Off a blockbuster Week 1, there’s still some meat on the bone for the Week 2 schedule.
This is a rundown on the SEC slate and which games are the ones to plan you weekend around and which might be the ones to snooze during the second half.
These rankings are subjective, but also account for league and national impact along with how exciting and how close the games will be. Games are ranked on a 1-to-5 star scale, with 5 being the most watchable game and 1 being the least.
Note that the entire league schedule is on Saturday, so no days will be listed below.
5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There only one game in the top echelon this week, but it’s a keeper.
Oklahoma vs. Michigan (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
A top-20 showdown in prime time pits a couple of teams that still have plenty to prove. Neither Oklahoma nor Michigan played real competition in Week 1 and both have questions about their relative bona fides. John Mateer and Bryce Underwood are 2 of the most intriguing QBs in the nation, and seeing which one gets the upper hand will be must-see TV.
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
That said, there are some very nice games on tap that are just a tick shy of the 5-star competitiveness. Here’s the meat of the schedule.
Missouri vs. Kansas (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
It’s an old rivalry and a chance for Mizzou to make a statement against a team with an impressive dual-threat QB in Jalon Daniels. It’s worth noting that Kansas has given up just 7 points each week, so the Tiger offense is apparently stepping up a notch in competition.
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Ole Miss vs. Kentucky (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
It’s the first SEC game of the season. There are plenty of questions around this game. Is Austin Simmons the big-play threat that he looked like in Week 1? Is Kentucky‘s offense as devoid of creativity and production as it looked? The Ole Miss Rebels feel like much more than a 9.5-point favorite, but this is the kind of game that Mark Stoops has pulled off in his better seasons (although those better seasons may well be past).
Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech (7:30 ET, ACC Network)
Not long ago, the idea that this would be a competitive game would have been shocking. In fact, it’s arguable that Vanderbilt should be the favorite here, even on the road. Brent Pry’s job security is less than ideal and Vandy can continue the Diego Pavia run of mildly surprising excellence.
3 stars ⭐⭐⭐
These games still have some intrigue, just not at the same level as the ones above:
Mississippi State vs. Arizona State (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
With one of the top teams in the Big 12 heading to one of the worst in the SEC, this is a nice opportunity for the league to make a flex. Meanwhile, Kenny Dillingham’s trash talk promises to have the cowbells ringing extra hard. If Mississippi State seemed a little more up for the challenge, this could have been a 4-star game.
Florida vs. South Florida (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
This one could get interesting, as South Florida looked brilliant in taking down Boise State to open their season. Florida is probably safe here, but it’s also an opportunity to hopefully see a few more snaps for DJ Lagway than in Week 1.
2 stars ⭐⭐
Can Alabama and Texas bounce back from Week 1 losses?
Texas vs. San Jose State (Noon ET, ABC)
The story here isn’t competition — Texas is a 36.5-point favorite. It’s how the Longhorns bounce back from their Week 1 loss. It’s safe to expect a much sharper performance from Arch Manning in Week 2 as well.
Arkansas vs. Arkansas State (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
The Arkansas Razorbacks probably don’t get much of a test here, but it’s a chance to gain a little more depth of knowledge of Sam Pittman‘s squad. An in-state FBS team is better than an FCS foe for watchability and for Arkansas’s development.
Alabama vs. UL-Monroe (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
As with Texas above, the story here isn’t this particular battle (Bama, just like Texas, is a 36.5-point favorite), but the chance to see how Alabama bounces back. Given the scorn the Tide got from Week 1, this one feels a little heavier than the Texas game above.
1 star ⭐
And finally, here are the lowest-rated games of the weekend:
Texas A&M vs. Utah State (12:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
The Texas A&M Aggies are a 31.5-point favorite against another batch of Aggies. The dual names might be the most exciting thing here.
Georgia vs. Austin Peay (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Here’s an exhibit as to why top 10 teams don’t need to play FCS teams.
Tennessee vs. East Tennessee State (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Tennessee at least chose an in-state opponent for its FCS game. That’s about the only thing to recommend here.
South Carolina vs. South Carolina State (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
More of the same, with another highly-ranked SEC team playing an FCS squad that couldn’t beat them in 20 years.
LSU vs. Louisiana Tech (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Well, LSU chose to play an FBS team, although as a 37.5-point favorite, the most interesting thing here is probably seeing some of LSU’s bench players get some snaps.
Auburn vs. Ball State (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
The Auburn Tigers are 43.5-point favorites. Seeing how the passing game develops from Week 1 is probably the story to watch here.
Joe Cox is a columnist for Saturday Down South. He has also written or assisted in writing five books, and his most recent, Almost Perfect (a study of baseball pitchers’ near-miss attempts at perfect games), is available on Amazon or at many local bookstores.
