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Florida football: What happened to the SEC on Week 1?

By Matthew Clark

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Matt Luke of the Ole Miss Rebels coaches during the first half of a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Matt Luke of the Ole Miss Rebels coaches during the first half of a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Last season, Southeastern Conference teams lost two games in Week 1. This first week, even with the Florida football win in Week 0, the SEC suffered four losses in the first week of the season.

It was a bit of a rough start for the Southeastern Conference in the first week of the college football season.

Despite Florida football’s 24-20 Week 0 win over Miami in Orlando, the SEC suffered four losses in the first full week of the season.

That’s right, four!

So, what went wrong?

Memphis 15, Mississippi 10

I suggested this would be a tough game for the Rebels. Well, the Memphis defense held Ole’ Miss to just 80 yards rushing while quarterback Matt Corral had just 93 yards in the air on 9-for-19 passing.

Needless to say, this was a terrible game for Mississippi as the Tigers’ defense had their number most of the night. Bryce Huff and JJ Russell each had two tackles for loss against an offensive line for Ole’ Miss that is suspect, at best.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: (L-R) Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels talks to head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks after defeating them 24-20 in the Belk College Kickoff game at Bank of America Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: (L-R) Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels talks to head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks after defeating them 24-20 in the Belk College Kickoff game at Bank of America Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

North Carolina 24, South Carolina 20

This game was similar to Florida football’s 24-20 win over Miami in just two ways — in-state rivals and the game was on a neutral field.

Other than that, South Carolina built up a 20-9 lead going into the fourth quarter only to watch UNC quarterback Sam Howell throw for a pair of touchdowns to spark a 15-point fourth quarter for the Tar Heels.

Basically, Cocky kind of got it handed to them in the fourth quarter and North Carolina reaped the rewards for late lackadaisical play.

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 31: Cornelius McCoy #83 of the Georgia State Panthers runs into the end-zone to tie the game while defended by Shawn Shamburger #12 and Warren Burrell #4 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter of the season opener at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 31: Cornelius McCoy #83 of the Georgia State Panthers runs into the end-zone to tie the game while defended by Shawn Shamburger #12 and Warren Burrell #4 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter of the season opener at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

Georgia State 38, Tennessee 30

The Volunteers got a monster game from quarterback Jarrett Guarantano — 311 yards and two touchdowns on 26-for-40 passing.

But, the Tennessee defense was horrible. Georgia State got three rushing touchdowns from three different scorers — including the quarterback, Dan Ellington. For his efforts, Ellington was 11-for-24 with 139 yards and two touchdowns for Georgia State.

Things are not looking too good on Rocky Top.

Wyoming 37, Missouri 31

And here I thought Missouri would be a world-beater in the SEC.

Despite Kelly Bryant rocking the house with 423 yards and two touchdowns on 31-for-48 passing, the Tigers’ defense allowed 27 points in the second quarter.

Cowboys’ quarterback Sean Chambers had 120 yards on just 12 carries and a touchdown. Oh, he also went 6-for-16 passing for 92 yards. Running back Zazavian Valladay added 118 yards on the ground and a touchdown on 15 carries.

There were also some close shaves this week:

Arkansas 30, Portland State 13

Ben Hicks was consistent at quarterback and Rakeem Boyd had 114 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. But, the Razorbacks only managed to beat Portland State by seven … at home!

Auburn 27, Oregon 21

Gus Malzahn needed a win, and he got one. Barely.

Oregon was in full control of this game in the first half, but they shot themselves in the foot in the second half and Auburn capitalized by scoring 21 points in the second half to eke out the win.

Next. Just what does it mean to be a Gator?. dark

What do you think about the first week of play in the SEC? Let us know in the comments below or message us on Twitter @hailfloridahail.

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