PETE MORGAN: Looking back at some intriguing games across SEC

Week 3 of the 2024 SEC season was already set up as a lowkey weekend filled with less than stellar matchups. And everything went pretty much as expected … well, almost. While picking the teams that got the wins was fairly easy, how some of them got the W was pretty surprising. How a couple did not was also somewhat unexpected.

Let’s look at the big three impactful and/or surprising outcomes, and then we will rank the remaining games in order of importance on either a current situation or the season goals, including playoff implications.  

Three Takeaway Games

(1) Georgia 13, Kentucky 12 — All I can say is “Wow”. Who had the Wildcats leading in the fourth quarter against the No. 1 Bulldogs on their 2024 SEC Bingo card? The effects of the final scoreboard on this game speak more against Georgia than it does for Kentucky.

The Bulldogs have been exposed as beatable, even by a team with a disappointing start to the season. Does this breathe new life into the SEC Championship contenders with Georgia still looming on their schedule? Three fun facts: Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck has only been on the field down in the fourth quarter once, and that was against Alabama in the 2023 SEC Championship Game.

Wildcat quarterback Brock Vandagriff is as tough as they come. And head Bulldog Kirby Smart humbly gave Kentucky mad props for how well they played instead of playing the “we played poorly” card so often exhibited by coaches these days. One last important thought from this game: there are whisperings coming out of Athens Beck has a shoulder injury. It is all internet speculation at this point as far as I can tell.

(16) LSU 36, South Carolina 33 — Depending upon what happens the rest of the season, this close game could — allow me to emphasize “could” — rear its head when selection day arrives. We still do not know how strong either team is, but we do know the Gamecocks are looking more impressive than expected by those outside the Palmetto State. They did handily beat a Kentucky team who took Georgia down to the wire. The verdict is still out on the Tigers as well. If both teams stay strong, and their opponents stays competitive, this game could be a factor in a playoff nomination. Granted, this entire thought process will most likely benefit LSU instead of South Carolina since the Tigers came out with the victory.

Texas A&M 33, Florida 20 — This one makes the Top 3 for the week not because of the outcome on the scoreboard. We all saw that coming. Another thing we have been expecting is for Florida coach Billy Napier’s seat to get warmer and warmer. The loss to the Aggies has made his seat hot enough to produce a solar flare. The Gator boosters are offering to buyout Napier’s contract, and word out of Gainesville is the clock is ticking for a decision to be made. Firing him sends a message, but no available hire will make Florida a contender this season.

Remaining SEC Results for Week 3

GAME OF THE WEEK

(24) Boston College 21, (6) Missouri 27 — Closer than expected, but still a viable notch for the Tigers to place in their notable wins column for the Playoff committee. It did reveal Missouri is not as strong as suspected. Still great, but not as strong.

Vanderbilt 32, Georgia State 36 — This is kind of what you deserve if you are an SEC school and you schedule a game on the road against a Sun Belt team.

Toledo 41, Mississippi State 17 — Losing Mike Leach aside, the Bulldogs have not played well since they switched their logo from the interlocking “MSU” to just the word “State.” This was an embarrassment for the program and even the conference to an extent.

UAB 27, Arkansas 37 — The word is Blazer wide receiver Brandon Buckhaulter is doing well and traveled home with his UAB teammates. Arkansas struggled early, but that was expected from playing a tough team out of Alabama.

Tulane 19,  (15) Oklahoma 34 — This one was a little closer than expected, and it has some still pondering whether the Sooners are overrated heading into conference play.

UTSA 7, (2) Texas 56 — The only thing worth mentioning here is Longhorn quarterback Quinn Ewers went out with an abdominal strain, and Arch Manning showed he has better foot-speed than his famous uncles combined.

New Mexico 19, Auburn 45 — This one surprised no one, although it might have exposed some of the Tigers’ weaknesses.

(4) Alabama 42, Wisconsin 10 — This game was expected to be marquee when it was originally added to the schedule, but it turned out to be a cakewalk the Crimson Tide used to their advantage. A win over a traditional Big Ten Conference powerhouse will look good on a playoff resume.

(5) Ole Miss 40, Wake Forest 6 — This one went exactly as expected. Zero surprises.

Kent State 0, (7) Tennessee 71 — Given the Vols had 43-points early in the fourth quarter, they could have hung 100 on the Golden Flashes.