(AP photo)
SEC links for Saturday:
- Les East of The Advocate reports that LSU proves its the best in the West by beating Arkansas 41-17. The undefeated Tigers will now face SEC East champ Georgia in the Georgia Dome for the conference championship next Saturday.
- Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports writes that LSU left no doubts in its rout of the Razorbacks. One of the highlights was Tyrann Mathieu’s 92-yard punt return for a touchdown. Mathieu says he doesn’t want to hear Heisman talk, however.
- Robbie Neiswanger of the Arkansas News writes that LSU buried Arkansas’ BCS dreams in the rout. Bobby Petrino’s club folded after pulling to within 24-17. And Arkansas had an early 14-0 lead at Tiger Stadium before giving way.
- Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News writes that we are now one win away from an Alabama-LSU rematch in the BCS title game. Two wins, actually. Alabama must beat Auburn today. LSU must beat Georgia next Saturday in the SEC title game.
- Michael Casagrande writes from the Montgomery Advertiser that Alabama has a painful score to settle today at Auburn. The Tide led Auburn last year in Tuscaloosa only to see Cam Newton stage a comeback and lead the Tigers to the BCS title.
- Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer writes that Clemson is trying to get its mojo back for its meeting tonight with South Carolina. Now ranked 18th, Clemson won its first eight games before slipping into a late-season slump.
- Daniel Shirley of the Macon Telegraph reports that both Georgia and Georgia Tech are rolling into their rivalry game today. Georgia has won nine straight games and is 9-2. Georgia Tech is 8-3.
- Matt Watts of the Miami Herald writes that Florida-Florida State is always a big game. Florida is trying to avoid a 6-6 finish. And it’s the first time since 1986 that both teams enter the annual rivalry game as unranked in the polls.
- Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Mississippi State believes it can jump to a good start that Ole Miss will “lay down.” It’s the last game for fired Mississippi coach Houston Nutt, by the way. MSU is trying to become bowl eligible.
- Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean reports that Vanderbilt faces its final hurdle for a bowl game when the Commodores travel to Winston-Salem to play Wake Forest. The Commodores must rebound after giving away a late lead last week at Tennessee.
SEC standings and schedule:
