In SEC, defenses do no-show
Defense took the weekend off in theSEC.
The league is knownfor its top teams playing solid defense, but few SEC teams put up much of a defensive fight Saturday. The average score of the seven conference games played was 41-26. Five of thosematchupsfeaturedteamsgaining at least 700 yards, with two games surpassing 1,000yards apiece.
As QB Mac Jones and RB Najee Harris go, so goes Alabama. Jones and Harris combined for 623 of Alabama’s 723 yards Saturday, accounting for seven of the team’s nine TDs during a 63-48 win over Ole Miss. The Rebels exposed some major weaknesses within the Crimson Tide defense, proving a good offense could be the best defense against Nick Saban’s team this year.
Travis Etienne could be Clemson’s MVP. The talented Clemson RB recorded 222 yards and two TDs as theTigers earned a 42-17 win over Miami. Etienne moved into third place on the ACC’s career rushing list with 4,430 yards and his performance solidified his status as a key part of a potential national championship run.
Defensive woes continue to haunt Gators. There’s little doubt Florida has a playoff-caliber offense, but the Gators defense could thwart an SEC title. Florida gave up 500plus yards for the second time this season while allowingTexasA&Mto go 12 of 15 on third down as the Aggies gave Jimbo Fisher his first win over a top-five program since arriving in College Station.
Bulldogs clamp down on the run game.
Georgia’s defense out-played, out-tackled and outmanned an opponent, this time holding Tennessee to minus-1 yard rushing. It’s the lowest output by a Vols team on the ground since 2014. The Bulldogs have held teams to 115 yards of rushing offense through three games with a 1.49 yards per carry average, which is the best in the nation.
LSU not quite up to title defense. LSU dropped its second game after allowing 45 points and 586 yards against Missouri. LSU has looked nothing like the defending national champ through the first three games of the season, with a secondary that’s allowed an SECworst six passing plays of 40-plus yards, including a 41-, 69- and 58-yard passing plays during the loss to Mizzou.
Sooners show grit in OT against Texas. Despite losing back-to-back games for the first time since 1999, the Sooners weren’t ready to write off this season and held on for a 53-45 win in four OTs. A muchmaligned defense sacked Texas QB Sam Ehlinger six times and intercepted two of his passes, including one in the end zone to seal the OU win during a fourth OT. The Longhorns, meanwhile, enter their off week with more questions than answers after losing back-to-back games. Outside of Ehlinger, the Longhorns offense was nonexistent and the defense has allowed 400plus yards in four straight games.
Hogs have plenty to be upset about. You can understand why Arkansas coach Sam Pittman might not be a big fan of officials after his teamlostonaquestionable call at the endof theirgameagainstAuburn. Bo Nix fumbled the snap and tried to spike the ball as Arkansas players jumped on the ball, but officials whistled the play dead and after a review called it intentional grounding. The call allowed the Tigers to kick the game-winning FG.
Kentucky let the air out of the Air Raid offense. After exploding for 632 yards in a season-opening winoverthen-No. 8LSU, Mississippi State’s vaunted Air Raid offense has suddenly deflated. The Bulldogs managed two points and 295 yards during a loss to Kentucky. After tossing five TDs in the win over the Tigers, Mississippi State QB KJ Costello has thrown one TD and seven INTs in back-to-back losses.
Tar Heels hit the gas. North Carolina accounted for close to 400 yards on the ground, helping the Tar Heels offense put up a season-high 656 yards of total offense during a 56-45 win over Virginia Tech. Mack Brown’s team is among the best in theACC, but doesUNChave enough offensive firepower to overcome the bruising Notre Dame and Clemson defenses?