10 things I didn't see coming during the first three weeks of SEC season
As college football fans, we all profess to know what we’re talking about, especially with regard to our favorite team.
When a freshman becomes a big star, we see it coming since we kept up with him on the recruiting trail. When a senior decides to transfer, we understand because we can recite the depth chart backward and forward.
That being said, Saturdays can also be so beautifully unpredictable. Sure, powerhouses tend to be powerhouses, just like cupcakes tend to be cupcakes. However, sometimes David does indeed slay Goliath, and even the most sycophantic of supporters — up to and including David himself — can be left dumbfounded.
If every five-star stud developed into a first-round pick, there would be less incentive to root for the two-star scrapper. But this sport we all hold so near and dear to our heart never gives us a reason to turn away.
Here are 10 things I certainly didn’t expect through three weeks of SEC action. One? Maybe. Two? Perhaps. But all of them?
1. Appalachian State taking Tennessee to overtime
This was billed as a breakout season for the Volunteers, who were supposedly College Football Playoff contenders.
But by the time their season opener was complete, it just looked like the same old UT. Joshua Dobbs (below) was still limited as a quarterback. Big plays downfield were few and far between. The battle in the trenches didn’t go well.
Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
To paraphrase the late, great Dennis Green, the Vols are who we thought they were. They’ve left a lot to be desired thus far.
2. Meet the new Chubb, same as the old Chubb
In his first game back from knee surgery, Georgia running back Nick Chubb blew us all away with 222 yards rushing against North Carolina.
Wondering what we would get from Chubb was fair. He hadn’t played in 11 months. However, he quickly put those fears to rest early, and then he squashed them altogether with a game-clinching 55-yard touchdown run late.
The fact that he hasn’t been as productive since is immaterial. Even for one week, Chubb being Chubb was a joy to watch.
3. South Alabama pulls a shocker in Starkville
I wrote all offseason long that former Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott was the hardest guy to replace in the SEC.
The Bulldogs learned that lesson the hard way in Week 1, as new starter Nick Fitzgerald went three-and-out twice before getting yanked. Replacement Damian Williams did some good things initially, but ultimately his flaws were exposed.
The Jaguars turned a 20-7 fourth-quarter deficit into a 21-20 victory. Bowl eligibility might be a longshot now for MSU.
4. Extreme quarterback rotation on The Plains
We were told toward the end of fall camp that Sean White had won the three-man battle with Jeremy Johnson and John Franklin III.
But against Clemson in the season opener, Auburn was shuttling signal callers in and out of the lineup like most offenses do with receivers. Hot-seat coach Gus Malzahn simply got too cute for his own good in a 19-13 defeat.
In the end, the trio combined for 15-of-30 for 175 with 0 TDs and 2 INTs. Don’t forget the 10 carries for minus-20 yards.
5. New stars already shining at Arkansas
With quarterback Brandon Allen, running back Alex Collins and tight end Hunter Henry, the Razorbacks were loaded offensively in 2015.
Much quicker than expected, their understudies are already comfortable in starring roles. Austin Allen is as unflappable as his older brother. Rawleigh Williams III is awfully productive. Jeremy Sprinkle (below) has a nose for the end zone.
Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
When the Hogs went into Ft. Worth and knocked off then-No. 15 TCU in overtime, it was time to start taking them seriously.
6. ‘Cats lay a 30-year-old egg at The Swamp
Owners of a 29-game losing streak to Florida, Kentucky was beyond ready to end the curse after coming close in 2014 and 2015.
Instead, the Wildcats were embarrassed in every phase of the game from start to finish, trailing 14-0 after one, 24-0 after two, 38-0 after three and 45-0 in the fourth before a garbage-time touchdown made it a 45-7 final.
UK has now surrendered 131 points through three games. The Gators, on the other hand, have given up a grand total of 14.
7. Twice is not so nice for the Rebs
Up 28-6 on then-No. 4 Florida State in the Camping World Kickoff, Ole Miss was outscored 39-6 the rest of the way to lose 45-34.
Just two weeks later, looking to be the first SEC team to beat Nick Saban three years in a row, the Rebels jumped out to a 24-3 lead and had the Oxford crowd in a frenzy. Surely, lessons were learned in Orlando, right?
Wrong. No. 1 Alabama unleashed its special blend of hell to win 48-43. Don’t make Saban angry. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.
8. The future is now for the defending champs
In typical Saban fashion, he didn’t share much insight into his four-way quarterback competition throughout fall practice.
Cooper Bateman was No. 2 last season. David Cornwell had been in the program a while. Blake Barnett owned quite the recruiting profile. Outsiders assumed that Jalen Hurts, a true freshman, was too green to win the job.
Three games in, Hurts has wrestled the position away from Barnett and may be the most dynamic QB that Saban has ever started.
9. Plenty of chomp to go around in Gainesville
Florida had a tremendous defense a year ago, but five players were selected in the NFL Draft. That’s a lot of blue-chip talent.
No matter. The front four rotates plenty of difference makers, led by Cece Jefferson. The linebacking corps, featuring Jarrad Davis, punishes enemy ball carriers. Teez Tabor (below) and the rest of the secondary might be America’s best.
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Gators have recruited well defensively. That being said, improving last year’s unit seemed unrealistic. They’ve done it, though.
10. Happily grounded in College Station
Cutting it down to the bare essentials, Texas A&M had trouble in 2015 both running the ball and stopping the run.
The arrival of quarterback Trevor Knight has dominated the headlines, but in reality the Aggies are 3-0 because they’ve gone from eighth to second in rushing offense and 13th to seventh in rushing defense.
Knight is yet to light it up through the air. Maybe he doesn’t have to, as A&M is playing a more sustainable brand of football this way.
John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.
