This list will be updated after the Ole Miss game on Monday.
Week one is over and the SEC showed us plenty. Alabama and Georgia are far and way above every other team in the conference. Alabama rolled to a 44-13 victory over a confident Miami Hurricanes team. Bryce Young was a very efficient 27-of-38 for 344 yards and four touchdowns allowing no drop off from last seasons generational Crimson Tide football team. Heck, Miami didn’t even cross midfield offensively until they were already trailing 27-0 in the second quarter.
Georgia was very impressive in their slugfest against Clemson. The Bulldogs came away with a 10-3 victory over the Tigers in Charlotte on Saturday. The Bulldog defense was constantly in Clemson’s backfield accounting for seven sacks, 8 tackles for a loss and two more quarterback hurries. Both defenses are elite and kept everything in front of them. However, Georgia was much better only allowing two total rushing yards for Clemson.
Texas A&M led Kent State 10-3 at halftime during an uninspired first half. Leon O’Neal was a defensive spark for the Aggies with his two interceptions with one of them being a pick six midway through the third quarter.
In his first career start for the Aggies, Haynes King threw three interceptions. The sophomore quarterback’s slack was picked up by Devin Achane who rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns versus the Golden Flashes.
Alabama: They looked like their typical selves in the win against Miami. A return to the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff shouldn’t be an issue for the Nick Saban dynasty.
Next Game: Mercer at Alabama
Georgia: They may have the most athletic defense in the SEC. Although their offense didn’t look like it did late in 2020 doesn’t mean they can’t be explosive. Clemson was a very good defensive matchup for the Bulldogs who likely won’t see another defense like that until….well…..they likely meet Alabama in the SEC Championship game.
Next Game: UAB at Georgia
Texas A&M: The Aggies have a solid team and good pass defense. Jimbo Fisher will need to help limit the mistakes that King makes at the quarterback position. What happens under center will play the biggest role on if the Aggies win more than nine games this season.
Next Game: Texas A&M at Colorado
Florida: They were only up on Florida Atlantic by 14 at halftime but were slightly pedestrian on offense. Emory Jones started at quarterback on Saturday but Anthony Richardson exploded onto the scene rushing for 160 yards and a touchdown when he was called on. The next time the Gators play in The Swamp they won’t have it easy with Alabama in town.
Next Game: Florida at South Florida
Kentucky: They never really looked back after trailing 7-0 early on against Monroe. Just a typical Mark Stoops non-conference game.
-Next Game: Missouri at Kentucky
Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin had a breakthrough case of Covid-19 although he and his team are 100% vaccinated. How will the team respond without their leader?
Next Game: Louisville vs Ole Miss in Charlotte
Auburn: The Tigers took care of business in Harsin’s debut. The offense looked solid (612 total yards) and did what it was suppose to do. The new Derek Mason defense shutdown Akron for 188 yards and ten fourth quarter points.
Next Game: Alabama State at Auburn
Missouri: The Tigers converted only one of their 11 third downs attempts. The highlight of the offense was Tyler Badie’s performance rushing for 200 yards and one touchdown.
Next Game: Missouri at Kentucky
LSU: The Bruins are better than expected but the Tigers defense was suppose to be better this season. LSU is now 5-6 since their National Championship run but the bleeding doesn’t look like it’ll stop anytime soon.
Next Game: McNeese State at LSU
Arkansas: Same story second verse. There’s plenty of room for improvement on offense but their defense could carry them while trying to get things right.
Next Game: Texas at Arkansas
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs needed a huge comeback to beat the Ruston Bulldogs. State scored 21 unanswered fourth quarter points to avoid the upset.
Next Game: NC State at Mississippi State
Tennessee: As most offenses looked this weekend it was a pedestrian game. The Volunteers led 14-6 at halftime against one of the worst teams in Power-Five but they still won.
Next Game: Pittsburg at Tennessee
South Carolina: The run game is solid but they need to find a solid passing game. If they can, the Gamecocks could rise in the rankings with a couple more wins.
Next Game: South Carolina at East Carolina
Vanderbilt: They lost to a ETSU team that has been awful for a long time. Not a good start for the Clark Lea era in Nashville.
Next Game: Vanderbilt at Colorado State