SEC PRIMER (Week 3): Cat-falling, podium-slamming week has arrived
STAFF REPORT
What do we think when a week’s highlights are a cat being saved from a death fall at a college football game and Nick Saban slamming his hand on a podium after a win?
Welcome to 2021.
Already, it’s wild and wacky and totally unpredictable. It has the flavor of a Quentin Tarantino movie, minus a Uma Thurman appearance.
We’ve had a share of upsets and a last-second wild finish in Tallahassee with an FCS team (Jacksonville State) knocking off an old warhorse that is missing a lot of teeth.
We love to take the blue bloods and play “whac-a-mole” with them whenever they lose. Granted, Ohio State hasn’t looked the part of a playoff team early in the season. But it is the “early part of the season.”
Ironically, the only oddities of the Southeastern Conference have been on the positive side. Arkansas’ win over Texas was not only impressive; it might have provided a glimpse of what the Razorbacks are in 2021 (and Texas, too). The dominant performance made everybody take notice but Arkansas is still considered a middle-of-the-pack team in the SEC West. They will earn higher status if they pull off the same type of win against Texas A&M in two weeks.
With all that’s happening, we are still in the dark on several teams but two more get to make their statement on Saturday. Florida has a chance to shock the world with a win over almighty Alabama. And Auburn can do the same at Penn State.
The way early 2021 is going, it could happen.
SEC Schedule for Sept. 18
Auburn (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Penn State (2-0)
6:30 p.m. CDT • ABC Network
University Park, Penn. • Beaver Stadium (106,572)
Series: Tied 1-1 (Last meeting – 2002, AU 13-9 – Outback Bowl)
Last week: Auburn def. Alabama St, 62-0; PSU def. Ball St, 44-13
What about PSU/AU
Third meeting with two previous in bowl games – ’95 season Outback Bowl (TAMPA), PSU,43-14 and –’02 season Capital One Bowl (ORL), AUB, 13-9.
Penn State has scheduled their 13th “White Out”. Record – 6-6.
James Franklin has a 1-0 record against Auburn, leading Vanderbilt to a win over the Tigers in 2012. Penn State has a 23-23 record against SEC opponents w/15 of those against Alabama (5-10).
Auburn has not played a team from the Big 10 since 1931 (tie-Wisconsin). Other meeting was in Montgomery vs. Ohio St, 0-0 tie in 1917.
AUB has scored 60 or more points in the first two games, a first since 1932.
AUB RB Tank Bigsby leads SEC averaging 10 ypc.
Penn St has won 11 straight regular season non-conference games dating back to 2016.
RRS Prediction: Penn St 23, Auburn 20 (PSU favored by 5)
Southeast Missouri (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Missouri (1-1, 0-1 SEC)
11 a.m. CDT • SEC+/ESPN+
Columbia, Mo.. • Memorial Stadium (62,621)
Series: Mizzouri leads 4-0 (Last meeting – 2019, Mizzou 50-19)
Last week: Kentucky def. Missouri, 35-28; Sam Houston def. SE Mizzou, 52-14
What about MIZZOU/SE MIZZOU
Connor Bazelak surpassed 3,000 yards passing in the loss to KY.
All four of Mizzou’s scoring drives covered 75 yards or more.
Jaylon Carlies became the firsts player to record an interception in back-to-back games since 2017 (Adam Sparks).
RRS Prediction: Missouri 55, Southeast Missouri 7 (No line)
South Carolina (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Georgia (2-0, 0-0 SEC)
6 p.m. CDT • ESPN
Athens, Ga. • Sanford Stadium (92,746)
Series: UGA leads, 52-19-2 (Last meeting – 2020, UGA, 45-16)
Last Week: SC def. East Carolina, 20-17; Georgia def. UAB, 56-7
What about SC/UGA
Bulldogs have won 5 of last 6 meetings. Lone SC win came in Athens in 2019.
Shane Beamer is the first SC coach to win his first two games since 1982 (Richard Bell). They finished 4-7 that year.
Beamer was on Kirby Smart’s staff 2016-17 as the tight ends coach.
After giving up a 75-yard reverse pass for a TD on the game’s first play, SC allowed just 188 yards in total offense to East Carolina.
The longest rush allowed by UGA so far this season is 23 yards (UAB Larry Wooden) on 59 rushing plays.
SC has fumbled five times and lost three in the first two games. UGA has lost one .
Stetson Bennett was third player in 15 years to have three TD passes of 60 yards or more in a half since Patrick Mahomes in 2016.
RRS Prediction: Georgia 42, South Carolina 14 (UGA favored by 31)
Tennessee Tech (0-2) at Tennessee (1-1, 0-0 SEC)
11 a.m. CDT • SEC+/ESPN+
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (102,455)
Series: Tenn leads, 6-0 (Last meeting - 2016, UT 56-0)
Last week: Pitt def. Tenn., 41-34; Furman def. Tenn Tech, 26-0
What about TT/UT
Tennessee lost its starting quarterback (Joe Milton, III), top two running backs (Tion Evans and Jabari Small) and center (Cooper Mays) in the loss to Pitt.
Theo Jackson leads the Vols with 22 tackles, which ranks him third in the SEC.
Tennessee recorded its first blocked punt since Oct. 26, 2019 (South Carolina) last week.
RRS Prediction: Tennessee 49, Tennessee Tech 6 (No line)
Alabama (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Florida (2-0, 0-0 SEC)
2:30 p.m. CDT • CBS
Gainesville, FL • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)
Series: UA leads, 27-14 (Last meeting – 2020, UA, 52-46 – SEC Championship)
Last week: UF def. South Fla., 42-20; Bama def. Mercer, 48-14
What about UA/UF
Bama has won 7 straight in the series, dating back to 2009. Last UF win was in 2008 SEC Championship game (also last national championship season for Gators). Last meeting in Gainesville – Oct. 1, 2011 (Bama, 39-10).
Dan Mullen is currently 0-11 as a coach against Alabama (0-10 at Miss St.)
First time since 2013 Florida is a double-digit underdog at home.
UF backup QB Anthony Richardson leads all FBS QBs in rushing with 275 yards, 25 ypc.
UF leads SEC with 609 ypg offensively but is 10th in defense allowing 325 ypg.
Bama has not lost to an SEC East team since 2010 (SC – 35-21). The 31 straight wins includes 6 wins in SEC Championship game.
Alabama leads SEC in turnover margin (+2) with 5 takeaways including 4 INTs thru two games.
RRS Prediction: Alabama 32, Florida 16 (Bama favored by 15.5)
New Mexico (1-0) at Texas A&M (2-0, 0-0 SEC)
11 a.m. CT • SEC Network
College Station, Texas. • Kyle Field (102,733)
Series: A&M leads, 4-0
Last week: NM def. NM St, 34-25; A&M def. Colorado, 10-7
What about A&M/NM
Aggies are looking for their first 3-0 start since 2016 and continuing an 11-game winning streak, the longest since 1992 (12 games).
Isaiah Spiller scored his first touchdown via a pass in the win over Colorado. It was the game winner.
The Aggies defense allowed just 54 yards (23 yds passing) in the second half to Colorado.
RRS Prediction: Texas A&M 45, New Mexico 14 (A&M favored by 30)
Georgia Southern (1-1) at Arkansas (2-0, 0-0 SEC)
3 p.m. CDT • SEC Network
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)
Series: First meeting
Last week: Fla Atl def. Ga. Southern, 38-6; Arkansas def. Texas 40-21
What about Ga Southern/Arkansas
Arkansas is looking for its first 3-0 start since 2016. The Hogs were ranked this week for the first time since 2016.
The last time Ark scored 40 or more points against a ranked team was 2011 (No. 10 South Carolina – Ark was ranked 8th).
Ga Southern is 1-13 against SEC opponents with lone win coming in 2013 at Florida.
RRS Prediction: Arkansas 28, Ga. Southern 10 (Ark favored by 23.5)
Mississippi State (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Memphis (1-1)
3 p.m. CDT • ESPN2
Memphis. • Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (58,325)
Series: MSU, 33-11 (Last – 2011, MSU, 59-14)
Last week: Miss St def. NC State, 24-10; Memphis def. Arkansas St, 55-50
What about Miss St/Memphis
Miss St has won 12 straight in the series. First meeting since 2011. Memphis last beat MSU in 1993.
Miss St opened with two straight wins to open the season for first time since 2018.
QB Will Rogers leads nation in completions per game (36) and is fifth in completion percentage (75%).
Memphis has won 16 straight home games with last loss to UCF in 2018.
RRS Prediction: Miss St. 25, Memphis 21 (MSU favored by 3)
Central Michigan (1-1) at LSU (1-1, 0-0 SEC)
6:30 p.m. CDT • SECN
Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (102,321)
Series: First meeting
Last week: LSU def. McNeese, 34-7; CMU def. Robert Morris, 45-0
What about CMU/LSU
LSU has won 56 of last 57 games against non-conference opponents (UCLA two weeks ago).
Max Johnson is the first LSU QB to throw 3 TDs in each of his first four starts.
Central Mich will play its second SEC opponent. The Chippowas opened with a loss to Missouri (34-24). Jim McElwain is the head coach.
RB John Emory Jr has been ruled ineligible for the remainder of the season.
RRS Prediction: LSU 35, Central Michigan 20 (LSU favored by 19)
Tulane (1-0) at Ole Miss (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
7 p.m. CDT • ESPN2
Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038)
Series: Ole Miss, 41-28 (Last 2012 – Ole Miss, 39-0)
Last week: Ole Miss def. Austin Peay, 54-17; Tulane def. Morgan St, 69-20
What about Tulane/Ole Miss
Ole Miss had 500 yards for the seventh time in 11 games under Lane Kiffin in the win over Louisville.
QB Matt Corral has thrown a TD pass in 14 straight games.
Ole Miss leads the SEC in total offense and fifth in the nation with 599.5 ypg.
Ole Miss is allowing 143 yards per game rushing.
RRS Prediction: Ole Miss 43, Tulane 21 (Ole Miss favored by 14.5)
Chattanooga at Kentucky (2-0, 1-0 SEC)
11 a.m. CDT • SEC+/ESPN+
Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000)
Series: First meeting
Last week: Kentucky def. Missouri, 35-28; Chattanooga def. North Alabama, 20-0
What about Chattanooga/KY
Chris Rodriguez was named Co-SEC Offensive Player of the week after rushing for a career high 206 yards in the win over Missouri.
Luke Fortner was named Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Kentucky is second in the league in rushing defense (60 ypg).
RRS PREDICTION: Kentucky 50, Chattanooga 13 (No line)
Stanford (1-1) at Vanderbilt (0-1, 0-0 SEC)
7 p.m. CDT • ESPNU
Nashville. • Memorial Stadium (42,000)
Series: First meeting
Last week: Vandy def. Col. St, 24-21; Stanford def. USC, 42-28
What about Stanford/Vandy
First time Vandy has played a team from the Pac-12 since 1961 (UCLA-L). Stanford last played a member of the SEC in 1978 (GA – Bluebonnet Bowl).The last time Stanford played a regular-season game against and SEC opponent was 1962 against Tulane, which left the league four years later.
This will be the seventh consecutive road game for Stanford dating back to last four games of 2020.
‘Dores broke and 11 game losing streak last Saturday.
Former Alabama kicker Joseph Bulovas kicked two field goals including the game winner from 38 yards out.
Stanford has 12 players whose fathers played in the NFL.
RRS Prediction: Stanford 24, Vanderbilt 17 (Stanford favored by 12)
RRS RECORD: Last week: 10-3 (3-6 vs. spread); Season: 21-6 (9-11 vs. spread)