SEC Round-Up: In not-so-warm welcome, a bed of nails awaits OU

The SEC has welcomed two new teams.

A red carpet was rolled out for one. A bed of nails awaits the other.

SEC schedule makers presented Texas a nice welcome package. The Longhorns’ eight conference opponents had a combined .524 winning percentage (53-48) last season. That’s the second lowest in the SEC.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma faces the league’s toughest slate. The Sooners’ eight conference opponents had a combined .723 winning percentage (76-29) last season.

Six of OU’s conference opponents are nationally ranked. That includes No. 15 Tennessee, No. 4 Texas, No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 11 Missouri, No. 5 Alabama and No. 13 LSU.

The Sooners must be wondering who in the SEC offices they pissed off.

To their credit, the Sooners haven't whined about the grind

“Going against good people is going to make (OU players) better,” Sooners coach Brent Venables said at SEC Media Days. “So, we'll be able to get a really good litmus test going through our schedule this year.”

Litmus test? That’s more like the bar exam.

There are legitimate questions if whether the Sooners are prepared to pass.

Dillon Gabriel, last year’s starting quarterback, transferred to Oregon. His replacement, sophomore Jackson Arnold, attempted just 69 passes last season. He threw four touchdowns and three interceptions.

The defense was merely mediocre in 2023. The Sooners were 112th in the nation in pass defense.

Also, the offensive line is replacing two tackles who were selected in the NFL draft — first-round pick Tyler Guyton and sixth-round selection Walter Rouse.

That could be a concern in the SEC, which bills itself a “line of scrimmage” league.

But Venables seems undeterred.

“I think we're in good shape, and we'll find out where we need to be better,” he said. “Over the last two-and-a-half years we've worked really hard at developing a roster that is balanced, that's strong in the trenches and in all the right places.”

They’d better be to survive that bed of nails.

Around the SEC

This week’s games: Arkansas Pine-Bluff vs. Arkansas at Little Rock; Murray State at Missouri; Temple at Oklahoma; No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M; No. 14 Clemson vs. No. 1 Georgia at Atlanta; Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt; Chattanooga at No. 15 Tennessee; Colorado State at No. 4 Texas; No. 19 Miami at Florida; Old Dominion at South Carolina; Eastern Kentucky at Mississippi State; Western Kentucky at No. 5 Alabama; Furman at No. 6 Ole Miss; Alabama A&M at Auburn; Southern Miss at Kentucky; No. 23 USC vs. LSU at Las Vegas

Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

This past May Kirby Smart inked a ten-year contract extension with Georgia worth $130 million. In eight seasons he’s posted a 94-16 record.

Who’s hot: Of course, it’s Georgia coach Kirby Smart. He’s unbeaten against all active coaches over the last five years. He’s 8-0 in season openers. However, the last time Georgia lost a season opener the Bulldogs fell to Clemson, 38-35, in 2013. But Smart won in his only matchup with Clemson. Georgia defeated the Tigers 10-3 in the 2021 season opener. Under Smart, Georgia has the longest current streak of being ranked in the top 10 of the AP poll. Georgia’s streak is at 50 consecutive polls.

Who’s not: Of course, it’s Vanderbilt. The Commodores lost their final 10 games of last season. That skid included a 16-point loss to Wake Forest and a three-point loss to UNLV. Expect more skid marks with Virginia Tech coming to Nashville.

Keep an eye on: Georgia’s running back situation is unsettled — at least for this week against Clemson. Florida transfer Trevor Etienne’s playing status is uncertain because of an offseason driving-related arrest. Smart hasn’t announced if Etienne will play. Roderick Robinson, Georgia’s leading returning rusher, is sidelined with a toe injury. The Bulldogs may have to turn to sophomore Branson Robinson, who missed last season because of injury. Whoever starts will run behind an offensive line which returns four starters. Last year Clemson was ranked 24th in the nation in rushing defense, but three defensive linemen and a linebacker from that unit were taken in the NFL draft. If Georgia runs effectively, that game could turn into a blowout.

The pressure is on: No coach is under more pressure than Florida’s Billy Napier. Florida is 11-14 in two seasons under Napier. He’s in danger of becoming the first Gators coach to endure three consecutive losing seasons since Josh Cody in 1936-38. That won’t sit well in Gainesville. Adding to Napier’s problems is that eight opponents are currently ranked. That includes No. 19 Miami, which Florida faces first.

Best matchup: USC coach Lincoln Riley vs. LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Riley’s passing offense has ranked among the nation’s top five each of the past two seasons. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams is now in the NFL, so Riley has to get the passing game going with Miller Moss leading the way. He’s thrown for just 840 yards in two seasons. Baker may have even more to prove. Last season, LSU was ranked 118th in the nation in pass defense and 108th in total defense. Baker was brought in from Missouri to plug holes in that defensive unit. Under Baker’s watch, Missouri was ranked 34th in total defense in each of the last two seasons.