This turns the attention to rivalry week. The "Iron Bowl" becomes the de facto SEC West Championship Game that throws even more gasoline onto the fire of one the most bitter rivalries in the country. Nick Saban will have to make his Goliath-like team smother any hope in an Auburn team that has found revitalization under Guz Malzahn. This game has many possible implications on the National Stage, and it's going to be nothing short of insane at kick-off in Jordan-Hare.
Nothing can account for the depressive themes that have clouded Georgia's and Florida's seasons. Florida dropped their first game ever to a FCS opponent Saturday, and even after a trip to a BCS Bowl last season, Will Muschamp is walking on thin ice in Gainesville. You have to wonder amidst the injuries, how an SEC teams gets outplayed by a team that's still transitioning into the FBS. Georgia State handled business running the ball, and that's obvious because the Eagles didn't even have to complete a pass to snatch a victory from the Gators in the Swamp. Even though the Athletic Staff at the University of Florida has showed support for Muschamp, you have to wonder exactly how patient they are going to be moving forward. They are going to have consider economic matters of the program along with football, as the absence of Florida fans was noteworthy at this weekend's game. If Muschamp wants to continue coaching the Gators, he will have to make his team somewhat competitive against Florida State to give his nightmare of a season a silver-lining.
You have to feel for Aaron Murray. A top-notch, record-setting passer in the SEC who lost most of his relevant receivers to injuries this year, and he still managed to put up staggering numbers. In what was supposed to be a day to honoring Murray's final home game, he ended up tearing his ACL after a long scramble. He is to undergo surgery today that will end his season and career at Georgia. Georgia fans will be left to wonder "what could have been?" this season, but at least they will be bowl eligible, unlike Florida.
Steve Spurrier looks to supplement his BCS game chances as South Carolina plays Clemson in "the Battle of the Palmetto State." Spurrier is looking for his fifth-consecutive win against Clemson, which would potentially add even more history that Spurrier has created since assuming the role as head coach.
So, ugh, Heisman?
Bryce Petty's name falls off the list after Baylor just, um, failed Saturday in Stillwater. Manziel was my favorite to win the award last week, and I honestly thought he was going to be able to outscore LSU this weekend. That was simply not the case, as Manziel was unable to sustain drives and didn't even complete 40% of his passes. He has one last shot to put his name in the hat and influence the voters when the Aggies travel to Missouri to play the fifth-ranked Tigers.
So the guy I kind of took a jab at in my Heisman article last week would be grinning if he had read my article. AJ McCarron's name rose the most rapid this weekend in Heisman discussions due to Petty and Manziel both losing and Jameis Winston's allegations becoming more serious. The three leaders all took enormous hits Saturday, and in losing, they opened a huge door for potentially three new names to earn a trip to New York during the last week of the regular season.
We will know who for sure will be representing each side in Atlanta after this weekend. This week is loaded with rivalry games, and the race will be decided by nothing less than a photo-finish.
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