Week 1 was a good one for the bold prediction department. OK, not so much in the predicting things that actually happened area. Still waiting on Utah to get it going in The Swamp, for instance. But it was good to see the entire SEC back on the gridiron, and it got the old bold prediction generator humming again. So here’s a second week of us throwing out the equivalent of a 4th-and-20 deep ball. Let’s hope a few more land than did in Week 1.

Kentucky takes out Florida

Ah, the Florida fans. After their team’s impressive Week 1 performance, surely they won us over in the bold prediction department? Not so fast. The Gators have spent all week with what Nick Saban calls “rat poison.” It would be ridiculous to expect a bunch of 19- and 20-year-old kids not to get sucked into the hype machine. And meanwhile, Mark Stoops and Kentucky live off disrespect. Had Florida lost to Utah, they’d be picked (right here) to beat Kentucky. Does that necessarily make sense? See on Saturday night. Wildcats by 3.

Arkansas opens up on South Carolina, with a pair of big ground games

The week’s other conference game has a similar point spread to UK-Florida. Carolina is an 8-point underdog in Fayetteville. But a few key things here. Arkansas’s run game was strong against Cincy — 224 rushing yards strong. Carolina’s run defense was not so strong against Georgia State — 200 rushing yards allowed. See a pattern here? Looks for Raheim Sanders to rush for 125 yards and KJ Jefferson for 75 more, as Arkansas wins by 17 over Carolina.

UT rallies late behind Hooker’s big game to best Pitt

Tennessee looks like a pretty safe pick over Pitt, as the Panthers had to squeeze out a Week 1 win over West Virginia while UT ran (and passed) wild on Ball State. But maybe the UT hype trail has overvalued what was essentially a JV game for the Vols. Pitt doesn’t quite have enough in the tank to beat UT, but the Panthers will lead by a touchdown at halftime, and it will take a last-minute drive by Hendon Hooker for UT to claim the 38-35 win. Hooker throws for 350 yards in this one, and his 4 touchdowns make him the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

Deuce has 150 yards and 2 scores on Mizzou as K-State wins

Missouri’s defense was up to the Week 1 task of looking significantly better than its 2021 counterparts. But it gets serious in a hurry this week, as Kansas State’s Deuce Vaughn comes to town. Vaughn had 1,404 yards and 18 scores last year. The thought here is that while Mizzou has improved on defense, the group that allowed more than 250 yards rushing 6 times last season isn’t entirely gone. Vaughn owns the day, putting up 150 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 35-21 win for the Wildcats.

Wake bests Vandy by 3 touchdowns thanks to Hartman Air Attack

Admittedly, ACC football is not the cutting-edge force that Clemson would love everyone to believe. Wake Forest would be lucky to make 5th place in the SEC West. But this is Vanderbilt its facing. And Vanderbilt allowed 31 points to Elon College last week. Elon College averaged more than 10 yards a pass against the Commodores. Sounds like the makings of a nice return-to-action gift for Wake’s Sam Hartman, who passes for 300 yards and 4 TDs. Wake Forest 42, Vanderbilt 21, as reality comes crashing down on the Commodores.

Gibbs shines as Alabama beats the stuffing out of Texas

For SEC fans, few stories are more satisfying than watching schools like Nebraska and Texas struggle for mediocrity. Steve Sarkisian doesn’t have to hear about the Assistants-of-Saban curse, but he has to experience the wrath of it for the Longhorns. This feels like a game where Jahmyr Gibbs goes for 150 yards, and the Tide treats Quinn Ewers very uncharitably. Alabama 49, Texas 10, thanks to a big day on the ground for Gibbs and a lights-out performance by an Alabama defense that will play 2022 with something to prove.

Texas A&M is the week’s high scorer

Appalachian State is no joke. On offense. See its 63-61 loss to North Carolina last week for confirmation. But it has also allowed 63 and 59 points in its past 2 games. A&M got off kilter in Week 1 because of a weather delay, and Jimbo Fisher will want to confirm that a sluggish offense isn’t a permanent feature for the Aggies. Not only will A&M put up 58 points, but both Haynes King and Max Johnson will throw a pair of touchdowns. Could we be setting up a QB competition again? It’s possible, but mostly this one is going to look like A&M’s offense showing off weapons. A&M 58, Appy State 14.

300-yard passers each way as State outlasts Arizona

Mississippi State will do its thing. It will throw and score. Arizona might not do quite as much of either, but former Washington State QB Jayden de Laura will put up some yardage against the Bulldogs. Zach Arnett’s State defense was fine, but with 1 sack and 1 QB hurry against Memphis, it’s fair to expect the Wildcats to put up some points of their own. Both starting QBs top 300 yards (and Rogers tops 400 for MSU) as State jumps out early, but then gets sloppy mid-game, ending up with a 14-point win in a 4-hour game. 42-28 territory for the Bulldogs here, and if you like passing, don’t blink.

QB controversy at Auburn

TJ Finley grabbing the starting job at Auburn was a mild surprise, and his Week 1 performance against FCS Mercer didn’t exactly lock down the job. And freshman Robby Ashford looked pretty good in his 1st action as a true dual-threat guy. Both will play this week, and Ashford will make enough plays to have a full-on QB competition heading into the Penn State game. Auburn wins this one comfortably, 38-17. But the talk coming out of the game, after another Finley turnover and some head-turning Ashford runs, will be about who the QB is next week. And that’ll be a heck of a question.

Georgia’s defense outscores Samford

So Georgia’s defense wasn’t going to be as good in 2022? Our results say that is FALSE. Wow, what a Week 1 for the Dogs. How will that continue? With the defense outscoring Samford on Saturday. Don’t laugh. Kelee Ringo looks about due for a pick-6 for UGA. And that alone might take care of things on this front. UGA by 40, and the defense outscores the Samford offense.

Rebels run all over Central Arkansas

This season may be a learning experience for Lane Kiffin. He loves to throw the ball, but these Rebels, with Jaxson Dart at QB, are probably at their best playing a little ground and pound. The 266 rushing yards Ole Miss had against Troy in Week 1 are a good starting place, and it will go for 350 yards on the ground against a Central Arkansas team that lost a home game to MIssouri State by 13 in Week 1. Rebels pick up a 42-0 game with Zach Evans and Quinshon Judkins each rushing for 100 yards.

Boutte gets right at LSU

After a brutal Week 1, LSU is looking to straighten some things out against Southern. First among those is the relationship with all-everything WR Kayshon Boutte. Brian Kelly knows his season will be long enough without alienating his best player. Boutte will catch 8 passes for 150 yards as LSU rolls. And the odds that he looks a little happier on the sideline than he did a week ago are about the only odds better than those of the Tigers getting an easy win.