This Week in the SEC (Week 2)
What a great first week of football. We saw Kenny Hill have the best first game in the history of first games, we saw West Virginia surprisingly give Bama a hard time, we saw Georgia absolutely manhandle Clemson, and lastly, we watched LSU pull off 17-point comeback against Wisconsin. Now the 2nd week of SEC football begins, with a new #1 on top of the SEC Power Rankings.
SEC Power Rankings: Week 2
(Conference opponents ranked by CSM Power Ranking, non-conference opponents ranked by CSM-Top 25)
1) Auburn (1-0)
Last week rank: 2
Last week game: W 45-21 vs 13) Arkansas
This week game: vs San Jose State
Auburn didn’t miss a beat in the offseason as they pounded Arkansas, but Jeremy Johnson’s shining performance has many wondering if Nick Marshall is still the guy.
2) Alabama (1-0)
Last week rank: 1
Last week game: W 33-23 vs West Virginia
This week game: vs Florida Atlantic
I’m sure Alabama fans aren’t happy about me putting Auburn ahead of them. Try beating West Virginia by more than 10 and I’ll consider putting you guys back at 1.
3) Georgia (1-0)
Last week rank: 5
Last week game: W 45-21 vs #16 Clemson
This week game: bye
People were questioning how UGA would look without Aaron Murray. After beating Clemson by 24, I didn’t hear those people.
4) LSU (1-0)
Last week rank: 4
Last week game: W 28-24 vs #13 Wisconsin
This week game: vs Sam Houston State
LSU somehow pulled off a 17-point comeback win over Wisconsin, but Tiger fans weren’t too excited to find out that Anthony Jennings will most likely be the starter for the next three years.
5) Texas A&M
Last week rank: 9
Last week game: W 52-28 at 3) South Carolina
This week game: vs Lamar
When your QB throws for 511 yards in his first career start against a top-10 team, it may just be a good year.
6) Ole Miss
Last week rank: 6
Last week game: W 35-13 vs Boise State
This week game: at Vanderbilt
Ole Miss proved that the SEC West will be as tough as it’s ever been in their win against Boise, can Bo Wallace keep the Rebs’ momentum going in Nashville?
7) South Carolina
Last week rank: 3
Last week game: L 52-28 vs 9) Texas A&M
This week game: vs East Carolina
“What the heck happened Coach Spurrier?” “Kenny Hill happened.”
8) Missouri
Last week rank: 7
Last week game: W 38-18 vs South Dakota State
This week game: at Toledo
Still trying to figure out how Missouri has a road game against Toledo.
9) Florida
Last week rank: 8
Last week game: postponed vs Idaho
This week game: vs Eastern Michigan
Florida has to wait another week to play football again...somewhere Seminole fans are laughing.
10) Mississippi State
Last week rank: 10
Last week game: W 49-0 against Southern Miss
This week game: vs UAB
Bulldog fans were thrilled about their blowout of Southern Miss…should I remind them that the Golden Eagles have won one game in the last two years?
11) Tennessee
Last week rank: 12
Last week game: W 38-7 vs Utah State
This week game: vs Arkansas State
The Vols’ proved that they have a good team, and Justin Worley proved that he can flat out play.
12) Kentucky
Last week rank: 14
Last week game: W 59-14 vs Tennessee-Martin
This week game: vs Ohio
The Wildcats played well on Saturday, against Tennessee-Martin…
13) Vanderbilt
Last week rank: 11
Last week game: L 37-7 vs Temple
This week game: vs 6) Ole Miss
When you get beat by 30 points against Temple in your coaching debut, you may want to change some things.
14) Arkansas
Last week rank: 13
Last week game: L 45-21 vs 2) Auburn
This week game: vs Nicholls State
The Hogs gave it all they had against Auburn, and still lost by 24.
Game of the Week
#23 Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
Saturday, 4:30 ET, ESPN
You know it’s a quiet week in the SEC when the Game of the Week is Ole Miss-Vanderbilt, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a good one. Ole Miss comes into this week after pounding Boise State 35-13. Vandy doesn’t come in on such a high note, after getting throttled by Temple 37-7 at home. The ‘Doors came into that game as big favorites, but had seven turnovers in Derek Mason’s debut. Can Vandy recover and pick up a big win at home? I think it can happen.
The Breakdown:
Vandy played 3-different QB’s in the loss against Temple. LSU transfer Stephen Rivers played the best among the three, going 12-25 with 186 yards and a pick. He’s expected to start this week against the Rebels, and gives the offense some upside. For Ole Miss, there’s no question who will be starting for them. Bo Wallace had high expectations coming into this season, and definitely didn’t disappoint after throwing for 387 yards and 4 TD’s against Boise. However, he did throw three interceptions, so his consistency needs to improve. Bo Wallace should produce for the Rebels; the question is can Vandy’s quarterbacks do the same?
Prediction:
This is a crucial game for Derek Mason. His debut as the Commodore coach couldn’t have been worse, and a win against the Rebels would get him and his team back on the right track. I think Stephen Rivers will start and do well for Vanderbilt against the loaded Ole Miss D. The key for Vandy’s success will be not turning the ball over and preventing Bo Wallace from having a big game. I think the ‘Doors will give it all they have, but Ole Miss is the better team in the end and gets the W.
Score: Ole Miss 27, Vanderbilt 24
Other Games to Watch:
Tennessee vs Arkansas State
Missouri vs Toledo
South Carolina vs East Carolina
Upset Alert:
East Carolina over South Carolina
Twitter: @WScottCSM
