The guys are back with another episode of the Southern Football Report presented by State Farm Agent Thomas Horne. Visit www.thomasismyagent.com.
Recap:
When life throws you the unexpected, wouldn’t it be great to have someone right there with you?
Like a good neighbor, State Farm Agent Thomas Horne is there—ready to help protect what matters most to you.
Call 229-798-4018 for a free quote. He might just save you money and get you better protected.
Serving all of Southwest Georgia. Visit ThomasIsMyAgent.com.
Welcome back to another episode of the Southern Football Report presented by State Farm Agent Thomas Horne at ThomasIsMyAgent.com.
Each week, we get a personal testimonial—this time, someone shared how Thomas helped them recently, and they appreciated it.
For auto, home, or life insurance anywhere in Southwest Georgia, visit ThomasIsMyAgent.com. State Farm Agent Thomas Horne in Moultrie.
It feels like we could just replay parts of last week’s show, especially when it comes to Florida State. But here we are again with another week of the Southern Football Report.
There’s a lot to cover from last week’s action—starting with Louisville and Miami before moving on to what happened out in Palo Alto.
Louisville vs Miami
The Friday-night ACC game brought plenty of surprises. Winning in that league is tough, especially on the road, but this time it was Miami at home that stumbled. Louisville looked sharp—Coach Jeff Brohm has them rolling, and he’s the kind of guy who thrives when he’s back home, speaking the language of Louisville football. A quarterback guru by reputation, he’s quietly one of the better coaches in the country.
Louisville continues to win even before their running game has really clicked. Once it does, they could be dangerous. Meanwhile, Miami looked flat. Their quarterback struggled, threw multiple interceptions, and afterward seemed to blame teammates—a reminder that transfer QBs can sometimes feel like mercenaries.
In the standings, things are messy: Georgia Tech and Virginia are near the top, SMU is undefeated, and Louisville, Cal, and Miami each have one loss. The scheduling quirks mean the top teams don’t even play one another, which could lead to chaos for the playoff committee.
This loss might end Miami’s playoff hopes, though if the committee stays true to its word about not punishing teams for losing conference title games, the ACC could still get multiple teams in. But with Notre Dame lurking and the SEC and Big Ten powers looming, the path is narrow.
Florida State vs Stanford
Mike Norvell’s Florida State team, now 5–2 against the SEC but winless in nine straight ACC games, fell again—this time to Stanford. He looked visibly worn after the loss, and while cross-country travel is tough, it’s not an excuse. Stanford was down multiple starters, including their quarterback, running back, and right guard, yet still drove 94 yards for a clinching touchdown.
Florida State couldn’t establish the run and at times appeared to quit. Missed field goals, costly penalties, and a late untimed down that could’ve tied the game all went against them. Even the broadcast feed cut out during the critical review of a potential tying score.
The deeper problem is leadership. Players have started mocking the coach’s “respond” mantra. Since 2020, Florida State has had four separate four-game losing streaks—something unheard of before the Bowden era. The team continues to lose to programs it out-recruits and out-spends, a sign that coaching—not talent—is the issue.
Moments of chaos on the sideline summed it up: players arguing, walking away, and no accountability when mistakes were made. The locker room looks lost.
Alabama vs Tennessee
For a while, this was a real contest. Tennessee was on the goal line just before halftime, down 16–7, when a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown completely flipped the game. The stadium exploded, one of the loudest moments in Bryant–Denny history.
That play seemed to deflate Tennessee. Drops piled up, and though the final score was 37–21, it felt closer at times. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe continues to show poise, using both his intelligence and athleticism to outthink defenses.
Ole Miss vs Georgia
The atmosphere in Athens was electric, one of the loudest since the 2013 LSU game. Ole Miss managed just one yard of offense in the fourth quarter as Georgia’s defense completely clamped down.
Quarterback Gunnar Stockton shined—second in the nation in passer efficiency and a true gamer. He hadn’t even practiced early in the week but came ready to play. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart made smart adjustments, tweaking the bye-week schedule to rest key players and prepare for the stretch run.
Offensively, it was a heavyweight fight early, but the first turnover or defensive stop was going to swing momentum. Georgia’s Carson Beck went 26-of-31 for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo deserves plenty of credit for his balanced play-calling and chemistry with Smart.
By the fourth quarter, Ole Miss’s defense was completely spent. Georgia’s offensive line dominated, wearing them down and closing it out in vintage Bulldogs fashion—methodical, disciplined, and physical.
When life throws you the unexpected, have someone right there with you—like a good neighbor, State Farm Agent Thomas Horne is there.
Call 229-798-4018 or visit ThomasIsMyAgent.com.
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