Arch Manning and Austin Simmons had a lot in common in Week 2, so it was appropriate they got to share something special on Monday afternoon.
That was when the SEC announced its official Players of the Week for Week 2. Headlining the parade of standouts from a wild and chaotic Week 2 were the Texas quarterback, who led the Longhorns to a thrilling comeback victory over then-No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday night, and the Mizzou signal-caller, who directed the Tigers to a solid road win over Kansas in the Border War on Friday night.
Manning and Simmons shared SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for their efforts in those victories that improved the Horns and Tigers to 2-0. It was a signature win for Texas and, of course, for Manning, who put up modest stats (23 of 37 for 195 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception) that didn’t show the leadership he put on display in directing his team from down 20 points in the final period against the top-ranked team in the land.
Then there was Simmons, whose stat line in the 38-21 victory did jump off the charts. Simmons went 19 of 29 for 292 yards with 3 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions.
Manning’s team is now ranked No. 1 in both major polls, while Simmons has helped Mizzou inch up to No. 20 in the latest AP Poll.
Here’s the complete list of SEC Player of the Week honors:
- Co-offensive player of the week: Arch Manning, Texas
- Co-offensive player of the week: Austin Simmons, Mizzou
- Co-defensive player of the week: Caleb Woodson, Alabama
- Co-defensive player of the week: Luke Metz, Alabama
- Co-special teams player of the week: Vernell Brown III, Florida
- Co-special teams player of the week: Vicari Swain, South Carolina
- Co-offensive lineman of the week: Canon Boone, Mississippi State
- Co-offensive lineman of the week: Trevor Goosby, Texas
- Co-defensive lineman of the week: Devan Thompkins, Alabama
- Co-defensive lineman of the week: Daeden Hopkins, Mizzou
- Freshman of the week: Faizon Brandon, Tennessee
With Manning and Simmons leading the SEC Players of the Week honor roll, they will be hoping to also lead their teams to an SEC title in December. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about which SEC teams have the best odds to capture that coveted conference trophy at season’s end:
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
