SEC Western Division:
No. 2 LSU (1-0, 1-0)This week: vs. No. 9 Virginia TechLast week: W 45-0 Mississippi State
The highly-touted LSU defense lived up to preseason expectations this past Thursday in a 45-0 win at Mississippi State, causing seven turnovers, while limiting the Bulldogs to just 10 rushing yards. LSU faces No. 9 Virginia Tech in their home opener Saturday. The Tigers were defeated by Virginia Tech 26-8 in 2002, the only time the two teams ever met. “We look forward to being at home,” Miles said. “Opening on the road was a challenge. We look forward to [ESPN’s] College GameDay and it being a great event. We understand very fully that we’re playing a very talented Virginia Tech team, and we understand the very difficult time that campus and that state has been through.”
No. 17 Auburn (1-0)This week: vs. South FloridaLast week: W 23-13 Kansas State
The Tigers trailed Kansas State 13-9 with less than three minutes to play Saturday, but Auburn rallied to score two touchdowns, including a defensive touchdown to preserve a 23-13 win. Auburn will again be without starting running back Brad Lester. The junior rushed for 510 yards and nine touchdowns this past season but has yet to be cleared academically by Auburn.
No. 18 Arkansas (1-0)This week: byeLast week: W 46-26 Troy
Juniors Darren McFadden and Felix Jones dominated for Arkansas, rushing for a combined 280 yards in 36 carries. The Razorbacks did fumble six times against Troy, something Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said his team will work on during the bye week. The Razorbacks return to action Sept. 15 at Alabama.
Alabama (1-0)This week: at VanderbiltLast week: W 52-6 Western Carolina
The Nick Saban era in Tuscaloosa kicked off with a 52-6 win over Western Carolina. The Crimson Tide dominated in the trenches, gaining 313 yards rushing on 44 carries for the game, while holding Western Carolina to just 76 rushing yards on 39 carries. Alabama begins conference play this weekend following a 2-6 SEC record this past season.
Mississippi (1-0)This week: vs. MissouriLast week: W 23-21 Memphis
The Rebels nearly lost a 23-0 lead over Memphis on Saturday, before winning 23-21. Junior defensive back Dustin Mouzon saved the day for the Rebels recording two interceptions, one of which he returned 100 yards for an Ole Miss touchdown. Mouzon also deflected Memphis quarterback Martin Hankins’ 2-point conversion pass with less than a minute to play to seal the victory for the Rebels.
Mississippi State (0-1, 0-1)This week: at TulaneLast week: L 45-0 LSU
The Bulldogs’ season opener could not have gone more poorly for junior quarterback Michael Henig, who completed just 11 of his 28 passes while throwing six interceptions in a 45-0 loss to LSU. Despite the poor outing, Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom said Henig will again start for the Bulldogs this weekend against Tulane. The Bulldogs were defeated by the Green Wave 32-29 this past season, but Henig did not see playing time in that contest.
SEC Eastern Division:
No. 4 Florida (1-0)This week: vs. TroyLast week: W 49-3 Western Kentucky
The Gators battled the elements, overcoming two lightening delays to beat Western Kentucky 49-3 on Saturday. Sophomore Tim Tebow looked solid in his first career start, passing for over 300 yards with four total touchdowns. Despite the Gators’ 46-point victory, Florida coach Urban Meyer said his team did not play up to his expectations. “We overmatched our opponent,” Meyer said. “We did not play very well, but we overmatched our opponent. And that has to change as we are getting closer and closer because we’re playing a much better opponent this week.”
No. 11 Georgia (1-0)This week: vs. South CarolinaLast week: W 35-14 Oklahoma State
Sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford was efficient in Georgia’s 35-14 season-opening win against Oklahoma State, completing 18 of 24 passes for two touchdowns. Georgia coach Mark Richt said the Bulldogs will have to run the ball more efficiently Saturday after averaging just three yards per carry this past Saturday against the Cowboys.
No. 24 Tennessee (0-1)This week: vs. Southern MississippiLast week: L 45-31 California
The Volunteers did not have the fire power to keep up with California’s explosive offense, giving up nearly 500 total yards in a 45-31 loss. Senior quarterback Eric Ainge showed no ill effects from a mid-week hand injury, completing 32 of his 47 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns. The Volunteers were victimized by turnovers and special teams, losing a costly fumble while giving up a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown to California junior receiver DeSean Jackson.
South Carolina (1-0)This week: at GeorgiaLast week: W 28-14 University of Louisiana-Lafayette
The Gamecocks were sloppy in a 28-14 win over the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, allowing more than 250 rushing yards to the Rajun Cajuns. “I was hoping we were past those kinds of games,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said. ” We’re not past the way we’ve been playing around here. It’s frustrating, but it is what it is. We’ve got to keep coaching. We’ve got to keep making changes.” South Carolina travels to Athens this weekend to take on Georgia. The Gamecocks were shutout 18-0 this past season against the Bulldogs, only gaining 255 yards of total offense.
Kentucky (1-0)This week: vs. Kentucky StateLast week: W 50-10 Eastern Kentucky
Kentucky used a balanced attack to score early and often in a 50-10 win over Eastern Kentucky. The Wildcats rushed and passed for more than 280 yards, keeping Eastern Kentucky off balance defensively. The 50-point offensive output is the most for Kentucky since the Wildcats scored 51 points against Indiana on Sept. 18, 2004.
Vanderbilt (1-0)This week: vs. AlabamaLast week: W 41-17 Richmond
Junior receiver Earl Bennett made his case to be the early leader in the Heisman Trophy race, recording 13 receptions for 223 yards and three touchdowns in Vanderbilt’s 41-17 win over Richmond. The Commodores have won just six of their last 32 Southeastern Conference games so Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said it is important for his team to get off to a good start against Alabama this Saturday.
—Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]