GameDay Kickoff: LSU, Texas A&M can show SEC West’s depth

The Week 1 jokes about Tennessee aren’t over (there is no statute of limitations right here). The Vols preserve taking the warmth, and deservedly so after what was arguably the worst loss at school historical past, however they had been simply one in every of 4 SEC groups to lose a nonconference sport.

So how unhealthy was it? Effectively, your perspective seemingly relies on your zip code.

All six ranked SEC groups gained, and no victory was larger than Auburn’s thrilling come-from-behind win in opposition to Oregon. The SEC West has an opportunity to construct upon Auburn’s success and additional assert itself within the School Soccer Playoff race on Saturday when No. 12 Texas A&M travels to No. 1 Clemson (three:30 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN app) and No. 6 LSU visits No. 9 Texas (7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN app).

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“It is nonetheless the second sport of the yr,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron mentioned. “You continue to have time to make up for it. You undergo your schedule, and what issues is the SEC West and attending to the SEC championship sport. If you may get to that, you may get to the nationwide championship. That is how many of the groups within the SEC suppose.”

He is proper, as a result of the CFP choice committee has persistently rewarded the SEC’s schedule energy, and this season should not be any completely different. Even Georgia, which is caught within the struggling East, has ample alternatives to impress the committee. Sure, the Bulldogs play Notre Dame, however once more it goes again to the SEC West, as Georgia additionally faces Auburn and Texas A&M.

4 of the 5 SEC West groups enjoying nonconference opponents on Saturday are projected to win by ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index, the lone exception being the Aggies (12.5% probability). Whatever the final result, it is exhausting to not sit up for what ought to be an necessary matchup on Sept. 21, when A&M hosts Auburn.

It is the lengthy haul that is tough.

The Aggies will face 5 opponents, together with Clemson, which can be at present ranked within the high 10 of ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index, together with three on the highway. Spelling it out for you: Texas A&M has to play each Clemson and Alabama, the previous two nationwide champions.

Joe Burrow and No. 6 LSU have a giant highway check at No. 9 Texas on Saturday evening. AP Picture/Tyler Kaufman

“We have got loads of alternatives to indicate how far we have come, and the way we will compete and the way we put together and the way our group has grown,” Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher mentioned. “We have got to do this one week at a time, don’t fret about anything.”

For LSU, Saturday’s sport in opposition to Texas is the primary of six in opposition to groups ranked within the high 25 of ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index. Regardless of the grueling schedule, the Tigers have a 32% probability to complete with one or fewer losses.

“If you happen to undergo, and also you handle it proper, it may be to your benefit to get into the School Soccer Playoff, however we do not speak about that,” Orgeron mentioned. “I do not need to put an excessive amount of stress on this soccer workforce as a result of I do not know in the event that they’re prepared for it but.”

Not solely might wins Saturday give the SEC a lift after embarrassing losses to Georgia State, Memphis and Wyoming, nevertheless it’s additionally a possibility for the West to show it runs deeper than Alabama.

“I believe there is a hole, however I do not suppose it is as important as some individuals suppose,” Fisher mentioned of the Tide. “… You win a few of these video games like we’re enjoying this weekend, or one other huge sport, and also you develop confidence and also you understand you’ll be able to play. However from a depth standpoint, I believe they’ve extra depth, extra expertise. And simply from a standpoint of doing it — the longer you do it, the extra confidence you could have. Confidence and swagger and mindset and tradition is a giant a part of this factor, and it is a matter of us getting that established.”

The Large Ten upset watch is on: Rivals Ohio State and Michigan will likely be examined this week, and never by one another. In case you missed it, Military is nice, and the Wolverines’ protection should be disciplined in opposition to the triple choice after they host the Black Knights at midday Saturday. Do not consider it? Ask Oklahoma. Final yr, Military gave Oklahoma matches in a 28-21 OT loss to the Sooners in Norman. Military managed the clock for 44:41, which resulted in OU’s offense ending with a season-low 355 yards. Michigan’s protection allowed four.6 yards per carry final yr when dealing with groups below heart, rating 99th within the FBS.

And whereas Ohio State followers are nonetheless celebrating the profitable debut of quarterback Justin Fields, prepare for the return of former Buckeye Luke Fickell, who performed and coached at Ohio State and is now head coach at Cincinnati. Fickell was a nostril guard for the Buckeyes from 1992 to 1996 and coached in Columbus from 2002 to 2016, together with a season because the Buckeyes’ interim head coach in 2011, between the Jim Tressel and City Meyer regimes.

Fickell’s Cincinnati workforce, which completed 11-2 final yr, ought to be coming in assured from its 24-14 win over UCLA within the season opener.

“Bought lots of respect for Coach Fickell and what he is constructed down there,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day mentioned. “I believe it is a very robust program, in nice form. So we all know they’ll are available in right here hungry. Being in the identical state, we all know which means rather a lot.”

Pac-12 eliminator? The battle for the North begins, as USC hosts No. 23 Stanford (10:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN) and No. 14 Washington hosts Cal (10:30 p.m. ET Saturday on FS1). The Cardinal may have an 11% probability to win the North with a win or a 5% probability with a loss. The Trojans’ possibilities to win the South soar to 16% with a win and fall to eight% with a loss.

Bounce-back alternative for Geese: In opposition to Nevada, Oregon has to discover a solution to recuperate from its 27-21 nationally televised loss to Auburn, during which the Geese blew a 15-point lead. In the meantime, Nevada is coming into Autzen Stadium off a surprising comeback win in opposition to Purdue. Oregon can nonetheless win its division and make a run on the playoff — so long as the Geese have moved previous their loss to Auburn.

Is Boise again? It has been some time since we talked about Boise State because the “BCS buster” it was once, however after its gutsy win over Florida State final week, the Broncos seem to have an opportunity at what may very well be one other particular season. Boise State will host Marshall (9 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN2) in a sport that can characteristic the FPI favorites of their respective leagues. The best-ranked convention champion from a Group of 5 faculty is robotically assured a spot in a New Yr’s Six Bowl.

The Broncos have a 13% probability to complete 13-Zero, third greatest in FBS behind Clemson (50%) and Alabama (17%).