Springfield, Mo. – SEC Week 7 brings two marquee contests that matter to Missouri fans and the national college‑football picture. At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, No. 13 Missouri (5‑1, 3‑1 SEC) hosts No. 9 Ole Miss (4‑1, 2‑1) on the SEC Network, while later that day No. 6 Alabama (5‑1, 3‑1) travels to Knoxville to meet No. 14 Tennessee (5‑1, 3‑1) on ABC.
Alabama at Tennessee
The Crimson Tide arrive in Neyland Stadium after a narrow 20‑17 loss to new No. 1 Georgia. Coach Nick Saban’s squad will be without leading receiver Ryan Coleman‑Williams and may also be missing center Racin Delgatty, a setback against a Volunteers defense that leads the FBS with 25 sacks, five of which belong to junior defensive end Xavier Gilliam.
Tennessee’s freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, who is questionable after missing most of the past two games with a shoulder injury, will be matched against Alabama sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell. The Vols are favored by 8.5 points, but the game could hinge on the performance of both young signal‑callers.
Missouri at Ole Miss
The Tigers head to Oxford with playoff aspirations still alive. Quarterback Austin Simmons, a former Ole Miss walk‑on who spent three seasons with the Rebels, has taken over the role after an injury to Trinidad Chambliss last season. Simmons has helped Missouri climb the AP Top 25, while running back Jamal Roberts has seized the rushing attack, tallying 828 yards and eight touchdowns.
Ole Miss counters with a strong ground game of its own. Senior running back Kewan Lacy returns from a shoulder injury and looks to re‑establish his production, while the Lacy‑Chambliss duo has proven difficult to stop. Wide receiver Deuce Alexander has already amassed 503 receiving yards and five touchdowns this season. The Rebels enter the game as six‑point favorites.
SEC Landscape
The conference currently boasts nine ranked teams in the AP Top 25: Georgia (1), Alabama (6), Texas (7), Ole Miss (9), Missouri (13), Tennessee (14), Kentucky (15), Mississippi State (16) and LSU (22). LSU leads the SEC with 524 yards per game on offense while allowing just 249.6 yards defensively. Georgia tops the league in points per game (46.2) and third‑down conversion percentage (55%). Oklahoma’s defense, though not an SEC member, ranks best on third‑down attempts, stopping 77% of them.
Missouri also features several national statistical leaders: linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez is tied for an FBS‑high 63 tackles, Roberts ranks second nationally in rushing yards, defensive end Daeden Hopkins shares the third‑most sacks, and wide receiver Cayden Lee sits fifth with 616 receiving yards.
Key Players to Watch
- Faizon Brandon (Tennessee freshman QB) – health status uncertain.
- Keelon Russell (Alabama sophomore QB) – leading a potent offense.
- Austin Simmons (Missouri QB) – former Ole Miss player now leading the Tigers.
- Jamal Roberts (Missouri RB) – 828 yards, eight scores.
- Kewan Lacy (Ole Miss RB) – returning from shoulder injury.
- Deuce Alexander (Ole Miss WR) – 503 yards, five TDs.
Both games will be streamed live on national television, offering Missouri fans a chance to see their teams compete for conference supremacy and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
