College Football
What The SEC Learned In Week One
The SEC is college football’s king of all conferences. Nowhere is there found as many teams that could win other conferences were they there. No where is there a better litany of players that take the gridiron each week. What did the SEC learn in week one?
Ole Miss is a dangerous team
First was there a more powerful performance in week one than Ole Miss’ win over Texas Tech? The Rebels with seemingly nothing to play because of Hugh Freeze’s indiscretions. Ole Miss, however, came out swinging allowing the SEC to know they will not just throw in the towel. This is a team playing for more than just pride. The SEC West will not be the same after this season.
Scottie Phillips, running back for Ole Miss proved on Saturday that the Rebels will be a force in 2018. The JUCO transfer ran for more than 200 yards against a stalwart opponent. Phillips showed he can run between the tackles (65 yard TD run) and get to the edge (39 yard TD).
The Rebels win showed a balanced attack. Quarterback Jordan Ta”amu led an offense setting one offensive record after another. The most points in a half. The most points in a game. The most yards in a game. Matt Luke’s team scored through the air, on the ground and on special teams. There seemingly was no way to stop them.
Auburn proves worthy
For those that felt the Auburn Tigers were in the top three teams in the SEC, the Tigers proved them right in the 2018 opener. The Tigers had the toughest task on Saturday night. They opened with defensive statement against a Top 10 foe. Six times the Washington Huskies entered the red zone and crossed the goal line once. Nick Coe (replacing departed jeff Holland) had a sack, 2TFL’s and a forced fumble.
LSU comes out swinging
The LSU Tigers left little doubt on Sunday night that they are ready to rumble. Head coach Ed Orgeron moved to 7-1 in regular season games since losing to Troy last September. That loss was to Alabama. Joe Burrow, under center, at least for one game gives the Tigers a legitimate signal caller. The defense was unmovable against a Miami University team that was expected to play that way against LSU.
Tests to come
This coming week, Texas A&M gets the opportunity to make its argument that it is legitimate. The Clemson Tigers and the Aggies battle in out in the feature game of the week. Trayveon Williams, a sleeper Heisman candidate, gets the moment in the limelight. As he goes, so will the Aggies success.
Meanwhile, Clemson will continue to showcase its co-quarterback offense. If its good for Alabama why not the Tigers. Clemson comes off a 48-7 meaningless win over Furman as compared to A&M’s win over NW State 59-7.
Photo credit to Mike Dunn via Flickr
