By Matt Smith
SouthernPigskin.com

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Quarterback Anthony Richardson was brilliant, scoring the game-winning touchdown, rushing for an earlier long touchdown, and somehow avoiding a sack to convert a key two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter.

Thoughts and Musings

-The expected effect of losing so much talent off of last years national championship team did not materialize for No. 3 Georgia in Saturdays 49-3 trouncing of No. 11 Oregon in Atlanta. Stetson Bennett IV looked nothing like a game manager in lighting up the Ducks for 368 yards through the air, while the defense showed it still has a ton of playmakers with some huge plays in the secondary from Malaki Starks and Christopher Smith. The perception of a small gap between the 8Dawgs and Alabama and Ohio State appears to not match reality after one week.

-The SEC game of the week was in Gainesville, as a back-and-forth battle between No. 7 Utah and Florida went to the Gators, 29-26. Quarterback Anthony Richardson was brilliant, scoring the game-winning touchdown, rushing for an earlier long touchdown, and somehow avoiding a sack to convert a key two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter. His athleticism was the difference against a stout but not freakishly athletic Utes team. Linebacker Amari Burney sealed the win in the final seconds with an interception in the end zone on an ill-advised throw from Utah quarterback Cameron Rising. A game that looked to be great on paper was even greater in real life. Floridas month of big games continues next week when Kentucky rolls into The Swamp, and no, Utah (and the Pac-12) are not out of the CFP picture. Please, stop talking about the CFP right now.

-Cincinnatis regular-season winning streak, which dated back to Black Friday in 2019, came to an end Saturday afternoon in Fayetteville, as No. 19 Arkansas took an early lead and never relinquished it despite being unable to bury the young but dangerous 23rd-ranked Bearcats. K.J. Jefferson had a hand in all four touchdowns, throwing three and running for the games first score. The receiving corps without Treylon Burks had a strong start, with tight end Trey Knox leading the way with 75 yards and two touchdowns, while transfers Jadon Haselwood and Matt Landers had three catches each. Alabama transfer Drew Sanders already looks like a stud as an edge rusher.

-The final Week 1 spotlight game was the wildest, as Florida State survived a late collapse with a blocked extra point to ruin Brian Kellys LSU debut, 24-23. It was a sloppy game, with LSUs Malik Nabers fumbling two punts deep in his own territory, and the Seminoles coughing it up on a toss play late when a mere kneeldown and chip shot field goal would have clinched the game. LSU also lost a potential star in defensive tackle Massan Smith, who injured his knee celebrating a play in the first quarter. Kelly has work to do, as the talent level at offensive line and defensive back is a far cry from that of recent top Tigers teams. I like this team late much more than early, predicting a 3-3 start before a strong close, but this game was not one of the three losses. If LSU stumbles at home to Mississippi State in two weeks, the Kelly honeymoon in Baton Rouge will officially be over.

-South Carolinas 35-14 win over Georgia State looks far more dominant than it actually was, as the Gamecocks trailed 14-12 in the second half and were outgained by a dangerous Panthers team. Spencer Rattler was adequate in his South Carolina debut, but certainly didnt wow, which is a concern with Arkansas and Georgia up next. Credit to Shane Beamers team, however, which performed well in close games last year and made the important plays at the right time once again on Saturday night despite an overall up-and-down performance.

-It was good to see some new receiving options emerge at Mississippi State and No. 6 Texas A&M. Rara Thomas, Caleb Ducking and Rufus Harvey all caught touchdown passes for the Bulldogs in their 49-23 rout of Memphis. For the Aggies, true freshmen Evan Stewart and Chris Marshall had impressive debuts to help complement Ainias Smith’s 164-yard, two-touchdown day in a weather-impacted 31-0 blanking of Sam Houston State. Things pick up for both teams next week with the Bulldogs heading west to face improving Arizona and the Aggies welcoming Appalachian State to College Station after the Mountaineers scored 40 fourth-quarter points in a wild 63-61 loss to North Carolina.

-Jaxson Dart appeared to have won the Ole Miss quarterback battle, making his first start for the No. 21 Rebels and completing two-thirds of his 27 passes with one touchdown and one interception in a 28-10 win over Troy. It wasnt an eye-popping day for Dart, but he did nothing to lose the job. However, Lane Kiffin’s plan is to mimic Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and start Luke Altmyer on Saturday night against Central Arkansas. Like the Wolverines, the Rebels have time to solve this dilemma before the schedule toughens in October. Regardless of whos under center, TCU transfer running back Zach Evans looks like the workhorse for the Ole Miss offense, toting the ball 20 times for 130 yards.

-There wasnt much to glean from No. 1 Alabamas 55-0 win over Utah State. No top receiver has emerged, as three different guys had five receptions to share the team high. Bryce Young had five touchdown passes, but did complete just 18 of 28 passes, his fifth straight game with a completion percentage below 65 percent. On to Texas next week.

-Missouri freshman wide receiver Luther Burden III looks like the real deal. The Tigers always seem to have one stud on offense. With running back Tyler Badie gone, this year, that player is the 5-star recruit from St. Louis who can be used in the backfield and as a traditional wideout.

-Cant wait for Tennessee-Pittsburgh next week. The game will almost certainly take four hours, however, with a lot of passing and plenty of penalty flags and gamesmanship. Well get our first indication of how much improvement the Vols defense has made in their second season with the current staff.

-It was another bad opponent in Elon, but Vanderbilt is now 2-0, and quarterback Mike Wright has 10 total touchdowns in two games. Progress. Wake Forest heads to Music City next Saturday for a telling litmus test for the Commodores.

-Two interceptions for T.J. Finley in Auburns 42-16 win over Mercer may have opened the door for Robby Ashford. I would not expect Ashford to start this week against San Jose State, but perhaps his role increases with another blowout win likely prior to Penn States visit to The Plains on Sept. 18.

Non-SEC Results that Surprised Me

1. Syracuse 31, Louisville 7

2. Old Dominion 20, Virginia Tech 17

3. Nevada 38, Texas State 14

4. Rutgers 22, Boston College 21

5. James Madison 44, Middle Tennessee 7

Top 25

Sorry, I know we all love rankings, but its too soon. Do I have to rank Syracuse because they throttled a decent opponent? Ill avoid that decision. Check back after Week 3 when everyone (OK, not you, Michigan) has played at least one team with a pulse.

Week 2 Order of Preference

1. Tennessee at No. 17 Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

2. No. 20 Kentucky at Florida, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)

3. No. 1 Alabama at Texas, Noon ET (FOX)

4. South Carolina at No. 17 Arkansas, Noon ET (ESPN)

5. Mississippi State at Arizona, 11 p.m. ET (FS1)

6. Missouri at Kansas State, Noon ET (ESPN2)

7. Appalachian State at No. 6 Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

8. No. 22 Wake Forest at Vanderbilt, Noon ET (SEC Network)

9. San Jose State at Auburn, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)

10. Southern at LSU, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

11. Samford at No. 3 Georgia, 4 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

12. Central Arkansas at No. 21 Ole Miss, 7 p.m. ET (SEC Network +)

Week 2 Non-SEC Games to Watch

1. No. 10 Baylor at No. 25 BYU, 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

2. No. 14 USC at Stanford, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

3. Oregon State at Fresno State, 10:30 p.m. ET (CBSSN)