No. 1 'Bama visits No. 11 Florida in SEC title game rematch

Published Sep. 16, 2021 3:13 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Here are things to watch in the Southeastern Conference in Week 3:

GAMES OF THE WEEK

No. 1 Alabama (2-0) visits No. 11 Florida (2-0). It's a rematch of the Crimson Tide's 52-46 SEC Championship Game victory, but without a number of the bigtime playmakers from that game. That's OK, there are plenty of new ones. Alabama hasn't visited Gainesville since Oct. 1, 2011, but is 11-2 in The Swamp and has won the last seven meetings overall. Quarterback Bryce Young has led the Tide, while Florida has a pair of dual-threats in Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson. They've helped pace the nation's No. 1 rushing attack, averaging 381.5 yards.

BEST MATCHUP

Sure, Auburn's offense has reached 60 points in each of its first two games. But that was against overmatched competition for an SEC team. Now quarterback Bo Nix and the Tigers have to prove they can do it against a much stronger defense. Penn State has allowed a combined 23 points in wins over Wisconsin and Ball State. Tailbacks Tank Bisby and freshman Jarquez Hunter have each topped 100 rushing yards in both games.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

After facing Akron and Alabama State, Auburn leads the nation in scoring offense (61.0 ppg) and is tied with Georgia for second in scoring defense, allowing 5.0 points a game. ... Florida's 12 consecutive games topping 400 yards is the program's longest streak since at least 1981. ... Georgia has given up just 10 points — with the only touchdown coming on a UAB pick-six. The lowest three-game total by Bulldog opponents for the first three games in recent history was 12 points in 2006. Kirby Smart's 2019 team gave up just 23 to Vanderbilt, Murray State and Arkansas State. ... Kentucky has topped 500 yards in its first two games for the first time. The WIldcats, who face Chattanooga, have won 12 straight nonconference games. ... Missouri running back Tyler Badie needs 53 receiving yards to become the program's first player with 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving.

LONG SHOT

Tulane visits No. 17 Mississippi as 14.5 underdogs,

IMPACT PLAYER

Georgia's QBA: Quarterback to be announced. The Bulldogs seem to be in a good position heading into South Carolina, even if starter JT Daniels doesn't return from his oblique injury. Stetson Bennett was terrific in his sixth start, a

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