WEEK 3 SEC
by David Waters
September 15, 2009
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A look back at Week 2 and look ahead to week 3.
A look back…
Troy at Florida, Florida 56-6
In another tune up game, the Gators started slow but came with a fury in the second quarter. Running the ball is key for the Florida offense, whether it's Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps, or Tim Tebow, the offense is clearly clicking when the running game gets going. The rushing attack gathered up 291 yards and that opened it up for Tim Tebow to throw for four touchdowns and run for another. The offense is clicking against overmatched opponents.
Troy has a quick, impressive attack on offense, but the Florida defense was able to get pressure on the Trojans. All the pressure led Trojans' quarterback Levi Brown to go 8-24 and throw one interception and kept them getting in the end zone.
South Carolina at Georgia, Georgia 41-37
In the conference's best game last week, the Bulldogs won a wild and wacky nail biter. What surprised everyone was how much offense was in the game. Bulldog Joe Cox threw for a modest 201 yards and one score, and Steve Spurrier may have found his quarterback if Stephen Garcia can continue his performance of 31-53, 313 yards and two touchdowns.
What held South Carolina back from winning this game though is having to settle for five field goals and not putting the ball in the end zone. Georgia was outgained 427 yards to 308, and while the Georgia defense didn't play great, they made a pile of clutch stops to make the Gamecocks settle for three instead of six. It's hard to get a handle on how good both of these teams are.
UCLA at Tennessee, UCLA 19-15
Well it didn't take long for Jonathan Crompton to revert back to his 2008 form. He made bad decisions all game long that led to going 13-26 for 93 yards and throwing three picks. The running game did nothing to help as Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown went for 115 yards on 44 tries. The offensive line had trouble containing a fast, athletic Bruin defensive line. The Volunteer defense played well enough to win, but couldn't overcome four turnovers and couldn't make the clutch stops it needed to.
Vanderbilt at LSU, LSU 23-9
It took a little while, but a 14 yard Keiland Williams run in the fourth quarter finally put the Commodores away. The Tigers' defense found it's legs against Vandy, holding them to 210 yards, but the offense is still having trouble finding their stride. Jordan Jefferson needs to be able to make more plays, as there is way too much talent for the Tigers to be this conservative.
Florida International at Alabama, Alabama 40-14
It took a little longer than expected, but the Crimson Tide were able to pull away in the second half behind the legs of freshman Trent Richardson. Richardson went off for 118 yards and two touchdowns along with quarterback Greg McElroy throwing for 241 yards and one touchdown. The Alabama defense was stifling with five sacks, but had trouble getting off the field on third down.
Mississippi St. at Auburn, Auburn 49-24
Well the Gus Malzahn offense was supposed to bring plenty of points to Auburn via the passing game, but in the first two weeks it has been the Tigers running game that has went wild against some good opponents. Against Mississippi St. the Tigers' rushing attack went off for 390 yards as the passing game struggled a little against the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs showed a little more offense as well in this game as well, but Dan Mullen's spread just needs more time to work. The use of two quarterbacks is still there with neither one taking command of the offense, but the return of Anthony Dixon will come in need as he ran for 92 yards on 20 carries. The defense just seemed lost in trying to stop the run that was coming from everywhere on the field.
A look ahead…
Confidence on a scale of 10
Tennessee at Florida
The game the SEC and everyone is looking forward to since Lane Kiffin was hired at Rocky Top. Florida seems to be firing on all cylinders as Tennessee is coming off a lackluster performance against UCLA. This is Florida's first real test of the season and a chance to see if the offensive line and wide receivers have made the progression they need to compete at an SEC level. The Tennessee defense will challenge the Gators like they haven't been challenged in their first two games. One thing to look for is how Monte Kiffin's defense will choose to attack the spread offense. He didn't have to defend it in the NFL, and will now face the nation's most balanced spread attack. Florida's running game might include more power running from Emmanual Moody, if he can hang on to the ball. There will be plenty of Demps and Rainey, but the physicality of the opening SEC game should demand more Moody or Tebow.
The Gator defense will have no problem shutting down Tennessee as the Vols have probably lost all confidence in quarterback Jonathan Crompton. His three interception game against UCLA led to some finger pointing in the Tennessee locker room and Crompton's confidence might be lost in himself and his teammates seem to be tired of the turnover machine. Expect to see Tennessee try and pound the ball and that's when the Florida defense will be unstoppable. The Gator defense may allow some yards, but Tennessee won't be able to put the ball in the end zone. The Gators have only allowed 41 rushing yards per game the last four years to Tennessee.
Urban Meyer is 4-0 against Tennessee and after being spotlighted from Kiffin's remarks, Meyer will unleash the total package on Tennessee.
Florida 48 Tennessee 13
Confidence: 9
Georgia at Arkansas
This is a very dangerous game for the Georgia Bulldogs. Arkansas has had two weeks to prepare for the Dawgs, and the Razorbacks passing game should be troublesome for Georgia. After Stephen Garcia and South Carolina threw for over 300 yards, Ryan Mallett has to be salivating at the chance to light-up the Georgia defense. That can all change if Georgia can establish a decent pass rush, but more than likely this game will probably end up looking a lot like Georgia's game last week against South Carolina.
The question of this game is how will the Georgia offense play? After struggling against Oklahoma St., the offense came to life against South Carolina getting touchdowns from Joe Cox, one to A.J. Green and Richard Samuel added another. Arkansas didn't have much of an opener against Missouri St., so it's hard to gauge if their defense has improved from a year ago.
Georgia 30 Arkansas 27
Confidence: 7
Louisville at Kentucky
The Wildcats are coming off an early bye week as favorites to beat their hated rival the Louisville Cardinals. Kentucky has beaten Louisville the last two seasons, and 27-2 last season. Can they handle the pressure of being favorites in this series. Mark Hartline must continue the success from game one into game two. He was never a consistent quaterback last year and it will nice to see if he can keep up the good play. The Cardinals forced four turnovers in their last game against Indiana State, so Hartline must take care of the football. Expect to see the use of Randall Cobb in more situations early to put the Wildcats up early. The matchup up front on defense will be the key for Kentucky. Pressuring Louisville quarterback Justin Burke is a must for the Wildcats as this is Burke's first start in the series and his big time rivalry game. Kentucky has one of the best run stuffing defenses in the SEC, so it will be on Burke's shoulders if Louisville is to win this game.
Kentucky 27 Louisville 17
Florida Atlantic at South Carolina
What team will show up for the Gamecocks' home opener? The defensive led team that scored seven points against N.C. State or the Stephen Garcia led squad tat scored 37 points in a loss to Georgia. Even in a loss, South Carolina looked better than they have in recent years. South Carolina does have some dilemma in thus game against Florida Atlantic though. Can Garcia be consistent and can they get the running game going? The rushing attack needs to get going heading into Ole Miss next week. Owls quarterback Rusty Smith will give the defense a good test a week before Jevan Snead comes to Columbia.
South Carolina 42 Florida Atlantic 17
Mississippi St. at Vanderbilt
Two teams looking to bounce back from opening SEC losses. Vanderbilt has a really good defense, but is having trouble scoring points, especially behind a passing game. But that may not be a bad thing in facing the Bulldogs from Mississippi St., who had trouble stopping the Auburn rushing attack last week. Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy will have a big game running the ball.
Vanderbilt's defense will provide another good test to see how for the spread has come along for the Bulldogs. Anthony Dixon will continue to help the transition, but for Dan Mullen's version of the spread to take off he needs better quarterback play and needs to settle on just one. Chris Relf is the better playmaker and should be the starter, but he will take his lumps, including this week against a very confusing, blitzing Vanderbilt defense.
Vanderbilt 14 Mississippi St. 13
Confidence: 6
North Texas vs Alabama
In another SEC game of who cares? Alabama must find a way to get a quick start against a very bad North Texas team. The intensity just isn't there in these game that shouldn't be played. Two things to figure out for the Crimson Tide: covering kickoffs and get Julio Jones more involved, without getting him hurt.
Alabama 42 North Texas 6
Confidence: 10
West Virginia at Auburn
Revenge game for the Tigers. It started well last year against the Mountaineers, then fell from there. West Virginia held Auburn to 79 yards in the second half and outgained the Tigers 445-260 and scoring 31 unanswered points in the 34-17 win. This is a different Auburn team, plus the game is in Auburn. The Tigers' running game will wear down the Mountaineers on the legs of Ben Tate and Onterio McCalebb and a hungry offensive line. Chris Todd is doing enough at quarterback right now to win games, but look for him to break out this game.
West Virginia's Jarrett Brown has yet to be sacked in two games and he ranks eighth in the nation in total offense and 11th in pass efficiency. The Auburn defense will have their hands full as Brown is a playmaker, along with running back Noel Devine..
Auburn 30 West Virginia 20
Confidence: 8
UL Lafayette at LSU
Like Alabama, LSU wants to see I if they can get some intensity early in games. Playing an opponent that is so overmatched will give the Tigers the opportunity to get the running game going behind Charles Scott, but must also find a way to open up the offense for Jordan Jefferson and the wide receivers.
LSU 55 UL Lafayette 9
Confidence: 10
SE Louisiana at Ole Miss
Really? Another one of these games. There is not much game planning going on in these games, unless for the next opponent, which is South Carolina for Ole Miss. After an injury to Greg Hardy, Houston Nutt will look to get up big and then pull his starters in time to keep his players healthy for SEC play. The defense needs to play with urgency and work on stopping the run.
Ole Miss 48 SE Louisiana 7
Confidence: 10
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