Week 2 Run Through

Not a lot of marquee games in week 2, but that didn't stop it from being a good week of football and offering lots of information that we can glean. Let's dive in. As always the blog is divided into three sections: Auburn, SEC, and national news.

Auburn

• Wow, those boys never make it easy do they? But wow, what a resilient squad the Chiz and company have built. Last year, I thought it was the senior leadership or the raw talents of Cam Newton, Nick Fairley, and company, but this really may be something that can be taught or bred.
• Phenomenal play by Ryan Smith to end the game. As much trouble as Auburn had had keeping Chris Relf from falling forward the entire game, it was fitting that a triumph in that respect preserved the win.
• Speaking of Relf, he looked a little familiar. The running ability and size definitely brought back visions of Cam from last year, but for all the hype leading into the season, Dan Mullen sure didn't give him much opportunity to use his arm as a weapon. If Mississippi State hopes to get over the hump and beat an SEC West team other than Ole Miss, Relf's arm will have to be a threat. That being said... 
• This is a very good Mississippi State team. They made a ton of mistakes in key situations yesterday and still almost came away with an SEC road victory. They will beat a couple teams they shouldn't this season.
• Auburn's defense was much improved. They have a long way to go, however. Chris Davis, Eltoro Freeman, and Dee Ford played big time football for the Tigers yesterday and were a big part of the reason Auburn ultimately won the game. Jake Holland, Jeff Whitaker, and Ryan White were much improved, but overall the defense still needs to do a better job of communicating, and Ted Roof and company need to do a better job of making mid-game adjustments. Those were a key to Auburn's success last year, and will be quite necessary if the Tigers hope to be in the mix in the weeks to come.
• Barrett Trotter played quite well again yesterday. With the exception of one bad play (and it was a really bad, never played college football before looking play) on the no-look pick 6, Trotter made few mistakes, executed and managed the offense effectively, and came up big when the Tigers needed a big throw.
• The offensive line was much improved. It wasn't great, however. Mike Dyer had a few big runs, and the right side, especially was much improved. I didn't see Reese Dismukes and Jared Cooper standing around as if they didn't know that the game continued after the first block this week, so that is a step in the right direction. This line still has to be better though. Dyer had big holes occasionally, and Cooper and Sullen did a nice job on some of the pull plays, but the holes weren't consistent enough. Auburn needs a thriving run game in order to make the passing game more effective, and there is still room for progress in that area.

• The Auburn special teams are far and away the teams strongest unit. Steven Clark has made enormous strides from the big legged, shank punter we saw last season. In the first two games, he has been a key to Auburn's field position battle and shown why we've heard all along that he could be a threat with consistency. Cody Parkey knocked through a couple solid field goals, and Tre Mason was phenomenal again in the return game. I've yet to see Trovon Reed botch a punt return, and if I can say that all year, then I don't care if he returns a single one for more than 5 yards. Jay Boulware would probably disagree, but I'll take the small victories for now. 

 SEC

• I honestly have absolutely no idea how South Carolina beat Georgia. Steven Garcia played poorly again, Georgia finally found the passing game in the 2nd half after forgetting Aaron Murray had an arm in the first half, and Isaiah Crowell was solid in the run game. Georgia has to find a way to consistently hang on to the football, however. South Carolina scored on an interception, a fumble recovery, and a fake field goal. Give the Ole Ball Coach credit for using what he's got and riding Marcus Lattimore till he breaks down. South Carolina will not be a championship contender however, until they can figure out how to get the ball in Alshon Jeffery's hands without the requisite turnovers that seem to ensue.
• Tyler Bray and Tennessee looked AMAZING against Cincinnati. I honestly expected the Vols to struggle with the Bearcats and Zach Collaros, but Bray went 34/41 with 4 TD's and added one on the ground as Rocky Top trounced Cinci. Watch out for this young, feisty Tennessee team, especially with the struggles we've seen from Georgia and South Carolina in the first two weeks. The SEC East just got a little bit more interesting.
• Staying in state, nice win for Vanderbilt yesterday. It wasn't pretty for Larry Smith and the Dores, but a win over UConn is a solid start for James Franklin and company in building a program that can get bowl eligible on a consistent basis. Big game in that sense coming this week when Ole Miss comes to Nashville. Maybe someday Vandy won't be the eternal bottom dweller in the SEC.
• And that day may come sooner than you think. Wow has Kentucky looked terrible in the first two weeks. The Wildcats have struggled significantly to knock off Western Kentucky and Central Michigan. I guess we know now how big an impact Randall Cobb has had on this squad the last few years.
• Ho-hum solid victory for Alabama in Happy Valley. The Tide handled Penn State pretty easily, to the tone of a 27-11 win on the road. AJ McCarron was solid, if unspectacular, and Trent Richardson of course did his thing. The Bama defense is as advertised and I can't wait to see them in action against Arkansas and Florida in two and three weeks respectively.
• Arkansas, Florida, Ole Miss, and LSU all got easy victories as they should have.

Around the Country

• Well, Notre Dame is 0-2. Who could have possibly seen this coming? Oh yea, just anyone who has watched a football game in the last 10 years. History doesn't always repeat itself, but we should at least learn from it. The Fighting Irish should never be ranked in a pre-season poll again. 
• Watch out for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have put up good numbers in the first two weeks, and Justin Blackmon is the best receiver in the country.
• The other OSU was less impressive. The Buckeyes almost lost to Toledo. Anyone who thought that all the off-season distractions and changes wouldn't catch up to The Ohio State University will likely be proven wrong in the upcoming weeks. It could be a tough season for the Bucks.
• The Gabbertless Mizzou Tigers fell to Arizona State. I'm honestly not sure what to make of the Tigers this season, but expectations based on the last few years are probably unfair. I'd imagine Missouri will be middle of the road in the Big Mess this season.
• East Carolina is probably the best 0-2 team in the country. The Pirates gave Virginia Tech all they could handle a week after giving South Carolina an early scare. ECU will likely be a serious contender in what is looking like a much improved C-USA. Houston and Central Florida have both looked impressive thus far, and both will likely be top 25 teams by season's end. Watch out for the Knights. You heard it here first.
• In other C-USA news, thrilling victory for Rice this week, blocking Purdue's game winning field goal in the final seconds to hold on.  The Owls' next game is a tough one at Baylor in two weeks.
• Texas may have a tough year.
• Nice win for Paul Rhodes and the Iowa State Cyclones, knocking off rival Iowa in triple overtime. Rhodes has the program going in the right direction, but it will take time.

Wow, that was a long blog for a weekend that looked bland at first glance.  Oklahoma-Florida State highlights next weeks action, in what may be the biggest non-conference game of the season. Stay tuned.