Alabama travel to Arkansas for SEC opener
No. 18 Florida @ No. 23 Tennessee, 6 p.m., ESPN
ESPN’s “College Gameday” travels to Knoxville this weekend for an SEC East showdown in Rocky Top. Tennessee put on a show last week, as Tyler Bray completed 18 of 20 passes for 310 yards against Georgia State. The Volunteers took a commanding 41-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter en route to a 51-13 win. Florida survived a trip to Texas A&M last week, thanks to clutch performances by sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel and senior running back Mike Gillislee. After falling behind 17-10 in the first half, the Gators completed a comeback with a 12-yard touchdown run by Gillislee in the fourth quarter. Florida leads the all-time series against Tennessee, 22-19, and has won the last seven meetings.
No. 1 Alabama @ Arkansas, 3:30 p.m., CBS
After a humiliating loss to University of Louisiana-Monroe last Saturday, the future looks dim for Arkansas as the Razorbacks host No. 1 Alabama this weekend. During the course of last week’s contest, senior quarterback Tyler Wilson left the game with concussion-like symptoms after sustaining a hit above the chest. Details surrounding the impact and extent of the injury remain uncertain. His status for Saturday’s game isn’t clear, as Wilson did not practice on Tuesday. The Crimson Tide currently boasts a top-ranked defense in the SEC. However, Alabama will be without one of its four key running backs, junior Jalston Fowler, who suffered what appears to be a season-ending knee injury against Western Kentucky last Saturday.
No. 14 Texas @ Ole Miss, 9:15 p.m., ESPN
Ole Miss and Texas each sit at 2-0 as they prepare for Saturday’s late-night contest in Oxford, Miss. The Rebels churned out more than 330 rushing yards and 538 total yards of offense when they cruised by UTEP last weekend. The Rebel defense, however, has given up more than 300 yards in its first two matchups. Ole Miss will also be without a key member of the rotation in the defensive backfield due to the fact that freshman Trae Elston was suspended for delivering a “flagrant and dangerous” hit in Saturday’s game. Meanwhile, Texas has produced more than 430 yards of offense in its first two contests. Last week, Texas’s defense held New Mexico scoreless as the Longhorns marched to a 45-0 victory.
ULM @ Auburn, 12:21 p.m., SEC Network
The upset champions, who defeated then-No. 8 Arkansas last week, look to knock down another SEC West foe in Auburn this Saturday on the Plains. While the University of Louisiana-Monroe currently rejoices in its achievements, the Auburn Tigers are licking their wounds after suffering a 28-10 loss to Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss. Auburn had five turnovers, and quarterback Kiehl Frazier completed only 13 of 22 passes. The Tigers’ only touchdown came from Onterio McCalebb’s kickoff return. ULM hopes to build off last week’s overtime win against the Razorbacks and go 2-0 against SEC opponents this season. The Warhawks amassed 550 yards of offense in the win Saturday.
Idaho @ No. 3 LSU, 8 p.m., PPV
The Tigers look for their third big win this weekend as they host the Idaho Vandals. LSU pummeled the Washington Huskies last Saturday in Baton Rouge, rushing for more than 240 yards. Four running backs from the Tigers’ offense had eight or more carries, and quarterback Zach Mettenberger completed 12 of 18 passes for 195 yards. LSU has scored exactly 41 points in the first two games of the season. Idaho (0-2) fell to Bowling Green last week by a score of 21-13. Junior Dominique Blackman had an impressive debut as the Vandals’ quarterback, passing for 352 yards and completing 81 percent of his passes. However, yards might be hard to come by this Saturday as the Vandals face the SEC’s top defense.
FAU @ No. 7 Georgia, 7:30 p.m., CSS/ESPN3
The Bulldogs enter Week 3 coming off a win in their first SEC contest of the season. Although Georgia struggled early, it capitalized on Missouri’s mistakes in the second half en route to a 41-20 win. Junior quarterback Aaron Murray threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Missouri’s offense had no answer for the onslaught of junior linebacker Jarvis Jones, who recorded nine tackles, two sacks and an interception. Freshman running back Todd Gurley has led the way for the Bulldogs’ rushing game this year with 165 yards on 18 carries. FAU fell to Middle Tennessee last Saturday, despite quarterback Graham Wilbert passing for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Georgia will return to conference play next weekend when it hosts SEC rival Vanderbilt.
Western Kentucky @ Kentucky, 7 p.m., ESPNU
Kentucky is coming off a big win last weekend, when the Wildcats manhandled Kent State. After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, Kentucky stormed back to win 47-14. Sophomore quarterback Maxwell Smith completed 30 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats also found more than 200 yards of running room against the Golden Flashes as Raymond Sanders led the way with 126 yards. Western Kentucky managed 178 passing yards against Alabama’s defense Saturday, but it also committed four turnovers. Kentucky will need to win this game if coach Joker Phillips wants to have any momentum heading into next week’s matchup against the Gators in the Swamp.
Mississippi State @ Troy, 7 p.m., ESPN3
After handing Auburn its second loss of the season, Mississippi State will look to build on its recent successful run. Junior quarterback Tyler Russell played a remarkable game, completing 76 percent of his passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns. The defense, which didn’t surrender an offensive touchdown, limited Auburn sophomore quarterback Kiehl Frazier to only 125 yards through the air. The Bulldogs also held Auburn’s rushing attack to fewer than 100 yards. Troy is preparing to host the Bulldogs after faltering in its home opener against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. The Trojans threw for more than 500 yards in the loss.
Arizona State @ Missouri, 7 p.m., ESPN2
Saturday night, Missouri got its first taste of SEC football as the Georgia Bulldogs wore down the Tigers in the second half. Missouri fought for the first three quarters, but key turnovers in the second half fumbled the game away. The Tigers did post some impressive statistics, as junior quarterback James Franklin threw for nearly 270 yards against a Georgia defense, albeit a depleted secondary, which ranked among the SEC’s elite last season. Meanwhile, Arizona State looks to continue its winning ways and improve to 3-0. Last week, the Sun Devils put up 510 yards of offense and simultaneously limited Illinois to two touchdowns en route to a 45-14 victory. This matchup has the makings of a high-scoring showdown.
Presbyterian @ Vanderbilt, 12:30 p.m., CSS/ESPN3
Vanderbilt suffered a disappointing loss last week, falling to Northwestern. Quarterback Jordan Rodgers barely completed 50 percent of his passes and was sacked three times. Together, Rodgers and running back Zac Stacy netted only 87 yards rushing while giving up 191 rushing yards to Northwestern. Vanderbilt’s defense also surrendered more than 300 passing yards. Coach James Franklin desperately needs a big win against Presbyterian to get his team back on track. After an offseason filled with high aspirations, the Commodores find themselves at 0-2 as they prepare to host Presbyterian College in Nashville.
Texas A&M @ SMU, 3:30 p.m., FSN
Texas A&M will look for a win this week against an opponent in its home state. The Aggies fell to Florida last Saturday in their first SEC game as a member of the conference. Despite the loss, freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel made an impressive debut, completing nearly 77 percent of his throws for 173 yards. Texas A&M was held scoreless in the second half after taking a 17-10 lead into the locker room. SMU (1-1) lit up the scoreboard last week, shutting out Stephen F. Austin 52-0. Although SFA gained more total yards than the Mustangs, SMU forced 10 turnovers.