Sorting out the wild SEC West after Week 1

Chas Phillips

Photo: University of Alabama Athletics

College football was back in action last weekend, and all of the SEC West squads took to the field to a variety of expectations and results. From Alabama’s dominating performance against Miami, to Mississippi State needing a missed field goal to escape Louisiana Tech with a 1-point win, the SEC West was full of intrigue and parody in week 1 alone.

The most notable results from the first week were two teams that have had a stranglehold on the West for the better part of the last decade: Alabama and LSU. Alabama, as previously stated, opened up their season with a statement win against a highly touted Miami squad. The Crimson Tide led 27-3 at halftime, and went on to win the game 44-13. The Tide almost doubled the yardage output of the ‘Canes, along with forcing Miami QB D’Eriq King into 3 turnovers. His counterpart, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, threw for nearly 350 yards and 4 touchdowns along with completing almost 70% of his passes. Overall, the Tide’s offense and the defense made it clear that there will be no change from the dominant performances of last year's national champions.

Speaking of former national champions, the 2019 champs, LSU, looked to follow up last year’s disappointing 5-5 season against UCLA. However, this feeling was quickly dismissed. The Tigers looked lackluster against the Bruins, and limped out of the contest after being handed a 38-27 defeat. With the strength of the West extending from top to bottom this year, a performance like this could spell doom for the future of the Tigers in the coming year. The silver lining was the performance of LSU quarterback Max Johnson, who answered a lot of questions by throwing for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns, but was let down by the poor showing from the defense and run game.

Due to the seeming demise of LSU, there is some more room at the top of the West, and a couple of the teams this weekend showed that they could fit the bill. Texas A&M came into the year with a top 10 preseason ranking and huge expectations. While the team succeeded in walloping Kent State 41-10, the main question mark surrounding the team was how they would adjust to the post-Kellen Mond era at quarterback.

The buck fell to freshman Haynes King, but he was mostly disappointing. Despite throwing for almost 300 yards, he only amassed 2 touchdowns to go along with 3 interceptions, for a QBR of 48.5. The good news was the dynamic backfield duo of Devon Achane and Isaiah Spiller each finished with over 100 yards, and receiver Ainias Smith went for 100 yards and two touchdowns, along with an all around stellar defensive performance, albeit against a subpar offense.

The other top contenders to challenge Alabama in the West after Week 1 look to be Auburn and Ole Miss. The efficient passing attack of Bo Nix (20/22 for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns) and rushing dominance of Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter (Combined 229 yards on 20 carries for 3 touchdowns) led Auburn to a 60-10 beating of Akron. The Tigers will likely not face much resistance from Alabama State in Week 2 either, but will face an up-and-coming Big 10 power in Penn State come Week 3.

Ole Miss also got off to a fast start, beating a solid ACC opponent in Louisville 43-24, but in reality the game was all but decided by halftime as Ole Miss took a 26-0 lead into half. Additionally, Heisman hopeful Matt Corral finished with 381 yards passing vs the Cardinals. Senior WR Dontario Drummond also looks to be Elijah Moore’s replacement as an All-American receiver, finishing the game with 9 receptions for 177 yards and a touchdown.

As for the rest of the division, Arkansas and Mississippi State look like they will likely be at the bottom of the division. Mississippi State had little life on either side of the ball until the 4th quarter, where they outscored Louisiana Tech 21-3. However, the Bulldogs relied on a missed 46-yard field goal attempt by Louisiana Tech in order to secure the victory.

As for Arkansas, the Razorbacks defeated Rice 38-17 on Saturday with a strong run game and 3 forced interceptions, but much more will be learned about the Razorbacks next week when Texas comes to Fayetteville.

With Week 1 in the books, Alabama looks to still have control over the SEC West, but Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Auburn look to have the potential to go toe-to-toe with the Tide. LSU and Mississippi State both took a hit with lackluster performances, and Arkansas will reveal their potential when Texas comes to town in Week 2. Therefore, it’s safe to say that Week 2 will be yet another interesting week for determining the landscape of the SEC West in 2021.