Week 2 Ratings: Texas A&M leads the headlines (and not in a good way)

Although everyone was focussed about a little game in Austin pitching two of the most hated superpowers in College Football against each other, the biggest result against happened in (relative) far away College Station, when Texas A&M was defeated 17-14 by Appalachian State, capping off a wonderful weekend for the Sun Belt.

Elsewhere, Kentucky surprised Florida and made AR looking ordinary, KJ Jefferson led Arkansas to a convincing win over South Carolina and Missouri was kerb-stomped by Kansas State. Most of the other games went to form.

Personally speaking, our big whiff was predicting a Vanderbilt win over Wake Forest. We didn’t think Sam Hartman would be back for the Demon Deacons. And boy, were we wrong.

WHO WERE WE IMPRESSED WITH?

Kentucky’s defense: Everyone was expecting Anthony Richardson to completely dominate the Wildcats defense with his arm and legs, throwing fastballs like Nolan Ryan and sprinting like American Pharoah on steroids. Well, Mark Stoops had something to say about that, limiting him to FOUR yards rushing on six carries, and 14-35 with 143 yards and 2 interceptions. It was vomitous.

Arkansas: There are studs all over Sam Pittman’s team. Against South Carolina, KJ Jefferson (18-21, 162 yards, 1 TD + 67 yards, 1 TD rushing) led the team in the air and was the second best rusher, behind Raheim Sanders (156 yards, 2 TDs). The rush offense hammered South Carolina, putting up 295 and 5 TDs. On the other side of the ball, the defense created three turnovers (two fumbles, 1 INT) while creating six sacks. Look, we know that there are still holes to fill. But the 44-30 wasn’t as close as it suggested. The Hogs were up 35-16 midway through the fourth quarter.

BOY, WAS THAT FUN

Tennessee‘s crazy, wonderful 34-27 overtime win over Pitt was an absolutely awesome game that sadly someone had to lose. Look, we know that Tennessee’s defense isn’t the greatest, but it caused two turnovers, which nicely balanced the team’s offense, which gave away two of its down. Cedric Tillman is a monster (162 yards, 1 TD) on nine receptions, and Hendon Hooker is one of – if not THE – best QB in the SEC. Tennessee is the most fun team in the SEC now (sorry, Ole Miss!).

WHAT WE EXPECTED

Georgia: REPEAT AFTER ME:  “Dear Lord, we’re sorry that we underestimated Georgia this year because they lost all that talent. We’re sorry that we didn’t think that the offense would be exciting, or they’d be playing at such place. Please forgive us and pen them down for a Play-off place now.”  And you know the weirdest thing? Brock Bowers doesn’t even have a touchdown this season. Also, props to Georgia for agreeing to shorten the fourth quarter clock to 12 minutes on Saturday. Winning 60-0 doesn’t do anyone any good.

LSU: While the scoreline of 65-17 was in LSU’s favour, Southern won 65-17 at half-time. Also, we give you the hammered fan on the field, coming to an AA meeting near you, courtesy of his local judge.

Mississippi State: We knew who was going to win when we saw the size of MSU’s line versus Arizona’s. It was only a matter of time. Sure, Mike Leach’s team started slowly, but they didn’t concede a point after half-time. This defense is for real, folks.

Ole Miss: Won 59-6 in a snoozer when the Sigma Nu frat boys probably hit the bars after the first quarter.

SORRY WE EXPECTED MORE

As we mentioned, VANDERBILT’s 45-25 loss to Wake Forest was even expected with the return of Wake’s Heisman contender Sam Hartman, who threw all over the Commodores’ defense (18-27, 300 yards, 4 TD). The good news for Vanderbilt was that they scored 25 points and AJ Swann is looking like a pretty good quarterback (he took over after Mike Wright fumbled and threw an interception).

AUBURN fought, er, San Jose State all the way, finding their first double-digit lead with 12:45 to go in the 4th. Despite his running touchdown from four yards out, TJ Finley isn’t looking like the real deal. We don’t know if Auburn was just saving gas for Penn State, or it was a pile of stenchy gas. Either way, the Tigers neither covered nor played well.

FLORIDA’s Super Bowl seemed to have happened with the victory over Utah in Week 1, because the Gators were flat in Week 2 against a clearly-amped Kentucky side. Anthony Richardson has reverted to ‘Work in Progress’ from ‘He’ll be in New York’ and that’s fine, but what is not fine is the defense, who continually missed their tackles.

YEAH, THEY GOT LUCKY AND WERE PRETTY HORRIBLE

ALABAMA won 20-19 at Texas, but should have lost the game. Had Quinn Ewers not been injured and the refs not deigned to call a blatant facemask as well as holding on Alabama’s winning drive, Alabama fans would be enraged. Right now, they are happy they got out of Austin with the win. The problem for Alabama is what we predicted – they don’t have great wide receivers at the moment. Bryce Young may well win the Heisman this year, but if Alabama’s offensive line can be broken – the Crimson Tide clearly has a problem under center (Texas was getting pressure all day), then Alabama may not win the West.

OH, DEAR LORD

We expected MISSOURI to at least fight against Kansas State, but the 40-10 scoreline said otherwise. This team sucks on all facets of the ball. Brady Cook cemented the fact that he’s not it with a two interception 15-27, 128 yard effort. The offense also gave up two turnovers, too. The most irritating part of it for Missouri fans was somehow their biggest weapon – Luther Burden – touched the ball TWO ****ing times (One reception, one rush). How can Drinkwitz be so stupid?

TEXAS A&M: They were the laughing stock of the SEC last week and absolutely deserved to be. They were outplayed by Appalachian State, paying the $1.5 million for the privilege. Haynes King absolutely doesn’t look the part. You can criticize the offense all you want, but it was King’s bad decision-making that also got him into trouble. The offense is so bad that the only reason to watch the game is for Devon Achane, who’s 95 yards punt return for a TD was something to behold. Should they lose to Miami in Week 3, the Aggies could go 1-5 to start the year. Yeah, not good for Jimbo Fisher.