Alabama
Auburn
Georgia
Missouri
Oklahoma
Ole Miss
Tennessee
Texas A&M
LEAD STORY: Georgia Lands Recruiting Blow Ahead of Auburn Visit
The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry got an early jolt this week. Three-star cornerback Nash Johnson has flipped his commitment from Auburn to Georgia, according to a report aggregated from Georgia-focused coverage. The move came in the same week the Bulldogs host the Tigers. Johnson appeared to close the door on further recruitment with a Tuesday post on X: "1000% recruitment shutdown." Georgia now plays Alabama and Auburn in consecutive weeks, a schedule quirk the same report pointed out with some amusement.
The matchup has favored Georgia in Athens for a long time. Per the report, Auburn's last win in Sanford Stadium came in 2005, and the Tigers last scored more than two touchdowns there in 2009. Auburn will also be without linebacker Xavier Atkins this week. Atkins has three sacks this season, so his absence takes away one of the Tigers' main sources of pressure against Georgia's offensive front.
Georgia has its own problems at running back. Chauncey Bowens has been the Bulldogs' go-to option inside the five-yard line, and his status is uncertain heading into Saturday, according to Dawgs247. Dwight Phillips Jr., Bo Walker and Nick Peal all handled carries in the Bulldogs' last outing at Alabama, and Nate Frazier has also been unavailable. If those backs keep producing behind a short-yardage offense that has had trouble at times, Georgia may not need to change much against Auburn.
QUICK HITS
Mizzou turns to Ole Miss: Missouri is coming off a grinding win over Texas A&M. According to Rock M Nation's analysis, the Tigers outgained the Aggies by 2.2 yards per play and averaged nearly four more points per scoring opportunity. Missouri's run defense has been strong over the past two weeks. Saturday at Ole Miss brings a different test in tempo and skill-position talent. One subplot: Missouri running back Jamal Roberts faces former teammate Kewan Lacy, whom Roberts said he took under his wing when Lacy joined the room.
Mizzou gymnastics sets 2027 slate: Missouri opens on Jan. 8 at the Zou to the Lou meet against an all-Big Ten field of Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois. SEC play starts at Mizzou Arena against Georgia, which finished last season ranked No. 6 nationally. In early February, the Tigers also travel to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the Metroplex Challenge with Georgia, NC State and Oklahoma. Both the opener and the Metroplex Challenge will be held on a raised podium.
Ole Miss women's golf finishes fall strong: No. 20 Ole Miss finished runner-up at the Illini Women's Invitational at Medinah Country Club on Tuesday, closing out its fall schedule.
Lady Vols take the stage at SEC Tipoff: Fifth-year guard Kaylene Smikle and senior guard Rylie Theuerkauf represented Tennessee at SEC Tipoff '27 at the Hotel Wildemont as the Lady Vols prepare for the coming season.
Sooners head to Memphis: Oklahoma women's tennis opens play at the ITA Central Regional Championships, which run Oct. 14-19 in Memphis.
PORTAL WATCH
There was no transfer portal activity involving SEC programs in the last 12 hours. Rosters are set as football teams move into the second half of conference play, so expect the portal to stay quiet until the offseason window opens.
RECRUITING BUZZ
No new commitments were logged in the last 12 hours. The main recruiting story is Nash Johnson's reported flip from Auburn to Georgia, covered above. Late-season flips like this are especially notable between rivals, and coming in game week, this one adds an extra edge to Saturday in Athens.
GAMES TO WATCH
No SEC games are scheduled for today. Tennessee softball will host a League of Angels game tonight at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium from 6 to 8 p.m. ET.
Weekend circle-the-date games:
- Auburn at Georgia: Rivalry week. Watch Georgia's running back depth and Bowens' availability against an Auburn defense missing Atkins.
- Missouri at Ole Miss: Missouri's improving run defense against the Rebels' up-tempo attack, plus the Roberts-Lacy reunion.
Looking further ahead on the hardwood, Ole Miss men's basketball has scheduled an exhibition against Alabama as part of the Ballin in Boutwell series.
