Week 7 is in the books and we’re back with a full breakdown of each game for the SEC Conference. Let’s get right to it, starting with the game between two SEC West powers.
Alabama @ Texas A&M
Game Recap: Three defensive touchdowns and the strong running of Derrick Henry led Alabama to a 41-23 victory over Texas A&M.
Key Players: Alabama – The running game ruled the day for the Crimson Tide, led by Derrick Henry’s career best 236 rushing yards on 32 carries. Henry found the end zone twice and also had one reception to tack on another 18 yards. Jake Coker had an efficient day by completing 19 of 25 passes but for only 138 yards. The dominant ground game and a strong defensive performance left little need for Coker to air it out. Coker also ran the ball for 17 yards. Seven different players had receptions on Saturday, led by Calvin Ridley’s seven catches for 52 yards.
Texas A&M: Turnovers doomed the Aggies on Saturday as Kyle Allen was picked off three times, all returned for touchdowns by the Crimson Tide. Allen completed 20 of 40 for 263 yards and one touchdown. Ricky Seals-Jones was on the receiving end of Allen’s touchdown toss and led all receivers with 107 yards on six catches. Christian Kirk was again targeted heavily and had seven receptions for 90 yards. He also returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. The running game was quiet as the Aggies were playing catch-up all day. Tra Carson carried the ball thirteen times for 46 yards with a long of only six yards.
Key Injuries: Alabama RB Kenyan Drake took a helmet to the thigh and played very little after that.
Players to Watch: Alabama – Alabama welcomes Tennessee to town this week. Tennessee is allowing 248.5 yards through the air per game and 170.5 yards on the ground. Expect another heavy dose of Henry as the underrated running back should build on his strong performance from Saturday. Coker and the passing game may have more to do this week. Continue to target Calvin Ridley as the top option for a pair with Coker. Twenty-one of his 38 receptions this year have come in the past three weeks.
Texas A&M: The Aggies travel to Ole Miss on Saturday for what could be an entertaining shootout. Allen and the passing game will look to bounce back against an Ole Miss team that is allowing 229.3 yards per game through the air. Ole Miss is pretty strong against the run as they are ranked 45th in the nation and have only allowed four rushing touchdowns. Kirk leads the team in receptions with 39 – 23 of which have come in the past three games. Josh Reynolds and Seals-Jones are tied for second with 21 apiece.
Florida @ LSU
Game Recap: LSU held off Florida for a 35-28 victory and remains the only undefeated team in the SEC.
Key Players: Florida – Treon Harris played pretty well in his first game back as starter, completing 17 of 32 for 271 yards and two touchdowns. He also chipped in another 20 yards on the ground, which was the second-highest total on the team for a game in which the running game was nearly non-existent. Kelvin Taylor was held in check throughout and gained only 40 combined yards but did find the end zone on one occasion. Jake McGee received both of the touchdown passes while Antonio Callaway led receivers in yardage with 100 yards.
LSU: Leonard Fournette continued his impressive run through whatever gets in his way. The sophomore back picked up 180 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and added on a catch for 15 yards for good measure. Brandon Harris threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns for the second consecutive game as he completed 13 of 19 for 202 yards. Malachi Dupre had his second straight game of solid production, this time catching four balls for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Florida – The Gators have this week off before facing Georgia in a crucial SEC West battle. Taylor is the main option for DFS purposes, but Harris can be an interesting GPP flier on 2 QB sites in the right matchup and at the right price. Demarcus Robinson leads all receivers with 36 catches for 371 yards but has only found the end zone twice.
LSU: The Tigers face the high-powered offense of Western Kentucky this Saturday. Western Kentucky can be exposed by both facets of the offense as they rank 118th in the nation against the pass and 90th against the run. Expect Leonard Fournette to continue his Heisman march and rack up the stats, but as always his salary will require a bunch of quality value plays to fit him in successfully. Harris and Dupre could be an interesting GPP combo as Western Kentucky has been burned for 15 passing touchdowns this season.
Auburn @ Kentucky
Game Recap: Auburn put together their best effort of the season and was able to thwart a late Kentucky rally to hold on for a 30-27 victory.
Key Players: Auburn – Sean White turned in an efficient performance behind center as he completed 17 of 27 for 255 yards to six different receivers. Ricardo Louis jumped right into the role of top target with a stellar day of seven receptions for 154 yards. Peyton Barber handled the bulk of the backfield duties, carrying the ball 26 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Kerryon Johnson added on 36 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Kentucky: Patrick Towles racked up 359 passing yards but failed to find the end zone. He completed 27 of 44 to seven different receivers, had one pick and 12 rushing yards. Stanley Williams had a productive day with 120 combined yards and two rushing touchdowns. Garrett Johnson paced the receivers with nine catches for 160 yards.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Auburn – A road date with Arkansas is next on the docket for Auburn. Arkansas has been stout against the run but has had some difficulty against the pass. Auburn running backs look like a fade for this week and caution should be used with White as well. Louis looks like the best option for DFS purposes.
Kentucky: The Wildcats travel to Mississippi State for a tough matchup with the Bulldogs this Saturday. Mississippi State is allowing 206.9 yards passing per game and 161.6 yards on the ground, but is not allowing many touchdowns in either area – five through the air and seven on the ground. Towles and Williams will deserve consideration for DFS and Johnson could be an interesting GPP play depending on price.
Vanderbilt @ South Carolina
Game Recap: Interim head coach Shawn Elliot’s tenure started out with a victory as the Gamecocks took down the Commodores 19-10.
Key Players: Vanderbilt – Johnny McCrary attempted 42 passes, but only completed 21 of them en route to 177 yards, one touchdown and three picks. Nine different Commodores caught passes, led by Steven Scheu’s six catches for 59 yards. The versatile Ralph Webb was held mostly in check by the Gamecocks defense, gaining 58 yards on the ground and catching two passes for 23 yards. Darrius Sims led all running backs with 104 yards on six carries.
South Carolina: Perry Orth led the Gamecocks to victory in their first game with interim head coach Shawn Elliot. He completed 17 of 28 for 272 yards, one touchdown and one pick. Brandon Wilds gained 119 yards on 24 carries and also caught two passes for 10 yards. Pharoh Cooper came to life in a big way this week, catching seven passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Vanderbilt – Vanderbilt will do battle with a tough defensive team in Missouri this week. McCrary is a risky option until he gets his turnovers under control. He has 10 interceptions versus only six touchdowns this season. Webb and Trent Sherfield remain the two biggest offensive threats, but both players are also risky DFS options this week.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks have the week off before facing Texas A&M on October 31. Orth has not shown much for DFS purposes and can probably remain off the radar. A&M has allowed 10 rushing touchdowns this season which bodes well for Wilds, but with the Gamecocks most likely coming from behind, the running game will probably be stifled. Cooper remains the best and brightest option for DFS and could be worth a play against A&M.
Missouri @ Georgia
Game Recap: A late field goal by Georgia was the difference in a defensive struggle won by Georgia 9-6.
Key Players: Missouri – The game was devoid of offensive production from both teams. Drew Lock threw for 143 yards, connecting with seven different receivers in the process. Nate Brown’s two catches for 51 yards was the most productive output for the wide receivers. Russell Hansbrough ran for 24 yards and caught two passes for 23 yards.
Georgia: Greyson Lambert threw for 178 yards and a pick and the Bulldogs could not get much going on offense. The team’s first game without Nick Chubb saw them produce 120 combined rushing yards, led by Sony Michel’s 26 carries for 87 yards. Terry Goodwin led all receivers with six catches for 78 yards.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Missouri – The Tigers travel to Vanderbilt for a date with the Commodores on Saturday. The passing game has struggled all year and remains a very risky DFS option. Vanderbilt has been pretty tough against the run this year so Hansbrough will not be the best option. We seem to be looking at another low-scoring affair for the Tigers, but stranger things have happened.
Georgia: The Bulldogs have another tough defensive matchup up next when they face Florida on October 31. The game doesn’t set up well for Lambert or top receiver Malcolm Mitchell. Sony Michel will settle into his role as lead back and produce this year. It just may not be in the next game against Florida.
Louisiana Tech @ Mississippi State
Game Recap: Mississippi State started off slow but was able to kick it into high gear and walk away with a 45-20 victory.
Key Players: Dak Prescott had his best game of the season on Saturday. He threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for 34 yards and another score. A dominant performance by Prescott did not leave much room to produce for the running game and he was actually the team’s leading rusher. De’Runnya Wilson was the top target for the day, catching seven passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns.
Key Injuries: Mississippi State RB Ashton Shumpert missed the game with a back injury.
Players to Watch: A date with Kentucky is up next for the Bulldogs. Prescott remains an elite but pricey option. You will need plenty of value to fit him in but he can pay huge dividends as evidenced by Saturday’s performances. We are seven weeks into the season and we still don’t have a reliable DFS option out of the Bulldogs backfield. Wilson and Fred Ross remain Prescott’s top two targets
Memphis @ Ole Miss
Game Recap: Memphis rode their high-powered offense to a 37-24 upset victory over Ole Miss.
Key Players: Chad Kelly certainly knows how to produce points, unfortunately that didn’t translate into victory against Memphis. He threw for 372 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. The running game was nonexistent as the team combined for a paltry 40 rushing yards. Laquon Treadwell caught 14 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Quincy Adeboyejo.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: The Rebels face off with Texas A&M on Saturday and the forecast calls for points. Kelly and the passing game should be on your radar virtually every week and this week is no exception. Treadwell remains the most consistent option at receiver. No running backs form the Rebels have stood out as viable DFS options.
Other SEC Teams: Arkansas and Tennessee were off this week.
