SEC FACES CHALLENGES IN, OUT OF LEAGUE
Games to watch in Week 2:
MISSISSIPPI STATE
AT KANSAS STATE
SEPT. 8, NOON ET, ESPN
VEGAS LINE: Mississippi State by 9 1 / 2
Despite starting QB Nick Fitzgerald serving a one-game
suspension for violating team policy, the Joe Moorhead era in Starkville,
Mississippi, began just fine as the Bulldogs rolled past FCS member Stephen F.
Austin. Things weren’t nearly as smooth in Manhattan, Kansas, where K-State
needed a late rally to avoid being an FCS upset victim against South Dakota.
WR-PR Isaiah Zuber saved the day for the Wildcats, and he’s
certain to receive plenty of attention from Mississippi State secondary. The
Bulldogs will regain the services of Fitzgerald, but he probably could have
used the tuneup game since he’ll be taking the field for the first time since
his nasty ankle injury suffered in last year’s regular-season finale against
Mississippi.
PREDICTION: Bill Snyder’s KState teams always
improve as the season progresses, but there appeared to be too many things
wrong to fix in one week with an SEC team on deck. The Bulldogs offense will
put up points no matter who is running it.
MISSISSIPPI STATE, 38-17
GEORGIA AT SOUTH
CAROLINA
SEPT. 8, 3:30 P.M. ET, CBS
VEGAS LINE: Georgia by 9 1 / 2
The Bulldogs face their first hurdle as they look to defend
their SEC crown. How high will this hurdle be? If the Gamecocks are within
shouting distance in the fourth quarter, anything can happen.
Georgia got the easy workout it wanted against Austin
Peay, with incumbent QB Jake Fromm taking charge in a 45-0 win so star
recruit Justin Fields could also get his feet wet. South Carolina was equally
impressive against FCS competition as QB Jake Bentley did solid work in a 49-15
win against Coastal Carolina. The defenses, of course, will be much more
formidable this time as league play gets underway.
PREDICTION: It might take a while with the home
crowd in Columbia fired up and the Gamecocks defense flying to the ball. But
eventually, Georgia’s more numerous options on offense will pull away.
GEORGIA, 31-17
CLEMSON AT TEXAS
A& M
SEPT. 8, 7 P.M. ET, ESPN
VEGAS LINE: Clemson by 12
One of the favorites to reach the College Football Playoff
challenges itself on the road. The Aggies’ opening act under Jimbo Fisher
was impressive enough (59-7 over Northwestern State), but they’re about to get
a taste of what life will be like in the extremely loaded division of their
conference.
The Tigers did pretty much everything they wanted in a 48-7
win against Furman, as QB Kelly Bryant took charge and touted freshman QB
Trevor Lawrence got in some good minutes as well. Texas A& M got excellent
results from QB Kellen Mond and RB Trayveon Williams against Northwestern
State, but the Tigers’ defensive front won’t be nearly as permeable.
PREDICTION: Can the Aggies defense make enough
stops to give its sure to be challenged offense a chance? It’s possible, but
unlikely. Clemson won’t pitch a shutout but will score more than enough points
to get out with the win.
CLEMSON, 28-10
PENN STATE AT
PITTSBURGH
SEPT. 8, 8 P.M. ET, ABC
VEGAS LINE: Penn State by 9 1 / 2
The Nittany Lions weren’t alone among Big Ten East Division
contenders who struggled in Week 1. But their narrow escape against Appalachian
State (45-38 in overtime) had to raise a few concerns among fans heading into
this backyard trip.
The Panthers weren’t able to go bowling last year with a 5-7
finish, but they were playing better during their stretch run that concluded
with an upset of Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division champion Miami.
Penn State will certainly get their best shot.
QB Trace McSorley delivered when the chips were down for the
Nittany Lions, as he’s done in the past. But his line still has issues
protecting him, and RB Miles Sanders had trouble finding holes.
Pitt wasn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut in its tuneup
win against Albany, but QB Kenny Pickett was efficient as 10 different
receivers registered catches.
PREDICTION: Yes, Penn State had issues in the
defensive secondary and kick coverage. Pitt can be counted on for hardnosed
defense under head coach Pat Narduzzi, but the Lions should find enough points
to prevail.
PENN STATE, 23-14
SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA AT STANFORD
SEPT. 8, 8:30 P.M. ET, FOX
VEGASLINE: Stanford by 4
This is quite a way to start the Pac-12 campaign with a
potential preview of the eventual championship game.
The Cardinal, of course, must still contend with Washington
and a revitalized Oregon in the North Division, and the young Trojans might get
some unexpected challenges in the South Division.
But regardless of how this one turns out, it could be these
two squaring off again.
When is having your Heisman Trophy contender bottled up a
good thing? Cardinal RB Bryce Love was kept under wraps by San Diego State’s
defense, but QB K.J. Costello and WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside connected on three TD
passes that should make USC think twice about loading the box to contain Love.
The Trojans had a hard time putting away UNLV in its debut, but freshman QB JT
Daniels had a pick-free outing.
PREDICTION: The Trojans don’t have long to fix
some leaks along the front line, and a talent like Love won’t be kept down for
two weeks in a row.
STANFORD, 34-27
