The SEC in a Word: Breaking Down Every Team’s Week One Performance

OXFORD, Miss. — If there was a word of the day for the opening of SEC football, it would have been “finally.” Actually, it would have been the word of the four days since teams played Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

But what would the word of the day be for each SEC game this week? Let’s find out as we recap the opening weekend of college football.

Missouri 61, Central Arkansas 6

BITTERSWEET

Mizzou got the win, but at what cost?

Beau Pribula, a transfer from Penn State, played well for the Tigers, throwing for 283 yards and running for another 65. But Missouri’s depth took a hit when backup quarterback Sam Horn was lost for what coach Eli Drinkwitz called “a significant time.”

That could hurt Mizzou down the stretch. The Tigers get Kansas next week and a few weeks later, start a brutal SEC slate. Depth, especially at quarterback, is essential. Just ask Florida State a couple of years ago.

Auburn 38, Baylor 24

INTERESTING

Well, the hot seat just cooled for Hugh Freeze.

Jackson Arnold made his debut at QB for the Tigers and there are smiles all over War Eagleland. Arnold makes the Auburn offense quite interesting. He only threw for 108 yards but he ran for 137.

By the way, Tuesday is Arnold’s birthday. Freeze should get him something nice.

No. 3 Ohio State 14,  No. 1 Texas 7

MISLEADING

Arch Manning is taking a lot of heat for this loss, but he actually outplayed OSU’s Julian Sayin.

This game is misleading just looking at the stat sheet. Texas had more first downs and out gained the Buckeyes by over 100 yards, but the Longhorns shot themselves in the foot. UT had the only turnover of the game and committed six penalties, many of them costly.

But the Horns are going to be fine. Getting into the playoffs with just one loss is a no-brainer.

No. 9 LSU 17, No. 4 Clemson 10

RELIEF

This win was a relief for LSU and head coach Brian Kelly. Finally he does not have to answer questions about not being able to win a season opener.

It is also a relief for quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. He equaled Hesiman candidate Cade Klubnik with 230 yards, but the LSU quarterback did not throw a pick. Klubnik did. He also out-rushed the Clemson quarterback two yards to one.

Harold Perkins reverted back to his freshman season with a five tackle and one sack game.

No. 5 Georgia 45, Marshall 7

CAKEWALK

This was a glorified scrimmage against an overmatched opponent. But the Bulldogs got what needed to be done. Gunner Stockton threw for a couple of touchdowns and his backup, Ryan Puglisi, threw another.

Nine Bulldogs ran the ball and 12 caught a pass. Those players should get even more playing time next week when Austin Peay comes to Athens.

Florida State 31, No. 8 Alabama 17

FORESHADOWING

Let’s face it, FSU looked like an Alabama team from a few years ago, and Bama looked like last year’s Seminoles.

Up front, Alabama was beaten up physically. The Tide was also outrun by FSU. Quarterback Ty Simpson looked discombobulated while the Noles’ Tommy Castellanos looked in control.

Could this be a sign of things to come? One team on the rise, the other on the decline?

No. 15 Florida 55, Long Island 0

UNNECESSARY

Nothing good could come from this game except for LIU got a check for 525 grand and D.J. Lagway got out of the game without an injury.

Florida did get some game experience as 15 Gators caught a pass.

Things get tougher next week as South Florida — who beat Boise State this week — comes to town. It gets even tougher the week after with a trip to LSU.

No. 18 Oklahoma 35, Illinois State 3

EMERGENCE

Welcome to Norman, John Mateer.

A lot of SEC quarterbacks got preseason hype, but Mateer had the best day. The Washington State transfer had over 400 yards of total offense, threw three touchdown passes and ran for another.

It was an eyebrow-raising performance, but this week he must go against Michigan. If he has a good day and the Sooners pull out a victory, get ready for the Heisman talk.

No. 19 Texas A&M 42, UTSA 24

SATISFACTORY

A&M QB Marcel Reed threw for nearly 300 yards and had four touchdown passes, but the best way to describe his game is manageable. He did not turn the ball over and if the Aggies can protect the ball like that this season, it could be a good year.

The Roadrunners are a good team but the A&M defense bent but never broke.

One thing the Aggies need to do is stop committing stupid penalties. Texas A&M was flagged seven times for 50 yards.

No. 21 Ole Miss 63, Georgia State 7

BALANCED

All the attention in the summer was on quarterback Austin Simmons. He threw for three touchdowns in his debut, but was intercepted twice and one of them was a terrible mistake, but he was in command of the offense.

Simmons was helped by the Rebels’ running game. Missouri transfer Kewan Lacy ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns. Logan Diggs appears to be back from a knee injury as he rushed for 91 yards and a score.

Defensively, linebacker T.J. Dottery led the way with nine tackles while Zxavian Harris had five stops, a sack and an interception.

On special teams, new kicker Lucas Carnero made all of his attempts and Australian punter Oscar Bird punted for a 44-yard average in his first American football game..

No. 24 Tennessee 45, Syracuse 26

UPGRADE

Quarterback Joey Aguilar made his Tennessee debut, replacing Nico Iamaleava who transferred to UCLA. Aguilar had three touchdown passes while the former Vol threw for one score, was picked off once and was sacked four times.

Tennessee got the best of this deal.

In the UCLA 33 point loss to Utah at the Rose Bowl, the crowd was 35,032. Not exactly Neyland Stadium.

Mississippi State 34, Southern Miss 17

BULLYING

Not just talking about the MSU mascot, Mississippi State went to Hattiesburg and beat up on its little cousin.

State only led 13-10 at halftime, but came out in the third quarter and took the Golden Eagles’ lunch money, outscoring them 21-0.

Bulldogs’ quarterback Blake Shapin looked sharp as he completed 26 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown. Will Whitson was a stud on defense with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss.

The Bulldogs needed this one. Arizona State comes to Starkvegas next week.

Kentucky 24, Toledo 16

LACKADAISICAL

Kentucky got the season-opening win, but the Cats looked as if they were sleepwalking to get to it. UK only led 10-2 headed to the fourth quarter and traded a couple of touchdowns with Toledo to survive.

A&M quarterback Zach Calzada was anything but impressive, completing just 10 passes for 85 yards and an interception. Not exactly what he was used to at Incarnate Word, Texas A&M and Auburn. Or maybe it was since he left all three schools.

It only gets tougher from here. Ole Miss will be in Lexington Saturday

Arkansas 52, Alabama A&M 7

POTENTIAL

Do not sleep on quarterback Taylen Green. Sure, it was against Alabama A&M, but throwing for 322 yards and six touchdowns against air is impressive.

Oh, he also ran for another 40 yards including a scamper for 26.

Defensively, Arkansas held the Bulldogs to just 69 yards and A&M could only convert one third down.

Next week, the Hogs host Arkansas State, a team they have never played before. After that it really gets interesting with a trip to Ole Miss.

Vanderbilt 45, Charleston Southern 3

SNOOZER

Vandy started the year against Charleston Southern since it appears Brentwood Academy was unavailable.

Diego Pavia did throw for 275 yards and three touchdowns for the Commodores, but considering the competition, he better improve the rest of the season.

The Commodores held CSU to just 135 yards and seven first downs.

Vandy’s coaching staff must’ve been interested in Sunday’s game between Virginia Tech and South Carolina. Those are the Commodores’ next two opponents.

No. 13 South Carolina 24, Virginia Tech 11

INCONSISTENCY

South Carolina opened the game with a seven play, 75-yard drive in less than three minutes to take a 7-0 lead.

Then it got ugly. The Gamecocks could only muster a field goal in the second quarter and nothing in the third. A punt return touchdown, along with a final touchdown in the fourth period provided the win.

The SC defense did not allow Virginia Tech to get into the end zone. The Hokies kicked three field goals and garnered a safety for their only scoring.

If Carolina can put together four quality quarters, it could be a good team.