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The SEC flexed its muscles in Week 1, winning all but one game. The conference went 12-1, highlighted by No. 3 Alabama’s win over No. 20 Wisconsin and the Texas A&M Aggies, who toppled No. 15 Arizona State.
Vanderbilt was the lone SEC squad to lose, falling to Western Kentucky, and LSU saw its contest cancelled due to lightning. In what’s largely regarded as a “patsy week,” nine SEC teams won their respective games by at least 28 points.
Here’s what we learned about every SEC East team following an exciting week of college football in the South.
Florida Gators
Week 1 result: Defeated New Mexico State, 61-13
What we learned: The quarterback duo of Will Grier and Treon Harris can put up points — even if they were playing host to New Mexico State. The two quarterbacks combined for 379 yards (Harris, 215 yards; Grier 164) and 4 touchdowns as the Gators soundly defeated the Aggies 61-13. Despite the success, first-year Florida head coach Jim McElwain said after the game that he’ll likely let the competition play out for another week or so, before settling on a full-time starter. After their Week 1 performance, both Harris and Grier appear capable of handling the offense, as demonstrated by the biggest margin of victory in Florida history in a coach’s debut. Look for one or both of them to continue Florida’s nation-best streak of winning home openers, which now sits at 26. You can thank BYU for that.
Georgia Bulldogs
Week 1 result: Defeated Louisiana-Monroe, 51-14
What we learned: Aside from learning that a game can end during the second half due to weather, we learned that the Georgia secondary might need to clamp down a bit better. The Bulldogs allowed Louisiana-Monroe freshman quarterback Garrett Smith to throw for 206 yards, including 153 yards and 2 touchdowns to Rashon Ceaser. But chiding a team for giving up a big day to a talented receiver is a bit nitpicky — especially for a unit that finished No. 16 in the nation last year for fewest yards per game allowed. The Bulldogs rolled to the easy victory, posting 51 points in 50 minutes before lightning halted play. New quarterback Greyson Lambert was serviceable during the win, throwing for 141 yards. The emergence of wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell is a promising sign. The duo connected on a 28-yard touchdown.
Kentucky Wildcats
Week 1 result: Defeated Louisiana-Lafayette, 40-33
What we learned: Kentucky has an offense that will keep things interesting in 2015. The Wildcats defense, however, still needs work. Kentucky nearly coughed up a 23-point lead to the Ragin’ Cajuns, who mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback, before yielding to the Wildcats. Kentucky’s linebackers are young in true freshmen Josh Allen and Jordan Jones. It’s going to be a long year as the defensive players get their legs under them. Fortunately on offense, Wildcats quarterback Patrick Towles likes to air it out. The senior quarterback shared 257 yards and 3 touchdowns between seven different receivers.
Missouri Tigers
Week 1 result: Defeated Southeast Missouri State, 34-3
What we learned: Just when you think the loss of DT Harold Brantley was going to vastly affect the Missouri Tiger defense, LB Kentrell Brothers steps up and makes you forget that your best pass rusher is out for the season after a car accident this summer. Brothers racked up 16.0 tackles and blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown as the No. 24 Tigers rolled to a 34-3 win over Southeast Missouri. The Tigers defense is young, but withstood its first test. So, too, did the program’s newest wide receivers J’Mon Moore (74 yards, touchdown) and Nate Brown (69 yards, touchdown).
South Carolina Gamecocks
Week 1 result: Defeated North Carolina, 17-13
What we learned: How about that South Carolina defense? Who would have thought we’d be saying that after the year the Gamecocks’ defenders had last year? The defense shook off a shaky start and held off a pesky North Carolina team — shutting down star quarterback Marquise Williams in the process. South Carolina linebacker Skai Moore thwarted two Tar Heels drives — the first and last ones — with interceptions in the end zone to seal the 17-13 win. The defense was porous at best in 2014, but looked seasoned despite giving up 440 yards in offense. The most telling stat was the 5-of-13 on third downs for North Carolina. If the Gamecocks can fix their tenuous quarterbacking situation, which featured four players (Connor Mitch, Perry Orth, WR Pharoh Cooper and RB Brandon Wilds) under center, the Gamecocks should be able to compete.
Tennessee Volunteers
Week 1 result: Defeated Bowling Green, 59-30
What we learned: Those worried about the offensive line as a continuing weak point on offense must slink away, at least for now. Tennessee had its way on the ground, whether QB Joshua Dobbs, RB Jalen Hurd or RB Alvin Kamara carried the football. The offensive line looked improved, though we’ll see if that continues to hold against the Oklahoma Sooners next week. Speaking of the Sooners, UT better hope that it can tighten up a modified secondary after allowing more than 400 passing yards to a MAC offense during Week 1. Tennessee is missing two starters in the defensive backfield due to serious injuries. But QB Baker Mayfield and the new-look Oklahoma offense have a clear blueprint for attacking Team 119.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Week 1 result: Lost to Western Kentucky, 14-12
What we learned: It’s going to be a long year in Nashville as Vanderbilt dropped its season-opener 14-12 to Western Kentucky. There were some bright spots, however, for a Commodores team that could be lucky to win three games this season. Vandy’s defense held the dynamic WKU offense — which finished No. 6 in the nation in passing offense last season — scoreless until late in the third quarter. Seven Commodores defenders registered at least a half-tackle for loss, including Tre Herndon, and Jonathan Wynn, who each logged a sack. Holding the Hilltoppers in check was a nice tune-up for play in the SEC, which begins in Week 2 for Vanderbilt against Georgia. Johnny McCrary made his Commodores debut under center, throwing for 217 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions. But the redshirt sophomore and the offense struggled mightily in the red zone — including failing on a two-point conversion that would have tied the game at the end.
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
