B&S Week 9 game-by-game recaps 2023
Every favored team gets a W in Week 9. Georgia’s machine churns out the Gators, A&M and Tennessee nab big wins and Ole Miss gets to 7-1.
By: Bossman Slim, Hammer
Chalk held this weekend across the SEC with the favorites winning every game outright and all but Texas A&M covering the spread as well. Tennessee-Kentucky was a competitive game but that was about it. Auburn and Texas A&M could never quite pull away from Mississippi State and South Carolina, but neither team felt like they were in danger of losing either. And naturally, Georgia and Ole Miss blew out Florida and Vanderbilt, respectively. Let’s see how the crew fared with their Week 9 picks.
This was a wild week in our picks as you can see. The Waco Kid finally had a good week going 5-0 straight up and against the spread, while Hammer went ice cold and lost every game against the spread. The Waco Kid needed a week like this badly and has now pulled back within striking distance of the Hammer and Bossman. Could he dig himself out of the cellar? If this heater continues, it’s possible.
Let’s hit the recaps.
Bossman Slim: I about nailed this one, picking the Aggies, 27-17 over the Gamecocks. A&M looked shaky out of the gate while South Carolina seized momentum, and it looked like it might be another ho-hum performance from Jimbo Fisher's squad before Max Johnson and Co. flipped the switch to rip off 21 unanswered points in the second quarter. If you just look at the score, you would think that A&M probably controlled the game from start to finish and maybe SC scored a late TD. That was not the case, as the Gamecocks were in this one until late in the fourth quarter. It was 24-17 early in the fourth after a South Carolina TD. The Aggies offensive line continues to leave gaping holes and are missing assignments, leaving Max Johnson with little time to throw. There were a few solid big plays through the air for the Aggies, particularly to Sub-Zero, Anias Smith, who put up a solid six receptions for 118 yards and a TD. A&M gets a nice win, but the performance they put up Saturday won’t beat Ole Miss or LSU, who are still left on their schedule. It’s hard to say much good about South Carolina, who just needs to scrap this season and look to get healthy for 2024.
Hammer: As someone who picked the Aggies to cover, I am furious that the Max Wright catch was not called a touchdown. I guess he wasn’t squeezing the ball hard enough? I don’t understand how that can be reviewed and not called a touchdown. Yet again, SEC referees prove they are completely worthless. Luckily for A&M, this call did not impact the final result of the game, but it’s nonsense like this that exemplifies why betting on sports is a cruel hobby. Enough about the refs though, this was a much-needed win for the Aggies. They didn’t play perfectly, and the issues like bad pass protection and a lack of running game that has plagued them all year were clearly not fixed during the bye week. The Aggies only ran for 104 yards on 40 carries (2.6 YPC) and Max Johnson was pressured all day long. But they won an SEC game by two scores and stopped the losing streak at two, something they weren’t able to do in 2022. When Johnson did have time, he handled his business throwing for 249 yards and a touchdown on 20/30 attempts. The one thing A&M did much better in this game was to avoid the self-inflicted wounds by not turning the ball over and only recording 2 penalties for 15 yards. On defense, A&M dominated yet again. The Gamecocks only managed 209 total yards and Spencer Rattler was harassed all day thanks to a bad offensive line and great Aggie front seven. The Aggie defense had 10 TFLs and four sacks. This was always a bad matchup for South Carolina and that played out on the field. They did not have the athletes to make nearly enough plays against A&M. The Gamecocks fought hard but it wasn’t close enough. That could be the lasting storyline for the 2023 Gamecock season.
Next up for Texas A&M: @ Ole Miss
Next up for South Carolina: vs. Jacksonville State
Bossman Slim: Yet another one I almost nailed on the nose, picking UGA 44-24 over the Gators. This one wasn’t that hard to see coming. Even without Brock Bowers, this Georgia team is superior in all three phases of the game to Florida. The only thing that could have kept this close for more than a quarter was if it was played in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida struck paydirt first but couldn’t keep up the momentum as Georgia unleashed a torrent of fury after that, posting 36 unanswered points before the Gators were able to come up for air. This was a dominating win from the Bulldogs as Carson Beck zipped the ball all over the field, mostly to Ladd McConkey and Dominic Lovett, and Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton ran wild. The Gators did put up 339 yards of total offense, but much of that came late in the second half in desperation mode. Georgia keeps rolling while Florida needs to pick up the pieces quickly. The Gators are right in the middle of their toughest stretch of the season with Arkansas, LSU, Mizzo, and FSU still ahead.
Hammer: No Brock Bowers? No problem. The Georgia offense did not miss a beat without the all-world tight end, totaling 486 yards and dominating the Gators. Carson Beck looked great yet again, throwing for 315 yards, two touchdowns, and no turnovers. He is quickly becoming one of the best QBs in the SEC and the country. Ladd McConkey picked up the slack from Bowers’ absence, hauling in 6 catches for 125 yards and a TD. Having McConkey back and healthy has been huge for the Dawgs offense. For the Florida Gators, my opinion hasn't changed much. I thought their defense would be able to hold up a little better but this is a mismatch. Florida doesn't have the talent that Georgia does and it showed. The only way Florida was going to keep this close was if Georgia faltered and let them stay in it. Graham Mertz and the Florida offense are not good enough throwing the ball downfield to put up a bunch of points on Georgia. They didn’t play that badly but without explosive plays, it's nearly impossible to score more than 20-24 points on Georgia so we got what we were expecting here. Georgia looks to be rounding into form and for Florida, they have a really rough road ahead so buckle up.
Next up for Georgia: vs. Missouri
Next up for Florida: vs. Arkansas
Bossman Slim: Well, how ‘bout them Auburn Tigers? Whether Auburn had State’s offensive signals during the first half or not, the Tigers still went out there and whipped some tail. Auburn controlled this game from the jump, going up 24-3 by half. If you’re a Tigers fan, you’d like to see the team score some more points in the second half and limit the other team’s rushing yards, but no one is going to scoff at a double-digit win on your home turf. Payton Thorne had his best game to date and was given sole control of the offense, which turned out to be the right move as he tossed three TDs. While Mississippi State was able to run the ball on Auburn, the Tigers returned the favor as Jarquez Hunter went off for over 140 yards and broke off a 50-yarder. A big win for Hugh Freeze and Co. as they get their first SEC win of the new era. Mississippi State, as with South Carolina, it’s probably time to get healthy and look to 2024.
Hammer: Credit to Auburn here! The Tigers actually looked competent on offense and I deserve to eat some crow for that. I said in the preview, “This game will be like watching service academies play except neither one runs the triple option.” Well, Payton Thorne and Auburn are making me eat those words. They needed a solid offensive performance in the worst way and finally got one. Thorne went 20/26 for 230 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers. Jarquez Hunter also got things going on the ground, rushing 17 times for 144 yards. For all the issues this team has had so far in 2023, it was nice to see them put together a solid game and get their first SEC win, by double digits no less. On the Bulldog side of things, we got what we expected. This offense has been bad all year and with backup QB Mike Wright, there just isn't enough juice to win SEC games. Unless of course, they play Arkansas. But against any other team, this offense is simply not up to the task of scoring enough points. The defense has been inconsistent as well. They allowed Auburn to have its best game of the year on offense so it’s tough to know what you’re going to get from the Bulldog defense. They’ve been exposed a few times this year and although the offense is much more of the issue, the defense is not good enough to win games on their own. Tough year in Starkville.
Next up for Auburn: @ Vanderbilt
Next up for Mississippi State: vs. Kentucky
Bossman Slim: Go Big Orange takes down Go Big Blue. This was a win both teams badly needed. Tennessee held a 20-10 lead by the middle of the second quarter but Kentucky was like a gnat all night, never going away and hanging around. Devin Leary finally looked like the QB we expected to see all season, ripping off 372 yards through the air and sticking two TD passes. Dane Key was the beneficiary of seven of those passes, one of which went for a touchdown. The bad part for the Wildcats is that they never could get Ray Davis going as he only rushed for 42 yards and a TD, with his longest run being eight yards. For Tennessee, they got both the running and passing game in overdrive. Joe Milton matched Leary’s performance and the Vols leaned on that stellar run game to produce two TDs. Really nice win for the Vols who can now build on some momentum with two big games (Mizzou, UGA) left to play. For Kentucky, fans are sick of losing to the Vols and are getting restless with Mark Stoops. Wildcats fans are ready to break through and it’s been status quo for a few seasons now in Lexington.
Hammer: This was a heck of a win by Tennessee and shame on me for doubting them. I thought the Vols would be in trouble taking a road trip to Lexington coming off two physical games against A&M and Alabama, while Kentucky was coming off a bye week. Tennessee got out to an early lead though and never surrendered it, although Kentucky pulled with a couple of points twice. The Vols kept answering and stood up against Devin Leary’s best game of the season. Leary’s 372 passing yards and two touchdowns weren’t enough to overtake the Vols because Tennessee stopped the run and did enough on offense to get the win. While holding Kentucky to just 72 yards rushing on 24 carries, Tennessee was able to run for 253 yards on offense on 47 carries. Jaylen Wright led the way with 11 carries for 120 yards and a TD. Dylan Sampson added 75 more yards and a TD on the ground. This Volunteer team is winning games differently than they did a year ago, but they are still winning games with a great run game and stout front seven on defense. Heupel and this staff deserve a ton of credit for what they’ve been able to do so far this season without a top-tier QB and multiple NFL draft picks at wide receiver. Time will tell if Tennessee can beat Georgia and Mizzou but Heuepel and this staff are doing a great job this year. For Kentucky, this one stings. Leary played great, and this was ripe for an upset at home but they couldn't quite get it done and have now lost three straight. There are a few winnable games left but Alabama and Louisville will be tough.
Next up for Tennessee: vs. UConn
Next up for Kentucky: @ Mississippi State
Bossman Slim: Good win for Ole Miss. The Rebels avoided a “look ahead” game with Texas A&M and Georgia looming. Instead, Ole Miss went out and took care of business, putting away a far inferior team early. If you’re a Reb, you have to be happy with how the defense played. They gave up just seven points and lived in the Commodores backfield with five sacks and seven TFLs. With A&M next week and their porous offensive line, you have to like your chances that you can affect Max Johnson. It was Ole Miss’s third straight game with seven or more TFLs. For Vandy…man. There’s always hope, and there’s always next year. Stay the course with Clark Lea.
Hammer: I didn't have a whole lot to say about this one in our previews, and the game lived up to that little amount of hype. Ole Miss jumped out to a 13-0 first-quarter lead and continued that scoring in the second quarter with a 26-0 halftime lead. In the second half, they took their foot off the gas and just coasted to a win. Quinshon Judkins had it rolling for the second consecutive game with 124 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. The running game making progress is a big deal for Ole Miss as they head into the home stretch with games against Texas A&M and Georgia looming. The Rebs’ defense did exactly what they should have done against a bad Vandy offense: dominate. The ‘Dores looked lost on offense in this game, surrendering five sacks and seven TFLs to Ole Miss and having to bench Ken Seals for Walter Taylor in the second quarter. Taylor struggled throwing the ball as well but added a little juice on the ground. The key word there is “little.” Vandy remains the worst team in the SEC and I don’t think it's close right now.
Next up for Ole Miss: vs. Texas A&M
Next up for Vanderbilt: vs. Auburn
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