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Ranking the SEC’s Week 2 games from toughest (Auburn) to easiest (Texas A&M)
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While Week 1 was touted as the greatest college football opening weekend in decades, Week 2 is no slouch.
Auburn-Clemson, Oklahoma-Ohio State, Georgia-Notre Dame and Stanford-USC make up the Associated Press Top 25 matchups college football fans are salivating over. The second tier of interesting games includes Cincinnati-Michigan, Louisville-North Carolina, Pittsburgh-Penn State, TCU-Arkansas and Boise State-Washington State. Also, two SEC schools kick off conference play as South Carolina visits Missouri.
As you can see, the SEC is part of a slew of great games in Week 2.
Florida, South Carolina and Texas A&M were underdogs last week. On Saturday, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia and South Carolina are cast in the underdog role.
Here are projections for the SEC teams’ margins of victory, ranked from possible losses/narrow wins to the biggest blowout.
14. Auburn
Opponent: at Clemson
Bovada line: +6
Prediction: Auburn loses by 14
Why: Do Auburn fans really expect Jarrett Stidham to pull off a victory in “Death Valley” in only his second start? Stidham looked okay against Georgia Southern. He will have to play out of his mind to send his Tigers home happy Saturday night.
Clemson defensive tackles Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins form one of the best defensive line tandems in college football. Though it was only against Kent State, Kelly Bryant looked flawless replacing departed Clemson legend Deshaun Watson at quarterback. Clemson’s defense will be staunch, and if Bryant can emulate just some parts of what he did in Week 1, Auburn isn’t winning this game.
The possibility of Kerryon Johnson missing the game doesn’t help the visiting team’s chances.
If you missed it at @Auburn247 Sunday, Kerryon Johnson is going to be out for a while but Gus Malzahn says they are "hopeful."
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) September 5, 2017
13. Georgia
Opponent: at Notre Dame
Bovada line: +4 1/2
Prediction: Georgia loses by 10
Why: Yes, the Fighting Irish were abysmal last season, but Georgia has something major going against it. Jacob Eason’s injury leaves the reins of the Bulldogs’ offense to true freshman quarterback Jake Fromm. An AP Top 25 matchup on the road is not ideal for an initial collegiate start.
Like Clemson, South Bend is a tough place to play. It’s hard to envision Brian Kelly’s team taking a step back from last year, since he’s never had back-to-back losing seasons. Even if the Bulldogs claw their way out of Notre Dame Stadium with a victory, it won’t be by much.
12. Arkansas
Opponent: TCU
Bovada line: +3
Prediction: Arkansas loses by 7
Why: Arkansas gets slotted ahead of Auburn and Georgia because it will be tested at home rather than on the road. The Razorbacks also have a proven quarterback in Austin Allen, one who has been tested in close games. Still, the Razorbacks have a tall order to fill and simply won’t be able to do it.
Gary Patterson will have his team ready after last season’s defeat. The Horned Frogs’ offense will be just as good with quarterback Kenny Hill returning, plus the defense will be better. Retribution will be achieved, but it won’t come easy in Fayetteville.
11/10. Missouri vs. South Carolina
Bovada line: -2 1/2 (Missouri)
Prediction: South Carolina wins by 3
Why: Of all the games featuring SEC teams in Week 2, this is going to be the closest one, regardless of who wins. Visiting South Carolina looks like a more complete team, with a slightly better defense than Missouri. That’s not saying much since N.C. State torched the Gamecocks for over 500 yards of offense.
Thought this line was a typo:
South Carolina currently 3-point dogs at Missouri. I don't understand it
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) September 5, 2017
Though that stat is horrendous, the Tigers’ defensive unit was far worse in Week 1. Missouri State ended up with 43 points against Missouri, showing that coach Barry Odom has a lot of work to do on that side of the ball. This shootout will come down to the wire.
9. Mississippi State
Opponent: at Louisiana Tech
Bovada line: – 8 1/2
Prediction: Mississippi State wins by 11
Why: Louisiana Tech went 9-5 last season under Skip Holtz, who is a good coach with a solid track record. The Bulldogs almost upset Arkansas on the road, but couldn’t finish in the fourth quarter.
Let’s not forget Mississippi State lost to South Alabama to open up its season in 2016. One caveat — Nick Fitzgerald didn’t start. He will be the bane of Holtz’s existence as the difference-maker in the game.
8. Kentucky
Opponent: Eastern Kentucky
Bovada line: No line listed against FCS teams
Prediction: Kentucky wins by 24
Why: The Wildcats survived at Southern Miss last week, 24-17. Now, they get what looks to be a breather. Under Mark Stoops, Kentucky has outscored FCS opponents 190-58 in four games, but just a heads-up: Kentucky only beat Eastern Kentucky by seven points in 2015.
7. LSU
Opponent: Chattanooga
Bovada line: No line listed against FCS teams
Prediction: LSU wins by 38
Why: Ed Orgeron gets his first crack at an FCS opponent as LSU’s head coach. Jacksonville State rushed for almost 200 yards against the Mocs in Week 1. Derrius Guice and company should have no problem finding holes.
6. Vanderbilt
Opponent: Alabama A&M
Bovada line: No line listed against FCS teams
Prediction: Vanderbilt wins by 39
Why: Alabama A&M went 4-7 in 2016. Kyle Shurmur was strong against Middle Tennessee State. The Vanderbilt quarterback will light up the Bulldogs, leading to an easy victory for coach Derek Mason.
5. Alabama
Opponent: Fresno State
Bovada line: -44
Prediction: Alabama wins by 46
Why: Even if Bovada and other Vegas sports books gave lines on college football games involving FCS schools, the Crimson Tide still might have been the week’s largest favorite. The Bulldogs won’t forget the massacre awaiting them in Bryant-Denny Stadium. This will be the first meeting between the programs.
4. Florida
Opponent: Northern Colorado
Bovada line: No line listed against FCS teams
Prediction: Florida wins by 49
Why: Florida’s offense looked lousy in Week 1, scoring only three points. Jim McElwain will have a chip on his shoulder heading into this one, and his team will respond mightily.
McElwain hasn’t lost back-to-back regular season games since he has been at Florida. Expect the Gators to wallop the Bears.
3. Tennessee
Opponent: Indiana State
Bovada line: No line listed against FCS teams
Prediction: Tennessee wins by 56
Why: The Volunteers stood strong against Georgia Tech, winning a phenomenal game in overtime. Now, Tennessee looks to take that momentum and continue the progression of it.
Quinten Dormady looked better last week as the game went on. A tune-up before traveling to The Swamp in Week 3 is exactly what he needs.
2. Ole Miss
Opponent: UT Martin
Bovada line: No line listed against FCS teams
Prediction: Ole Miss wins by 59
Why: Shea Patterson was brilliant against South Alabama, throwing for over 400 yards and four touchdowns. Now, he gets to face an inferior FCS team.
Get ready Skyhawks, because it’s going to get ugly early. Matt Luke earns his first victory over an FCS school.
1. Texas A&M
Opponent: Nicholls State
Bovada line: No line listed against FCS teams
Prediction: Texas A&M wins by 63
Why: Kevin Sumlin is furious after his team’s choke job against UCLA, and his team will realize that throughout practice before Saturday. Regardless of who plays quarterback — Kellen Mond or Jake Hubenak — the offense will come out crisp and firing on all cylinders.
Nicholls State is in for a rough night. Under Sumlin, Texas A&M has outscored its six FCS opponents by 30.5 points per game, including scores of 73-3 and 67-0 during the past three seasons.
Tye is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He works on-air for ESPN Arkansas in Fort Smith. You can follow him on twitter @TyeSportsRadio.
