Missouri hung with Georgia for three quarters Saturday, but coach Gary Pinkel's squad might not be ready to contend in the SEC East this year. (US Presswire) |
We had five burning questions last week heading into week two of SEC action. Thankfully, we got some answers.
1. How will Texas A&M and Missouri look in their first SEC games?
A: Not bad, but they’re not ready to contend in the conference based on Saturday’s results. The Aggies came out strong, building a 17-7 lead on Florida, but they only had 65 yards of total offense in the second half. The Gators stormed back to rally for a 20-17 win in College Station. Missouri hung with Georgia for three quarters, but the fourth was all Bulldogs. Big plays from WR Marlon Brown and LB Jarvis Jones sealed a 41-20 win. The Tigers and Aggies showed some talent, but the overall depth from Florida and Georgia prevented either from getting a win in their SEC debut.
2. Can week one's breakout players (Georgia RB Todd Gurley, Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon, Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson) follow up in week two?
A: For the most part, yes. Yeldon had six carries for 35 yards in a 35-0 win over Western Kentucky, but he was a threat out of the backfield, catching four passes for 47 yards. Gurley continues to impress. He had 10 carries for 65 yards, and his fourth quarter touchdown all but sealed the win over Missouri. Patterson was electric again. He had a 61-yard kickoff return, three receptions for 71 yards and one carry for 18 yards. It looks like all three are here to stay.
3. Who survives between Auburn and Mississippi State?
A: Mississippi State did more than survive this one. It thrived in a 28-10 victory -- the first win over an SEC West opponent not named Ole Miss in coach Dan Mullen’s tenure. After three of the past four in this series went down to the final possession, this one was well in hand for the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter. Three touchdown passes from QB Tyler Russell and two interceptions from CB Johnthan Banks played a big role in this one.
4. Is Johnny Manziel the answer at QB for Texas A&M?
A: Yes. He wasn’t perfect, but Manziel played well enough to give the Aggies a chance against Florida. His numbers: 23-of-30 passing (76.7 percent) for 173 yards. He didn’t throw any interceptions and he added 60 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The offense was sluggish in the second half after a hot start, but there doesn’t appear to be any QB controversy for coach Kevin Sumlin.
5. How deep is the conference?
A: Some mixed results on this one. Most damaging to the SEC was Arkansas’ 34-31 overtime loss to Louisiana-Monroe. The Razorbacks have to be removed from the conversation of elite teams after blowing a 28-14 lead in the fourth quarter. On the bottom end, Kentucky surprised some with a convincing 47-14 win over Kent State. Ole Miss had no problem with UTEP on its way to a 28-10 victory. Vanderbilt was disappointing in a 23-13 loss at Northwestern.
For more up-to-the minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Larry Hartstein and Daniel Lewis, follow @CBSSportsSEC.