SEC Bookends: Unusual Suspects

October 9th, 2009 by Chris Pendley

RB Mark Ingram during their game against University of Kentucky (thanks Icon SMI)

We’re going to do a bit of a change of pace this week; instead of focusing on the typical, week-in, week-out studs, we’re going to look at players and units we may not normally. This means while guys like Charles Scott and AJ Green should’ve made the list, they didn’t. Not this time, at least.

Alabama’s Defense

D/ST units don’t get a lot of love around here, but kudos to Alabama’s unit for pulling in 2 sacks, a fumble, 3 picks, and getting a TD out of it. The score bonus isn’t there if you’re into that sort of thing, but the rest of it isn’t bad for a week’s work.

Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

In the Bataan Death March that is Alabama’s running game, Ingram is the undisputed leader. However, he hadn’t gone off since opening week until last week’s 140 yard, 2-TD effort against Kentucky. If form holds, his ninth game will be deadly.

Shay Hodge, WR, Ole Miss

Also known as “that Ole Miss guy who isn’t Dexter McCluster”, Hodge rolled up 122 receiving yards and 2 TDs against Vanderbilt. Again, context matters, but this is Hodge’s first signs of life and if Hodge can emerge maybe that can get Jevan Snead up off the mat.

Moe Brown, WR, South Carolina

This is the first real noise we’ve seen from the South Carolina passing game all year, as Brown is finally showing signs of break out. Sure, 100 yards and 2 TDs against South Carolina State won’t translate well against SEC competition, but it has to start somewhere – and since Kentucky’s short their two starting CBs, the odds are decent he can keep it up.

Ronnie Wingo, RB, Arkansas

Wingo is one of the few heirs apparent to Michael Smith in the Arkansas backfield; last week against TAMU was Wingo’s time to shine, rolling up 86 yards and a TD, most of which came on a single 62-yard run. He’s more of a get in dynasty-type leagues than single-season leagues, as Arkansas is staking their claim on the passing game and their defense can’t stop anyone.

This Week’s Games:

Florida @ LSU

Alabama @ Ole Miss

This is one of those weeks that make everyone else hate the SEC – lordy, are these going to be fun games to watch. From a fantasy perspective, there isn’t a ton here, really; I wouldn’t start Tim Tebow against LSU, Charles Scott is a gamble, and all bets are off starting anyone from Ole Miss. On the other hand, that Alabama / Ole Miss game screams “Houston Nutt crazy weasel wowsers gonzo” from about a mile away, so play guys from that game at your own peril. Nutt lives for these moments.

Georgia @ Tennessee

Auburn @ Arkansas

Kentucky @ South Carolina

As undercards go, these are pretty good. Anyone on Auburn’s offense is probably a safe start; Arkansas’s, not so much, but they’ll get an opportunity to score at least. As mentioned above, Moe Brown isn’t bad against Kentucky, but everyone else gets a solid “meh”. I actually like Tennessee’s defense here, as Georgia’s had issues running the ball, they have good cover corners, and the Bulldogs cough the ball up like candy in a piñata. That’s always a good combination.

Houston @ Mississippi State

Vanderbilt @ Army

Look, I’m not watching either of these games this week, but since neither Houston’s nor Army’s defenses are worth calling home about, your SEC guys are worth starting. Minor alert here – it may be worth swooping on a Vanderbilt RB here (Zac Stacy, anyone?).

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