Alabama Week 2 Review
The Crimson Tide easily defeated Florida Atlantic, 41-0, in a game shortened by bad weather last Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Amari Cooper caught 13 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown, while Blake Sims threw for over 225 yards and two scores. Alabama improved to 2-0 on the year and face Southern Mississippi this weekend in Tuscaloosa.
Auburn Week 2 Review
Auburn routed San Jose State, 59-13, last Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Cameron Artis-Payne rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Nick Marshall ran for 103 yards and a score. The Tigers have been nearly unstoppable on offense through two games, and the defense also looked better against the Spartans. However, the Auburn defense will meet its toughest challenge of the young season next Thursday (Sept. 18) when the play Kansas State on the road. Auburn improved to 2-0 on the year.
Week 2 SEC Rankings
1. Georgia (1-0, 0-0)
2. LSU (2-0, 0-0)
3. TexasA&M (2-0, 1-0)
4. Auburn (2-0, 1-0)
5. Alabama (2-0, 0-0)
6. Missouri (2-0, 0-0
7. Ole Miss (2-0, 1-0)
8. MSU (2-0, 0-0)
9. Florida (1-0, 0-0)
10. S.Carolina(1-1, 0-1)
11. Tennessee (2-0, 0-0)
12. Kentucky (2-0, 0-0)
13. Arkansas (1-1, 0-1)
14. Vanderbilt (0-2, 0-1)
Week 3 Previews and Predictions
Week 2 picks: 12-0; season: 21-1
Saturday, September 13
Massachusetts at Vanderbilt (-17). The Commodores are off to a horrendous start under first year head coach Derek Mason, as Vanderbilt has lost back-to-back games by more than 30 points to Temple and Ole Miss. If those first two games are any indication of how the rest of the season will play out for the ‘Dores, then this game against UMass might be one of the only chances for a win this year. Prediction: Vanderbilt 23, Massachusetts 13.
Central Florida at Missouri (-9). The Tigers took care of Toledo on the road last week 49-24 to improve to 2-0 on the year. Central Florida nearly knocked off Penn State earlier this season, and this could be a potential trap game for Missouri. Prediction: Missouri 38, Central Florida 23.
Arkansas at Texas Tech (-2.5). Arkansas ended its long losing streak with a dominating performance over an outmatched Nicholls State team last week. The Razorbacks now have the opportunity to win a non-conference game on the road against another school from a Power 5 conference. Prediction: Arkansas 30, Texas Tech 27.
Mississippi State at South Alabama (+14.5). The Bulldogs struggled defensively with UAB last week and must to correct those issues before conference play starts. The first road game of the season should be an easy one for Mississippi State. Prediction: Mississippi State 52, South Alabama 17.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Ole Miss (-27). The Rebels embarrassed Vanderbilt in their conference opener and return home this week to face an overmatched Louisiana-Lafayette squad. Prediction: Ole Miss 48, Louisiana-Lafayette 9.
Southern Mississippi at Alabama (-48). Nick Saban still hasn’t officially chosen a starting quarterback for the season, so both Blake Sims and Jacob Coker will get another audition this Saturday. Prediction: Alabama 56, Southern Miss 0.
Louisiana-Monroe at LSU (-31). Les Miles is nearly unbeatable in out-of-conference home games. Prediction: LSU 49, Louisiana-Monroe 3.
Kentucky at Florida (-17.5). Both the Gators and the Wildcats look drastically better from a season ago. Florida embarrassed Eastern Michigan last week, while Kentucky dominated Ohio. The Gators should easily handle the Wildcats this weekend in Gainesville, however, which would set up a huge showdown between Florida and Alabama next weekend in Tuscaloosa. Prediction: Florida 41, Kentucky 23.
Tennessee at Oklahoma (-20.5). Tennessee has improved already under Butch Jones, but the Vols aren’t quite ready to handle a great Oklahoma team in Norman. Prediction: Oklahoma 48, Tennessee 20.
Rice at Texas A&M (-31.5). Through two games, the Aggies are averaging over 60 points per game. Prediction: Texas A&M 66, Rice 16.
Game of the Week
Georgia at South Carolina (+6). The Bulldogs have only played once, but in that game they looked like the best team in the country. Todd Gurley is the early Heisman frontrunner after his stellar game against Clemson, while the Georgia defense looked remarkably improved from last year. As for South Carolina, the Gamecocks were humiliated on national television against Texas A&M to open the year. There is good news for Steve Spurrier’s team, as a win against Georgia puts the Gamecocks right back in the race for the East Division crown. Counting out a Spurrier team is never a good idea, and he’s had Mark Richt’s number during his tenure at South Carolina. Georgia should dominate on paper but the Gamecocks always have one upset in them every year. Prediction: South Carolina 34, Georgia 31.