FULL SLATE OF LEAGUE GAMES ON NOVEMBER 9 SCHEDULE
WEEK 11 GAME SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Florida (4-4, 2-3 SEC) at Texas (7-1, 3-1 SEC)
11 a.m. CT • ABC
Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (100,119)
SiriusXM: 374 – 82
Series: TEX leads, 2-0-1
Last: TEX, 26-0 (1940 at Gainesville)
SERIES HISTORY VS. FLORIDA
• Texas and Florida will clash on the gridiron for the fourth time in history and first time since 1940 on Saturday. • The Longhorns lead the all-time series, 2-0-1. • Saturday’s matchup against the Gators will be the third played in Austin between the two teams and first since 1939. Texas is 1-0-1 vs. the Gators at home. • The first-ever matchup between the Horns and Gators took place in 1924 in Austin, resulting in a 7-7 tie. • The Longhorns are 8-2-1 all-time vs. Florida schools, including a 6-0-1 mark at home.
Florida Notes
THE STORYLINE
• Week 11 marks the fourth meeting between Florida and Texas and the first in 84 years (since 1940). • This is the third-ever matchup between the Gators and Longhorns in Austin, with Texas leading at 1-0-1. • The first meeting between the two programs was a 7-7 tie in Austin over 100 years ago on Oct. 25, 1924. • Florida and Texas faced off in consecutive seasons in 1939 in Austin (UT 12, UF 0) and 1940 in Gainesville (UT 26, UF 0). • Having coached together at Alabama in 2016, this is the second meeting between HC Billy Napier and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian as head coaches. Sark’s Longhorns defeated Napier’s Louisiana, 38-18, in the 2021 opener (more on Page 9). • Florida is the only four-loss team in the nation with a perfect record vs. teams ranked outside the current AP Top 10. • In the Week 8 win over UK, Florida started a true freshman at both quarterback (DJ Lagway) and running back (Jadan Baugh) for the first team in program history and is one of two FBS programs to do so this season (Stanford). • Among quarterbacks with at least 90 pass attempts this season, Lagway (second, 10th – 169.3) and QB Graham Mertz (fourth, 15th – 164.1) both rank top-five in the SEC and top-15 nationally in passer rating. • Florida is one of three teams in the country with two qualified receivers averaging 18.0 yards per catch in WR Elijhah Badger (second – 23.3) and WR Chimere Dike (25th – 18.6), with the others being Ole Miss and TCU. • Since the team’s Week 5 bye, Florida is allowing just 22.5 points per game and 135.3 rushing yards per game. • The Gators have logged multiple takeaways in three-straight games for the first time since delivering a four-week stretch during the 2019 campaign (Sept. 14-Oct. 5, 2019), with six in the last two games alone for nine on the season. • The UF defense has posted three interceptions in back-to-back games for the first time since Sept. 14, 2019 vs. Kentucky (three) and Sept. 21, 2019 vs. Tennessee (three). • Led by first-year senior analyst Joe Houston, Florida ranks third in the FBS in net punting (45.09), eighth in punt return average (17.33) and 46th in kick return average (21.33) and has been inside the top-13 all season in ESPN’s SP+ metric. • Florida enters Week 11 ranking sixth in the SEC and 27th in the FBS in passer rating (150.5). • C Jake Slaughter grades as the No. 6 center in the FBS (78.1) highlighted by the eighth-best pass block grade (85.7). • The Gators have allowed just 12 sacks on the season, which ranks fourth-least in the SEC and t-42nd nationally. • Since the 2018 season, Napier is tied for 15th in the FBS with 55 total wins, ahead of Mike Gundy (54), Mike Norvell (51), Sonny Dykes (51) and Mark Stoops (50) in that time. • The Gators have won 16 of their last 22 games in The Swamp (including 11 of 16) but are 3-18 in their last 21 contests outside The Swamp and 3-13 in their last 16 true road games. • Florida has scored in 456-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, 402-straight games, active streak).
OFFENSIVE GRAB BAG
• Over the last five seasons (2020-24), Florida ranks 16th in the P5 and seventh in the SEC with 442.7 YPG. • Since 2018, UF ranks ninth in the P5 in passing efficiency (152.5) and 14th in TD-INT ratio (2.79). • In Week 8 vs. UK, the Gators eclipsed 400 yards for the 15th time since the start of 2022 (third of 2024). • With 226 yards at MSU, UF rushed for 200 yards 18 times since 2021 including 12 occasions in the Napier era. • Florida has scored 40 points 11 times in 46 games from 2021-24 including seven times in the Napier era. • Florida has scored 30 points 22 times in 46 games from 2021-24 including 16 times in the Napier era.
Texas Notes
THE OPENING KICKOFF
• Coming off a bye week, the No. 5/5 Texas Longhorns (7-1, 3-1 SEC) host the Florida Gators at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 9, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on ABC. • UT and Florida meet for the fourth time in history and the first time since 1940 on Saturday. The Longhorns lead the all-time series, 2-0-1. • The Longhorns are fresh off playing three-straight AP Top 25 opponents – then-ranked No. 18-16 Oklahoma on Oct. 12 (34-3 W), then-ranked No. 5/4 Georgia on Oct. 19 (30-15 L) and then-ranked No. 25/25 Vanderbilt on Oct. 26 (27-24 W). Texas has three victories against ranked opponents this season with two coming on the road and one at a neutral site. • Last time out, Texas defeated No. 25/25 Vanderbilt, 27-24, on the road in Nashville on Oct. 26. It marked UT’s ninth-straight road win. Texas also won its first-ever football game played in Nashville, Tenn., against Vanderbilt. The win for Texas clinched the first true road win by either team in the series history. • Texas’ nine-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. • UT boasts the fourth-most wins (955) in NCAA history. Texas holds a record of 955-393-33 (.703). The Longhorns’ 955 wins are the second most by an SEC program following Alabama’s 971 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 were ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll for two consecutive weeks before moving to No. 2 during Week 6. The Longhorns have 49 overall appearances at No. 1 in the AP Poll
A TEXAS WIN WOULD …
• Be Texas’ 956th all-time victory, the fourth-winningest program in college football history. • Give Steve Sarkisian his 80th victory as a head coach and 33rd at Texas in his 129th career game as a head coach. • Enhance Texas’ record to 8-1 on the season and 4-1 in Southeastern Conference play. • Grant Texas’ its third win vs. Florida and give the Horns a 3-0-1 series advantage. • Secure UT’s fifth home win on the season and give Texas victories in 10 of its last 11 home games, dating back to the beginning of the 2023 campaign. • Since the start of the 2022 season, the Longhorns are 15-3 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with its three losses coming against AP Top-5 ranked foes.
Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) at Ole Miss (7-2, 3-2 SEC)
2:30 p.m. CT • ABC
Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038)
SiriusXM: 81 – 162/190
Series: UGA leads, 33-12-1
Last: UGA, 52-17 (2023 at Athens)
The Georgia-Ole Miss Series
This Saturday’s road game with the Rebels marks just the 17th trip to Oxford and the first since 2016. Overall, Georgia leads the series 33-13-1 including 10-6 in Oxford. The teams first met in 1940 in Athens, a 28-14 Rebel victory. Over the years, the teams have squared off in Memphis, Jackson and Atlanta along with the on campus contests. Lately, it’s the Bulldogs with the upperhand as they have won 12 of the past 13 meetings. Georgia is 1-1 against Ole Miss under Kirby Smart. After a 3-0 start in 2016, the Rebels handed Smart and the Bulldogs their first loss, 45-14. It would be seven years before they met again. Last year, second-ranked Georgia whipped then ninth-ranked Ole Miss 52-17 on Senior Night Between the Hedges.
Georgia Notes
On The Road Again
Second-ranked Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) has its final road game of the regular season this Saturday at No. 16/12 Ole Miss before finishing with three games Between The Hedges. The Bulldogs have played an SEC-low three home games at this point of the season where they are 3-0. Georgia is 2-1 on the road and 2-0 at neutral sites (Atlanta & Jacksonville) this year. Also of note, the traveling SEC road show “SEC Nation” will be in Oxford for this Saturday’s matchup. In their last true road game coming on Oct. 19, the Bulldogs knocked off top-ranked Texas 30-15 in front of a record crowd of 105,215 in Austin. Georgia entered the Texas game with 11 sacks on the season and tallied seven against the Longhorns plus had three fumble recoveries to give them five on the year. After an open date, Georgia outlasted Florida 34-20 in Jacksonville this past Saturday. The Bulldogs trailed 13-6 at the half, and it was 20-all with 7:29 left in the contest when Georgia pulled away. The go-ahead scoring drive covered 75 yards in seven plays including two third down conversions, the last a 10-yard TD strike from Carson Beck to Dominic Lovett. The final score came after an impressive CJ Allen interception, the first of his career, set the Bulldogs up at the Gator 7. Meanwhile, Ole Miss blasted Arkansas 63-31 in Fayetteville last Saturday to tie a school mark for most points ever against an SEC opponent, matching a 63-28 triumph over Vanderbilt in 1979. The Rebels tallied 694 yards of offense against Arkansas including a school record 562 passing yards by Jaxson Dart. His top target, Jordan Watkins, set school marks with 254 yards and five TDs on just eight catches. He scored twice from 62 yards and once from 66.
Aiming To Be Elite Against One Tough Slate
On Tuesday, the first set of College Football Playoff rankings will be announced. Georgia’s best debut has been No. 1 in 2017 and 2021 when it had an 8-0 mark at that point. Last year, the Bulldogs began at No. 2 with an 8-0 record and made it to No. 1 for three weeks before finishing at No. 6 after the SEC Championship Game loss dropped them to 12-1 on the year. The Bulldogs opened the 2024 season ranked No. 1 in the AP and US LBM Coaches poll for the third time in school history (2008, 2023). Georgia dropped to No. 2 in the AP poll after its 13-12 road win over Kentucky on Sept. 14 and remained there for another week before falling to No. 4 Alabama on Sept 28. Georgia checked in at No. 5 in the AP poll for the next three weeks until climbing to No. 2 on Oct. 21 after its road win over top-ranked Texas. Georgia was No. 1 in the US LBM Coaches poll until its first loss when it dropped to No. 5 and then moved up a spot to No. 4 for a couple of weeks before going up to No. 2. Currently, the Bulldogs are at No. 2 in both polls for the third straight week. The Bulldogs have the longest active streak of being ranked in the AP top 10 (60 straight polls).
SMART Football: Streaks ‘n Stuff
*Georgia is 53-3 in its last 56 games. A school record streak of 42 consecutive regular season victories ended Sept. 28 this year with a 41-34 defeat at No. 4 Alabama. Also, Georgia had an SEC and school record streak of 28 consecutive SEC regular season wins snap that night. *Georgia’s 2024 Senior Class is an FBS-leading 49-3 (43-1 in the regular season) since 2021. The next best in this span belongs to Michigan (45-7) and Alabama (42-8). Georgia’s only three losses since 2021 have come to Alabama. Georgia’s 2023 Senior Class set the school record at 50-4 with two national titles, an SEC crown plus went 6-0 in bowl/CFP games. *Georgia is the only team to have finished in the top 7 of the final AP poll in each of the past 7 seasons. *Head coach Kirby Smart is unbeaten against all active head coaches over the past five years except Kalen DeBoer (Alabama). Georgia is 69-7 in that span. The coaches no longer active who have wins over Georgia during this stretch: Nick Saban (3) along with Will Muschamp, Ed Orgeron and Dan Mullen. *Georgia is riding a school record 28-game home winning streak dating to 2019, which leads in FBS. *Georgia owns the nation’s longest active bowl streak at 27 seasons and has won its last seven matchups. *In the Smart era, the Georgia defense has ended the year ranked in the top five nationally in Scoring Defense five times including leading the nation twice (2019 at 12.6 ppg & 2021 at 10.2 ppg). Also, Georgia has been ranked in the final top 10 in Scoring Offense from 2021-23.
32-1 In Last 33 SEC Regular Season Games
*Georgia saw its school and SEC record streak of 28 consecutive regular season wins in league play end this year at #4 UA. In the all-SEC 2020 schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bulldogs won their final three SEC regular season games and then went on a run that ended Sept. 28, 2024 in Tuscaloosa. * In 2021, Georgia posted its first perfect 8-0 mark in league play in school history. (The SEC went to eight games when it split into divisions in 1992). UA upset Georgia in the SECCG and then Georgia knocked off UA for the CFP title. * The 2022 Bulldogs followed it up with another 8-0 SEC mark, and the average margin of victory in those games was 25.5. They claimed the SEC title. * The 2023 Bulldogs made it three straight 8-0 league seasons (the only SEC school ever to accomplish that feat). It was the 10th undefeated league season in school history. UA defeated Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. * The 2024 Bulldogs are co-leaders in the SEC at 5-1. They won their first league game by edging UK in Lexington, fell at #4 UA, bounced back with home wins over AU and MSU, then beat #1 Texas 30-15 in Austin in front of the largest crowd ever at DKR-Memorial Stadium (105, 215). Recently, Georgia outlasted Florida in Jacksonville. Up next, Georgia faces #16 Ole Miss in Oxford and closes out conference play with #7 Tennessee Nov. 16 in Athens.
Mississippi Notes
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• This is the 48th meeting all-time between Ole Miss and Georgia dating back to 1940, the first in Oxford since 2016. • Georgia leads the all-time series 33-12-1 … The original series record is 33-13-1 with Ole Miss’ 2016 win vacated. • This will be the sixth ranked meeting on the field between the Rebels and Bulldogs, the third in a row. • Ole Miss is 25-3 at home since 2021, which includes an 11-1 mark since the start of 2023. • Head coach Lane Kiffin (102) is one of three active SEC head coaches with 100 FBS wins (Brian Kelly, 192; Kirby Smart, 101) … Kiffin (41-17) recently became the fastest coach to 40 wins in Ole Miss history. • The Rebels are 36-12 overall since 2021 and rank third among all SEC schools in wins in that span. • Ole Miss broke 13 school records vs. Arkansas, including the 4th-best team passing game in SEC history (562). • QB Jaxson Dart set Ole Miss records for passing yards (515), total offense (562) and tied the record for passing TD (6) … Dart is the only QB in SEC history with 500 yards and 6 TD passing vs. an SEC defense. • Dart also became Ole Miss’ winningest QB of the modern era (25-9) and broke Bo Wallace’s career total offense record, currently sitting at 10,805 … He’s currently 36 yards shy of the all-time SEC top-10. • Dart leads the FBS in total offense (384.9), passing yards (3,210), efficiency (192.4) and yards/attempt (11.6). • WR Jordan Watkins broke Ole Miss records in receiving yards (254) and touchdowns (5) against Arkansas … Watkins is one of two in SEC history with 250 yards and 5 TD against an SEC defense (DeVonta Smith). • Ole Miss leads the SEC and ranks FBS top-10 in 13 offensive categories, leading the FBS in passing (377.1 ypg). • Ole Miss leads the FBS in TFL (94) and sacks (41) … The Rebels average 10.4 TFL for 44.2 yards lost per game. • DE Suntarine Perkins leads the SEC in sacks (9.0) and is already tied for seventh in Ole Miss single-season history.
BULLDOG SCOUTING REPORT
Georgia heads into the matchup with the Rebels ranked No. 2 in both the AP poll AFCA Coaches rankings. The Bulldogs are 47-3 over their last 50 games and haven’t lost more than one game in a season since 2020. Offensively, Georgia averages just over 430 yards per game, with 299 yards per game coming through the air. Redshirt senior Carson Beck continues to lead the Bulldogs at quarterback, ranking top 25 nationally in passing yards (2,302), passing touchdowns (17) and completions per game (23.75). Four Bulldog receivers have hauled in three or more receiving TDs this season. Arian Smith leads Georgia with 503 receiving yards on 31 catches. On the ground, Georgia is led by Florida transfer, Trevor Etienne, and true freshman, Nate Frazier. Etienne and Frazier average 65 and 41 yards rushing per game respectively. Defensively, the Bulldogs rank No. 12 in FBS, allowing just 295.3 yards per game. Georgia limits its opponents to just a 28 percent conversion rate on third down, No. 6 in the country. Malaki Starks leads the Bulldogs in tackles, with 43 total stops. Linebacker Jalon Walker is the best Georgia player at getting to the quarterback with 4.5 sacks on the season.
REBS IN THE POLLS
• Ole Miss currently ranks No. 12 in the Coaches poll and No. 16 in the Associated Press poll for Week 11. • Dating back to 2021, Ole Miss has been ranked in the top-25 in 55 of the last 59 poll releases … That includes a streak of 29 across 2021 and 2022, the longest streak since being ranked for 41 straight weeks from 2014-16. • Ole Miss’ current ranked streak stands at 27 consecutive appearances since the beginning of the 2023 season. • The SEC boasts nine teams in the top 25, including three within the top-10.
South Carolina (5-3, 3-3 SEC) at Vanderbilt (6-3, 3-2 SEC)
3:15 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Nashville, Tenn. • FirstBank Stadium (28,934)
SiriusXM: 374 – 158/191
Series: SC leads, 29-4
Last: SC, 47-6 (2023 at Columbia)
S. CAROLINA VS. VANDY HISTORY:
This is the 34th all-time meeting between South Carolina and Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks hold a commanding 29-4 advantage in the series, including a 15-2 record when the games have been played in Nashville and a 14-2 mark when the teams have met in Columbia. The teams met just once (1961) before they became SEC Eastern Division rivals in 1992 and have met every year since.
South Carolina Notes
QUICKLY:
The South Carolina Gamecocks (5-3, 3-3 SEC) will be looking to become bowl-eligible this week when they travel to Nashville, Tenn. for a battle with the #24/25 Vanderbilt Commodores (6-3, 3-2 SEC). Game time is set for 4:15 pm ET (3:15 pm CT) at FirstBank Stadium (28,934).
HOW WE GOT THIS FAR:
The Gamecocks are 5-3 overall and own a 3-3 mark in SEC play. All three of South Carolina’s losses have come to ranked opponents with two of setbacks not decided until the game’s final play. They opened the campaign with a hard-fought 23-19 win over Old Dominion, then dominated Kentucky in the SEC opener, winning by a 31-6 count in Lexington. The Gamecocks were unable to hold onto a 17-0 first half lead in a heartbreaking 36-33 setback to No. 16/17 LSU, then bounced back with a convincing 50-7 rout of Akron to improve to 3-1. The Gamecocks dropped their next two contests to highly-ranked opponents, coming up on the short end of a 27-3 decision to No. 12/11 Ole Miss in Columbia, then suffering another gut wrenching defeat in a 27-25 loss at No. 7/7 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. They have responded with back-to-back wins, first a convincing 35-9 dismantling of Oklahoma in Norman then, after an off week, scoring the game’s final 27 points in a 44-20 win over No. 10/11 Texas A&M.
THEY CALL IT A STREAK:
The Gamecocks have won each of the last 15 contests with the Commodores, a streak that started in 2009. South Carolina has outscored Vanderbilt 430-220, or an average of 29-15 during that stretch, including a convincing 47-6 win in Columbia last season.
ROAD WARRIORS:
The Gamecocks have logged a pair of impressive road wins this season, posting a 31-6 victory at Kentucky and winning in a 35-9 rout at Oklahoma. They are in search of their third conference road win of the season, something they have not accomplished since 2011 when they won at Georgia, Mississippi State and Tennessee en route to an 11-2 mark overall and a 6-2 SEC record.
A LITTLE HISTORY:
2024 marks year four of the Shane Beamer Era and the 131st season of intercollegiate football at the University of South Carolina, dating back to 1892. It is the 118th-consecutive year in which South Carolina has competed on the gridiron. The University did not field a team in either 1893 or 1906. Carolina owns an all-time record of 639-616-44, a .509 winning percentage. Since the start of the 21st century, the Gamecocks are 173-134, a .564 winning clip. In four seasons under Coach Beamer, the Gamecocks are 25-21, a .543 winning percentage. This week’s game is No. 1,300 in school history.
IT JUST MEANS MORE:
The 2024 season is South Carolina’s 33rd year in the Southeastern Conference. South Carolina and Arkansas joined the SEC prior to the 1992 campaign. The Gamecocks earned the SEC Eastern Division title in the 2010 season. The Gamecocks are 112-151-1 (.426) all-time in SEC regular season play but posted a 42-38 (.525) record in conference action from 2010-19. Under Coach Beamer, the Gamecocks are 13-17 in SEC play, a .433 winning clip.
THE OUTLIERS:
Vanderbilt’s four wins in the series have come in back-to-back fashion on two occasions – first in 1998 and ‘99, then again in 2007 and ‘08. Those four wins have been by a combined total of 22 points (17-14, 11-10, 17-6 and 24-17).
THE LAST TIME THEY MET:
South Carolina scored 34 second-half points in a 47-6 blowout of Vanderbilt on Nov. 11, 2023, in Columbia, extending the Gamecocks’ winning streak to 15-straight games over the Commodores. Spencer Rattler threw for 351 yards and three scores and ran for a fourth, Xavier Legette caught nine passes for 120 yards and Mario Anderson carried nine times for 102 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown burst in the win. Bam Martin-Scott, making his first career start, responded with a game-high 13 tackles, while Keenan Nelson Jr. blocked a punt and returned it 18-yards to paydirt. In its most complete game of the season, Carolina outgained the Commodores 487-234.
THE LAST TIME THEY MET HERE:
South Carolina put up 17 first-quarter points, had a season-high 31 points in the first half, and never looked back in a 38-27 win at Vanderbilt on Nov. 5, 2022, in Nashville. Quarterback Spencer Rattler had a solid performance, completing 18-of-26 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. caught four passes for 110 yards and two scores in the win. He had a 17-yard TD reception from Rattler and a 68-yard catch-and-run for a score from Dakereon Joyner. Kai Kroeger booted five punts for a 53.6-yard average, including kicks of 69 and 66 yards, with two of his punts downed inside the 20, earning co-SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In addition, Kroeger, who was also the holder on placements, completed a 16- yard pass on a fake field goal for a first down.
A South Carolina win over Vanderbilt would…
• Give the Gamecocks their sixth win of the season, one better than last year, and make them bowl-eligible with three games remaining in the regular season. u Extend the Gamecocks’ winning streak over the Commodores to 16-straight games, including eight straight in Nashville. • Give the Gamecocks their fourth SEC win of the season, something that has happened just once (2022) since 2018. • Give the Gamecocks their third SEC road win of the season, something they have not accomplished since the 2011 season. • Give the Gamecocks their second-straight win over a ranked opponent after eight-straight losses.
Vanderbilt Notes
STORYLINES
NEXT UP
• After earning bowl eligibility for the first time since 2018, Vanderbilt returns to Nashville to host RV/RV South Carolina as the No. 24 team in the AP Top 25 poll. • The Commodores will look to break yet another streak Saturday as they go for their first win over South Carolina since 2008. Vandy is 4-29 all-time vs. the Gamecocks. Already this season the Dores beat Alabama first the first time since 1984 and Auburn for the first time since 2012. • Vanderbilt is off to its best start since 1982 when the Dores also won six of their first nine games. Vandy will be looking to win its fourth SEC game for the first time since 2013. • Saturday’s game will be Vandy’s second as a ranked team this season. The Commodores were No. 25 going into the showdown with Texas on Oct. 26. Prior to that game Vandy’s last time playing a regular season game while ranked in the AP Poll was in 2008.
LAST TIME OUT
• Vanderbilt defeated Auburn 17-7 to collect its first win at Jordan-Hare Stadium in the 10th visit all-time. • Vanderbilt scored first and has now opened the scoring in seven of nine games this season, winning five of those contests. • With their sixth win, the Commodores became bowl eligible for the first time since 2018. • The Commodores have defeated both Alabama and Auburn this 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 has been one of the most electric signal callers in college football this season. He ranks 26th among FBS quarterbacks in passing efficiency (151.9), third-best in the SEC. • His 15 passing touchdowns is fourth in the SEC, 35th in FBS. Pavia is responsible for 118 points this fall, fourth-most in the SEC and 36th in FBS. • Pavia ranks eighth in the SEC with 563 rushing yards, most among quarterbacks. • 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’s 104 net rushing yards against the Hokies were the second most among non-running backs during Week 1, trailing only new New Mexico’s Devon Dampier who ran for 130 yards at Arizona. • Diego Pavia piloted a deadly efficient offense in 2023 while leading New Mexico State to 10 wins. Pavia 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. His 16 field goals leads the SEC and is sixth in FBS. His 77 total points scored is fourth-most in the SEC and 22nd in FBS. • Taylor is 9-for-9 in the last five 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 entering 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.
BACK-TO-BACK
• Vanderbilt did not trail in either of its back-to-back victories over No. 1 Alabama and at Kentucky. It was the first time since at least 1960 that the Commodores led for the entirety of consecutive SEC contests. • Vandy’s offense did not have a single three-and-out drive in either win, marking the only time since at least 2002 that Vanderbilt has gone two consecutive SEC contests without a three-and-out. • According to ESPN Research, Diego Pavia became the first SEC quarterback to record an 80 percent completion rate, at least two touchdown passes and 50 yards rushing in back-to-back wins. • Vanderbilt has won back-to-back games at Kentucky for the first time since 1992 and 1994.
SPECIAL PLAYS, SPECIAL PLAYERS
• Vanderbilt is first in the SEC and fifth in FBS with 18.9 yards per punt return. • Vanderbilt’s special teams efficiency of 71.9 ranks seventh among FBS programs according to ESPN’s FPI. • Jesse Mirco is averaging 47.1 yards per punt on the season, second-best in the SEC and third in FBS. Mirco’s 69-yard punt vs. Alcorn State is tied for the 17th longest punt in FBS this season. • 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.
Mississippi State (2-7, 0-5 SEC) at Tennessee (7-1, 4-1 SEC)
7 p.m. ET • ESPN
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (101,915)
SiriusXM: 385 – 162/190
Series: UT leads, 29-16-1
Last: UT, 20-10 (2019 at Knoxville)
INSIDE THE SERIES
47th All-Time Meeting
Tennessee leads 29-16-1
In Starkville: Series tied 5-5
In Knoxville: UT leads 14-7
at Neutral Sites: UT leads 4-10-1
Most MSU Points: 48 (1910)
Most UT Points: 59 (2003)
Most Combined Points: 80 (2003)
Largest MSU Win: 48-0 (10-31-1910)
Largest Loss: 52-14 (09-23-1995)
Current Streak: Tennessee – 1 game
Longest Winning Streak: 4 games (1910-1920)
Longest Losing Streak: 6 games (1995-2008)
When Both Teams are Ranked: 1-2
When MSU is Ranked: 1-1
When UT is Ranked: 4-7-1
Mississippi State Notes
Saturday Storylines
• Mississippi State will be on the road for the first time since Oct. 12 when they played at Georgia. This road trip ends a three-game home stand for the Bulldogs. • The Bulldogs will be making their first trip to Knoxville since 2019. This is the second consecutive time that State has had to travel to Knoxville in the series history. The two programs will meet for the 22nd time in Knoxville despite only playing in Starkville just 10 times. • Mississippi State will be playing its 4th ranked opponent of the season and its 3rd top-10 team. • The last time the Bulldogs played three top 10 teams in one season was in 2019, when State played #2 LSU, #4 Alabama and #7 Auburn. • Mississippi State has scored 20+ points in consecutive SEC games vs. AP Top 15 teams for the first time since Nov. 21, 2020 vs. Georgia (24 points) and Oct. 2, 2021, vs. Texas A&M (26 points). • The Bulldogs 22.7 points per game this season vs. SEC teams in the AP Top 25 teams is the highest scoring average for State vs. ranked teams since averaging 22.6 points vs. five ranked teams in 2021. • Stone Blanton (84 tackles) and Isaac Smith (81 tackles) lead the SEC in tackles through 10 weeks. The Bulldogs also had the top two tacklers in the SEC in 2022 and 2023. • Mississippi State has had 13 players make their first career starts this season. The Bulldogs are 1 of 10 FBS teams (1 of 3 P4 teams) this season to have 13+ players make their first career starts. • Of the Bulldogs’ 32 offensive touchdowns this season, they have scored 13 touchdowns in under 2 minutes, five touchdowns in under 35 seconds, and two touchdowns in under 15 seconds. • Xavier Gayten scored his first career touchdown on a 72-run vs. UMass. It was the longest rushing play for the Bulldogs since Nick Fitzgerald had a long run of 74 yards vs. Texas A&M on Nov. 5, 2016. Fitzgerald had 3 runs of 70+ yards in 2016.
GENERAL QUICK NOTES » Mississippi State has scored in 53 consecutive games dating back to Oct. 21, 2020. » State has scored eight touchdowns of 30+ yards this season. » Mississippi State has received the opening kickoff in all nine games this season. State is 3-6 on the coin toss in 2024. » The Bulldogs have scored 13 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 29.1 ppg (64th in the FBS) in 2024. The Bulldogs 29.1 ppg is tied for the second highest scoring averge for Mississippi State since 2018. » Mississippi State has scored 20+ points in consecutive SEC games vs. AP Top 15 teams for the first time since Nov. 21, 2020 vs. Georgia (24 points) and Oct. 2, 2021, vs. Texas A&M (26 points). » State’s 24.2 points per game in SEC play are more than the Bulldogs next two opponents, Tennessee (22.8) & Missouri (15.3). » Mississippi State is averaging 22.7 points per game against teams ranked in the AP Top 25 ranks 7th in the SEC among SEC teams that have played at least two AP Top 25 opponents this season. » The Bulldogs 22.7 points per game this season vs. SEC teams in the AP Top 25 teams is the highest scoring average for State vs. ranked teams since averaging 22.6 points vs. five ranked teams in 2021. » 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). » This is only the second time since at least 2016 that Mississippi State has averaged more than 18.5 points per game against AP Top 25 teams in the SEC. » Through five SEC games, Mississippi State ranks 11th in points per game at 24.2, despite playing two top 5 teams on the road with a true freshman quarterback making his first two career starts. State averaged 28.3 ppg vs. FBS non-conference opponents. » 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 12 of its 32 offensive touchdowns in five plays or less. » Of the Bulldogs’ 32 offensive touchdowns this season, they have scored 13 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 26:14. » Mississippi State’s longest drive of the season has been 6:43 vs. Florida. It did result in a touchdown. » State led Florida in time of possession (32:24 to 27:36). It was the first time all season State held the ball for more than 23 minutes. » 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. » The Bulldogs have held onto the ball for 30+ minutes just twice this season, vs. Florida (32:24) and at #1 Texas (34:57).
Tennessee Notes
STORYLINES
HOMECOMING IN NEYLAND:
No. 7/6 Tennessee plays its fourth straight game in Neyland Stadium as the Volunteers welcome Mississippi State for Homecoming at 7 p.m. ET Saturday. It’s Tennessee’s final SEC home game, and the Vols are 5-0 this season in Neyland with six straight victories dating back to last season. UT has won nine straight night games in Neyland. Tennessee sits in third place in the SEC standings with three league games remaining. The Vols are one of five SEC teams with one loss in conference play. This is Tennessee’s 100th Homecoming game, and the Vols own a 76-20-3 on-field record in the previous occasions. Mississippi State and Tennessee are meeting for the 47th time and the first time since 2019.
THIRD STRAIGHT COMEBACK:
Donning its Dark Mode uniforms, Tennessee rallied for its third straight comeback win, outscoring Kentucky 21-8 in the second half for a 28-18 final in Neyland Stadium. UT trailed 10-7 at the half. RB Dylan Sampson shattered the school single-season rushing touchdown record with his 18th and 19th scores and finishing with a career-best 142 yards rushing on a career-high 27 carries. Sampson’s record breaker was on a 6-yard run with the team pushing him into the end zone with 4:55 left in the fourth quarter. QB Nico Iamaleava completed a career-best 28-of-38 passes for 292 yards and one touchdown, while TE Miles Kitselman led the Vols in receiving with six catches for a career-high 97 yards and one TD. True freshman RB Peyton Lewis scored his first career TD on a 1-yard run in the second quarter. Arion Carter led the Vols with a career-best 10 tackles. The true sophomore leads the Vols with 43 tackles this season. Sr. DB Will Brooks recorded his team-high third interception of the season, returning it 67 yards in the third quarter before the Vols scored two plays later. The Vols forced the Wildcats into three turnovers. UT has now forced opponents into multiple turnovers in three straight games and 5x this season.
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 34-13 record and is 27-7 since the start of the 2022 season. The 27 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 62. Heupel is the first coach in UT history to defeat rivals Florida and Alabama in the same season in two out of his first four years. He’s 4-2 vs. those two programs over the last three seasons. Heupel became the first UT coach to register back-to-back home game victories over the Gators since Gen. Robert Neyland won three home games in a row in 1933, 1940 and 1952. Heupel was the first to achieve that feat vs. Alabama since Phillip Fulmer did so in 2004 and ’06. Heupel is tied for seventh in UT all-time victories. He is seeking to lead the Vols to at least eight regular season wins in three straight seasons for the first time since 1995-2004 under 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 Mississippi State contest ranked in the FBS top 10 in 12 major categories: third-down defense (1st – 24.3), yards per play allowed (2nd – 4.23), red zone defense (3rd – 64.0), kickoff return defense (3rd – 12.3), total defense (4th – 271.6), scoring defense (5th – 12.4), rushing defense (6th – 90.1), rushing offense (7th – 234.5), first downs allowed (9th – 131), tackles for loss (9th – 7.8), punt return average (10th – 16.5) and total offense (9th – 474.0). UT has yet to allow an opponent to reach the 20-point mark in eight games in 2024. The Vols have issued the second-fewest offensive touchdowns in the FBS this season, tied with Ohio State’s 10, while Texas is first with nine. Opponents have managed only one first-quarter touchdown this season on UT and only two first-half TDs (Alabama 2Q, Kentucky 1Q).
NOTING THE TENNESSEE-MISSISSIPPI STATE SERIES
• Tennessee and Mississippi State are meeting for the 47th time with the Vols holding a 29-16-1 mark on the field and a 28-16-1 NCAA record. (Note: The 2019 win in Knoxville during Jeremy Pruitt’s tenure was vacated by the NCAA COI.) • This is just the third meeting between the two teams in the last 15 years and just the second in Knoxville in the last 15 years. It’s only the 22nd meeting all-time in Knoxville. The two times routinely played in Memphis from 1907-79. • The Vols won the last meeting on the field in Neyland Stadium, 20-10, on Oct. 12, 2019, which was then vacated. It’s been five years since they last faced off. • Tennessee has won 10 out of the last 12 meetings on the field, and nine of those victories have come by double-digits. • Tennessee has won the last five meetings on the field in Neyland Stadium. Mississippi State’s last win in Neyland was on Sept. 21, 1991, by a score of 26-24. The matchup of ranked teams featured Johnny Majors vs. Rockey Felker. •Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has never faced Mississippi State as a head coach, assistant coach or player. Heupel was recruited by the late Bulldogs coach Mike Leach when Leach was offensive coordinator at Oklahoma in 1998. •Josh Heupel and Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby coached together at UCF from 2018-19. Lebby was the QB coach in 2018 and the QB coach/OC in 2019. Lebby also worked on that UCF staff that included Alec Abeln (GA), Glen Elarbee (OL), Joey Halzle (analyst) and Willie Martinez (secondary). The Knights went 22-4 during those two seasons, including a 2018 Fiesta Bowl appearance. Lebby was also a student assistant when Heupel was at Oklahoma from 2002-06. • Mississippi State running backs coach Anthony Tucker served as the running backs coach at UCF under Josh Heupel from 2018-20. MSU tight ends coach Jon Cooper worked with Heupel as an offensive GA at Utah State (2015), an offensive analyst at Missouri (2016-17) and as the tight ends coach at UCF (2018-19). • A total of 394 miles separates the two schools.
Alabama (6-2, 3-2 SEC) at LSU (6-2, 3-1 SEC)
6:30 p.m. CT • ABC
Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (102,321)
SiriusXM: 82 – 84
Series: UA leads, 56-27-5
Last: UA, 42-28 (2023 at Tuscaloosa
INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: 89th Meeting (Alabama leads, 56-27-5) In Baton Rouge: Alabama leads, 29-10-2 Current Streak: Alabama, Won 1 Last Meeting: Nov. 4, 2023 – Tuscaloosa (W, 42-28)
Series Notes: Alabama and LSU will meet for the 89th time in history when the two teams square off on Saturday in Baton Rouge. The Crimson Tide holds the all-time series advantage with a 59-27-5 mark, including a 29-10-2 record at Tiger Stadium. UA earned a 42-28 win in the last matchup between the schools on Nov 4, 2023, in Tuscaloosa. Alabama fell 32-31 in the latest pairing in Baton Rouge on Nov. 5, 2022. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has never faced the Tigers during his head coaching career, while LSU head coach Brian Kelly is 1-3 against the Crimson Tide.
Alabama Notes
BEATING THE BEST:
The Crimson Tide is 82-23 (.780) against the Associated Press Top 25 since the start of 2008. That record includes the Tide’s 34-0 win over then-No. 21 Missouri on Oct. 26 and the 41-34 win over No. 2 Georgia on Sept. 28. Alabama owned a 4-2 mark in 2023 with wins against then-No. 15 Ole Miss on Sept. 23, then-No. 17 Tennessee on Oct. 21, then-No. 13 LSU on Nov. 4 and finally against then-No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 2. Since 2007, Alabama has 25 wins over AP top-five teams, the most in the country. LSU has produced the next-closest win total with 12.
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 six wins over Associated Press Top 25 teams, including the Tide’s 34-0 victory on Oct. 26 over then-No. 21 Missouri and Alabama’s 41-34 win on Sept. 28 over then-No. 2 Georgia to go with four wins a season ago. In nine total contests against AP Top 25 foes across the last two seasons, Milroe has completed 64.8 percent (157-242) of his passes for 2,055 yards while accounting for 17 total touchdowns (10 passing, seven rushing). He has accumulated 2,555 total yards in those matchups.
PILING UP THE POINTS:
Jalen Milroe has accounted for 25 total touchdowns in eight games of action this season, including 13 passing and 12 rushing. His 25 total scores lead the SEC and are the fifth-most in the FBS, while his 152 points are also the fifth-best total in the country. Milroe’s 12 rushing scores are the third-most among quarterbacks in Division I, while his 13 passing touchdowns are tied for fifth-most in the SEC.
THROWING THE BOMB:
Through eight games this season, Jalen Milroe has completed 137-of-203 passes for 1,937 yards. Entering Alabama’s matchup with LSU, Milroe is averaging 9.54 yards per pass attempt, the seventh-best mark in the country. He has also accumulated 14.14 yards per completion which ranks second in the conference and 11th in Division I.
HOME RUN HITTER:
Jalen Milroe’s passing touchdowns have typically come in the form of a big play during his time as QB1 at Alabama. Across 21 starts the last two seasons, he is averaging 35.1 yards per passing touchdown, accumulating 1,263 total yards on 36 scores. This season alone, the Katy, Texas, native has thrown for 13 total touchdowns with all but one score coming from at least 16 yards or better. He has also recorded four touchdowns of 55-plus yards, highlighted by an 84-yarder in the season opener with Western Kentucky. As the starter in 2023, Milroe averaged 33.1 yards per score across his 23 passing touchdowns.
LSU Notes
LSU Brings 14-Game Tiger Stadium Winning Streak Into Alabama Game
LSU (6-2, 3-1 SEC) welcomes Alabama to Tiger Stadium on Saturday for the first of three home games during the month of November for the Tigers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on ABC with Chris Fowler (pxp), Kirk Herbstreit and Ben (analyst), along with Holly Rowe (sideline reporter) on the call. Both teams had an open date last week. LSU is coming off a 38-23 setback at Texas A&M in its last outing, while Alabama beat Missouri, 34-0. LSU brings a 14-game Tiger Stadium winning streak into the contest. The Tigers are also 13-0 under Brian Kelly in night games in Tiger Stadium, which includes a 32-31 OT win over Alabama in 2022. LSU enters the game ranked No. 13 in the Coaches poll and No. 14 in the AP Top 25, while Alabama is No. 11 in both polls. It’s the third straight year both teams are ranked in the top 15 for the matchup and the 19th time since 2002 both are ranked in the Top 25 for the contest. LSU enters the game averaging 32.8 points and 448.0 total yards per game (115.3 rushing, 332.8 passing). Defensively, LSU allows 22.8 points and 360.8 total yards per game (130.8 rushing, 230.0 passing). Junior QB Garrett Nussmeier ranks No. 2 in the SEC and No. 8 in the FBS in passing TDs with 20. In 9 career starts, Nussmeier has thrown for at least 2 TDs 8 times. His 328.4 passing yards per game ranks No. 2 in the league and No. 5 nationally. In 8 games, Nussmeier has completed 208-of333 passes for 2,627 yards, 20 TDs and 9 interceptions. Freshman Caden Durham leads the Tigers in rushing with 397 yards and 6 TDs on 73 carries. LSU has 4 players with at least 29 receptions led by WR Kyren Lacy (41-618-6) and TE Mason Taylor (39-369-2). LBs Whit Weeks (75 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks) and Greg Penn (59 tackles) lead the Tiger defense. DEs Bradyn Swinson (8 sacks, 10.5 TFL, 2 FF) and Sai’vion Jones (4.5 sacks, 5.5 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR) have the most impact plays for the Tiger defense.
QUICK NOTES
• LSU has won 14 straight games in Tiger Stadium, a streak that started with a win over Ole Miss in October of 2022. LSU is 17-1 overall in Tiger Stadium under Brian Kelly. • LSU is 13-0 under Brian Kelly in Saturday 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 7-1 in games immediately following a loss under Brian Kelly. The Tigers have lost back-to-back games only one time under BK – that coming in 2022 when LSU fell to Texas A&M in the regular-season finale and then lost to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. • LSU is 6-2 under Brian Kelly in November games (3-1 in 2022, 3-1 in 2023), and dating back to 2018, Kelly’s teams are 22-2 in games played during the month of November. • LSU leads the SEC and ranks No. 10 in the nation in third-down conversion percentage at 49.0 (53-of-108). • QB Garrett Nussmeier ranks No. 2 in the SEC and No. 8 nationally with 20 passing TDs. Nussmeier has topped the 300-yard mark 6 times this year and 7 times in 9 career starts. • In 9 career starts, Nussmeier has led LSU to a 7-2 mark. He’s guided the Tigers to fourth quarter comebacks in 3 of his 9 starts, including South Carolina and Ole Miss this year. • WR Kyren Lacy is coming off 5 receptions for 106 yards vs. Texas A&M. Lacy has 3 100-yard receiving games this year and leads the Tigers in receptions (41), yards (618) and TDs (6). • LSU’s offense features 4 players with at least 29 receptions led by WR Kyren Lacy (41-618-6). Others include: TE Mason Taylor (39-369-2), WR Aaron Anderson (36-614-4) and WR CJ Daniels (29-342-0). • TE Mason Taylor is the first player at his position in LSU history to catch 100 passes and have 1,000 receiving yards. Taylor has 113 career receptions for 1,131 yards and 6 TDs. • LB Whit Weeks ranks No. 2 in the SEC in tackles per game (9.38). He’s recorded double-digit tackles in 3 of LSU’s 4 conference games, including a career-best 18 in the win over Ole Miss. • LSU has recorded 26 sacks in its last 6 games (5 vs. South Carolina, 5 vs. UCLA, 3 vs. South Alabama, 6 vs. Ole Miss, 3 vs. Arkansas, 4 vs. A&M). LSU’s ranks third in the SEC and No. 10 in the nation in total sacks (28). • 15 players have been credited with at least a half-sack this year with DE Bradyn Swinson leading the Tigers with 8, which ranks No. 3 in the SEC and No. 8 in the FBS. • LSU’s starting offensive line has combined for 138 career starts at LSU. LT Will Campbell, a preseason All-America, and RG Miles Frazier lead the way with 34 starts apiece. RT Emery Jones (32), LG Garrett Dellinger (30) and C DJ Chester (8) round out the lineup. • LSU has allowed only 4 sacks all year, No. 1 in the SEC and No. 2 nationally. • LSU is riding back-to-back 10-win seasons, the first for LSU since going 10-3 in 2018 followed by a 15-0 mark and the national championship in 2019. LSU still reached the 10-win mark in both 2022 and 2023 after opening the season with losses.
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 straight night games in Death Valley and since the turn of the century (2000-24), LSU is 110-15 in night games in Tiger Stadium. LSU went 49-5 from 2000-09, 43-7 from 2010-19 and is 18-3 in those games since 2020. Of the 15 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 13-0 In Night Games Under BK; 17-1 Overall In Death Valley
Under Kelly In addition to its 14-game winning streak in Death Valley, the Tigers are 13-0 in night games in Tiger Stadium under Brian Kelly. Overall, LSU has won 15 consecutive 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 Tiger Stadium over Nicholls, South Alabama, and Ole Miss. LSU last lost a night game in Tiger Stadium on Nov. 13, 2022 when Arkansas kicked a field goal in overtime to win, 16-13. LSU’s current 15-night game winning streak started a week later when the Tigers beat Louisiana-Monroe, 27-14. LSU’s only 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.
Oklahoma (5-4, 1-4 SEC) at Missouri (6-2, 2-2 SEC)
6:45 p.m.CT • SEC Network
Columbia, Mo. • Faurot Field (62,621)
SiriusXM: 374 – 159/191
Series: OU leads, 67-24-5
Last: OU, 38-28 (2011 at Norman)
THE SERIES
The Tigers and Sooners will meet for the 97th time on Saturday and their first matchup since the 2011 season. Oklahoma has won 67 of the first 96 games in the series, including 32 of the 48 all-time meetings in Columbia. The Sooners claimed the most-recent meeting in the series, a 38-28 decision over MU in Norman on September 24, 2011. The last Tigers’ victory was on October 23, 2010, when MU defeated No. 3 Oklahoma, 36-27, on Faurot Field.
Oklahoma Notes
OPENING KICK
• In the first meeting between the programs since 2011, Oklahoma (5- 4, 1-4 SEC) travels to face Missouri (6-2, 2-2) on Saturday at 6:45 p.m. CT at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. Missouri is ranked No. 22 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. The game will be televised by SEC Network with Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic announcing. • Former longtime conference cohorts, Oklahoma and Missouri are meeting for the 97th time Saturday, with the Sooners holding a commanding 67-24-5 series lead. The programs first met in 1902 in Columbia and played every year from 1919-1995. • OU posted an 8-2 record against Missouri when both schools were members of the Big 12 Conference. Saturday’s game will mark the first meeting between the programs since 2011, which was the Tigers’ last year in the Big 12. The No. 1-ranked Sooners won that game 38-28 in Norman over unranked Mizzou. • The Sooners have won eight of the last nine meetings against the Tigers and 20 of the last 22. u Missouri’s last five wins in the series have come in Columbia (2010 [36-27], 1998 [20-6], 1983 [10-0], 1981 [19-14] and 1969 [44-10]). Going back to the start of the Barry Switzer era (1973), OU has won 12 of its last 16 games at Mizzou. • Oklahoma has won 34 of its last 44 true road games (.773) going back to the 2014 season but are 6-7 in their last 13 such contests going back to 2021 (1-1 this season). • 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. • Since the end of World War II (1946 season to present), OU leads all programs with 705 wins (30 more than Alabama, the program with the next most). Missouri ranks 39th with 474 wins during the same span.
KEY STORYLINES
• After averaging 288.1 offensive yards per game over its first seven outings this season, Oklahoma has averaged 497.0 over its last two contests at Ole Miss (329; the Rebels ranked No. 13 nationally in total defense entering the game at 289 yards allowed) and vs. Maine (665). Not including sacks, the Sooners totaled 578 rushing yards over the two games and averaged 6.2 yards per carry. • Since being reinserted into the lineup early in the game against South Carolina three weeks ago, sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold has completed 55 of 88 passes (63%) for 631 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. • Junior running back Jovantae Barnes’ three best rushing performances this season have come in the last three games. Barnes had 70 yards on 17 carries (4.1 average) three weeks ago against South Carolina, ran for 67 yards on 16 carries (4.2 average) two weeks ago at Ole Miss and racked up career highs of 203 yards (11.3 average) and three touchdowns on 18 carries Saturday vs. Maine. He is averaging 113.3 yards per game and 6.7 yards per rush over the three contests. • OU wide receiver J.J. Hester, a transfer from Missouri, will return to Columbia on Saturday. The redshirt senior spent 2020 and ’21 at Mizzou, redshirting his first season (did not play) and catching 12 passes for 225 yards and two TDs in his 13 games (one start) in ’21. Plagued by injury the last two seasons at OU (he played in nine total games and logged one reception), Hester has 13 catches this season for a team-high 265 yards. He is coming off a career-high 112-yard effort, which included a 90-yard touchdown. It was OU’s longest reception since 1995 and tied for the second longest in school history. • True freshman walk-on receiver Jacob Jordan, who did not play in OU’s first six games, has totaled 15 receptions for 160 yards over the last three contests (his first collegiate appearances). He had six catches for 86 yards against South Carolina, six more grabs for 38 yards and his first career touchdown at Ole Miss and three receptions for 36 yards against Maine. • Senior Danny Stutsman has 344 career tackles to rank 11th in Oklahoma history (ninth among linebackers). He needs nine stops to tie defensive end Kevin Murphy (1981-85) for 10th most in school annals. His 35.5 career tackles for loss ranks him seventh among OU inside linebackers (needs 1.5 to move into the top four). u In the Sooners’ five wins this season they have outscored opponents 63-6 off turnovers. In their four losses they have been outscored 41-0 off turnovers. Missouri has outscored opponents 21-14 off turnovers. • Since the start of the 2023 campaign, OU is 12-0 when it wins the turnover battle (4-0 this year) and 2-6 when it loses it (0-4 this year). Missouri has committed seven turnovers in its eight games (four interceptions and three lost fumbles) and is +1 in turnover margin on the season. • OU has featured a different starting offensive line in eight of its nine games this season, and 11 Sooners have started at least one contest. Febechi Nwaiwu (right guard) has started all nine 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 (four games at left guard), Troy Everett (started the last three games at center), Logan Howland (three games at left tackle), Joshua Bates (two games at center), Spencer Brown (one game at right tackle) and Geirean Hatchett (one game at left guard; out for the year). • Sixth-year wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. and sophomore offensive lineman Cayden Green are Tigers who used to be Sooners. Wease Jr. spent four seasons in Norman (2019-22) and started 17 of his 36 games, catching 64 passes for 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a true freshman last year, Green played in 11 games and made five starts at left guard.
Missouri Notes
TIGERS, SOONERS SQUARE OFF IN COLUMBIA
University of Missouri football renews one of its oldest rivalries Saturday when the Tigers welcome the Oklahoma Sooners to Memorial Stadium for their first meeting as Southeastern Conference foes. The contest is slated for a 6:45 p.m. CT kickoff and will air live on SEC Network and the Tiger Radio Network.
THE COACHES ELIAH DRINKWITZ is in his fifth season as Mizzou’s head coach and enters Saturday’s game with a 34-23 mark (46- 24 overall). The Alma, Arkansas, native has led the Tigers to 19 wins in their last 24 contests, dating back to November 2022. Mizzou has achieved bowl eligibility in each of Drinkwitz’s first five seasons in Columbia, making him the only MU head coach in program history to achieve that feat. Prior to taking the Mizzou job, Drinkwitz was 12-1 as the head coach at Appalachian State in 2019.
BRENT VENABLES enters Saturday’s contest with a 21-14 mark both overall and as Oklahoma’s head coach. Now in his third year at the helm in Norman, Venables returned to lead the Sooners following a successful 10-year stint as defensive coordinator at Clemson, where he helped the Tigers capture national titles in 2016 and 2018. The Salina, Kansas, native served as the Sooners’ linebackers coach and defensive coordinator from 1999 until 2011, and his tenure was highlighted by OU’s national championship run in 2000.
FIRST AND TEN – STORYLINES • Mizzou enters the game 5-0 on Faurot Field this season and winners of eight-straight home games overall, dating to an October 21, 2023 win over South Carolina; MU’s last unbeaten home season came in 2007 (6-0). • The Tigers enter Saturday’s matchup ranked No. 22 in this week’s USA Today Coaches poll; MU was ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll for 21 consecutive weeks from September 17, 2023 through October 29, 2024. • MU head coach Eliah Drinkwitz moved into sole possession of the No. 7 spot on the Tigers’ all-time coaching wins list with the Tigers’ victory over Auburn (Oct. 19), surpassing Larry Smith with his 34th win at Missouri; he needs three more victories to match Dan Devine’s program record for wins through the first five seasons of a Mizzou head coaching tenure. • The Tigers are 25-7 at home in Drinkwitz’s five seasons, including 13 wins in their last 14 home contests since November 2022. • Mizzou’s pass defense ranks 10th in the nation (164.8), while their total defense ranks 13th nationally (299.6). • MU’s offense has converted 26-of-29 (.897) red zone opportunities into points this season, which ranks fourth in the SEC and 32nd nationally; the Tigers have scored on 82-of-87 (.943) combined trips to the red zone since the start of the 2023 season. • QB Brady Cook (8,053) ranks fourth on the Tigers’ all-time passing yardage list and fifth on MU’s career touchdown passes chart (45); he enters Saturday’s game 746 yards behind Brad Smith for the No. 3 spot and six TD tosses shy of James Franklin in the No. 4 position, respectively. • K Blake Craig leads the SEC and ranks eighth nationally in field goals per game (1.88); the freshman’s 68 points on the season also rank eighth among all SEC players. • Craig has successfully booted four field goals of 50+ yards, placing him in a tie with Jeff Jacke (1988-92) for third on the Tigers’ all-time list of 50-yard makes. • WR Luther Burden III became the 12th Tiger receiver to top the 2,000-career yardage plateau with his performance vs. Auburn (Oct. 19); he joined fellow Mizzou receiver Theo Wease Jr. in that distinguished club, making the Tigers one of just 14 NCAA FBS offenses (and three SEC teams) to feature multiple receivers with 2,000+ career receiving yards to their credit.
TIGERS RENEW RIVALRY WITH SOONERS
• The overall series between the Tigers and Sooners dates back to 1902 with Saturday’s contest marking the first meeting between the two schools since 2011. • Oklahoma holds a commanding 67-24-5 overall edge against the Tigers, including a 32-16 advantage in Columbia. • OU claimed the most recent matchup with Mizzou, a 38-28 decision on September 24, 2011 in Norman. • The two programs met every season from 1910 until 1999, with the Tigers and Sooners competing as conference foes for the majority of that span. The conference rivalry began in 1920 in the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association until 2012 as Big 12 Conference members when MU departed for the SEC.
