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With every AP Top-25 team except Notre Dame having played their Week 1 game, the SEC is the only conference to boast multiple non-league wins against ranked foes. Making this even more impressive, both wins came against teams in the Top-15.
The SEC is the only conference to have multiple non-conference wins in Week 1 over teams ranked the AP Top 25. (Both were Top-15) (via @cody_kellner)
— Chuck Dunlap ? (@SEC_Chuck) September 5, 2021
Chronologically, No. 1 Alabama was the first of the league’s two triumphs, topping No. 14 Miami, 44-13, at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Sophomore Bryce Young picked up right where Mac Jones left off, throwing for 344 yards and four touchdowns, both new program-bests for a player in his first start.
Later Saturday, No. 5 Georgia defeated No. 3 Clemson, 10-3, at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium in a game where the only touchdown was scored on defense.
Showcasing a ferocious front seven, led by seniors Adam Anderson and Jordan Davis and juniors Nakobe Dean and Travon Walker, the Bulldogs sacked Tigers sophomore DJ Uiagalelei seven times.
Both Alabama and Georgia will open their home slates Saturday, with Alabama welcoming in the FCS Mercer Bears at 4 p.m. ET on the SEC Network and Georgia facing UAB at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Teddy Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. In addition to his work here, he has covered the Michigan Wolverines for GBMWolverine and Wolverine Digest. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.
