3 SEC video games Alabama followers ought to care about throughout bye week

Alabama soccer’s second open date of the yr has arrived. The Crimson Tide has the week off, earlier than returning to motion subsequent Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in opposition to LSU.

However, the remainder of the faculty soccer world will proceed on, together with a lot of the SEC. While Texas A&M, the one college forward of Alabama within the convention’s present standings, can be off, there are nonetheless video games that Crimson Tide followers could have an in depth eye on.

Here’s a take a look at the league video games which may maintain probably the most curiosity for the Alabama devoted.

Texas vs. Vanderbilt

When Vanderbilt misplaced to Alabama earlier this season, it was in no way a knockout blow to the 2025 Commodore season. Clark Lea’s crew has rebounded from the defeat properly, and is within the thick of a race to the College Football Playoff.

Since that loss, Vanderbilt beat LSU, then Missouri, with each video games in Nashville. On Saturday, in a recreation scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on ABC, the Commodores will get an opportunity to earn a high 25 win on the highway.

Home in Austin, Texas may use a high-quality win. A loss would carry Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns near playoff elimination standing.

Arch Manning can be enjoying, with the Texas QB off of the SEC’s availability report on Friday. He has struggled at instances this yr although, alongside along with his crew’s offense, and Vanderbilt represents an opportunity to point out clear enchancment in opposition to a troublesome protection.

Both Texas and Vanderbilt are nonetheless CFP contenders. However, a loss on Saturday would severely harm these hopes for both crew.

Tennessee vs. Oklahoma

It’s the Josh Heupel bowl. For the second season in a row, the Tennessee head coach will face his alma mater, the college he led to a nationwide championship as a quarterback underneath Bob Stoops.

The stakes couldn’t be greater for each groups. The Volunteers and Sooners every have two losses, and whereas a 3rd wouldn’t utterly eradicate them from rivalry, it takes issues out of the loser’s palms.

Oklahoma has a stout protection. Alabama followers ought to take note of it, as it’s what the Crimson Tide should face following the LSU recreation.

However, the Sooners haven’t performed an offense like Tennessee’s but. The Volunteers seemingly received the commerce with UCLA that netted them Joey Aguilar, who has performed nicely regardless of losses to Georgia and Alabama.

UT is internet hosting the sport that can kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC. Will the Neyland Stadium benefit matter in a recreation that might make or break each groups’ seasons?

Auburn vs. Kentucky

This shouldn’t be a matchup between two groups combating for playoff spots. This is responsible pleasure-viewing even for the truest faculty soccer sicko,

It additionally may doubtlessly be the final recreation on the present college for both coach. Both Mark Stoops and Hugh Freeze are firmly planted on the new seat, with Auburn and Kentucky reportedly each contemplating becoming a member of a fully insane hiring cycle.

Kentucky hasn’t received an SEC recreation but. The Wildcats are dangerous on offense, and their protection hasn’t been a lot assist both– a loss right here could be completely humiliating for Auburn, particularly in an evening recreation at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Freeze and Auburn are driving a bit greater after beating Arkansas on the highway final week, avoiding a faceplant in opposition to interim Razorback coach Bobby Petrino, who the Tigers have some historical past with. A win over Kentucky may push the Wildcats into the teaching market, however the Tigers would have only a little bit of momentum going.

The recreation begins at 6:30 p.m. CT and can be aired on the SEC Network.