This Week in the SEC-Week 3
There weren’t that many big games last week, but that didn’t stop SEC teams from making a statement. In the 11 non-conference games last weekend, The SEC outscored opponents 550-126...and yet some people say the Pac-12 is better. And with ten non-conference games again this week, the SEC looks forward to embarrassing their foes again, but we also have a big conference match-up that might just be our Game of the Week.
SEC Power Rankings: Week 3
1) Auburn (2-0)
Last week: rank: 1
Last week: W 59-13 vs San Jose State
This week: Bye
Auburn has rushed for 660 yards their first two games. That explains their ranking.
2) Alabama (2-0)
Last week rank: 2
Last week: W 41-0 vs Florida Atlantic
This week: vs Southern Miss
Their last game against FAU got called due to lightning. Reports are that the lightning was Amari Cooper.
3) Georgia (1-0)
Last week rank: 3
Last week: Bye
This week: at 9) South Carolina
If Georgia’s offense plays like they did against Clemson, and SC’s defense plays like they did against A&M, the Ol’ Ball Coach might cry.
4) LSU (2-0)
Last week rank: 4
Last week: W 56-0 vs Sam Houston State
This week: vs Louisiana-Monroe
Traven Dural literally caught everything against Sam Houston State. He’d probably be better than most of the Astros’ outfielders.
5) Texas A&M (2-0)
Last week rank: 5
Last week: W 73-3 vs Lamar
This week: vs Rice
Officials were thinking about calling the game during a two and a half hour lightning delay. Lamar wishes they would have.
6) Ole Miss (2-0)
Last week rank: 6
Last week: W 41-3 vs Vanderbilt
This week: vs Louisiana-Lafayette
In Nashville, Vanderbilt learned a new country song named Hotty Toddy.
7) Florida (1-0)
Last week rank: 9
Last week: W 65-0 vs Eastern Michigan
This week: vs Kentucky
The Gators were mad that they had to wait another week to play football. They apparently took it out on Eastern Michigan.
8) Missouri (2-0)
Last week rank: 8
Last week: W 49-24 at Toledo
This week: vs Central Florida
A lot of people were putting Mizzou on upset alert last week. Gary Pinkel laughed at those people.
9) South Carolina (1-1)
Last week rank: 7
Last week: W 33-23 vs East Carolina
This Week: vs 3) Georgia
The Gamecocks started their season getting pounded by Texas A&M and slipping past ECU. The state of South Carolina is in panic.
10) Tennessee (2-0)
Last week rank: 11
Last week: W 34-19 vs Arkansas State
This Week: at #4 Oklahoma
The Vols have looked good their first two games, but now they have to head into Norman and take on the 4th ranked team in the country. We’ll see if Butch Jones’ team is for real.
11) Mississippi State (2-0)
Last week rank: 10
Last week: W 47-34 vs UAB
This week: at South Alabama
Those are not typos. Mississippi State only beat UAB by 13, and they are playing a road game AT South Alabama. Yes, South Alabama.
12) Kentucky (2-0)
Last week rank: 13
Last week: W 20-3 vs Ohio
This week: at Florida
The Wildcats have to go play in the Swamp next. Kentucky will be happy to start the season 2-1.
13) Arkansas (1-1)
Last week rank: 14
Last week: W 73-7 vs Nicholls State
This week: at Texas Tech
Take a good, long look Hog fans, because this might be the highest you get in the rankings this season.
14) Vanderbilt (0-2)
Last week rank: 13
Last week: L 41-3 vs 6) Ole Miss
This week: vs UMass
In Derek Mason’s first two games as the head coach, the ‘Doors were outscored 78-10. I think he made a better defensive coordinator.
Game of the Week:
#11 Georgia at #19 South Carolina
Saturday, 3:30 ET, CBS
South Carolina’s season if off to a horrible start, getting walloped by Texas A&M in the opener, and then slipping past East Carolina. Georgia on the other hand, destroyed Clemson in a statement victory and has had a week off to prepare for another big one against rival South Carolina. Based on what each team has done so far, Georgia should be big favorites, and they are. So what does South Carolina have to do to spoil Georgia’s momentum? I break that down in this week’s edition of Game of the Week.
The Breakdown:
The problem with South Carolina the last two games have been defense. The Gamecocks gave up a record 680 yards against A&M, and then 453 yards against East Carolina. That’s well over 1,000 yards. And guess what? Georgia put up 45 points on a good Clemson team. Their defensive line has struggled in the absence of Clowney, and now they have to go up against Todd Gurley who rushed for 198 yards and 3 TD’s in the Dawgs first game. That’s going to be the focus of Steve Spurrier coming in to this one-his defense has to improve big time if they want any shot against Todd Gurley and the Bulldogs. Dylan Thompson has performed well so far for the Gamecocks, so that’s the good news for South Carolina. Georgia’s Hunter Mason wasn’t electric in his first start, but was efficient going 18-26 for 131 yards. Hey, he just hands Gurley the ball, and lets him do his thing. If Georgia’s star running back goes off again, SC is in trouble.
Prediction:
The Gamecocks defense has to show major improvement if South Carolina has any chance. They can’t count on Gurley to have an off game, or Hutson Mason to make mistakes. If they can shut down the Bulldogs run game and Dylan Thompson has a good day, they will make it interesting. If they can’t stop Gurley, it will be a long day and maybe even season for South Carolina. I think that the Gamecocks will come to play, but Todd Gurley is just going to be too much for Lorenzo Ward’s defense. It will be a nail-bitter, but the Dawgs prevail in Columbia.
Score: Georgia 41, South Carolina 34
Other Games to Watch:
Tennessee at #4 Oklahoma
Missouri vs UCF
Arkansas at Texas Tech
Florida vs Kentucky
Upset Alert:
Tennessee over #4 Oklahoma
