What Georgia’s win over Mississippi State said about rest of the SEC

Senior Editor
What Georgia’s win over Mississippi State said about rest of the SEC image

Georgia’s win over Mississippi State said more about Tennessee, Florida, and Texas than it did about what the Dawgs did in Starkville. 

Coming into this season, not much was expected from MSU. But after an upset win over Arizona State and taking Tennessee to overtime, folks started to think maybe this team had more bite than bark. A close loss to Florida and another to Texas showed that this team could hang in the SEC. 

But when you look at the roster, especially on defense, outside of Jaron Manning there’s just not much to fear. No impact player or game changer who can flip momentum on a dime.

Offensively, the running backs are solid. But when it’s third and six and you need a playmaker who’s stepping up? That question still hasn’t been answered as we head down the final stretch of the season. And if you haven’t started connecting the dots across the SEC, your expectations for who’s a contender and who’s a pretender might be way out of whack in 2025.

Connecting the dots with the rest of the SEC

The picture of a bubble map. In the middle sits Mississippi State at 5-5. They lost to Tennessee in double overtime with over 70 total points scored. The Vols then go out and smack Kentucky by 21. State barely loses to Florida, who's only impressive win came against Texas. Then Mississippi State dropped another shootout to Texas, who needed 17 straight points in the fourth quarter just to survive.

Texas then barely beats Kentucky in overtime, scoring just one touchdown in that game. Fast forward to this weekend. The Wildcats turn around and destroy Florida by 31 points. The Gators’ worst loss of the season to put up their highest first-half point total in a conference game all year.

If you’re keeping score, that web of results should tell you something. Some of these teams with numbers next to their names might deserve a little more scrutiny than they’ve been getting.

Texas A&M takes care of business

While the rest of the college football world was playing around with trap games, Texas A&M handled business. The Aggies shut down a Mizzou team trotting out freshman Matt Zollers for his first start of the year. The defense suffocated from start to finish. While Indiana and Ohio State were toying with their Big Ten opponents, the Aggies did what they were supposed to do and ate their dinner clean.

Clark Lea’s stock is peaking — Time to cash in?

Clark Lea’s stock is at an all-time high, and if I’m him, I’m at least thinking about cashing it in. Yeah, Vanderbilt is your alma mater. You came back to make them relevant again to show the college football world that the Commodores could compete for something meaningful. And you’re doing it. Saturday’s overtime win versus Auburn, who came off a coaching fire, starting a new quarterback was the latest example. The Commodores were pushed to the brink and fought back in a way no Vanderbilt team has in years. 

But let’s be honest. A lot of that has to do with Diego Pavia. His leadership, toughness, and sheer will are unlike anything this program has seen in a decade. He’s a transcendent quarterback, and he gives Vandy something most SEC teams can’t account for a true leader. We saw it against Texas. The ability to create when everything’s collapsing. Pavia’s that dude.

Unless Lea’s got a Pavia clone waiting in the wings, this might be his one shot to level up. Because when Pavia’s gone, the magic might go with him. And as Mississippi State learned the hard way, if you’ve got two quarterbacks, you don’t really have one.

LSU: A Quarterback Conundrum

Garrett Nussmeier’s stock is falling faster than a deer on ice. Midway through the third quarter, LSU interim coach Frank White was visibly frustrated after Nussmeier took another unnecessary sack under pressure from Alabama’s front. You could see it in Nussmeier’s eyes. He knew his night was ending. Enter Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren. Suddenly, LSU had a pulse.

The Tigers still lost, but for the first time all year, the offense looked competent. Van Buren used his legs, threw with anticipation, and gave the team something it’s been missing all season, and that's energy. The box score won’t show it, but the eye test did. This was an LSU team that fought, leaned on its defense, and competed for four full quarter

Florida flatlines, Kentucky comes alive

Meanwhile in Gainesville, Florida looks spent. DJ Lagway was finally benched for backup Tramell Jones Jr., and it’s fair to wonder what this means for Lagway’s future as a Gator. This season hasn’t come close to expectations, and Saturday’s 31-point beatdown at the hands of Kentucky might’ve been the nail in the coffin. The Gators’ defense was lifeless. Kentucky controlled the game start to finish, rushing for over 230 yards. It was Florida’s worst showing against the run this year, and their worst loss overall.

For Mark Stoops, though? It was a revival. The seat cools, the boosters breathe easier, and that $37 million buyout just got a little further out of reach. With Tennessee Tech, Vanderbilt, and Louisville left, Kentucky suddenly has a clear path to a bowl game—and a chance to salvage a season that just weeks ago looked dead in the water.

Crazy, but great to watch

What this weekend really showed is that the middle of the SEC is a blender. Everyone’s beating everyone, and the power balance shifts weekly. Just how chaotic, flawed, and unpredictable the rest of this conference really is shows. 

And in 2025, that chaos might be what makes it so damn fun to watch.

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Senior Editor