The first couple weeks of college football are in the books and there is a lot to consider after watching and following those matchups. Here are some players to start and to avoid in the SEC heading into Week 3.
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LOVE 'EM
LSU's defense
Start a defense that gave up 409 passing yards and 38 points at Texas last weekend? You betcha. That’s because the Tigers are back home and Northwestern State is coming to Baton Rouge. This is a team that lost 42-20 to UT-Martin in the season opener and then got blasted 33-7 against Midwestern State last weekend. If Northwestern State gets the ball to midfield this weekend it would be a win. Scoring would be a shock. LSU’s defense should dominate, its second-string players should dominate and the Tigers should win by at least 50.
*****
Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral
After a poor season opener, Corral looked good against Arkansas as he threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Now, he and the Ole Miss passing game should be unleashed against Southeastern Louisiana. That team allowed 414 passing yards in its opener against Jacksonville State and it should be completely torched this weekend. Corral has a lot of talent and Ole Miss needs to keep accumulating wins, so Corral’s going to throw the ball a lot and he should have big success. He’s also owned in only 13 percent of leagues. Take a shot on him this weekend.
*****
Tennessee receiver Jauan Jennings
If there has been one bright spot at Tennessee – and it certainly wasn’t when coach Jeremy Pruitt talked about the Titanic – it has been Jennings. He has 11 catches for 196 yards and three touchdowns and he’s averaging more than 17 yards per grab so far this season. The Volunteers need a win badly and Pruitt needs a win badly. Lucky for them, Chattanooga is coming to town. If Tennessee cannot hang 50 on this team then the problems are even bigger than everyone suspects. Jennings, who’s owned in only 10 percent of leagues, is really talented and the Vols will overwhelm a lesser opponent this weekend.
*****
LEAVE 'EM
Kentucky wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr.
Only Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and LSU’s Justin Jefferson have more receptions through two games than Bowden, who has 13 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. But I think this is a bad spot. Kentucky is breaking in a new quarterback in Sawyer Smith, Florida’s defensive backs are too good and I just don’t see Bowden having a big game. There was once a time when the Gators struggled at Kentucky, but I don’t see it happening this weekend.
*****
Mississippi State quarterback Tommy Stevens
Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead has not said whether Stevens is going to play this weekend against Kansas State and since it’s an important game I doubt Moorhead says much leading up to kickoff. Time to bench Touchdown Tommy. He injured his throwing shoulder in the Bulldogs’ game last weekend against Southern Miss and might be sidelined. If not, he won’t be 100 percent. And I don’t know what to think of this Kansas State team yet, but the Wildcats have been impressive so far.
*****
South Carolina's offense
The Gamecocks scored 72 points last week. New quarterback Ryan Hilinski threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns, two Gamecocks rushed for more than 100 yards and receiver Bryan Edwards had five catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns. That happened because South Carolina was playing Charleston Southern. There could not be a more different opponent coming to town this weekend, as Alabama heads to Columbia. Hilinski should struggle, the Gamecocks’ playmakers will probably be very limited and the Crimson Tide should roll.
