Week 1 Recap: What we learned about every SEC East team

With Saturday’s games behind us, we are now able to start figuring out what we’ll see from these teams throughout the season.

The SEC East had mixed bag of results in the opening weekend. Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee looked impressive in their season-opening wins. South Carolina and Vanderbilt were embarrassed, Missouri was “so-so” and Florida’s game was cancelled due to weather.

Here’s what we’ve learned so far about each SEC East team.

Florida Gators

Week 1 result: Game cancelled vs Idaho

What we learned: The most important thing we learned about Florida this weekend is that it rains…a lot in The Swamp. The only play of the game was a Valdez Showers (you can’t make this up) kickoff return that he took all the way to the 14-yard line. The Florida faithful remained patient through the numerous rain/lightning delays, but in the end the field conditions were deemed unsafe. There’s no word yet on whether the game will be rescheduled, but the Gators will have to wait until next Saturday to get their season started against Eastern Michigan.

Georgia Bulldogs

Week 1 result: Defeated Clemson, 45-21

What we learned: Georgia was the SEC East most impressive team this past weekend. After a sluggish first half for the defense, Georgia clamped down and shut out Clemson in the second half. Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt showed off his 3-4 defense and linebacker Leonard Floyd took control, finishing the game with seven tackles and two sacks.

The story of the game, however, was running back Todd Gurley. Like a man possessed, Gurley did anything and everything he wanted to do against Clemson. A 100-yard kick return for a touchdown? Yeah, he did that. Run for three touchdowns? Did that too. Gurley’s 198-yard rushing performance was an explosive beginning to what’s assumed to be a Heisman-type season for the junior running back.

It may have been a slow start for Georgia, but like they say – it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.

Kentucky Wildcats

Week 1 result: Defeated UT Martin, 59-14

What we learned: Yes, it’s week one. Yes, it’s UT Martin. However, there’s no denying the eye-catching nature in which the Wildcats won on Saturday. They scored early and often, putting up 52 consecutive points against the Skyhawks. What jumped out to those who watched Kentucky this weekend was athleticism. The Wildcats looked like an SEC team with SEC size and SEC speed.

Everyone will see just how improved Kentucky when they travel to The Swamp to face the Gators in two weeks.

Missouri Tigers

Week 1 result: Defeated South Dakota State, 38-18

What we learned: If you are a Missouri fan, you have to like what you saw out of quarterback Maty Mauk. Granted, he only threw for 178 yards, but his three touchdowns and ability to improvise during plays makes him exciting to watch.

Missouri’s secondary is cause for concern after Saturday’s game. The defensive backs didn’t give up a touchdown, but were susceptible to giving up longer pass plays. SDSU’s freshman wide receiver Jake Wieneke caught six passes for 107 yards. Missouri’s defensive line remains stout behind Markus Golden and Shane Ray, who combined for 2.5 sacks this weekend. All in all, it was nothing too impressive from the Tigers, but a win nonetheless.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Week 1 result: Lost to Texas A&M, 52-28

What we learned: Going into last Thursday’s game against the Aggies, South Carolina was regarded as the favorites in the SEC East. It looks like that may have been an overreaction. There’s plenty of football left this year, but the Gamecocks were not very good in front of a sold-out Williams-Brice Stadium.

The defense allowed 680 yards, including 511 passing yards from sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill, who was making his first collegiate start. They looked lost, slow and incapable of stopping Hill or any of the other of the weapons on offense for the Aggies. Their defensive line got no pressure on hill, making things even easier as the game went on. South Carolina is replacing several key players from last year’s defense, but it appears they’re farther away from regaining their form than we originally thought.

Tennessee Volunteers

Week 1 result: Defeated Utah State, 38-7

What we learned: Tennessee Volunteers football is back! Ok, maybe not yet, but last night was a good start. Against a good Utah State team, Tennessee dominated them in all facets of the game. Quarterback Justin Worley looked strong, throwing for 273 yards and three touchdowns. Linebacker AJ Johnson continued to do AJ Johnson-type things, racking up nine tackles, picking off a pass and forcing a fumble.

Most importantly for the Volunteers, it seemed the energy of the Tennessee glory days was resurrected in Neyland Stadium. It was their first sellout crowd since 2007 and the fans were rocking all night. The Vols have an incredibly tough 2014 schedule, but it was a strong start for Rocky Top.

Vanderbilt Commodores

Week 1 result: Lost to Temple, 37-7

What we learned: Yikes. Is there a reset button? After being delayed nearly two hours, the Commodores took the field in their fancy, all-black (and slightly illegal) “Anchor Down” uniforms. A few hours after that, they left the field after being embarrassed by Temple.

Head coach Derek Mason’s debut was less than ideal. The offense struggled all night and the defense wasn’t much better. Despite naming Patton Robinette the start prior to Thursday, Mason ended up playing three different quarterbacks throughout the game, none of whom did very well. If this performance was any indication of the things to come, it’ll be a rough first season in the post-James Franklin era.

Things don’t get any easier for the ‘Dores next week, who take on the Ole Miss Rebels in Nashville, Tenn.