakups, respectively … Regis batted down a pair of passes against New Mexico State, and Howell has had at least one breakup and one hurry in a game five times this season, while his total pass breakups are good for 14th in the SEC. • Graduate K Randy Bond ranks 13th nationally with 17 made field goals this season and his 87 total points are good for 19th … Bond is just one field goal away from taking sole possession of fourth all-time at A&M, entering the game with 56 in his career.
Auburn Tigers Notes
KICKOFF COVERAGE
• Auburn has scored in a school-record 152 consecutive games, dating back to the first game of the 2013 season, breaking the program record of 149 games set from 1980-92 • Auburn is one of seven team nationally – with BYU, Notre Dame, UTSA, Oklahoma, UCLA and Vanderbilt – with 10 or more players who have caught a touchdown pass this season • The Tigers are fourth nationally with 14 pass plays of least 40 yards on the year • KeAndre Lambert-Smith ranks 24th nationally and seventh in the SEC in yards per reception (19.03). His 156 yards vs. Arkansas was the 14th-best receiving game in Auburn history. His eight receiving touchdowns lead the SEC and are tied for 15th nationally • Auburn had zero penalties in the ULM game for the first time since at least 1996. The Tigers lead the SEC in fewest penalties per game (5.40) and are one of eight FBS teams to play a penalty-free game this season ›› Jarquez Hunter’s 278-yard rushing effort at Kentucky was the best by an FBS player this season and the fourth-best ever at Auburn, earning him national player of the week honors • The Tigers are 87-31-6 all-time in the final game played in Auburn each season • Auburn ranks 15th nationally in yards per completion (13.72). Auburn is 14th the country averaging 6.74 yards per play, 13th nationally averaging 8.7 yards per pass attempt and 33rd averaging 5.06 yards per rush.
IN NOVEMBER
• Auburn is 248-195-20 (.557) all-time in November. Auburn’s November home record is 108-43-5 (.708). Away from Auburn, the Tigers are 141-151-15 (.483) in November. The Tigers are 6-4-1 in all games played on November 23, 2-1 in SEC contests and 2-0 at home on that date.
N.O.T. GOING TO LOSE
• Auburn is 29-3 since the start of the 2013 season in games when scoring a non-offensive touchdown, the latest being an Antonio Kite recovery of a fumbled punt return forced by Malcolm Simmons at Missouri. In the season opener, Simmons had a touchdown recovery of a Micah Riley blocked punt against Alabama A&M.
FOR THE DEFENSE
• Auburn is allowing just 104.5 rushing yards per game, 12th nationally. Auburn held Kentucky to 70 yards rushing, the fewest by an SEC opponent since Mississippi State (13 yards) in 2022. Missouri gained only 81 yards on the ground and Vanderbilt gained 84 rushing yards. That’s the first time since 2005-06 the Tigers have held three straight SEC opponents below 100 rushing yards. ULM gained only 64 yards on the ground. The Tigers held Alabama A&M to 36 yards and California to 99 yards on the ground, the first time Auburn held consecutive opponents to under 100 yards rushing since the Tigers held Mississippi State (13), Texas A&M (94) and Western Kentucky (85) to fewer than 100 yards rushing in consecutive games in 2022.
Alabama Crimson Tide (8-2, 4-2 SEC) at Oklahoma Sooners (5-5, 1-5 SEC)
Series: OU leads, 3-2-1
6:30 p.m. CT • ABC
Last: UA, 45-34 (2018 at CFP Semifinal Orange Bowl)
Norman, Okla. • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (83,489)
SiriusXM: 84 – 106/190
INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: Seventh Meeting (Alabama trails, 2-3-1) In Norman: Alabama trails, 0-1 Current Streak: Alabama, Won 1 Last Meeting: Dec. 29, 2018 – Miami Gardens (W, 45-34)
Series Notes: Alabama and Oklahoma will meet for just the seventh time in the history of the two storied programs on Saturday evening. The Sooners own the all-time series advantage, 2-3-1, including a 2-0 mark in regular-season play and a 1-0 record in Norman. The Crimson Tide came out on top, 45-34, in the most recent pairing on Dec. 29, 2018, in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has never faced the Sooners during his head coaching career, while Oklahoma’s Brent Venables will be taking on the Tide for his first time as a head coach.
Alabama Crimson Tide Notes
BETTER IN NOVEMBER:
Including the Tide’s 52-7 win over Mercer on Nov. 16 and UA’s 42-13 win at then-No. 15/14/13 LSU on Nov. 9, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is 34-2 (.944) as a head coach in the month of November. DeBoer’s November record includes a perfect 10-0 mark since 2022.
NOT SINCE 1983:
Head coach Kalen DeBoer has produced an 8-2 record in his inaugural season at the Capstone. DeBoer’s eight wins are tied for the second-most all-time by a first-year head coach at Alabama, sharing the feat with Ray Perkins (1983) and Red Drew (1947). DeBoer sits one win shy of tying Frank Thomas’ nine victories in 1931 for the most by a first-year head coach in program history
PASSING TOUGH TESTS:
Six of Alabama’s eight wins are against FBS programs with a winning record, the most such wins in the country. The Crimson Tide’s five wins over bowl-eligible teams are also the most in Division I. Alabama is also the only team in the FBS with four wins over current teams ranked in the College Football Playoff rankings.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
MILROE vs. THE BEST:
As Alabama’s starter each of the last two seasons, Jalen Milroe has played some of his best football against the top competition. He has guided the Crimson Tide to seven wins over Associated Press Top 25 teams, including the Tide’s 42-13 win at then-No. 14 LSU on Nov. 9, a 34-0 victory on Oct. 26 over then-No. 21 Missouri, and a 41-34 win on Sept. 28 over then-No. 2 Georgia to go with four wins a season ago. In 10 total contests against AP Top 25 foes across the last two seasons, Milroe has completed 64.8 percent (169-260) of his passes for 2,164 yards while accounting for 21 total touchdowns (10 passing, 11 rushing). He has accumulated 2,849 total yards in those matchups.
PILING UP THE POINTS:
Jalen Milroe has accounted for 32 total touchdowns in 10 games of action this season, including 15 passing and 17 rushing. His 32 total scores lead the SEC and are the third-most in the FBS, while his 194 points are also tops in the conference and the third-best total in the country. Milroe’s 17 rushing scores are the second-most among quarterbacks in Division I, while his 15 passing touchdowns are tied for sixth-most in the SEC.
THROWING THE BOMB:
Through 10 games this season, Jalen Milroe has completed 160-of-237 passes for 2,2432 yards. Entering Alabama’s matchup with Oklahoma, Milroe is averaging 9.42 yards per pass attempt, the second-highest figure in the SEC and the eighth-best mark in the country. He has also accumulated 13.95 yards per completion which also ranks second in the conference and is 12th in Division I.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
BIG PLAY BRAY:
Safety Bray Hubbard has accumulated 33 tackles, including one for loss (-2 yards), to go with two pass breakups and two interceptions. Hubbard’s 88.9 overall Pro Football Focus grade is the third-highest mark in Division I, while his 89.4 coverage grade is also fifth-best.
CAN’T FORGET DOMANI:
Cornerback Domani Jackson is responsible for 36 tackles, including one tackle for loss (-1 yard), to go with two interceptions, five pass breakups and one forced fumble in 10 games. Jackson has been recognized by Pro Football Focus for his support at the line of scrimmage, with his 90.7 run defense grade leading all cornerbacks in the country.
KEENAN III UP FRONT:
Defensive lineman Tim Keenan III has posted 5.5 tackles for loss (-18 yards) and 1.5 sacks (-10 yards) as part of his 32 total stops this season. The Crimson Tide interior defender has also contributed one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry in his 10 games. Keenan III has earned an 88.5 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus, the seventh-best figure in the country.
CREATING CHAOS:
The Crimson Tide has forced 24 total turnovers (10 fumbles, 14 interceptions) in its first 10 games, the most in the SEC and the second-most in Division I. Alabama is one of just three teams to have forced at least 24 turnovers in 2024. Over the past five games, the Tide has forced 16 takeaways (seven fumbles, nine interceptions), tied for the most forced turnovers in the country in that span.
MARGIN FOR VICTORY:
Alabama currently leads the SEC with a +13 turnover margin, which also stands as the fourth-best mark in the FBS.
BUCKLING DOWN: Through 10 games, the Crimson Tide defense is allowing just 16.9 points per game, good for fourth in the SEC and 10th in the FBS. Over the past five contests, Alabama has surrendered just 5.7 points per game.
TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS:
Alabama has forced at least one turnover in 120 of the last 137 contests (dating back to the start of the 2015 season). During the current run, Alabama has forced 219 turnovers (139 interceptions, 80 fumbles) and returned 43 of those miscues for touchdowns.
SHUTOUTS SINCE 2007:
Since 2007, Alabama has recorded 28 shutouts, including 13 in Southeastern Conference play. The Crimson Tide has produced two shutouts in 2024, including Alabama’s 34-0 win over then-No. 21/17 Missouri on Oct. 26 and UA’s 63-0 win over Western Kentucky on Aug. 31. The Crimson Tide defense has 13 more shutouts than its nearest competitor, with Ohio State’s 15 shutouts the next-closest total in that span.
CAGED THE TIGERS:
The Crimson Tide’s 34-0 win over then-No. 21/17 Missouri on Oct. 26 stands as Alabama’s first conference shutout since Oct. 31, 2020, when UA held Mississippi State off the scoreboard in a 41-0 victory.
HARD TO FIND THE END ZONE AGAINST THE TIDE:
Since the start of the 2009 season, no team has allowed fewer touchdowns than the Crimson Tide. Alabama has surrendered only 389 touchdowns over the last 218 games. That is 46 fewer than second-place Iowa (435).
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
BIG LEG BURNIP:
James Burnip has maintained his consistent form through 10 games. Called upon for 41 punts, Burnip has produced 16 punts of 50-plus yards, with 15 boots pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line. Burnip’s 45.3 yards per punt is the 13th-best figure in the country and ranks fifth in the SEC. Pro Football Focus has awarded Burnip a 91.2 punting grade this season, the second-best mark in the SEC and in the FBS.
IT ENDS HERE:
The Alabama punting unit is currently allowing just 0.71 yards per return, the top mark in all of Division I.
Oklahoma Sooners Notes
OPENING KICK
• Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5 SEC) wraps up its 2024 home schedule when it hosts No. 10/7/7 Alabama (8-2, 4-2) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman. The game will be televised by ABC with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe announcing. • An Oklahoma win against the Crimson Tide would make the Sooners bowl-eligible. At 25 years, OU owns the nation’s second-longest bowl streak, trailing only Georgia (27 years). • Oklahoma has won its home finale in each of the last nine seasons and in 21 of the last 22 years. Its only loss in the final home game of a season since 2001 came in 2014 against Oklahoma State (38-35 in OT). Seven of the 21 victories came against AP top-25 teams. • Saturday’s game will mark the seventh between Oklahoma and Alabama (OU leads 3-2-1), but just the third between the programs on a campus. The Sooners won the previous two on-campus matchups, prevailing 37-27 in 2002 in Norman as the AP’s No. 2 team and 20-13 in 2003 in Tuscaloosa as the No. 1 squad. The Crimson Tide was unranked in both contests. • Oklahoma and Alabama are tied for the all-time national lead with their 27 seasons each of 11-plus wins. The Crimson Tide ranks first nationally with its 43 seasons of at least 10 wins, while the Sooners rank second with 42. • OU and Florida are the only two schools that have played six games against teams ranked in last week’s CFP top 25. OU is also tied for the national lead with five games played against current AP top-25 teams. • Since the end of World War II (1946 season to present), OU leads all programs with 705 wins while Alabama ranks second with 677. • The 2024 season marks the 130th in OU football history. The Sooners lead the nation with their 50 all-time conference championships, 27 11-plus-win seasons (tied), 33 AP top-five finishes and five No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks (tied). They rank second with their seven Heisman Trophy winners (tied), third with seven AP national championships, their 101 weeks as the AP’s No. 1 team and 431 total weeks in the AP Top 5, and fourth with their 57 bowl appearances, 31 bowl wins (tied) and 417 NFL Draft picks.
KEY STORYLINES
• Alabama and Oklahoma rank third and fifth, respectively, in all-time winning percentage. Alabama owns a 973-339-43 (.734) record while OU is 949-346-53 (.724). The Crimson Tide have played 1,355 games and the Sooners have played 1,348. • Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables served as the Sooners’ co-defensive coordinator for the two on-campus meetings between OU and Alabama in 2002 and 2003. The Sooners won 37-27 and 20-13, respectively, in Norman and Tuscaloosa. • After averaging 288.1 offensive yards per game over its first seven outings this season, Oklahoma has averaged 417.0 over its last three contests at Ole Miss (329; the Rebels ranked No. 13 nationally in total defense entering the game at 289 yards allowed), vs. Maine (665) and at Missouri (257). Not including sacks, the Sooners totaled 736 rushing yards over the three games (245.3 average) and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. • Since being reinserted into the lineup early in the contest against South Carolina four games ago, sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold has completed 70 of 112 passes (63%) for 705 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. • Junior running back Jovantae Barnes’ three best rushing performances this season have come in his last three outings. Barnes had 70 yards on 17 carries (4.1 average) four contests ago against South Carolina, ran for 67 yards on 16 carries (4.2 average) three games ago at Ole Miss and racked up career highs of 203 yards (11.3 average) and three touchdowns on 18 carries two games ago vs. Maine. Barnes, who missed the Missouri contest due to injury, is averaging 113.3 yards per game and 6.7 yards per rush over his last three outings. • Senior Danny Stutsman, who ranks second in the SEC with his 96 tackles and 9.6 tackles per game, has 363 career stops to rank 10th in Oklahoma history (eighth among linebackers). He needs two tackles to tie defensive lineman Rick Bryan (1980-83) for ninth most in school annals and needs 17 to tie linebacker Tyrell Peters (1993-96) for the No. 8 spot. Stutsman’s 35.5 career tackles for loss rank him seventh among OU inside linebackers (needs 1.5 to move into the top four). • In the Sooners’ five wins this season they have outscored opponents 63-6 off turnovers. In their five losses they have been outscored 58-7 off turnovers. Alabama has outscored opponents 90-16 off turnovers. • Since the start of the 2023 campaign, OU is 12-0 when it wins the turnover battle (4-0 this year) and 2-7 when it loses it (0-5 this year). Alabama is +13 in turnover margin this season and has committed just 11 turnovers in its 10 games. OU is -2 in turnover margin and has committed 18 turnovers. • Oklahoma and Alabama rank third and fifth in the country, respectively, with their 11 and 10 fumble recoveries this season. The Sooners’ 13 lost fumbles are the most nationally, however. • OU has featured a different starting offensive line in eight of its 10 games this season, and 11 Sooners have started at least one contest. Febechi Nwaiwu (right guard) started all 10 games. Other starters have been Jacob Sexton (four starts at left tackle and four at left guard), Michael Tarquin (three games at left tackle and four at right tackle), Branson Hickman (four games at center), Jake Taylor (four games at right tackle), Heath Ozaeta (five games at left guard), Troy Everett (started the last four games at center), Logan Howland (four games at left tackle), Joshua Bates (two games at center), Spencer Brown (two games at right tackle) and Geirean Hatchett (one game at left guard; out for the year). OU’s starters the last two games have been Howland at left tackle, Ozaeta at left guard, Everett at center, Nwaiwu at right guard and Brown at right tackle.
HOME IS WHERE THE “W” IS
• The Sooners are 144-15 (.906) at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium since the start of the 1999 season, giving them just one more home loss than conference titles during the period. It is the second-best home winning percentage in the country over the last 25-plus seasons (Boise State [.907] ranks first and Ohio State [.899] ranks third). OU has outscored its foes by an average of 43-18 in those games. u Including this week’s game, OU has sold out 159 straight originally scheduled home contests dating back to the start of the 1999 season (Bob Stoops’ first as head coach). Only Nebraska has a longer current streak.
Vanderbilt Commodores (6-4, 3-3 SEC) at LSU Tigers (6-4, 3-3 SEC)
Series: LSU leads, 24-7-1
6:45 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Last: LSU, 41-7 (2020 at Nashville, Tenn.)
Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (102,321)
SiriusXM: 374 – 119/191
The LSU-Vanderbilt Series:
LSU leads 25-7-1 LSU leads the overall series – which dates back to 1902 – 25-7-1. The teams are both charter members of the SEC with LSU holding a 25-5 mark in games played as league foes. LSU is currently riding a 9-game winning streak over Vanderbilt. The Tigers have won 13 of the past 14 meetings with Vanderbilt’s only win during that span coming in 1990 by a 24-21 margin in Nashville. During the 9-game LSU winning streak, the Tigers have held Vanderbilt to a touchdown or less six times. The 66 points LSU scored in 2019 against Vanderbilt are the most points scored by the Tigers in a league game in program history. LSU is 11-2-1 all-time against Vanderbilt in Baton Rouge with all but one of those games played in Tiger Stadium. Vanderbilt’s lone win in Tiger Stadium came in 1951 by a 20-13 margin. Seven of LSU’s wins during its 9-game winning streak against Vanderbilt have come by double-digits.
Vanderbilt Commodores Notes
STORYLINES NEXT UP
• Vanderbilt will meet LSU at Tiger Stadium on Saturday for the first time since 2009. The Dores and Tigers have faced off in Nashville three times since Vandy’s last trip to Baton Rouge. • LSU leads the all-time series 24-7-1 with Vanderbilt’s last win coming in 1990. The last Vanderbilt victory in Baton Rouge was 1951. • The Commodores have broken several streaks this season, including most recently grabbing their first-ever win at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 2. LAST TIME OUT • Vanderbilt fell to South Carolina, 28-7, on Nov. 9 at FirstBank Stadium. • Langston Patterson recovered a fumble, forced by Miles Capers. The Commodore defense has forced at least one turnover in eight of 10 games this season. • Diego Pavia led the Commodores on the ground, rushing 12 times for 65 yards and a touchdown. It was the fifth game this season Pavia led the Dores in rushing yards including the third time in the last four outings. • Junior Sherrill tallied a catch for the 21st consecutive games dating back to last season. Sherrill has 21 catches for 331 yards this fall, surpassing last season’s totals recorded in 12 contests in both categories. BOWLING ON THE PLAINS • Vanderbilt defeated Auburn 17-7 on Nov. 2 to collect its first win at Jordan-Hare Stadium in its 10th visit all-time. • With their sixth win, the Commodores became bowl eligible for the first time since 2018. • The Commodores have defeated both Alabama and Auburn in the same season for the first time since 1955. • The Dores held the Tigers to seven points, fewest versus a Power 4 opponent since Kansas State in 2017 and fewest against an SEC opponent since Missouri in 2015. • Jesse Mirco finished the game with eight punts for 423 yards. His average of 52.9 yards per punt was second-best by a Vandy punter (min. 5 att.) in a single game. Mirco was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. • Diego Pavia became the 13th starting quarterback since 2004 to defeat both Alabama and Auburn in the same season.
DOMINANT DIEGO
• Diego Pavia’s 15 passing touchdowns is sixth in the SEC, top-50 in FBS. Pavia is responsible for 124 points this fall, sixth-most in the SEC and 45th in FBS. • Pavia ranks eighth in the SEC with 628 rushing yards, most among quarterbacks. • He has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the 88th Annual Maxwell Award, as well as one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien Award. • His performance in the win over top-ranked Alabama on Oct. 5 landed him SEC Offensive Player of the Week. He was also named the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week and the Maxwell Award Player of the Week. • In the opening win vs. Virginia Tech, Pavia completed 75 percent of his passes with a passing efficiency of 216.0. • He was credited with eight missed tackles forced by PFF in Week 1, tied for the lead in FBS among non-running backs with Taylen Green (Arkansas) and Matthew Sluka (UNLV). • Pavia piloted a deadly efficient offense in 2023 while leading New Mexico State to 10 wins. He ranked among the top-35 in FBS in passing touchdowns, points, passing yards per attempt and passing efficiency last season. In addition, Pavia ranked fifth among FBS quarterbacks in Pro Football Focus’ Elusive Rating.
BROCKET LAUNCHER
• Brock Taylor made his 16th field goal at Auburn, a 31-yarder, to move into a tie for second-most field goals in a season by a Commodore. Taylor is 9-for-9 in the last six games. • He connected on a program-record 57-yard field goal at Missouri on Sept. 21. Taylor has five makes of 50 or more yards this season, making him the first player on record to accomplish the feat at Vanderbilt. • Taylor has been named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season.
SCORING MARGIN THROUGH OCTOBER
• The Commodores outscored opponents 256-182 entering November, good for a margin of 74 points. • It is the largest scoring margin by a Vanderbilt team coming into November since 1955 when the Dores held a plus-86 edge at the end of October. • The 256 points scored entering November are the second-most in that time frame, trailing only the 2013 team which had 257 through October. • Under head coach Art Guepe, the 1955 Dores were 4-2 entering November, outscoring opponents 126-40, including shutouts of Middle Tennessee and Chattanooga. • The ’55 Dores finished 8-3 and reached the first bowl game in school history. Vandy defeated No. 8 Auburn, 25-13, in the Gator Bowl.
SPECIAL PLAYS, SPECIAL PLAYERS
• Vanderbilt is first in the SEC and seventh in FBS with 17.3 yards per punt return. • Vanderbilt’s special teams efficiency of 71.9 ranks third among FBS programs according to ESPN’s FPI. • Jesse Mirco is averaging 47.4 yards per punt on the season, second-best in the SEC and third in FBS. • Mirco was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week (Nov. 4) after averaging 52.9 yards on a career-high eight punts at Auburn. • Brock Taylor drilled a program-record 57-yard field goal at Missouri on Sept. 21. Taylor has five makes of 50 or more yards this season, making him the first player on record to accomplish the feat at Vanderbilt. • Taylor has been named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season. His 16 field goals are tied for second-most by a Commodore in a season. • In the win over Alcorn State, Martel Hight became the first Dore with 100-plus punt return yards since Jonathan Krause on Nov. 24, 2012 at Wake Forest (110 yards). Hight’s punt return for a touchdown was the first since Krause’s in that contest. • Hight is now the first Commodore to have 100-plus punt return yards in a season since the 2019 campaign, reaching the mark in just two games.
LSU Tigers Notes
LSU To Host Vanderbilt In Rare Tiger Stadium Matchup Between Teams
LSU (6-4, 3-3 SEC) returns to Tiger Stadium on Saturday, hosting Vanderbilt (6-4, 3-3 SEC) at 6:45 p.m. in Death Valley. SEC Network will televise the game with Tom Hart (pxp), Jordan Rodgers (analyst) and Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter) on the call. It’s the first meeting between LSU and Vanderbilt in Tiger Stadium since 2009 when the Tigers beat the Commodores, 23-9. LSU has won nine straight and 13 of the last 14 against Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt’s last win over LSU came in 1990 by a 16-14 count. LSU is coming off a 27-16 setback to Florida last Saturday in Gainesville, while Vanderbilt had a bye week after dropping a 28-7 decision to South Carolina in its last outing on Nov. 9. LSU had its 18-game Tiger Stadium winning streak snapped against Alabama on Nov. 9, but the Tigers are still 17-2 overall and 13-1 in night games in Death Valley under Brian Kelly. Kelly is 15-7 in SEC regular-season games at LSU, which includes an 8-2 record in Tiger Stadium. LSU enters the game averaging 29.1 points and 430.2 total yards per game (113.9 rushing, 316.3 passing). The Tigers lead the SEC and rank No. 8 nationally in third-down conversion percentage at 49 percent (72-of-146). Defensively, the Tigers are allowing 25.1 points and 364.5 total yards per game (147.0 rushing, 217.5 passing). Junior QB Garrett Nussmeier is tied for the league lead in passing TDs (22) and he’s second in total offense (309.4), passing yards per game (312.6) and TDs accounted for (25). In 11 career starts, Nussmeier has passed for a TD in 10 games, at least 2 TDs in 8 times, and 3 or more TDs 4 times. He also has 7 300-yard games to his credit. RB Caden Durham leads all freshman running backs in the SEC in yards with 551. He’s scored 6 TDs and is coming off a 91-yard effort vs. Florida. LSU’s offense features 4 players with as least 35 receptions led by WR Kyren Lacy (49-740-7) and TE Mason Taylor (49-478-2). LBs Whit Weeks (95 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks) and Greg Penn (70 tackles) lead the Tiger defense. DEs Bradyn Swinson (46 tackles, 8 sacks, 11.5 TFL, 2 FF) and Sai’vion Jones (32 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 5.5 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR) have the most impact plays for the Tiger defense.
QUICK NOTES
• LSU coach Brian Kelly is 1-0 all-time against Vanderbilt, beating the Commodores, 22-17, at Notre Dame in 2018. Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea was Kelly’s defensive coordinator on the 2018 Notre Dame team that beat Vanderbilt. • LSU has won 9 straight and 13 of the last 14 against Vanderbilt. The 9-game winning streak dates back to a 16-14 win in Tiger Stadium on Sept. 21, 1991. Vanderbilt’s last win over LSU came in 1990 in Nashville by a 24-21. • Dating back to November of 2021, LSU has won 15 of its last 16 night games in Tiger Stadium. The only loss during that span came to Alabama on Nov. 9 of this year. LSU is 13-1 under Brian Kelly in night games in Tiger Stadium. • LSU is 23-2 under Brian Kelly when reaching the 30-point mark. LSU is 5-0 this year after going 10-1 in 2023 and 8-1 in 2022 when scoring at least 30 points in a game. LSU has won 12 straight games when scoring at least 30 points. • LSU is 7-3 in games immediately following a loss under Brian Kelly. • LSU leads the SEC and ranks No. 8 in the nation in third-down conversion percentage at 49 percent (72-of146). LSU converted 13-of-24 third-down opportunities against Florida. • QB Garrett Nussmeier ranks No. 2 in the SEC and in the Top 10 nationally in passing yards (No. 7 at 3,126), passing yards per game (No. 7 at 312.6), and total offense per game (No. 9 at 309.4). Nussmeier is tied for the SEC leading and ranks No. 9 nationally in passing TDs (22). • In 11 career starts, Nussmeier has thrown for at least 2 TDs 8 times and topped the 300-yard mark 7 times, including 6 in 2024. He’s guided LSU to a 7-4 mark as a starter. • WR Kyren Lacy ranks in the Top 10 in the SEC in receptions (No. 5 with 49), receiving yards (No. 6 with 740) and TDs (No. 2 with 7). Lacy also leads the team with 3 100-yard receiving games this season (5-107 vs. South Alabama, 5-111-1 vs. Ole Miss, 5-106 at Texas A&M). • LSU’s offense features 4 players with at least 35 receptions led by WR Kyren Lacy (49-740-7) and TE Mason Taylor (49-478-2). Others include: WR Aaron Anderson (46-713-5) and WR CJ Daniels (35-400-0). • TE Mason Taylor has caught a pass in 27 straight games and is the first player at his position in LSU history to catch 100 passes and have 1,000 receiving yards. Taylor has 123 career receptions for 1,240 yards and 6 TDs. Taylor had 6 catches for 59 yards vs. Florida. • LB Whit Weeks ranks No. 3 in the SEC in tackles per game (9.5). He’s recorded double-digit tackles in 4 of LSU’s 6 conference games, including a career-best 18 in the win over Ole Miss and 17 vs. Alabama. Weeks has 95 tackles. • Since the start of the 2022 season, LT Will Campbell, RT Emery Jones and RG Miles Frazier have started on the offensive line together in 32 games (out of a possible 37 games). • LSU still remains atop the SEC in sacks allowed with 13.
Nothing Like A Saturday Night in Tiger Stadium
There’s not a better setting for college football than a night game in Tiger Stadium. It’s not only the best atmosphere in college football, but it also creates a huge home field advantage for the Tigers. LSU has won 15 of the last 16 night games in Death Valley and since the turn of the century (2000-24), LSU is 110-16 in night games in Tiger Stadium. LSU went 49-5 from 2000-09, 43-7 from 2010-19 and is 18-4 in those games since 2020. Of the 16 losses since the start of the 2000 season, 8 have come to teams ranked in the Top 10 with 5 of those coming to teams ranked No. 1. LSU has only 2 non-conference losses in night games in Tiger Stadium since 2000 (UAB in 2000; Troy in 2017). Here’s a look at LSU’s night game record in Tiger Stadium by decade since the first game was played under the lights on Oct. 3, 1931 vs. Spring Hill (won, 35-0).
LSU is 13-1 In Night Games Under BK; 17-2 Overall In Death Valley Under Kelly
Under LSU head coach Brian Kelly, the Tigers are 13-1 in night games in Tiger Stadium. Overall, LSU has won 15 of the last 16-night games in Death Valley. The Tigers won all four of their night games in 2022, followed by a 6-0 mark in 2023. This year, LSU has night game wins in Death Valley over Nicholls, South Alabama, and Ole Miss. LSU suffered its first home game loss at night under Kelly when Alabama posted a 42-13 win on Nov. 9. Prior to the loss against the Crimson Tide, LSU lost a night game in Tiger Stadium on Nov. 13, 2021, when Arkansas kicked a field goal in overtime to win, 16-13. LSU’s only other home loss under Brian Kelly came during the day when then-No. 8 Tennessee posted a 40-13 win over the Tigers on Oct. 8, 2022.
Up Next: LSU Hosts Oklahoma in the Regular-Season Finale; Matchup in Tiger Stadium for the First Time
Following LSU’s matchup with Vanderbilt on Nov. 23, the Tigers will host the Oklahoma Sooners inside Tiger Stadium for the first time in series history during Thanksgiving week on Nov. 30. In 3 meetings all-time, LSU and Oklahoma have only met in postseason scenarios, including the 2003 National Championship (LSU won, 21-14) and the 2019 College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl (LSU won, 63-28). The only other time the two teams met was in 1949 when Oklahoma came away victorious in the Sugar Bowl, 35-0.
LSU’s 23-2 Under BK When Scoring 30-Points Or More
LSU is 23-2 under Brian Kelly when reaching the 30-point mark. LSU is 5-0 this year when hitting the 30-point mark after going 10-1 in 2023 and 8-1 in 2022. LSU’s only two losses under BK when scoring 30 points came against Ole Miss in 2023 (55-49) and Georgia in the 2022 SEC Championship Game (50-30). LSU has won 12 straight games when scoring at least 30 points.
LSU Is 7-3 After A Loss
Under BK LSU is 7-3 under head coach Brian Kelly in games following a loss. The Tigers were 3-1 in those games in 2022, 3-0 in 2023, and 1-2 in 2024. The Tigers have lost back-to-back games twice under BK. The first came in 2022 when the Tigers dropped a 38-23 decision to Texas A&M in the regular-season finale and then fell to No. 1 Georgia, 50-30, in the SEC Championship Game. The second came in 2024 when LSU lost to Texas A&M, 38-23, in Kyle Field and fell to Alabama, 42-13, in Tiger Stadium. LSU’s three-game losing skid is the first since 2021 when LSU lost three in a row to Ole Miss, Alabama, and Arkansas.
