SEC Week Two: Close Conference Games and Non-Conference Blowouts
The SEC divisional clashes lived up to their billing with Mississippi State-Auburn and South Carolina-Georgia going down to the wire. Other than that, only a couple of SEC teams were really tested this week.
Central Michigan Chippewas 13, Kentucky Wildcats 27
This game was actually pretty close until the fourth quarter. Central Michigan led Kentucky 13-3 at one point and 13-6 at the half. Wildcats quarterback Morgan Newton found his rhythm in the second half, connecting with a wide open La’Rod King to tie the game at 13. Then freshman running back Josh Clemons had an 87 yard touchdown run to seal the game for Kentucky, the longest in Wildcat history for a freshman. Kentucky’s struggled in the first two games of the season, but have come out on top. It looks like they’ll be fighting with Vanderbilt for the bottom of the SEC East.
#16 Mississippi State Bulldogs 34, Auburn Tigers 41
What a game this was. Auburn went up early by two touchdowns, but Mississippi State scored 21 unanswered points to take the lead. The game went back and forth into the final minute once again for the Tigers. Bulldogs quarterback Chris Relf looked like he had a clear shot at the end zone with time running out, but somehow Ryan Smith stopped him inches from the goal line. And Auburn’s 17 game winning streak stays intact. This team hasn’t looked pretty in many of those 17 wins, but they somehow find a way to win. I don’t think they go back to back this year, but they prove they’re a force to be reckoned with in the SEC West. Miss St. running back Vick Ballard had a great second half, having 200 total yards on the day. Auburn RB Michael Dyer contributed 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldogs need to regroup quickly as they host #2 LSU thursday night.
#3 Alabama Crimson Tide 27, #23 Penn State Nittany Lions 11
I think the Crimson Tide have found their quarterback. A.J. McCarron showed poise and and played well in a tough, early season matchup between college football’s blue bloods and coaching legends Nick Saban and Joe Paterno. McCarron managed the game well, throwing for 163 yards and a touchdown, while running back Trent Richardson carried the load for Alabama 26 times for 111 yards. The Tide’s defense swarmed around the Nittany Lions, forcing three turnovers and giving up 251 total yards. This game was close in the first half when Penn State was playing good defense and keeping Alabama’s offense off the field. But the Crimson Tide were just too strong and pulled away in the second half. Alabama certainly looked the part of a national title contender in a tough place to play Saturday.
Cincinnati Bearcats 23, Tennessee Volunteers 45
This was my upset pick of the week and it looked promising early. The Bearcats and Volunteers each scored touchdowns on their first two possessions. But it was all Vols after that. Quarterback Tyler Bray threw for four touchdowns and ran for another, while wide receivers Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers both eclipsed the 100 yard receiving mark with 10 receptions each for 156 yards and one touchdown, and 100 yards even with two touchdowns respectively. After this win, Tennessee looks like they are definitely improving and could surprise some teams in SEC play. The true test in next week when they travel to The Swamp to play their SEC rival Florida Gators.
#12 South Carolina Gamecocks 45, Georgia Bulldogs 42
This was another outstanding game for conference play. SEC East pick South Carolina went toe to toe with Georgia in a game that went down to the final minute. Gamecocks defensive lineman Melvin Ingram ran a fake punt 68 yards for a touchdown and returned a fumbled caused by super freshman Jadaveon Clowney to seal the game. To tell the truth, the Dawgs played pretty well, but in the end, turnovers killed them. They made the case that they can still contend in the East for the SEC Championship. But with this loss, the seat got scalding hot for Georgia head coach Mark Richt. Bulldogs are 0-2 for the first time since 1996. They need to put together some wins and the game in Jacksonville against Florida might be the final straw for Richt.
Southern Illinois Salukis 24, Mississippi Rebels 42
Ole Miss got back on the winning track after falling to BYU last week. The Rebels backup running back Jeff Scott rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns and added another receiving touchdown. Defense is going to be an issue for Ole Miss in SEC play. They gave up 420 yards to the Salukis, compared to their 315 total yards. This Rebel team is probably the cellar dweller in the SEC West, given all the great teams in that division. Head coach Houston Nutt needs to pull out some surprises this year, otherwise, his seat could get hotter as this season progresses.
New Mexico Lobos 3, #14 Arkansas Razorbacks 52
Special teams helped the Hogs again. Marquel Wade had an 85 yard kickoff return for a touchdown to really spark Arkansas in a blowout. Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson sat the second half after rushing for a seven yard touchdown run in which he may have been concussed. Wilson finished the day with 259 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Cobi Hamilton led Arkansas with 132 yards and a touchdown. But really, this game was over before it started. The Razorbacks are still my dark horse in the SEC West with tons of weapons on offense and an improved defense.
Connecticut Huskies 21, Vanderbilt Commodores 24
The Commodores rallied down seven in the fourth quarter to put away the Huskies on a 31-yard field goal with 2:56 left in the game. The game was certainly defensive, with Connecticut holding Vandy to 259 total yards and the ‘Dores limiting the Huskies to 193. Vandy’s defense sacked UConn’s QBs five times and also forced four turnovers. Bottom line is neither team is very good and Vanderbilt starts the James Franklin era out with a 2-0 record, the best winning percentage in school history. We’ll see who’s in the bottom of the SEC barrel next week when Vandy takes on Ole Miss.
UAB Blazers 0, #18 Florida Gators 39
Full analysis can be found here. This game was much sloppier than the final score indicates. The Gators will have a lot to work on this week as they prepare for SEC rival Tennessee in The Swamp this week.
Northwestern State Demons 3, #2 Louisiana State Tigers 49
At least they put some points on the board. The Northwestern State Demons scored for the first time in 100 years and 11 meetings between themselves and the LSU Tigers. The Tigers facing an FCS team knew the game was over before it started. They were paced by running backs Spencer Ware and Michael Ford’s two touchdowns apiece. LSU rested its starters in the second half to cruise to victory. Former Georgia Bulldog Zach Mettenberger saw action, going eight for 11 for 92 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Kadron Boone. Good tune up for the Tigers as they got to rest starters in anticipation of heading to cowbell country on a short week when they play Mississippi State on Thursday night in Starkville.
