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It is never boring in the Southeastern Conference, and Week 2 of the 2024 college football season was no different. SEC fans bore witness to varied results over the weekend. Some teams like No. 2 Texas (2-0) and No. 7 Tennessee (2-0) had performances that put the nation on watch, while teams like No. 4 Alabama (2-0) and No. 15 Oklahoma (2-0) struggled to win against lesser opponents. And then there were the teams with total letdowns. Looking at you, Auburn (1-1) and Kentucky (1-1). Let's take a look at how each team fared, and where they rank in this week's College Football Dawgs SEC Power Rankings.
No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (2-0)
The Bulldogs (Associated Press No. 1) continued their winning ways against the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech (0-2). Heisman Trophy -hopeful quarterback Carson Beck is as consistent as they come. He threw for 5 touchdowns and 242 yards and spent the majority of the second half on the bench. The Bulldogs racked up 498 total yards of offense and roughed up the outmatched Golden Eagles easily, winning the game 48-3. The Bulldogs open up SEC play in the next game against Kentucky (1-1).
No. 2 Texas Longhorns (2-0)
The Longhorns lived up to their preseason hype as they rolled up the No. 17 Michigan Wolverines (1-1). They defeated the defending national champions 31-12. Quarterback Quin Ewers threw for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns, but it was the Longhorn defense that made life difficult for the Wolverines. Texas held Michigan to less than 300 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers. Next up for the Longhorns is the UTSA Roadrunners (1-1).
No. 3 Tennessee Volunteers (2-0)
Perhaps the biggest statement made of the week was Tennessee thrashing the North Carolina State Wolfpack (1-1). The Volunteers handled the Wolfpack 51-10. Tennessee thrived in every facet of the game. Quarterback Nico Imamaleava threw for 211 yards and two scores, and added 65 yards and another score on the ground. Running back Dylan Sampson rushed for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Volunteers' defense held the Wolfpack to 143 yards of total offense, limiting quarterback Grayson McCall to only 104 yards and an interception. The Vols put the nation on notice with the performance and will face off against Kent State (0-2) this week before traveling to Norman, Okla., to face the Sooners.
No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0)
For the second consecutive season, the South Florida Bulls (1-1) gave the Crimson Tide headaches. In 2023 the Tide struggled mightily to move the ball and score points. In this game, it was penalties that kept the game close for the first three quarters. Alabama totaled 13 penalties for 120 yards. Running back Justice Haynes had a 21-yard touchdown run called back and quarterback Jalen Milroe had a 74-yard run called back due to holding penalties. Bama eventually came to life, scoring 28 points in the fourth quarter, and defeated the Bulls 42-16. The Tide hopes to have a more disciplined showing when they face off against the Wisconsin Badgers (2-0) in Camp Randall.
No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels (2-0)
The Rebels dominated the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 52-3. The Rebels put up 655 yards of total offense, and quarterback Jaxson Dart completed 24 consecutive passes to set a new Ole Miss record. Running back Henry Parrish Jr. rushed for 165 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 14 carries. The Rebels' defense held Middle Tennessee to 28 yards rushing and has not allowed a touchdown in 2024. Expect Ole Miss to continue to roll as Wake Forest (1-1) is up next on the docket.
No. 6 Missouri Tigers (2-0)
The Tigers continue to flex their balance. AP No. 6 Mizzou passed for 263 yards and rushed 255 yards, and the Tiger defense held Buffalo (1-1) to 169 total yards and just 55 passing yards. The Tigers will be tested when they host No. 24 Boston College (2-0) in a Top 25 matchup. It will be one of the more anticipated games of the weekend.
No. 7 Arkansas Razorbacks (1-1)
In what may have been the most entertaining game of the weekend, Arkansas fell to No. 13 Oklahoma State (2-0) in double overtime 39-31. The Razorbacks jumped out to an early lead and the offense exploded for 648 total yards. The Arkansas defense held the Pokes' offense and Doak Walker Award Watch List running back Ollie Gordon II to a measly 55 yards on the ground. The game didn't go the Hogs' way, but there were more than enough positives to takeaway. Arkansas welcomes the UAB Blazers (1-1) in their next game and looks to rebound after the loss.
No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners (2-0)
The Sooners eeked out a win against the Houston Cougars (1-1) 16-12. The Sooners are dealing with significant injuries across their offensive line, and the offensive rhythm has paid for it. The other side of the ball has been borderline elite in the first two games of the season. The Sooners' defense held Houston to 318 yards, and only allowed four third-down conversions on 14 attempts. The Sooners have an opportunity to get right in their next game against Tulane (1-1) before they host Tennessee the following week.
No. 9 LSU Tigers (1-1)
The No. 16 Tigers took out some offensive frustration on Nicholls State (0-2), defeating the Colonels 44-21. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier passed for 302 yards and 6 touchdowns. LSU opens up SEC play against the Gamecocks of South Carolina (2-0). It will be a game that may not be as simple as the Tigers may have expected going into the season.
No. 10 South Carolina Gamecocks (2-0)
After being pushed to the brink in Week 1 by Old Dominion (0-2), the consensus opinion on the Gamecocks was not optimistic. Plenty of media members had already written South Carolina's season off as a bust. But then they dismantled a Kentucky team that many had pegged to finish in the upper-middle of the SEC. The Gamecocks' defense held the Wildcats to 183 total offensive yards and only 44 yards passing. "Beamer Ball" seems to be alive and well, but the 'Cocks face a huge test as they host the LSU Tigers in their next matchup.
No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores (2-0)
The Commodores are everybody's favorite early season story. They upset a preseason favorite in Virginia Tech (1-1), and followed that up with a 55-0 drubbing of Alcorn State (0-2). The Commodores rushed for 242 yards against the Braves. Vandy's momentum should continue as they travel to face the Georgia State Panthers (1-1).
No. 12 Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-1)
Mississippi State fans had to stay up late to watch their Bulldogs scrap with the Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0). It didn't start too well for the Bulldogs. The Sun Devils jumped out to a 30-3 lead before Mississippi State's 20-point second half. The Bulldogs gave up 415 total yards to the Sun Devils, 346 yards coming on the ground. State hopes to get the run defense issues fixed against the Toledo Rockets (2-0)
No. 13 Auburn Tigers (1-1)
If Tennessee was the biggest eye opener of the weekend, Auburn's loss to the Cal Golden Bears (2-0) is the biggest eyeroll. Quarterback Payton Thorne threw 4 interceptions and the Tigers only managed 286 total offensive yards. It was an absolute let down for the Tigers and their faithful following after an offseason full of hype—specifically surrounding the potential of the offense. The Tigers look to rectify their offensive woes as they welcome the New Mexico Lobos (0-2)
No. 14 Texas A&M Aggies (1-1)
The Aggies steam rolled McNeese State 52-10 in their bounce-back game after the loss to No. 18 Notre Dame (1-1). TAMU totaled 529 yards on offense, and rushed for 333 yards. The Aggies will open up SEC play against the Florida Gators (1-1).
No. 15 Florida Gators (1-1)
The Gators have been the focus of a lot of criticism since 2023, and head coach Billy Napier has been the focus of many Florida fans' ire. After a drubbing by in-state rival No. 10 Miami (2-0), the Florida expectations became bleak. The Gators hoped to have gained some positive momentum after beating the Samford Bulldogs (0-2) 45-7. If nothing else, there is at least hope for the future of the Gators after Florida started freshman quarterback DJ Lagway. Lagway completed 18-of-25 passes for 456 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Gators face off against Texas A&M in their next game. Both teams have a lot to prove.
No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats (1-1)
What to say about the Wildcats? Kentucky has been a consistent tough out since head coach Mark Stoops has been there. Coming into the season the Wildcats were expected to be competitive and finish in the upper-middle range of the SEC. That opinion changed after they were pushed around by South Carolina 31-6. The Wildcats were held to just 44 passing yards and averaged 2.9 yards per play. Kentucky has a lot of work to do to pull themselves out of the basement of the SEC. The immediate future isn't bright as Kentucky welcomes in top ranked Georgia in their upcoming game.
The SEC is an ever-changing landscape. Stay tuned to College Football Dawgs for power rankings each week.
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