SEC Blog: Season 21, Week 1

By: Cole Mantell (@lightningdragon)

This season, I’ll be covering the SEC each week as the dedicated writer for the conference. There’s a lot to talk about, and as an SEC veteran, I’m honored to talk about everything going on. It’s a big week for the conference, as we have everything from Auburn looking to continue their regular season winning ways to Tennessee looking to change some narratives. Let’s recap the biggest stories of the week.

SEC – The Untouchable Conference?

No conference fared better in the first week of out-of-conference play. The six teams went a combined 5-1 in the week, with Florida being the only loser of the group. This included a mercy 62-10 win for Kentucky over Clemson and Tennessee’s win over Notre Dame.

There was a lot of talk this season about how the BIG10 might be overtaking the SEC regarding talent. So far, that is not the case. Here’s how all four conferences fared in Week 1, where every team played someone out of conference.

In the ACC’s defense, if you remove Clemson’s mercy rule, the point differential is much cleaner -21. Still, this is the SEC’s world, and we are all just living in it.

In terms of pure numbers as a team, as of the end of Week 1, the SEC is dominating those leaderboards too. Kentucky leads the CFSL in points per game, with Tennessee(!) in 4th. Kentucky also leads the league in passing yards and is 2nd in total yardage on offense. On defense, the Wildcats are tied for 1st in the CFSL with 10 points allowed. Tennessee is in 3rd after allowing only 23 points. Kentucky and Auburn are 1st and 2nd, respectively, in rushing yards allowed per game. And the Georgia Bulldogs finish this list by being tied for 1st in the CFSL with 8 sacks. What a start for the SEC in Season 21!?

Tennessee Makes Statement of the Week

So granted this was one of the two games I called live this week. And yes, it was the final game of the week on YouTube. But if you asked me to vote for a game of the week, this game has my vote. Here’s why.

Tennessee has been a punching bag for multiple seasons, stretching into years. For reference, I started broadcasting in Season 12. The last time Tennessee finished a season above .500 was Season 11. I started broadcasting for the CFSL, won a few awards, and retired from the booth all since Tennessee was above .500.

But with a revamped recruiting class the Volunteers were favored against their opponents for the first time since returning to the CFSL since Season 19. That set the stage for what might’ve been the most exciting night in the history of Neyland Stadium in the CFSL. Yes, I am including Tennessee breaking a 38-game losing streak last season at home versus Syracuse. Here’s why I think this game was more important for the program.

First off, Tennessee is above .500 for the first time in 10 seasons. They also were favored, went out and executed, and at the end of the game won convincingly. QB Sterling Verdugo tied the school record for passing touchdowns. WR Dusty James tied the school record for receiving touchdowns in a game. And a defense that had been historically horrific held a Notre Dame offense (albeit one with only two scholarship WRs right now) to 23 points. The last time Notre Dame scored as few as 23 points in a game was in a playoff loss to Kentucky in Season 18.

So yes, this might seem the simplest of bars to reach for most teams. And there are still questions considering Tennessee still let Notre Dame gain over 400 total yards in addition to a few mistakes on offense in the second half. But consider this: Tennessee plays Michigan State next week, a team that just had a brutal offensive showing versus Texas A&M. They then get Colorado at home. While Colorado will be a tough challenge with their talent compared to the Volunteers, it’s now not inconceivable the Volunteers start the season 3-0. What a story that would be.

The SEC, as discussed, might be the hardest conference in the CFSL to play in. But right now, Tennessee is helping with that label, not hurting. What a turnaround for Tennessee AD CJ Furman and his squad.

Players Who Stood Out This Week

I’ve already talked about QB Sterling Verdugo and WR Dusty James for Tennessee. I’d like to also highlight former 3-star recruit, MLB Taye Allison. Allison was the best player on defense for the Volunteers in their win. He notched 11 tackles, 3 TFLs, a sack, and a fumble recovery for 40 yards. It wasn’t on the scoresheet, but he also nearly had a few interceptions. Talk about a complete game performance.

Around the SEC, Kentucky QB TJ Cunnington made an early Week 1 case for Offensive Player of the Year. He completed 86.8% of his passes en route to 568 passing yards, 6 passing touchdowns, and a QB Rating of 210.4 in Kentucky’s 62-10 win over Clemson.

Georgia HB Jett O’Riley started his sophomore season well in a 30-19 victory over Virginia Tech. O’Riley had 106 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns, tying a school record with Ludwig Friedman.

On defense, Georgia FS Malik Austin had 12 tackles in that same win over Virginia Tech, leading the SEC. Teammate DE Tode Danger (awesome name) leads the SEC with both 5 TFLs and 4 sacks, again all from that same game.

Sophomore Alabama CB Roman Ware was one of just four players in the CFSL this week with two interceptions. And finally, one more shout-out to Tennessee. SS Dave Dennis had two forced fumbles in the win over Notre Dame and leads the entire CFSL in that category.

Ironically, Auburn DE Travis Hurd is also the only player in the CFSL with two fumble recoveries right now.

SEC Results Week 1

Georgia beats Virginia Tech, 30-19

Florida falls to Penn State, 38-26

Auburn beats Michigan, 28-25

Alabama beats Miami, 31-20

Kentucky beats Clemson, 62-10

Tennessee beats Notre Dame 48-23

SEC Schedule Week 2

Tuesday

Auburn vs North Carolina (6:30 PM, Twitch)

USC vs Kentucky (8:30 PM, Twitch)

Wednesday

Ohio State vs Georgia (6:30 PM, YouTube)

Oregon vs Alabama (8:30 PM, YouTube)

Thursday

Florida vs Florida State (6:30 PM, Twitch)

Tennessee vs Michigan State (8:30 PM, YouTube)

Potential SEC Game of the Week

While Rivalry Week starts early for Florida and Florida State on Thursday, keep an eye on Tuesday’s matchup between Auburn and UNC. Both teams won in Week 1, and are looking at continuing their winning ways into Week 2. Auburn had a tough test versus Michigan, and now it doesn’t get easier for the Tigers as they face a UNC team that just manhandled the Texas Longhorns.