By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent
Alabama Week 1 Review
The Kalen DeBoer era began on August 30 with a complete domination of Western Kentucky. Alabama cruised past the Hilltoppers 63-0, with the Crimson Tide looking razor sharp on both sides of the ball. Alabama’s defense set the tone early with two interceptions off former Auburn starter T.J. Finley, while UA quarterback Jalen Milroe played mistake-free football as the Tide built a 42-0 halftime advantage. Alabama, which outgained Western Kentucky 600-145, was paced by Milroe’s efficient 7-for-9 passing for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Milroe also added two scores on the ground along with 79 yards. True freshman receiver Ryan Williams dazzled in his debut, catching two passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Justice Haynes added 102 rushing yards and a score on only four carries. Alabama takes on South Florida on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Auburn Week 2 Review
After a 2023 season filled with offensive struggles, Auburn looked like a completely different football team last Saturday against Alabama A&M in a 73-3 win. Granted, the Tigers played an FCS school, but it was a dramatic improvement over the offensive production from a season ago. Most notably, the Tiger passing attack looked vastly improved with Payton Thorne throwing for 322 yards and four touchdowns and five different receivers catching touchdown passes, including a trio of true freshmen in Malcolm Simmons, Perry Thompson and Cam Coleman. Jarquez Hunter, Damari Alston and Thorne all added scores on the ground. Auburn hosts Cal on Saturday, Sept. 8.
SEC Week 2 Rankings
1. Georgia (1-0)
2. Alabama (1-0)
3. Ole Miss (1-0)
4. Texas (1-0)
5. Tennessee (1-0)
6. Missouri (1-0)
7. LSU (0-1)
8. Auburn (1-0)
9. Oklahoma (1-0)
10. Texas A&M (0-1)
11. Kentucky (1-0)
12. Vanderbilt (1-0)
13. Arkansas (1-0)
14. Mississippi State (1-0)
15. South Carolina (1-0)
16. Florida (0-1)
Week 2 Previews and Predictions (last week: 12-4)
Game of the Week: Texas at Michigan (+7.5). As strange as it might seem to call this an SEC/Big 10 matchup, two of the four playoff teams from last year square off in Ann Arbor on Saturday for a pivotal nonconference showdown. Texas looked the part in a 52-0 win over Colorado State, while Michigan struggled offensively in its post-Jim Harbaugh debut under new coach Sherrone Moore. Michigan is rarely a home underdog of this magnitude, and the Wolverines will need a much better offensive performance if they’re going to hang with the Longhorns. Prediction: Texas 27, Michigan 20.
Arkansas at Oklahoma State (-7.5). The return of Bobby Petrino saw the Arkansas offense hang 70 points on Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but the competition level drastically increases on Saturday as the Razorbacks travel to Stillwater to take on a very experienced OSU team. A road win over Oklahoma State would be massive for head coach Sam Pittman as he looks to earn another season in Fayetteville. Prediction: Oklahoma State 34, Arkansas 31.
McNeese at Texas A&M. The Aggies had their chances to pick up a big nonconference win over Notre Dame last week but fell short in the fourth quarter in a 23-13 loss. Conner Weigman struggled at quarterback, and the Irish spoiled Mike Elko’s debut on the sidelines. McNeese provides an opportunity for the Aggies to get back on track before SEC play begins. Prediction: Texas A&M 56, McNeese 0.
Tennessee Tech at Georgia. The most impressive win of the college football opening weekend was Georgia’s 34-3 annihilation of Clemson in Atlanta. Georgia only led 6-0 at halftime but dominated in the second half against a quality Clemson team that will content for a playoff spot in the ACC. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was the best player on the field in the second half, and the Bulldogs remain the favorite to win the national title. Prediction: Georgia 52, Tennessee Tech 0.
South Carolina at Kentucky (-10). Kentucky’s season opener was cut short due to weather, but the Wildcats still impressed in a 31-0 victory over Southern Mississippi. On the flip side, South Carolina needed several breaks to sneak past Old Dominion, and now the Gamecocks must go on the road to start conference play. Prediction: Kentucky 24, South Carolina 20.
Cal at Auburn (-13). Last year, Auburn went to Berkeley and somehow won a game the Tigers had no business winning. Now, the Golden Bears visit The Plains, and this figures to be a completely different type of game than last year’s offensive abomination. While Auburn won’t score 73 as the Tigers did a week ago, the AU offense should have success. This could be a relatively high-scoring affair. Prediction: Auburn 38, Cal 20.
Middle Tennessee at Ole Miss (-42). If there’s one guarantee in college football, it is Lane Kiffin showing no mercy toward inferior opponents. The Rebels beat Furman, 76-0 last week, and while this Saturday won’t be quite that one-sided, expect Kiffin and the Rebels to hang plenty of points on the visiting Blue Raiders. Prediction: Ole Miss 59, Middle Tennessee 13.
South Florida at Alabama (-30.5). Last year’s game against South Florida was the turning-point for Alabama’s season. Nick Saban benched Jalen Milroe after the Tide escaped Tampa with a 17-3 victory. This year’s matchup figures to feature much more offense on both sides, and Milroe doesn’t need to concern himself about his job security. Prediction: Alabama 52, South Florida 10.
Buffalo at Missouri (-34.5). The Tigers sailed past Murray State last week and should have another easy win this Saturday. Missouri has a manageable schedule early on, and if the Tigers can tighten up on defense, they could be a playoff-caliber team. Prediction: Missouri 49, Buffalo 17.
Samford at Florida. By far the worst result for any program in the SEC during Week 1 was Florida’s abysmal performance in a 41-17 home loss to Miami. The Gators looked completely overmatched in every phase of the game, with Billy Napier’s seat growing hotter with every Miami score. Now, Miami could prove to be a legit contender. Florida has plenty of time to right the ship, but the Miami loss was a disappointing result for a team and coach who needed to make a positive statement in the opening game of the season. Prediction: Florida 41, Samford 10.
Tennessee vs. North Carolina State (+8.5). Nico Iamaleava was very impressive in Tennessee’s season-opening rout over Chattanooga, but the level of competition increases this Saturday as the Volunteers travel to Charlotte for a neutral-site matchup. The Wolfpack is among the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and the ACC needs an impressive performance after struggling to start the year. The quarterback matchup between Iamaleava and Grayson McCall suggests a high-scoring affair, but both defenses are very talented. Prediction: Tennessee 31, NC State 24.
Nicholls at LSU. For the third consecutive season under Brian Kelly, the Tigers opened the year with a disappointing nonconference loss. LSU’s loss to USC was not a bad loss by any means, but it was still a game the Tigers expected to win. LSU still has some breathing room with the expanded playoff, but the margin for error sharply decreased after the loss to the Trojans. Prediction: LSU 59, Nicholls 3.
Alcorn State at Vanderbilt. Perhaps the biggest win for any SEC program in Week 1 was Vanderbilt’s upset over Virginia Tech. The Commodores were two-touchdown home underdogs but prevailed in overtime over the Hokies. It was a massive win for head coach Clark Lea, and Vanderbilt has an opportunity to build on that success this weekend in Nashville. Prediction: Vanderbilt 31, Alcorn State 6.
Houston at Oklahoma (-29). The Sooners cruised past Temple last week and has another potential blowout on deck as a rebuilding Houston squad visits Norman. The Cougars were blown out by UNLV last week, and the Oklahoma defense should stifle Houston. Prediction: Oklahoma 48, Houston 10.
Mississippi State at Arizona State (-6). If Jeff Lebby is going to guide the Bulldogs to a bowl game in his inaugural season, this is a must-win game. Both Mississippi State and Arizona State are expected to be near the bottom of their respective conferences, and this has the potential to be a late-night shootout. Prediction: Mississippi State 37, Arizona State 34.