2012 Week Six Top Four: Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Florida State
By Rich Lynch
David Bowie released a well-known song titled “Changes” in the 1970s. For the first week this season there were NO changes in the Top Four. Sorry David Bowie, but the Crimson Tide, Bulldogs, Tigers and Seminoles all won.
1) Alabama(5-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Ranking: 1 | Next Opponent: Bye Week
The Crimson Tide played SEC foe Mississippi at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and rolled the Rebels, 33-14. The result was expected — the score, however, may not have met the threshold that ‘Bama fans expected. The Crimson Tide do not have a game scheduled this week.
2) Georgia(5-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Rank: 2 | Next Opponent: South Carolina Gamecocks
Georgia defeated Tennessee in a barnburner Saturday, 51-44. The Bulldogs may not be playing LSU or Alabama this season but they have had a difficult schedule to date. This Saturday, the Bulldogs take on South Carolina in Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. This is a pivotal game in determining the SEC champion this season. Look for this to be a tightly contested game going into the final minutes. It will not surprise me if Steve Spurrier and his uncanny quarterback Connor Shaw lead the Gamecocks to a win. I like Georgia though.
3) LSU(5-0)
Trending: Sideways Previous Rank: 3 Next Opponent: Florida Gators
LSU took down the Towson Tigers, 38-22 in Tigers Stadium. The Tigers travel this weekend to Gatorland where they play Florida in Ben Hill-Griffen Stadium Saturday evening. It is the first serious road test for the Tigers to date this season. The Tigers need all-hands-on-deck to defeat the Gators in The Swamp. Look for a close game with special teams having a major impact.
4) Florida State (5-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Rank: 4 | Next Opponent: North Carolina Wolfpack
Florida State defeated South Florida in Tampa, 30-17. The Seminoles are travelling again this weekend to play N.C. State in Carter-Finley Stadium at 8 pm ET. Look for a boisterous crowd in Raleigh. Also look for Florida State to dominate in the second half and beat the Wolfpack.
Teams on the Outside Looking In:
West Virginia(4-0)
Trending: Up | Previous Rank: N/A | Next Opponent: Texas Longhorns
Mountaineer quarterback Geno Smith and head coach Dana Holgorsen orchestrated, literally, an offense that scored 70 points on Saturday against Baylor. On the other hand, the West Virginia defense allowed Baylor to score 63 points. West Virginia plays a balanced and lucky (see the goal-line fumble late in the Oklahoma State game) Texas squad, in Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium this Saturday. West Virginia is ranked higher in the traditional polls. However, the outcome will be an upset when the Mountaineers outscore the Longhorns in Austin.
Oregon(5-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Rank: N/A | Next Opponent: Washington Huskies
Oregon has scored a total of 262 points in the first five games of the year for an average of 53 per. Look for Oregon to run over, run around and run by Washington on Saturday night in Autzen Stadium.