Although it was a quiet weekend for the SEC, the schedule still featured some standout games that had a major impact on teams’ seasons and held historical significance down in the swamp. Here are the three most notable results of the weekend.
3 SEC Results in Week 13
No. 8 Oklahoma defeats No. 22 Missouri 17-6
Oklahoma beats Missouri and keeps its CFP hopes alive, winning its third straight game against a ranked opponent and bringing its total to five ranked wins this season, the most in the country. The Sooners’ three ranked wins in November are also more than Ohio State has had all season. The Sooners’ defense once again demonstrated why it’s the best in the SEC and one of the top in the nation, forcing two more turnovers yesterday against Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula. Oklahoma has now forced eight turnovers in its last three games against Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri.
The first quarter was particularly ugly for both teams, especially for the Sooners. They struggled to stay on the field, while the Tigers were held to -7 yards at the end of the quarter. However, momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter when QB John Mateer connected with the Sooners’ top receiver, Isiah Sategna, for an 87-yard touchdown pass, giving the Sooners a much-needed boost at a time when their offense seemed stalled.
Sooners head coach Brent Venables called the win “grimy” during his postgame press conference, a description that accurately reflected the game’s nature; neither offense managed to establish a steady rhythm or sustain drives. Nonetheless, Oklahoma found a way to get the job done once again, with defense. If this Sooners team finds any sort of consistency on offense, they could cause problems for a lot of the country’s elite.
No. 20 Tennessee defeats Florida 31-11
Although this game didn’t have high CFP stakes, it must feel sweet for Tennessee fans as they end their 10-game losing streak and secure their first victory in Gainesville since 2003. This was the Vols’ night right from kickoff; they dominated the first half of the game, scoring four touchdowns on their first four drives, and had 31 points at halftime. The Volunteers totaled 323 yards of offense in the first half alone, while the Gators only managed 110 yards.
While the first half was all offense for the Volunteers, the second half was the opposite—slow, methodical, and designed to run out the clock to prevent any Gators comeback. The Gators coughed up 11 points in the second half but still looked lifeless overall on that side of the ball.
Now the focus shifts for both teams. For Tennessee, winning out could land them in a solid bowl game; for Florida, it’s about head coach options, and with Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin making his decision this weekend, the Gators might end the year on a high note despite their win total.
No. 17 Texas Defeats Arkansas 52-37
Texas delivered its most complete offensive game of the season in conference play, and QB Arch Manning had the best performance of his college career so far, scoring a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown. Arch finished the day with 398 total yards, six total touchdowns, and no turnovers. While it was against a now 2-9 Arkansas team, Texas still needed this type of offensive performance to boost its confidence heading into A&M week.
Texas isn’t likely headed to the CFP, but if they get some help from other SEC teams next weekend, a win over Texas A&M might give them just enough of a resume to secure an at-large bid.
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