Up means down. Right is wrong. And in Southeastern Conference football, East is West.
The powerful SEC was supposed to flex its muscle last week.
Instead, Alabama fell to Texas, Texas A&M fell to Miami, and Vanderbilt fell to Wake Forest.
Ole Miss did rally to post an impressive 37-20 victory over then-No. 24 Tulane. Does it matter that Tulane was without injured star quarterback Michael Pratt? Well, probably.
Unlike previous seasons, non-conference victories — especially against Power 5 opponents — cannot be taken for granted.
It’s mind-boggling, but the SEC is 3-6 against Power 5 foes.
The wins?
Tennessee opened with a victory over Virginia, which then lost to FBS foe James Madison. Mississippi State edged Pac-12 punching bag Arizona… in overtime. Auburn benefited from two interceptions, a fumble and three missed field goals to edge Cal, 14-10.
Aside from Alabama, A&M and Vandy losses, South Carolina has fallen to North Carolina, LSU was blown out by Florida State, and Florida was outclassed by Utah.
What in the hell is going on?
“I really have no idea,” said Georgia coach Kirby Smart, whose untested Bulldogs have toppled UT-Martin and Ball State. “I mean, I can't put a finger on it or explain it.
"I think that every team you mentioned that beat an SEC team is a really good team, really – really good teams. And most of those teams have been improving for a while. ... And I don't really know why and don't think I have to concern myself with on why because I have enough to worry about with the opponent I got to play.”
Georgia plays South Carolina on Saturday. The Bulldogs don’t have to worry about facing a Power 5 non-conference opponent until the Nov. 25 regular-season finale against Georgia Tech.
Even Alabama coach Nick Saban is catching criticism. And he accepts it. He says he’s deserving of negative critiques.
“In the real world, when you don’t perform and you don’t produce, you probably get criticized,” Saban said. “Sometimes you get penalized. Some people lose their jobs when they don’t perform well.”
A lot of SEC coaches might start looking over their shoulders unless this trend is reversed.
The SEC next looks to Arkansas (vs. BYU), Missouri (Kansas State) and Ole Miss (Georgia Tech) to defend its honor.
Hey, last year, Ole Miss beat Georgia Tech 42-0, if that matters.
Rebels coach Lane Kiffin said it doesn’t.
“I think, nowadays, the year before doesn't mean hardly anything,” he said.
Each week, that’s becoming increasingly clear.
This week’s games: ULM at Texas A&M; LSU at Mississippi State; Kansas State at Missouri; South Carolina at Georgia; Alabama at South Florida; Tennessee at Florida; Samford at Auburn; Vanderbilt at UNLV; Georgia Tech at Ole Miss; BYU at Arkansas; Akron at Kentucky
Who’s hot: Mississippi State running back Jo’quavious Marks leads the SEC with 250 rushing yards. He has had consecutive 100-yard outings against Southeastern Louisiana and Arizona. Big deal, right? Well, it kind of is. Previously, Mississippi State had not had a 100-yard rusher in a game since 2019. Also, Marks needs just one more catch to become Mississippi State’s all-time receptions leader. He’s tied with Fred Ross with 199. Marks leads the SEC in yards from scrimmage. He has accumulated 342 and is averaging 6.7 yards per play.
Who’s not: South Carolina’s offensive line has allowed 10 sacks. Nine were surrendered in a season-opening loss to North Carolina. The Gamecocks were better last week, but it was against Furman. South Carolina is also last in the SEC in rushing offense. Next, they face Georgia. It might get ugly.
Keep an eye on: The Alabama quarterback situation is intriguing. Jalen Milroe won an August competition to be the starter over Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner. Milroe struggled in a 34-24 loss to Texas. He completed barely half his passes and threw two interceptions. If he shows signs of struggling against South Florida, will Nick Saban give Simpson or Buchner a shot? Will the quarterback competition start again and continue throughout the season?
Pressure is on: Florida coach Billy Napier is starting to feel heat — and not from the climate in Gainesville. The second-year coach is 7-8 and off to a slow start this season. He needs a signature victory to ease growing unrest. The Gators play host to Tennessee on Saturday, so that would be a great opportunity. Florida has three main rivals — Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State. Napier lost to all three last season. Should the Gators lose to Tennessee, there’s a good chance Napier will be 0-6 against Florida’s arch-rivals by the end of the year.
Best matchup: Napier can find hope in his defense, which is leading the SEC. The Gators are allowing an average of just 191 yards and 15.5 points per game. They’re especially effective against the run. Meanwhile, Tennessee leads the SEC in rushing. After last year’s Hendon Hooker-led offense, the Volunteers’ reputation is a wide-open passing attack. But this year, Tennessee has been more effective on the ground. Running back Jaylen Wright has exceeded 100 rushing yards in games against Virginia and Austin Peay. For all of Florida’s problems, the Gators are easily the best opponent Tennessee will have faced.
