FIVE LEAGUE GAMES CLOSE OUT SEPTEMBER IN THE SEC
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Kentucky (2-2, 0-2 SEC) at Ole Miss (4-0, 0-0 SEC)
Series: UM leads, 29-14-1
11 a.m. CT • ABC
Last: UM, 22-19 (2022 at Oxford)
Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038)
SiriusXM: 374 – 106/190
THE SERIES
• Kentucky trails the series with Ole Miss, 30-14-1, including 9-2 in Oxford. • Each of the past three meetings – 2017, 2020, 2022 – have been thrillers, decided by a combined 10 points. • The last time the two teams played, which also was in Oxford, the Wildcats lost to the Rebels, 22-19, in 2022. • The Wildcats have not won in Oxford since a 24-17 triumph in 1978.
Kentucky Notes
QUICK NOTES
• Kentucky has its first road game of the season at No. 6/5 Ole Miss. It is UK’s second top-10 opponent of the season, as UK took on then-No. 1/1 UGA at home on Sept. 14. • Kentucky is coming off a 41-6 home win over Ohio. • Kentucky had a unique win in the season opener against Southern Miss on Aug. 31. • Originally scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET, the game was delayed by lightning and didn’t begin until 10:05 p.m. It was then stopped by a lightning delay at 11:51 p.m. before being called final at 12:25 p.m. The game ended with 9:56 remaining in the third quarter, as the Wildcats defeated the Golden Eagles, 31-0. • The Kentucky offense is guided by Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff, who has completed 58.2 percent of his passes for 550 yards and three touchdowns. • Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, senior running back, leads the Cats in rushing with 274 yards, averaging 4.6 per carry. Freshman Jamarion Wilcox has rushed for 133 yards, averaging 7.0 per attempt. • The Wildcats await the services of Chip Trayanum, a transfer from Ohio State who is out indefinitely with an injury. • The Wildcat receiving room is led by juniors Dane Key (15 for 264 yards) and Barion Brown (12 catches for 90 and two TDs) and transfer Ja’Mori Maclin (5 for 87). • Kentucky’s defense, which is ranked sixth in the nation in total defense, has kept all four of its opponents under 300 total yards this season, marking the first time since the 2019 team did it five games in a row. • UK has allowed 50 points this season, its fewest in the first four games of the season since 2008 (22 points in first four games). • UK ranks 10th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 74.8 yards per game. • UK has allowed 200 yards passing or less in each of the first four games this season for the first time since 1989. • The Kentucky defense is paced by steady senior linebacker D’Eryk Jackson with 19 tackles. • Jackson has led UK in tackles in each of the last two seasons. • Safety Zion Childress has 17 tackles and leads the team in tackles for loss with five. • Three Wildcats received preseason All-America nods, including return specialist Barion Brown (Athlon, Phil Steele, Sporting News and USA Today), defensive lineman Deone Walker (AP, Athlon, ESPN, Phil Steele, Sporting News, USA Today and Walter Camp) and defensive back Maxwell Hairston (Athlon). • Kentucky football head coach Mark Stoops is the longest-tenured active head coach in the Southeastern Conference 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 188-408-12 (.319) all-time record in Southeastern Conference games. • UK head coach Mark Stoops has a 30-57 (.345) all-time record in SEC games.
WILDCATS AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
• Kentucky has played 272 ranked teams in the Associated Press poll in its history, while the Wildcats are 52-215-5 in those games. • UK suffered a narrow defeat to top-ranked Georgia, 13-12, on Sept. 14. • UK went 2-4 against ranked teams in 2023, defeating No. 22/23 Florida at home on Sept. 30 and No. 9/9 Louisville on the road on Nov. 25. UK fell to No. 1/1 Georgia in Athens on Oct. 7, No. 21/20 Tennessee on Oct. 28, No. 8/8 Alabama on Nov. 11 and No. 22/RV Clemson on Dec. 29 in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. • Please note, Missouri was ranked No. 25 in the Coaches Poll when the two teams met on Oct. 14, but unranked in the AP poll. • UK’s last ranked win over No. 9/9 UofL last season marked the highest AP-ranked triumph of the Mark Stoops era and it tied for the eighth-highest AP-ranked triumph in program history. • The Wildcats are 7-9 against their last 16 ranked AP-ranked teams, dating back to a win over NC State in the 2020 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. • Since 2018, the Cats are 11-16 against AP-ranked teams
Ole Miss Notes
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• This is the 46th meeting between the Rebels and Wildcats … The Rebels lead the series 29-14-1 after vacated wins. • Saturday is the 97th Homecoming game at Ole Miss since 1924 … The Rebels are 73-16.2 (.813) on Homecoming. • Ole Miss is 2-2 all-time against Kentucky on Homecoming, with wins coming in 1947 (14-7) and 2022 (22-19). • Saturday also marks the third Stripe the Vaught game … Ole Miss is 2-0 in Stripe Out games. • Head coach Lane Kiffin stands at 99 career victories entering Saturday … He is 38-15 in his fifth season at Ole Miss. • Ole Miss is 24-2 at home since 2021, which includes each of its last 10 since the 2022 Egg Bowl … The Rebels are 302-115-8 all-time on the field at Vaught-Hemingway (before vacated wins). • In that home winning streak, Ole Miss is outscoring opponents by 32.9 points, averaging 575.1 yards and an average capacity crowd of 64,608 at Vaught-Hemingway. • The Rebels are 33-10 overall since 2021 and rank third among all SEC schools in wins in that span. • Ole Miss leads the FBS in 10 different statistical categories across both offense and defense. • Ole Miss has scored a school record 220 points through its first four games. • It took 195:48 of game time for Ole Miss to allow a touchdown, the longest stretch to open a season since 1959. • Ole Miss leads the FBS in rushing defense at 34.5 yards per game, with only 8.3 allowed in the first half. • QB Jaxson Dart leads the nation in five statistical categories and is PFF’s current top-rated QB at a 93.7 grade … Dart is one of four active FBS QBs with 9,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. • WR Tre Harris leads the SEC in four categories, is one of 11 FBS receivers with multiple 200yd games since 2020. • LB Chris Paul Jr. is the top-rated linebacker per PFF in defensive grade (91.4).
LAST FIVE GAMES AGAINST LOUISVILLE
Oct. 1, 2022 • Oxford, Miss. • #11 Ole Miss 22, #7 Kentucky 19:
Ole Miss recovered two Kentucky fumbles to preserve a dramatic 22-19 victory. The biggest defensive stop of the game came after UK got the football with 1:49 left to play. Five plays later at the UM 12, Jared Ivey forced a fumble and the Rebels’ defense recovered it to seal the victory.
Oct. 3, 2020 • Lexington, Ky. • Ole Miss 42, Kentucky 41 (OT):
Matt Corral was 24-for-29 passing with 320 yards as Ole Miss overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to knock off Kentucky, 42-41, in overtime. The Wildcats led 28-14 in the third quarter, but the Rebels scored three unanswered touchdowns. UK responded with a TD to force OT, but the Wildcats missed an PAT in overtime, setting the stage for the Rebel victory.
Nov. 4, 2017 • Lexington, Ky. • Ole Miss 37, Kentucky 34:
Receiver D.K. Metcalf won a jump ball in the corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown with 0:05 left on the clock. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was 31-for-40 for 382 yards and four scores, including two to Metcalf in the SEC road victory.
Nov. 5, 2011 • Lexington, Ky. • Kentucky 30, Ole Miss 13:
Freshman Nickolas Brassell totaled 96 all-purpose yards and a touchdown, but Ole Miss fell to Kentucky 30-13 at Commonwealth Stadium. Ole Miss used two field goals (31, 37) by junior Bryson Rose to take a 6-0 lead after the first quarter but UK scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to close out the win.
Oct. 2, 2010 • Oxford, Miss. • Ole MIss 42, Kentucky 35:
Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli wasn’t amazing, but thanks to some help from his defense, he was certainly opportunistic as Ole Miss beat Kentucky 42-35. Ole Miss pulled away in the second half, putting together drives of 75 and 60 yards, respectively, to take a 35-20 lead by the end of the third quarter. The Rebels added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a 4-yard pass from Masoli to Ferbia Allen for a 42-20 lead. Ole Miss’ Brandon Bolden rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. It was his first 100-yard rushing game against an SEC opponent.
HOMECOMING AT OLE MISS
• This is the 97th Homecoming game at Ole Miss since 1924. • The Rebels are 73-16-2 (.813) in Homecoming games (after vacated wins). • Ole Miss is 2-2 all-time against Kentucky, with Rebel wins coming in 1947 (14-7) and 2022 (22-19), and the Wildcats claiming victory in 1949 (47-0) and 1978 (24-17). • Ole Miss has won 24 of their last 27 Homecoming matchups on the field. • The last Homecoming loss was a 27-7 defeat to Louisiana Tech in 2011.
HOME SWEET HOME
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium has been a safe haven for the Rebels historically, owning a 302-115-8 (.720) record all-time in Oxford before vacated wins (280-112-8), and that’s been no different in the Lane Kiffin era. Ole Miss is 24-2 in its last 26 home games, and since the beginning of Kiffin’s tenure in 2020, the Rebels have gone 24-5 overall at Vaught Hemingway — which includes a 14-game home winning streak that spanned Nov. 14, 2020 to Oct. 15, 2022. That streak was among the longest home winning streaks nationally when it was snapped by No. 9 Alabama in 2022. It was also the longest winning streak in Oxford since winning 21 straight games from Nov. 1, 1952 to Nov. 7, 1959. Including a tie to LSU in 1960, the Rebels went unbeaten for 34 games over the course of 12 years (1952-64). Under Kiffin, the Rebels have recorded the first two seven-win homes seasons in program history in 2021 and 2023.
Oklahoma (3-1, 1-1 SEC) at Auburn (2-2, 0-1 SEC)
Series: OU leads, 2-0
2:30 p.m. CT • ABC
Last: OU, 35-19 (at 2017 Sugar Bowl)
Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (88,043)
SiriusXM: 83 – 111/192
OU-AUBURN SERIES HISTORY
Oklahoma and Auburn have met two times, both Sugar Bowl contests and both OU victories.
In the final game of the 1971 season, Chuck Fairbanks’ No. 3 Sooners downed Ralph Jordan’s No. 5 Tigers 40-22 in front of 84,031 fans at Tulane Stadium.
In the last game of the 2016 season, Bob Stoops’ No. 7 OU squad prevailed 35-19 over Gus Malzahn’s 17th-ranked AU team. Attendance at the Superdome was 54,077.
Oklahoma Notes
OPENING KICK
After four home games to start the season, No. 15/13 Oklahoma (3- 1, 0-1) plays its first-ever road contest as a member of the Southeastern Conference when it travels to face Auburn (2-2, 0-1) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. The game will be televised by ABC with Joe Tessitore, Jordan Rodgers and Katie George announcing. u Saturday’s contest will mark just the second in OU history played in the state of Alabama. The other was in 2003, when the No. 1-ranked Sooners posted a 20-13 win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa. OU was coached by Bob Stoops and the Crimson Tide by Mike Shula.
Going back to the 2010 season, Oklahoma has won 34 of its last 41 true road games against unranked opponents (.829).
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.
Saturday’s contest will mark the 1,343rd in OU history. The Sooners rank fifth in college football annals with their .725 all-time winning percentage (947-342-53 record). They trail Ohio State (.734), Alabama (.734), Michigan (.734) and Notre Dame (.730). Since the end of World War II (1946 season to present), OU leads all programs with 703 wins (31 more than Alabama, the program with the next most). Auburn ranks 16th with 567 wins during the same span.
KEY STORYLINES
OU head coach Brent Venables faced Auburn three times while he was Clemson’s defensive coordinator and came out victorious in each matchup — 26-19 in 2012 in Atlanta (his first game with CU), 19-13 in 2016 in Auburn and 14-6 in 2017 in Clemson). His defensive units held Auburn to an average of 12.7 points and 251.0 yards in the three contests and racked up 17 sacks and 37 tackles for loss. Gene Chizik was Auburn’s head coach in the first meeting and Gus Malzahn was for the second two.
Saturday’s game will pit an Oklahoma team that ranks first nationally in turnovers gained (12) and third in turnover margin (+1.8 per game) against an Auburn squad that is tied for last with its 14 turnovers lost and ranks 131st out of 133 teams in turnover margin (-2.5 per game).
OU has registered four interceptions and a nation-leading eight fumble recoveries, two more than it had all of last season (no other team has more than six recoveries this year). Auburn has thrown eight interceptions and lost six fumbles.
Since the start of the 2023 season, OU is 11-0 when it wins the turnover battle (3-0 this year) and 2-3 when it loses it (0-1 this year).
During the Brent Venables era (since the start of the 2022 season), Oklahoma leads the nation with its 41 interceptions. During that same period, Auburn is tied for eighth nationally with its 33 interceptions thrown. The Sooners have registered an interception in 9 of their last 10 games and in 25 of their last 30.
Junior defensive linemen Gracen Halton and R Mason Thomas entered the season with a combined 8.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, but through four games this season have teamed for 8.0 TFLs and 6.0 sacks. Halton, who earned his first career start two games ago vs. Tulane, was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after registering a career-high 2.0 TFLs (11-yard sack and a 5-yard safety) in a 16-12 win over Houston the week before. He has 3.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and safety. Thomas’ three career starts have come this season. He turned in a 3.0-sack effort vs. Tulane in which he also logged a forced fumble and recovery, a pass breakup and a QB hurry en route to being named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week. He has a team-high 4.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks on the year.
Preseason All-America linebacker and Butkus Award-hopeful Danny Stutsman ranks second in the SEC with his 9.0 tackles per game and first in the league (14th nationally) with his 21 solo tackles. The senior has led OU in tackles each of the last two seasons (125 in 2022 and 104 in 2023) and has 303 career stops.
Redshirt junior receiver Deion Burks has 26 receptions (ranks second in SEC and 13th nationally), the most ever by a player in his first four OU games. The Purdue transfer also has three receiving touchdowns.
Twenty Sooners (14 offensive and six defensive) have made their first OU starts this season: offensive linemen Joshua Bates, Geirean Hatchett, Branson Hickman, Logan Howland, Febechi Nwaiwu, Heath Ozaeta, Michael Tarquin and Jake Taylor, wide receivers Deion Burks, Zion Ragins and Brenen Thompson, tight ends Bauer Sharp and Jake Roberts, running back Taylor Tatum, linebacker Kobie McKinzie, defensive back Dez Malone and defensive linemen Gracen Halton, Jayden Jackson, R Mason Thomas and Damonic Williams.
OU has featured a different starting offensive line in each game this season and nine players have started at least one contest. Febechi Nwaiwu (right guard all four games), Jacob Sexton (two games at left tackle and two at left guard) and Michael Tarquin (one game at left tackle and three at right tackle) have started all four games. Other starters have been Branson Hickman (two games at center), Joshua Bates (two games at center), Logan Howland (two games at left tackle), Geirean Hatchett (one game at left guard; out for the year), Heath Ozaeta (one game at left guard) and Jake Taylor (one game at right tackle).
Auburn Notes
WELCOMING THE SOONERS
Auburn (2-2, 0-1) and No. 21 Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1) meet for the first time as conference foes on Saturday, September 28, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. ABC will televise the 2:30 p.m. CT SEC matchup; SEC Nation will broadcast live from the green space at the Wellness Kitchen Saturday morning. Fans are asked to wear orange. Recognitions will include the 2024 NCAA champion men’s golf team, the 2024 SEC tournament champion men’s basketball team and the winners of the Jack Meagher Award (Charles Barkley) and James Owens Courage Award (Will Hastings).
In all-time SEC play, Auburn holds a 338-274-18 mark (.551) back through 1933. In SEC games played in Auburn, the Tigers are 145-70-6 (.669) all-time; away from Auburn, the Tigers are 193- 203-12 (.486) overall in SEC play.
IN SEPTEMBER
Auburn is 188-64-5 (.741) all-time in the month of September; the Tigers are 121-26-1 (.821) all-time at home in September, and 67-38-4 (.631) away from Auburn in that month. Since 1970, the Tigers have had a winning record in the month of September in 46 of 53 seasons.
KICKOFF COVERAGE
Auburn leads the country with nine players who have already caught a touchdown pass this season ›› It’s the first time in two years, and just the fifth time ever, the Tigers open the season with five straight home games (1982, 2005, 2016, 2022 and 2024)
The Tigers have 801 all-time wins, 13thmost among FBS schools ›› Jerrin Thompson’s interception against New Mexico was the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good play of the week nationally
Auburn is seventh nationally in red zone defense (0.571)
KeAndre Lambert-Smith ranks second nationally in yards per reception (28.17). His 156 yards against Arkansas was the 14th-best receiving performance in Auburn history. His five receiving touchdowns are tied for fourth nationally and most in the SEC
Auburn leads the SEC, and ranks fifth nationally, in yards per completion (16.46)
The Tigers rank sixth nationally in net punting (45.78) and are one of seven FBS teams whose opponents show negative punt return yards
Arkansas (3-1, 1-0 SEC) vs. Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC)
Series: ARK leads, 42-35-3
2:30 p.m. CT • ESPN
Last: TAMU, 34-22 (2023 at Arlington)
Arlington, Texas • AT&T Stadium (86,798)
SiriusXM: 381 – 162/191
Arkansas Notes
THE RUNDOWN
• Arkansas goes back on the road for the fourth time in five weeks to clash with longtime rival Texas A&M in this year’s edition of the Southwest Classic. Kickoff between the Razorbacks and nationally ranked Aggies from inside AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas., is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, on ESPN.
• The Hogs are off to a 3-1 or better overall start for the third time in five years under head coach Sam Pittman. With a win against Texas A&M, Arkansas would improve to 2-0 in SEC play for the first time since the 2006 campaign and for only the fifth time (also in 1993, 1995, 1998, 2006) since joining the conference ahead of the 1992 season.
• QB Taylen Green has completed 65-of-121 (53.7%) passes for 957 yards and four touchdowns through the first four games of the year. A dual-threat quarterback, the Boise State transfer has also run for 325 yards and four scores on 59 carries (5.5 ypc) to help power Arkansas’ rushing offense, which ranks second in the country in rushing touchdowns (17) and 16th in rushing yards per game (240.0).
• RB Ja’Quinden Jackson has made his case as one of the best running backs in the nation with three 100-yard rushing games and three multiple rushing touchdowns performances to begin the year. The Utah transfer, who ran for 75 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries (3.4 ypc) at Auburn (Sept. 21), has eight rushing touchdowns through Arkansas’ first four games, becoming the fastest Razorback to reach the eight-rushing touchdown mark in a season since 1995. Through four games, Jackson leads the SEC in rushing yards (472) and rushing yards per game (118.0).
• WR Andrew Armstrong has emerged as QB Taylen Green’s go-to target, leading the Razorbacks in receptions (23) and receiving yards (348) despite missing the season opener. Armstrong, who ranks second in the SEC in receiving yards (348), receiving yards per game (116.0) and receptions per game (7.7), has caught a pass in 31 consecutive games and registered multiple receptions in 26 straight games since his 2021 season Texas A&M-Commerce.
• DB TJ Metcalf, the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Week, had a career day in Arkansas’ win at Auburn (Sept. 21), finishing with two interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble to become the first Razorback with at least two interceptions, two pass breakups and one forced fumble in a game since 1999. Through four games this season, Metcalf leads the Arkansas defense in total tackles (26), interceptions (3) and forced fumbles (1).
Texas A&M Notes
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• Texas A&M and Arkansas meet in Arlington for the final time Saturday before the series returns to campus sites … The Aggies have claimed 11 of the last 12 in the series, including a 34-22 victory a season ago. • Junior RB Le’Veon Moss leads the rushing attack and ranks seventh in the SEC with 88.5 yards per game, while his three rushing scores are tied for eighth in the league. • Texas A&M boasts one of the best rushing offenses in the country, ranking eighth with 256.0 yards per game on the ground. • After making the first start of his career at Florida, freshman QB Marcel Reed has led the Aggies to back-to-back victories this season, throwing for multiple touchdowns and racking up at least 80 yards rushing in both wins. • The Aggies’ new-look offensive line has controlled the battle in the trenches, ranking first in the SEC and tied for fourth nationally allowing 6.0 tackles for loss, while the 3.0 sacks given up this season rank third in the league and among the top-20 in the country. • The Aggies have disrupted the opposition’s aerial attack, tallying six picks on the season, which ranks second in the SEC and is tied for eighth in the nation. • Sophomore DB Marcus Ratcliffe made it three straight games with an interception after a late pick in the end zone against Bowling Green … He is tied for second nationally and leads the SEC with three picks on the year. • Junior DB Will Lee III has brought veteran leadership to the secondary and currently ranks 11th in the SEC with 16 solo tackles while also contributing to A&M’s impressive interception total with a pick in the win over McNeese.
QUICK HITS
• The Aggie rushing attack has racked up over 200 yards in each of the last three games, putting up back-to-back 300-yard rushing performances for the first time since 2012 with 333 and 310 yards in the wins over McNeese and Florida, respectively. • Freshman QB Marcel Reed ranks ninth in the SEC averaging 72.3 rushing yards per game, while his 6.8 yards per carry are good for 10th in the league … Reed is the first Aggie quarterback to throw for two touchdowns and rush for 80-plus yards in consecutive games since Johnny Manziel in 2012 at Alabama and against Sam Houston. • Junior RB Amari Daniels has played a key role in the Aggies’ success in the run game, ranking among the top-25 in the SEC with 49.3 yards per game and two touchdowns … At Florida he joined the 1,000 yards club, currently boasting 1,048 career yards. • Sophomore LB Taurean York is the nucleus of the defense and boasts a team-best 23 tackles on the year, good for 17th among league players and sixth among second-year players. • The Texas A&M secondary intercepted three passes against Florida, including a pick-six from junior DB Bryce Anderson who recorded the first Aggie defensive touchdown of the season when he took his first interception of the year 45 yards to the house. • Graduate K Randy Bond tallied 14 points in the win over Bowling Green, marking the ninth time in his career he has scored 10-plus points in a game … Bond ranks fifth nationally with nine made field goals this season while his 40 total points are good for 20th. • The Aggies have controlled the pace of the game early in the year, ranking third in the SEC averaging 32.20 in time of possession. • Sophomore DL Nana Boadi-Owusu was named the 12th Man ahead of the 2024 season, becoming just the sixth student-athlete in program history to hold the season-long honor.
Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1 SEC) at Texas (4-0, 0-0 SEC)
Series: Tied, 2-2
3:15 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Last: TEX, 38-11 (at 1999 Cotton Bowl)
Austin, Texas • Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (100,119)
SiriusXM: 374 – 106/190
INSIDE THE SERIES
5th All-Time Meeting
Series Tied 2-2
In Starkville: MSU leads 1-0
In Austin: Series tied 1-1
at Neutral Sites: TEX leads 1-0
Most MSU Points: 28 (1992)
Most TEX Points: 54 (1921)
Most Combined Points: 61 (1921)
Largest MSU Win: 28-10 (09-05-1992)
Largest Loss: 54-7 (11-11-1921)
Current Streak: Texas – 1 game
Longest Winning Streak: 2 games (1991-1992)
Longest Losing Streak: 1 game (2x, last 1999)
When Both Teams are Ranked: 0-1
When MSU is Ranked: 1-0
When TEX is Ranked: 1-0
Mississippi State Notes
Saturday Storylines
According to multiple media outlets, Mississippi State will play one of the most demanding schedules in America in 2024. On3 ranked it second-toughest, 247sports ranked it seventh, and ESPN said it is the second-hardest in the SEC.
Mississippi State is celebrating its 125th season of football in 2024. The Bulldogs first took the field on Nov. 16, 1895. Following a four-game 1896 season, the Bulldogs didn’t play football again until 1901 and then didn’t play again in 1943 due to World War II.
Senior quarterback Blake Shapen sustained a shoulder injury against Florida that will require season-ending surgery. » Michael Van Buren Jr. came in for Shapen in the fourth quarter against Florida and threw for 100 yards on 7 of 13 passing (53.8%). It was Van Buren Jr.’s first passing attempts in college and his second career game after making his collegiate debut against Eastern Kentucky.
Michael Van Buren Jr. will get the start on Saturday, head coach Jeff Lebby announced at his Monday press conference. » True freshman Mario Craver had a breakout game vs. Florida with season-highs in receptions (3) and yards (62).
Craver became the first true freshman since Sept. 2, 2023 (Creed Whittemore) to lead the Bulldogs in receiving. » Craver ranks third among all SEC freshmen in receiving touchdowns (2). Craver is also tied for sixth nationally, second in the SEC, in total touchdowns among freshmen with three.
Following State’s contest at No. 1 Texas, the Bulldogs still have games scheduled at No. 2 Georgia, vs. No. 25 Texas A&M, No. 5 Tennessee, vs. No. 11 Missouri and No. 6 Ole Miss.
Of the Bulldogs’ 15 touchdowns this season, they have scored six touchdowns in under 2 minutes, three touchdowns in under 32 seconds, and two touchdowns in under 15 seconds.
Mississippi State has scored seven rushing touchdowns on the year with five different players. The Bulldogs have scored eight touchdowns through the air with four different receivers.
Texas Notes
THE OPENING KICKOFF
• Texas continues its 132nd season of football at 3:15 p.m. CT Saturday, Sept. 28, when it clashes with the Mississippi State Bulldogs inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will air on SEC Network with Tom Hart (play-by-play), Cole Cubelic (analyst) and Alyssa Lang (sideline) on the call. • Saturday’s game will mark UT’s first-ever conference meeting as a member of the Southeastern Conference after joining the league in July 2024. • The Longhorns and Bulldogs meet for the fifth time in history and first time since 1999 on Saturday. Texas and Mississippi State tussled in the 1999 Cotton Bowl in Dallas with the Horns claiming a 38-11 victory. The all-time series between Texas and Mississippi State is tied at 2-2. • Texas is fresh off a 51-3 win at home against the University of Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 21. With the win against ULM, the Longhorns have started 4-0 for the second-consecutive year. • 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. For the second-consecutive week, UT is ranked at No. 1 in the AP Poll. It marks UT’s 47th appearance at No. 1 in the AP Poll. • Texas currently boasts 952 all-time wins, the fourth-most in college football history. UT holds an all-time record of 952-392-33 (.703). The Longhorns’ 952 wins are the second most by an SEC team following Alabama’s 967 victories.
A TEXAS WIN WOULD …
• Be Texas’ 953rd all-time victory, the fourth-winningest program in college football history. • Give Steve Sarkisian his 77th victory as a head coach and 30th at Texas in his 125th career game as a head coach. • Seal UT its 11th-straight win at home, dating back to the 2022 season. Texas did not drop a home game during the 2023 season and is 3-0 at home in 2024 with Texas putting up 50+ points in four-consecutive home games. • Give the Longhorns a 3-2 all-time series edge vs. Mississippi State.
TALKIN’ TURNOVERS
• UT has recorded seven interceptions this season which leads the SEC and ranks fourth nationally. The Longhorns have intercepted at least one pass in each of their four games this season. • All seven interceptions have come from a different Longhorn: DB Jadae Barron vs. Colorado State, EDGE Ethan Burke vs. UTSA, Jay’Vion Cole vs. ULM, LB Anthony Hill Jr., DB Wardell Mack vs. Colorado State, DB Andrew Mukuba vs. Michigan, DB Derek Williams Jr. vs. Michigan. • UT has filed multiple interceptions in three of four games this season. • This past Saturday vs. ULM, UT picked off the Warhawks twice with LB Anthony Hill Jr. and DB
RED ZONE SUCCESS
• The Longhorns’ red zone offense ranks second in the SEC this season (0.957) and 19th nationally. Texas is 22-of-23 on red zone chances with 21 touchdowns. • This past Saturday against ULM, Texas was 7-of-7 with seven touchdowns in the red zone.
Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) at Alabama (3-0, 0-0 SEC)
Series: UA leads, 43-26-4
6:30 p.m. CT • ABC
Last: UA, 27-24 (at 2023 SEC Championship Game)
Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium (100,077)
SiriusXM: 82 – 84
INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: 74th Meeting (Alabama leads, 43-26-4) In Tuscaloosa: Alabama leads, 8-2 Current Streak: Alabama, Won 1 Last Meeting: Dec. 2, 2023 – Atlanta (W, 27-24) Series Notes: Alabama and Georgia will square off for the 74th time in history when the two teams meet on Saturday night at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama leads the all-time series, 43-26-4, with the last meeting taking place on Dec. 2, 2023, in Atlanta, Ga. The Tide clinched its 30th SEC Championship following its 27-24 win last season inside MercedesBenz Stadium. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has never faced the Bulldogs during his head coaching career. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is 1-5 all-time against the Crimson Tide and is 0-1 in his only other appearance in Tuscaloosa.
Georgia Notes
The Standard Is The Standard
The more things change the more they stay the same. The Bulldogs are the only FBS team that has not allowed a TD this season. Opponents have six field goals on the year against the Bulldogs. In 2024, the Bulldogs limited 14th-ranked Clemson to three points, Tenn. Tech kicked a field goal on the final play of the game and UK made four field goals. Georgia’s leading tackler is sophomore LB CJ Allen with 15 while Smael Mondon Jr., Daylen Everette and Raylen Wilson are next with 12 apiece. Georgia has eight sacks led by Wilson and Jalon Walker with 1.5 while junior Malaki Starks has an interception and senior Dan Jackson and sophomore Damon Wilson II have a fumble recovery. Seven of 11 starters return from the 2023 defense that ranked fifth nationally in Scoring Defense (15.6 ppg) and led the nation in 3rd Down Conversion (25.7%).
Up next, second-ranked Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) battles fourth-ranked Alabama (3-0, 0-0 SEC). The teams last met in the 2023 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta with UA posting a 27-24 decision. Georgia saw its 29-game wininng streak end and a bid to win its third straight national championship. Alabama is sixth nationally in Scoring OFfense (49.0 ppg) and sixth in Scoring Defense (8.67 ppg).
SMART Football: The Streaks
• Georgia is 49-2 in last 51 games with a school record streak of 42 consecutive regular season victories. • Georgia has an SEC and school record streak of 28 consecutive SEC regular season wins. • Georgia has a 16-game winning streak in an opponent’s home stadium, which leads in FBS. The streak began in 2020 with a 14-3 win over Kentucky. Georgia last fell at No. 2 Alabama in 2020. • The 2024 Senior Class is 45-2 (39-0 in the regular season). The 2023 Senior Class has the school record at 50-4 with two national titles, an SEC crown plus went 6-0 in bowl/CFP games. • Georgia is riding a school record 26-game home winning streak, which leads in FBS. • Georgia owns the nation’s longest active bowl streak at 27 seasons and has won its last seven matchups.
The Elephant In The Room
Alabama is the last team to beat Georgia (2023 SEC Championship Game), and the last team to register a regular season home win over the Bulldogs when they did it in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 17, 2020. Georgia’s last regular season loss came on Nov. 7, 2020 to Florida in Jacksonville. Since then, the Bulldogs have won 42 in a row during the regular season. UA leads the all-time series over Georgia 43-26-4. Georgia’s last win over the Crimson Tide came on Jan. 10, 2022 by a score of 33-18 and delivered the Bulldogs their first national championship since 1980. It capped a 14-1 season. Then, Georgia became the first team in the CFP-era to repeat as champions, going 15-0 in 2022. The Bulldogs went 12-0 in 2023 before falling to the Tide. Georgia hasn’t played host to Alabama since 2015, and on Saturday, Sept. 28, the Bulldogs return to Tuscaloosa for the second time since 2020. The Crimson Tide will visit Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in 2025. The last three meetings with the Crimson Tide came in the postseason, two in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta and one in the CFP National Championship in Indianapolis. 2021 SEC CG: #4 UA def. #1 UGA 41-24 2022 CFP Title: #3 UGA def. #1 UA 33-18 2023 SEC CG: #8 UA def. #1 UGA 27-24
Alabama Notes
SEC HOME OPENERS:
Since 2008, the Tide is 15-1 (.938) in SEC home openers. Alabama has outscored its league opponents 635-240 (39.7-15.0 ppg) in those games. The Tide’s lone loss in an SEC home opener since 2008 came against Ole Miss on Sept. 19, 2015, by a score of 43-37.
AGAINST THE TOP 10:
Alabama owns an 85-80-1 (.515) all-time record against teams ranked in the top-10 of the Associated Press Poll. Since the start of the 2008 season, the Crimson Tide has posted a 36-14 (.720) overall record against top-10 teams, including a 21-8 (.724) mark versus the top 10 since the inception of the College Football Playoff.
BEATING THE BEST:
The Crimson Tide is 80-22 (.784) against the Associated Press Top 25 since the start of 2008. That record includes 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.
ALABAMA IN THE AP POLL:
Alabama’s No. 4 ranking in the Week 5 edition of the Associated Press Poll marked the 266th consecutive week that the Crimson Tide has appeared in the poll. That streak is the longest active streak in college football. The 266 weeks more than doubles second-place Georgia with the Bulldogs appearing in the poll for 119 consecutive weeks. Alabama’s 266 straight weeks tops the Crimson Tide’s previous program-long streak of 105 consecutive weeks under head coach Gene Stallings in the mid-1990s.
PILING UP THE POINTS:
Jalen Milroe has accounted for 14 total touchdowns in only three games of action this season, including eight passing and six rushing. His 14 scores have led to 84 points, tied for the fifth-most in the nation. Milroe’s six rushing scores are tied for second-most by any quarterback in Division I while his eight passing touchdowns are tied for the seventh-most in the country. Milroe is the first SEC player since Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) in 2012 to post 14 touchdowns through three games, and joins Manziel and Jordan Lynch (Northern Illinois) as the first FBS players since 2012 to contribute multiple passing and rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games.
South Alabama (2-2) at LSU (3-1, 1-0 SEC)
Series: First Meeting
6:45 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (102,321)
SiriusXM: 106/190
South Alabama Notes
COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF
DUAL THREAT
South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez is getting it done with his arm and his legs as the redshirt freshman has thrown for 843 yards while rushing for an additional 171. Lopez has thrown for nine touchdowns and added two on the ground. He is currently eighth in the country in total offense yards per game at 337.3.
FEED FLUFF
True freshman running back Fluff Bothwell is on a tear for the Jaguars, serving as the team’s leading rusher with 359 yards and six touchdowns. Bothwell has scored two touchdowns in each of the Jags’ last-two outings. He currently ranks 30th nationally in rushing yards, but first among all freshmen nationally. Bothwell’s six touchdowns rank 11th in the country and first among all freshmen nationally.
POWER 4 PERFORMANCE
Saturday’s matchup at LSU will be the first against a Power 4 opponent for USA since beating Oklahoma State in 2023. The Jaguars invaded Stillwater last year and came away with a dominant, 33-7 victory
JAGS AGAINST THE SEC
– South Alabama has played a total of seven games against current members of the SEC. The Jaguars own a record of 1-6 in those seven contests
– South Alabama’s first-ever victory over a Power 4 opponent game in 2014 when the Jaguars invaded Starkville and defeated Mississippi State, 21-20
– Saturday’s contest at Tiger Stadium will mark USA’s first game against an SEC foe since 2021
JAGS AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
– South Alabama has played a total of eight games against ranked opponents since the program’s start in 2009
– The Jaguars own a 1-7 record all time against ranked teams with the lone win coming over No. 19 San Diego State in 2016 in Mobile
– Mississippi State in 2012 is the lone ranked SEC team that South Alabama has faced
LSU Notes
LSU Steps Out of SEC For Final Time As Tigers Welcome South Alabama To Tiger Stadium
LSU (3-1, 1-0 SEC) plays its final non-conference game of the regular season on Saturday when the Tigers welcome South Alabama (2-2) to Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled 6:45 p.m. and will be televised on the SEC Network with Dave Neal (pxp), Aaron Murray (analyst) and Ashley ShahAhamdi (sideline) on the call. LSU, winners of 12 straight in Tiger Stadium, is coming off a 34-17 win over UCLA last week and stands at 13-1 overall. The Tigers are ranked No. 13 in the Coaches Poll and No. 14 in the AP Poll. South Alabama is 2-2 overall following a 48-14 win over Appalachian State. It’s the first-ever meeting between LSU and South Alabama in football. LSU head coach Brian Kelly is 15-1 in Tiger Stadium with the only loss coming to then-No. 8 Tennessee on Oct. 8, 2022. LSU has won 17 straight and 66 of its last 67 games against non-conference opponents in Tiger Stadium. The Tigers last lost a non-conference game in Death Valley on Sept. 30, 2017 when Troy knocked off LSU, 24-21. LSU enters the game averaging 33.5 points and 418.5 total yards per game (103.8 rushing, 314.8 passing). Defensively, LSU is allowing 24.5 points and 358.8 total yards per game (119.0 rushing, 239.8 passing). Junior QB Garrett Nussmeier – the SEC Offensive Player of the Week – completed 32-of-44 passes for 352 yards and 3 TDs last week vs. UCLA. He leads the nation in completions (113) and ranks No. 2 in the FBS in touchdown passes (13). In 2024, Nussmeier has completed 113-of-160 passes for 1,247 yards, 13 TDs and only 2 interceptions. His top targets are TE Mason Taylor (25 rec., 237 yards, 1 TD), WR Aaron Anderson (21 rec., 298 yards, 1 TD) and WR Kyren Lacy (20 rec., 245 yards, 5 TDs). RB Josh Williams leads the Tigers in rushing with 134 yards and 2 TDs. Defensively, DE Bradyn Swinson has 5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss. LB Whit Weeks leads the Tigers in tackles with 30, followed by LB Greg Penn (24). DE Sai’vion Jones has 16 tackles, 4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.
QUICK NOTES
• TE Mason Taylor is the LSU record-holder for receptions (99) and receiving yards (999) by a player at his position. Taylor broke the receiving yards record last week vs. UCLA after setting the receptions mark a week earlier against South Carolina.
• LT Will Campbell earned Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honors for his performance in the win over UCLA. Campbell graded out at over 90 percent on passing plays vs. the Bruins. LSU has allowed only 2 sacks all season.
• QB Garrett Nussmeier earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors vs. UCLA after completing 32-of-44 passes for 352 yards and 3 TDs. Nuss leads the nation in completions (113) and ranks No. 2 in passing TDs.
• DE Bradyn Swinson – this week’s SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week – has had consecutive games with 2 sacks. His 5 sacks rank No. 2 in the SEC, while his sack yardage (-45) leads the nation.
• 9 players caught a pass last week against UCLA with 3 different players scoring on TD receptions from Nussmeier – Durham 35 yards, Thomas 5 yards, and Parker 45 yards.
• 8 different players have scored on receiving TDs this year with Kyren Lacy leading the way with 5. Lacy’s 5 receiving TDs leads the SEC and ranks No. 4 nationally.
• LSU’s starting offensive line has combined for 120 career starts at LSU. LT Will Campbell, a preseason All-America, leads the way with 30, followed by RG Miles Frazier (29), RT Emery Jones (28) and LG Garrett Dellinger (26). Redshirt freshman C DJ Chester (4) has started all four games at center this year.
• 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.
• LSU will play 5 games during the month of September for the second straight year, and for just the eighth time in school history. Years in which the Tigers have played 5 games in September include: 2023, 2018, 2017, 2012, 2006, 2000, and 1995).
LSU in the Polls
The Tigers moved up to No. 13 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and stand at No. 14 in the AP Top 25 this week. LSU has played 23 consecutive games as a Top 25 team, a streak that dates back to the Alabama game on November 5, 2022. LSU has been ranked in the AP Top 25 for 29 consecutive weeks, a stretch that ranks as the nation’s seventh-longest active streak and third among SEC teams.
LSU vs. the Sun Belt Conference
LSU is 37-2 all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference. LSU last faced a Sun Belt team a year ago when Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels accounted for an SEC-record tying 8 touchdowns (6 passing, 2 rushing) in a 56-14 win over Georgia State in Tiger Stadium. LSU’s record against current Sun Belt Conference teams include: 22-0 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 4-0 vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 3-0 vs. Arkansas State, 2-0 vs. Appalachian State, 1-0 vs. Georgia Southern and Georgia State, 2-1 against both Southern Miss and Troy. The last time LSU dropped a game to a Sun Belt team came in 2017 when Troy upset the Tigers, 24-21.
Open: Florida (2-2, 1-1 SEC); Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC); South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC); Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC); Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1 SEC).
