SEC Week Two Preview
Athens, Ga. plays host to a pivotal early season SEC East matchup as No. 11 Georgia (0-1) and No. 6 South Carolina (1-0) fight for positioning in the division race. The Gamecocks have won three-in-a-row in the rivalry for the first time ever, but Georgia has rebounded each of the past two seasons to claim the division title. The Bulldogs have started 0-2 only one other time in the Mark Richt era (2011).
No. 12 Florida (1-0) travels to Miami (Fla.) (1-0) for the first time since 2003 to take on the Hurricanes behind junior RB Mack Brown. The Gators held Toledo to just two field goals in week one, and seek to start 2-0 for the ninth-straight season. The Hurricanes and Gators have met 54 times in their histories with Miami holding a 28-26 edge.
Kentucky (0-1) hosts Miami (Ohio) (0-1) following a week one defeat at home to Western Kentucky. The Wildcats could not keep up with the Hilltoppers, allowing 487 yards of offense in a 35-26 setback. Miami (Ohio) opened up with a loss on the road at Marshall. The two teams have split four all-time meetings.
Bobby Petrino and Western Kentucky (1-0) take on a second-straight SEC foe in week two as they visit Tennessee (1-0) in Knoxville. The Hilltoppers defeated Kentucky in week one behind a balanced passing and rushing attack, while the Vols cruised to a shutout win over Austin Peay. Tennessee QB Justin Worley accumulated more passing touchdowns (3) than incompletions (2) in week one.
Missouri (1-0) stays at home for a second-straight week hosting Toledo (0-1). The Tigers easily handled Murray State, 58-14, in the opener thanks to almost 700 total yards. Toledo continues its tour of SEC stadiums after a week one defeat at Florida.
No. 9 LSU (1-0) hosts UAB (0-1) in its home opener after defeating TCU in Arlington to open the season. LSU has not lost a home opener since Les Miles’ first season in Baton Rouge in 2005.
Auburn (1-0) welcomes Arkansas State (1-0) into town for the third time since 2006. The Tigers defeated Washington State 31-24 in the debut of head coach Gus Malzahn, who coached at Arkansas State in 2012. RB Corey Grant rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in the opener.
Five SEC teams play host to FCS opponents in week one. Vanderbilt and Mississippi State go for their first win against Austin Peay (0-1) and Alcorn State (1-0), respectively. Arkansas hosts Samford, while Ole Miss welcomes SE Missouri State. Finally, No. 7 Texas A&M (1-0) takes the field to face Sam Houston State (1-0) in their final tune-up before taking on the Crimson Tide next weekend.