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With 12 matchups involving Southeastern Conference teams on the docket, here’s a list of the player to watch in each SEC game for Week 3:
12:00 pm: Massachusetts at Vanderbilt, ESPN3
Ralph Webb, RB, Vanderbilt
Despite his team’s ineptitude on offense, Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb has actually shown signs of life with 165 yards on 32 carries. As the Commodores have failed to do anything positive with the pass attack (zero touchdowns, four interceptions), Webb is the only glimmer of hope for a struggling Vanderbilt team.
12:00 pm: UCF at No. 20 Missouri, SEC Network
Russell Hansbrough, RB, Missouri
Missouri’s offense has looked impressive this season. One of the reasons is running back Russell Hansbrough. Hansbrough has 210 yards and two touchdowns on 38 attempts. He is currently averaging 105 yards per game.
3:30 pm: Arkansas at Texas Tech, ABC
Brandon Allen, QB, Arkansas
Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen is coming off the most efficient passing display by any SEC quarterback this season. Against Nicholls St., Allen threw for 117 yards and four touchdowns on 4-of-5 passing. Arkansas faces a tougher matchup against Texas Tech this week, which means despite less likely odds to put up video game numbers, Allen will see more playing time and throw more passes.
3:30 pm: No. 6 Georgia at No. 24 South Carolina, CBS
Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
What else need to be said? Todd Gurley ran away as the Heisman favorite in Week 1, took a bye week and now faces an SEC rival on the road. Gurley is expected to have another major performance at Williams-Brice Stadium this weekend where his visiting Bulldogs are favored over South Carolina.
4:00 pm: Mississippi State at South Alabama, ESPNNEWS
Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
Dak Prescott has 495 passing yards and eight touchdowns in his first two games. He should continue his success facing South Alabama, a week before the Bulldogs enter their SEC schedule.
4:00 pm: Louisiana-Lafayette at No. 14 Ole Miss, SEC Network
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Despite a strong performance from the Ole Miss wide receiving corps, No. 1 target Laquon Treadwell had a forgettable game with just 31 yards on four catches. Treadwell should bounce back in Week 3 if given more targets. However, Hugh Freeze could opt to spread the ball around against another weak defense.
6:00 pm: Southern Miss at No. 3 Alabama, ESPN2
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Amari Cooper has dominated for the Crimson Tide this season. Whether Blake Sims or Jacob Coker, Alabama quarterbacks love throwing to the junior wide receiver. Cooper will likely have yet another big performance against Southern Miss on Saturday.
7:00 pm: Louisiana-Monroe at No. 10 LSU, ESPNU
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Nothing else needs to be said.
7:30 pm: Kentucky at Florida, SEC Network
Jeff Driskel, QB, Florida
Jeff Driskel has struggled with consistency throughout his collegiate career. But in new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper’s scheme, Driskel looks to have a career season. He will be the most important factor to whether Florida truly has an improved offense in 2014.
8:00 pm: Tennessee at No. 4 Oklahoma, ABC
Marquez North, WR, Tennessee
Tennessee faces a highly favored Oklahoma team on the road Saturday. If the Vols have any chance, Marquez North must have a career day against a talented Sooners secondary. The absence of No. 2 wideout Von Pearson puts even more pressure on the elusive sophomore to have a stellar performance.
9:00 pm: Rice at No. 7 Texas A&M, ESPN2
Kenny “Trill” Hill, QB, Texas A&M
Maybe he has a little “Johnny Football” in him after all. Like Manziel, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hill Sr. attempted to trademark their son’s now famous nickname. On the field, Hill has yet to be stopped and will likely continue to add to his already growing legacy as the heir to the Aggies’ quarterback throne.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
