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There may not be a better word to describe the SEC’s opening weekend than “disappointing.” So, in that spirit, we bring you the first “Who disappointed us” of the 2016 season.
It was not a weekend fans are used to seeing. The SEC lost six non-conference games, some of which were inexcusable, and barely won some games that shouldn’t have been close.
Before we begin, let’s start by mentioning the teams that will get a pass. Alabama, you’re good; go take a break and grab some Gatorade. Georgia, your comeback against North Carolina keeps you out of trouble (but you better keep an eye on those special teams). Texas A&M, you very nearly played your way to the top of this list, but UCLA is a good team and you regained your composure for the win.
Now, onto the disappointments. Buckle up.
Tennessee: The preseason feels like a long time ago, doesn’t it? With a veteran team returning and two talented playmakers in quarterback Josh Dobbs and running back Jalen Hurd, the Vols have the substance to accompany the hype. After escaping with an overtime win against Appalachian State, however, there are now some question marks. The offensive line did not look good and the level of competition should only increase. It did not help that Dobbs threw for only 192 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and Hurd averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry. Many wanted to see if Tennessee was capable of winning close games this season, but this isn’t what they had in mind.
Derek Mason: Vanderbilt was expected to take a step forward under Mason in 2016. That still might happen, it is only Week 2 after all, but Thursday’s home loss to South Carolina looked like more of the same.
Mason made some head-scratching decisions that might have cost his team the victory in a game they could have won. After taking a 10-0 lead behind starting quarterback Kyle Shurmur, Mason pulled Shurmur and played backup Wade Freebeck. Shurmur returned a couple of series later, but the Commodores would not score again.
Arguably his biggest mistake, however, was not taking a timeout after stopping South Carolina to force a fourth down in the fourth quarter. If Mason had used one of his two timeouts to stop the clock with over a minute remaining, it may have caused Will Muschamp exercise caution and punt or, at the very least, given Vandy more time to put together a final drive.
LSU offense: With possibly the best player in college football standing in the Tigers’ backfield, LSU could not muster much offense at all. Leonard Fournette did average 6 yards per carry en route to gaining 138 yards, but that was to only positive.
Frustrating play calling hindered the team and prevented any momentum from building. Quarterback Brandon Harris did not look good to start his junior year, completing 12 of his 21 pass attempts for only 131 yards with a touchdown and 2 interceptions. The Tigers’ defense looks capable of keeping them in close games, but the offense needs some major work.
Bonus disappointment: Josh Boutte’s late hit made a bad loss worse.
Post-Dak Mississippi State: There were some bad losses in Week 1, but Mississippi State’s loss to South Alabama might have been the most baffling. One of the top SEC West programs over the past couple of years, the Bulldogs began life without former star quarterback Dak Prescott on a bad note. Mississippi State managed only 143 yards through the air and still appears to have questions at the game’s most important position.
The Bulldogs’ pass defense, however, was worse. South Alabama quarterback Dallas Davis carved up Mississippi State’s defense for 285 yards and 2 touchdowns while completing over 70 percent of his passes. The most embarrassing part of the loss came near the end of the third quarter. Down 20-7, South Alabama began a drive at its 1-yard line and proceeded to march 99 yards for a touchdown.
Kentucky’s second-half performance: The 2016 season looked like it would begin on a high note for Kentucky when the Wildcats broke out to a 35-10 lead before watching it fade away. After halftime, Southern Mississippi scored 28 consecutive points. The Wildcats turned the ball over twice in their first four possessions of the second half and three times in total. Kentucky has been a team that starts quickly in recent years but fades as the game wears on. So far, that seems to be the case for Mark Stoops’ bunch once again.
Ole Miss’ second-half performance: The Rebels led No. 4 FSU 28-6 and gave up 33 consecutive points in a 44-35 loss Monday night in Orlando. Chad Kelly was great, except for when he wasn’t. He tied a career-high with four touchdown passes … and three interceptions. FSU took advantage of a banged up secondary in the second half, but the Rebels allowed the Seminoles to score on nine consecutive possessions.
A surprising and disappointing end to a disappointing first week, indeed.
