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With 12 matchups involving Southeastern Conference teams on the docket, here’s a list of the player to watch in each SEC game for Week 2:
12:00 pm: Arkansas State at Tennessee, SEC Network
A.J. Johnson, LB, Tennessee
A.J. Johnson is the heart and soul of Tennessee’s defense. Despite a decorated collegiate career, Johnson has never experience a winning season. But Tennessee looked strong defensively, thanks in large part to Johnson’s nine tackles, one interception and forced fumble. In a similar matchup to Week 1, look for Johnson to contain dual-threat quarterback Fredi Knighten and Arkansas State.
12:00 pm: No. 24 Missouri at Toledo, ESPN
Maty Mauk, QB, Missouri
Maty Mauk was good in his season debut last weekend. The sophomore recorded 178 yards and three touchdowns on 13-of-21 passing. He added 17 rushing yards on five attempts, which will likely increase this weekend. The former Ohio Mr. Football award winner will take the field just 75 miles from his hometown of Kenton, Ohio against Toledo. Expect Mauk to want to make his homecoming a dominant performance against the Rockets.
12:00 pm: Florida Atlantic at No. 2 Alabama, SEC Network
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Some may have been disappointed in Alabama’s win against West Virginia last weekend, but they weren’t disappointed in Amari Cooper. The Tide’s No. 1 receiver made 12 catches for 130 yards in his season debut, averaging 10.8 yards per catch. Quarterback Blake Sims’ performance wasn’t terrible, but doubters still remain. Looking to improve, Sims will likely put even more focus on Cooper against Florida Atlantic.
2:00 pm: UAB at Mississippi State, ESPN3
Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott is probable for Saturday’s game. Prescott had a solid showing against Southern Miss and faces big expectations as an elite quarterback in 2014. Against UAB, expect Prescott to put up big numbers facing an inferior opponent.
3:30 pm: Ohio at Kentucky, ESPNU
Patrick Towles, QB, Kentucky
Patrick Towles made a successful debut as Kentucky’s starting quarterback in Week 1 against UT-Martin. Still facing easier competition, Towles will likely continue his success in Week 2 against Ohio.
4:00 pm: Eastern Michigan at Florida, SEC Network
Quinton Dunbar, WR, Florida
Last week I predicted that Quinton Dunbar would excel in new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper’s scheme. Since all we’ve seen from Florida thus far is a kickoff return, I’ll stick with that Dunbar until proven otherwise. Dunbar enters Saturday’s game having caught a pass in 28-straight games– a school record– dating back to Florida’s win over Furman in 2011.
4:00 pm: Nicholls State at Arkansas, SEC Network
Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
As the bright spot for the SEC’s worst team, then-freshman Alex Collins rushed for 1,026 yards in 2013. He’s already off to a solid start with 68 on just 10 carries, leading an impressive trio that includes Korliss Marshall and Jonathan Williams. Collins will surely have a big game against Nicholls State, because they’re Nicholls State.
4:30 pm: No. 15 Ole Miss at Vanderbilt, ESPN
Bo Wallace, QB, Ole Miss
For better or worse, Bo Wallace will be the player to watch against Vanderbilt. Wallace had three interceptions during the same opening game in which he threw for 387 yards and four touchdowns. Wallace needs to play with more consistency for Ole Miss to be a true contender. Against a struggling Vandy, Wallace has a chance to put up some monster numbers today.
7:00 pm: East Carolina at No. 21 South Carolina, ESPNU
Dylan Thompson
Andre Woodson won’t be the only person analyzing Dylan Thompson’s play on Saturday. The entire Gamecock Nation will hope to see an improved performance from their starting quarterback and team on Saturday. Thompson was good against Texas A&M, but perhaps the running game needs to get going to make the passing game even more dangerous.
7:00 pm: San Jose State at No. 5 Auburn, ESPN2
Nick Marshall, QB, Auburn
For about two quarters, there was a potential quarterback controversy at Auburn. That is, until Nick Marshall entered the game in the second half and reminded everyone of the vital role he played in leading Auburn to an SEC championship and BCS title game appearance last season. Marshall and the running game should eat up San Jose State. It’s just too physical.
7:30 pm: Sam Houston State at No. 12 LSU, SEC Network
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
I refuse to give up on Leonard Fournette. He made me look foolish last week, but he’ll get attention every time he steps on the field and is a star in the making. Rather than a ranked opponent, Fournette will take on Sam Houston State Saturday and should see solid playing time while adjusting to the college level.
7:30 pm: Lamar at No. 9 Texas A&M, SEC Network
Kenny “Trill” Hill
How fortunate is Texas A&M? They lose Johnny Manziel to the NFL and may have the next Heisman frontrunner waiting in the wings. It’s amazing to think that Kevin Sumlin almost didn’t start Hill after watching his incredible season debut against South Carolina. Against reigning sixth-place Southland Conference team Lamar, the heir to Bun B’s throne as the “King of Trill” will provide another memorable performance.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
