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SEC Fan Nation Week 2 Staff Predictions
Week 2 of the SEC season features all 14 teams in action with a massive non-conference game on the slate and four teams dipping their toe into SEC play for the first time.
No. 1 Alabama will travel to Texas for a highly-anticipated non-conference games. Meanwhile, there are two league games set to kick off the SEC slate.
Staff members from All Aggies, Mizzou Sports Talk and The Grove Report provide their predictions for the rest of the SEC games this week.
Alabama (1-0) at Texas (1-0), Saturday, 11 a.m. Central, Fox
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: Texas might be back, but not in this one. The score may not have shown it, but the Longhorns had some issues early against ULM last week. Bama’s defense is just on a different level. It’s going to get ugly in Austin. Alabama 45, Texas 14
Zack Dimmitt, Staff Writer: Even in a perfect world, the Longhorns would still fall short in this one. In what is for sure to be an exciting game, Texas might be a little too jittery against a Nick Saban-coached defense that once again made it to the College Football Playoff last season. Alabama would have to beat itself, something that won’t happen given the hype surrounding this game and the extra gear that opposing teams tend to find when marching into Austin. Give me the Tide in a blowout. Alabama 45, Texas 23
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Forget about the heat. Both teams have to deal with it and it’s not like it’s cool in Tuscaloosa (I should know — I was there last week). Alabama is where Texas wants to be. This is a measuring stick game. I suspect Texas’ Bijan Robinson will give Alabama a bit of trouble. But that Alabama defense is going to give young quarterback Quinn Ewers a LOT of trouble. Alabama 37, Texas 16
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: The Longhorns trending in the right direction after a Week 1 victory. Alabama is already where Texas hopes to be in the coming years. Alabama 45, Texas 28
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Texas keeps it closer than people expect but can't quite get it done against Saban and Co. Alabama 38, Texas 31
South Carolina (1-0) at Arkansas (1-0), Saturday, 11 a.m. Central, ESPN
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: The Razorbacks have been resurging these past few years. That will continue here. Arkansas 38, South Carolina 10
Zach Dimmitt, Staff Writer: KJ Jefferson should be able to continue his Heisman candidacy in a win over the Gamecocks, but don’t underestimate Spencer Rattler and South Carolina. Arkansas 32, South Carolina 29
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: I feel like Arkansas got a nice test last week against Cincinnati. That was a bigger win than people realize. It was better preparation for an improving South Carolina team. Arkansas 33, South Carolina 21
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: South Carolina needed three quarters to find its offense. The Hogs will be looking to keep their hot streak with quarterback KJ Jefferson alive at home. Arkansas 34, South Carolina 20
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: The Gamecocks put a scare into the Razorbacks, but ultimately come up just short of the upset win. Arkansas 31, South Carolina 28
Wake Forest (1-0) at Vanderbilt (2-0), Saturday, 11 a.m. Central, SEC Network
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: Vandy can’t seem to catch a break. Wake will roll in this one. Wake Forest 28, Vanderbilt 3
Zach Dimmitt, Staff Writer: Wake Forest is getting quarterback Sam Hartman back at the perfect time, but not-so-perfect of a time for the Commodores. Vanderbilt’s promising run toward a third win will be put on hold. Wake Forest 37, Vanderbilt 13
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Any hope of Vandy pulling off the upset ended with the return of Sam Hartman at quarterback at Wake Forest. Now, he needs to shake off some rust, so this will be a little closer than you might think. Wake Forest 31, Vanderbilt 21
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: If Sam Hartman was out for this game, Mike Wright and the Commodores might have stood a chance. Lo and behold, he's making the trip to Nashville. Wake Forest 38, Vanderbilt 17
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: A 2-0 Vanderbilt start comes to a halt as Sam Hartman returns for Wake Forest to secure a victory. Wake Forest 49, Vanderbilt 17
Appalachian State (0-1) at Texas A&M (1-0), Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Central, ESPN
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: The only question here is how much the Aggies win by. Texas A&M 35, Appalachian State 13
Zach Dimmitt, Staff Writer: The Aggies shouldn’t underestimate Appalachian State in this one. The Mountaineers was one of the Sun Belt’s best all-around team last season, finishing second in total offense, defense, and special teams yardage. In Week 1, they proved this was no fluke, as the Mountaineers nearly upset North Carolina. The 63-61 loss was an early candidate for game of the year. A&M will certainly have a target on its back for the entire season and the second non-conference game of the season is no exception. But the Aggies will pull this one out. Texas A&M 34, Appalachian State 31
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Look, Appalachian State is really good. This could be a competitive game for three quarters. But the Aggies ease away in the fourth quarter. It won’t be like App State’s 63-61 loss to North Carolina. But there will be points and there will be nervousness at Kyle Field. Texas A&M 33, Appalachian State 26
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Texas A&M needs better play from its offensive line in run blocking sets. The good news for A&M? Appalachian State allowed over 200 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to North Carolina last week. Devon Achane rebounds before Miami comes to town. Texas A&M 35, Appalachian State 13
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Appalachian State almost pulled off the upset against North Carolina, but it won't be as close this weekend against Texas A&M. Texas A&M 42, Appalachian State 21
Tennessee (1-0) at Pitt (1-0), Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Central, ABC
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: We’ll find out if Tennessee’s for real in this one. Pitt doesn’t look like it is though. The Vols’ offense may stomp on the Panthers, who looked outmatched for a lot of their game with West Virginia last week. Tennessee 56, Pitt 28
Zach Dimmitt, Staff Writer: One of the games of the week. Tennessee is one of the SEC’s most underrated teams and should give Pitt a second-straight week of thrilling action. It’s a toss-up, but I’ll take the Vols. Tennessee 32, Pitt 30
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: I don’t know what to think of this game. Is Pitt riding high or due for a let-down? Odds are it’s a letdown. Tennessee 30, Pitt 23
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: If Mountaineers receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton makes that catch in the fourth quarter, Pitt is starting the year off 0-1. Although they are the home team, the Panthers might not have an answer for Hendon Hooker and the Vols' offense. Tennessee 38, Pitt 20
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Tennessee goes on the road but can't pull off the early season marquee victory. Pitt 28, Tennessee 24
Samford (1-0) at Georgia (1-0), Saturday, 3 p.m. Central, SEC Network
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: After seeing the Dawgs dismantle Oregon, I’d hate to be Samford right now. Georgia 62, Samford 0
Zach Dimmitt, Staff Writer: Give me Samford in the upset of the millennia in this one. Just kidding. Georgia 62, Samford 0
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Samford will score. But, that’s about it. Georgia 55, Samford 10
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Really? Georgia 48, Samford 0
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Georgia wins by a lot. Georgia 63, Samford 3
Kentucky (1-0) at Florida (1-0), Saturday, 6 p.m. Central, ESPN
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: Despite the Alabama vs. Texas hype, this is my SEC game of the week. Florida is riding high after knocking off No. 7 Utah last week, but Kentucky is a snake in their boot. The Gators fall short to the Wildcats in a thriller of an SEC East matchup. Kentucky 28, Florida 27
Zach Dimmitt, Staff Writer: Florida has risen all the way to No. 12 after Saturday’s upset over dark horse playoff contender No. 7 Utah. With The Swamp at their backs for another ranked matchup and an early-season SEC bout, the Gators should pull off another huge win against a Kentucky team that is fixing to be without star running back Chris Rodriguez for the second week in a row. Florida 34, Kentucky 29
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Florida is bound for a letdown after that incredible win over Utah. The game being in the Swamp keeps it close. Kentucky 27, Florida 24
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Florida is the hottest team in college football after its monumental win over No. 7 Utah. Unfortunately, Mark Stoops and Will Levis have chemistry that Billy Napier and Anthony Richardson are still trying to find. Kats by 90... but really 10. Kentucky 31, Florida 21
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Anthony Richardson has another big game to lead the Gators past Kentucky. Florida 35, Kentucky 24
Central Arkansas (0-1) at Ole Miss (1-0), Saturday, 6 p.m. Central, SEC+/ESPN+
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: I foresee potential problems for the Rebels in this one, but they’ll pull it out. Ole Miss 28, Central Arkansas 24
Zach Dimmitt, Staff Writer: It wasn’t exactly the greatest of debuts for Jaxson Dart on Saturday as the Rebels won 28-10 over Troy. The Ole Miss offense underwhelmed compared to what last year’s team was able to do. Of course, this is a vastly different team. Running back Zach Evans was still able to dazzle with 20 carries for 130 yards, but the offense has a lot of growing up to do. Still, the Rebels should get a chance to come out in full force Saturday for what should be an even bigger blowout win over Central Arkansas. Ole Miss 47, Central Arkansas 6
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: Jaxson Dart’s first game with Ole Miss was, well, the first game of a transfer quarterback. Bumpy but ultimately successful. A game against an FCS opponent that likely won’t contend for the playoffs should help Dart smooth out some of those rough edges. Ole Miss 52, Central Arkansas 10
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Dart will have to play better by the time SEC play rolls around. It's a good thing Central Arkansas plays in the ASUN conference. Ole Miss 35, Central Arkansas 10
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: The Rebels secure an easy Week 2 victory. Ole Miss 45, Central Arkansas 7
San Jose State (1-0) at Auburn (1-0), Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Central, ESPNU
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: Something about this game says upset to me. San Jose State 24, Auburn 17
Zach Dimmitt, Staff Writer: Auburn should cruise to a win at home to move to 2-0 before a highly-anticipated meeting with Penn State on Sept. 17. Auburn 52, San Jose State 17
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: I just don’t see the Spartans walking into Jordan-Hare and making this much of a game. Auburn 48, San Jose State 20
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Please don't disappoint the Tigers' fan base, Bryan Harsin. It's San Jose State for crying out loud. Auburn 31, San Jose State 13
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Auburn wins this one handily. Auburn 56, San Jose State 7
Southern (1-0) at LSU (1-0), Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Central, SEC Network
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: LSU desperately needs to dominate this one. LSU 42, Southern 10
Zach Dimmitt, Staff Writer: Southern might have demolished Florida Memorial, 86-0, in the season opener, but this will mean little against an LSU team that will be fired up after Sunday’s thrilling defeat to Florida State. LSU 47, Southern 13
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: LSU has to play one Louisiana-based school every year. It’s the law (look it up). It’s Southern’s turn. At least both schools are in Baton Rouge. LSU 56, Southern 7
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: Please don't disappoint the Tigers' fan base, Brian Kelly. It's Southern for crying out loud. LSU 41, Southern 7
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: LSU takes their frustrations from Week 1 out on poor Southern. LSU 59, Southern 7
Mississippi State (1-0) at Arizona (1-0), Saturday, 10 p.m. Central, FS1
Logan Collier, Staff Writer: Vegas has Arizona as a big underdog in this matchup and I have to side with the casinos here. Mississippi State 34, Arizona 7
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer: I’m not sold on Mississippi State. It’s a road game out west. But Arizona was BAD last year and I don’t think the Wildcats are that improved. The Bulldogs steal one in Tucson. Just don’t expect it to be pretty. Mississippi State 31, Arizona 24
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer: SEC after dark? Expect this game to end with a bucket load of passing plays by both teams. Somehow, Mississippi State walks away with a convincing win at 1 a.m. Mississippi State 41, Arizona 20
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer: Mike Leach faces an old Pac-12 foe, getting a big win on the road. Mississippi State 49, Arizona 35
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