Ad Disclosure
It’s time to look at key questions across the SEC involving Saturday’s Week 3 slate of games:
Perception: South Carolina’s defense is no match for Todd Gurley
The raw numbers certainly back the public’s belief that Georgia’s junior star running back will have his way with Lorenzo Ward’s defense on Saturday. The Gamecocks are ranked at the bottom of the SEC (and nearly the country) in several defensive categories and are giving up just over 5 yards per carry on the ground. South Carolina’s front seven hasn’t met expectations thus far and has appeared tired, often lethargic, trying to keep up with fast-paced offenses.
Reality: Georgia’s Pro-Style better suits the Gamecocks’ front line
Perhaps a leak to keep South Carolina’s defense honest, Georgia’s coaching staff revealed this week that the Bulldogs have several no-huddle package they plan on utilizing this weekend to try and take advantage of the Gamecocks’ difficulties with speed. Don’t buy into it that much. Georgia’s still a power run football team that tries to grind the competition between the tackles and around the edge. With time to breathe and most importantly, substitute between plays, South Carolina’s front seven should have an easier time wrapping up and playing snap-to-snap despite the Gurley matchup. The Gamecocks simply don’t have the personnel this season to have success against pass-heavy, Air Raid concepts.
Perception: Florida’s win over Eastern Michigan revealed nothing
Give the Gators a break. After last season’s putrid showing on offense, last weekend’s 65-point outing against Eastern Michigan came as a satisfying start to what could be a special season for Will Muschamp and his gang. No, Eastern Michigan wasn’t Georgia or Tennessee, but Florida’s performance gave us a glimpse of Kurt Roper’s willingness to let Jeff Driskel air it out (45 times) in a revamped system that plays to the dual-threat’s strengths.
Reality: Beating Kentucky in SEC opener wouldn’t silence critics
Like it or not, Kentucky stills holds the league’s bottom-dweller stigma and that’s not going to change until Mark Stoops and the Wildcats prove they can play with consistency and knock off a quality team. No doubt Kentucky’s unbeaten start is a good sign with solid quarterback play and a stout defense, most of us are expecting Florida to post a multi-touchdown win this weekend based on talent alone. Knowing the public’s irrational desire to overreact over a single game, Florida would need to cover the 17.5-point spread and then some to finally open a few eyes outside of Gainesville.
Perception: Texas A&M’s fatal flaw remains its defense
This is true, to an extent. Considering how many offensive possessions the Aggies are averaging per game (13) this season, did you expect Texas A&M’s defense to be this program’s strength? The secondary’s been an issue, but the Aggies appear to have made a progressive leap up front, specifically rushing the passer. True freshman Myles Garrett’s had a shot at five sacks through two games but only has a SEC-leading three. Texas A&M’s generated consistent pressure and has done a better job stopping the opposition at the line of scrimmage before ballcarriers get to the second level.
Reality: Sample size is small, but there has been improvement
Texas A&M limited South Carolina’s vaunted rushing attack to 67 yards in the opener, but the main takeaway following the game for the Aggie defense was Dylan Thompson’s 366 yards passing and four touchdowns. In Week 2, the Aggies stuffed Lamar at the point of attack and gave up just 243 total yards. Mark Snyder likes what he’s seen from his side of the football thus far even if common observers aren’t yet believers in Texas A&M’s revised defense.
