SEC Football: Week 2 Wrap Up
This past Saturday was a great weekend for the Alabama Crimson Tide. The weather ended up being great, we took care of business against Western Kentucky, and I hear the local Tuscaloosa media surprised Nick Saban by hanging a “Mission Accomplished” banner in the post-game press room.
As much as I loved watching the Tide dismantle a lesser opponent, it was even more fun watching the developments throughout the day of our SEC brethren. And, it was a particularly special weekend for our conference, as we indoctrinated two more teams into the fold.
The pageantry and tradition of college football is second to none, and many schools have great traditions. Ohio State has a band member dot the “i” in “Ohio” during their halftime show. Notre Dame has Touchdown Jesus. Auburn has Trooper Taylor’s backwards hat. And, of course, Texas A&M has the 12th man.
Theirs is a unique tradition: Four guys in white get-ups synchronize thousands of fans into one full-throated expression of their love for Aggie football, all the while using aggressive, flailing arm movements which mimic Michael Phelps doing the backstroke. It’s quite impressive really, and having as many fans yelling their heads off in such an organized fashion is probably a bit intimidating in person.
The 12th man wouldn’t be enough, however, as the Florida Gators constructed a gutsy comeback win on the road, winning 20-17, and they did it one quarterback at a time. The Aggies, with redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel, are maybe a year a way from being a real contender, but they should be pretty competitive this year.
On the other hand, we have the Auburn Tigers. I thought the Tigers would have a down year, but still eek out 7 or 8 wins, cause they always seem to. In the past Auburn has shown it does have a knack for resiliency, and for being able to turn nothing into something.
That will not happen this year. The Tigers had one of the worst games in recent memory, losing to Mississippi State 28-10. Their complete ineptitude is undeniable, and it seems there is little chance for them to make a bowl this year. One thing is for sure: Kiehl Frazier is not even close to being ready to play quarterback in the SEC.
Yes, give credit to the Bulldogs for causing five turnovers, but most of the fault lies on Frazier, who looked like he has only been playing quarterback for a month or so. It was nice to not have to watch the annual celebration Auburn players put on display after beating the eventual 5th best team in our division the second week of September.
I digested only a couple bites of the yawnburger that was the LSU 41-3 win over Washington, where Zach Mettensomething had a bunch of yards and a score. I honestly don’t want to talk anymore LSU until I have too. I sort of got burned out from last year.
But, we do have to keep an eye on them, so… FYI, they’re still really good. Oh, and apparently the Honey Badger has been replaced with some guy who’s just as good or almost just as good. There. Your LSU update.
The game of choice for me Saturday night was the “Old-Man-Football Bowl” featuring Georgia and Missourah. It was a great game through three quarters; Missouri showed some explosiveness and some toughness which I am sure got a lot of people’s attention.
And then Jarvis Jones happened, forcing the Tigers into two turnovers that set up Georgia twice inside the five yard line. That would be check and mate for Mizzou, as Georgia would pull away, winning 41-20. The Tigers put up a great fight and showed they are ready to play in the SEC. I didn’t say win it, I said play in it.
They also don’t ever need to do uniform gimmicks. I don’t know why they thought this early 2000’s sports avant-garde look was appealing. Their ugly helmets and jersey numbers with that weird font were aesthetically gut-wrenching. Missouri: You have nice looking uniforms. You have nice looking helmets. Wear them.
About the time Georgia had pulled away was about the time Arkansas totally Clemsoned their endgame, losing in overtime 34-31 to University of Louisiana-Monroe. The Warhawks doubled up time of possession on the Razorbacks, and they finished the game with 550 total yards.
Yes, Tyler Wilson was hurt, and did not play the second half. And, yes, it was probably the difference in the game. But when you give up 550 total yards to someone like LA-Monroe, you’re fixin’ to be slumming with the Kentuckys and the Ole Misses of this league real quick.
If Wilson is unable to play next Saturday against Alabama, things are going to get very, very ugly. But if we assume that he will play, it makes this the true SEC road test we knew it would be. Alabama will have to tighten up this week if they want to go on the road to Fayetteville and win. But if Arkansas’ defense is as porous as it seems to be, AJ McCarron may have another record setting week for the Tide. We’ll find out how we fare in our first SEC game of the year this Saturday at 2:30 on CBS.
Follow Jeff on Twitter.