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SEC Notebook: Fournette runs over Auburn/Heisman competition
Leonard Fournette, LSU's sophomore running back out of New Orleans, has already cemented himself in the top position for the 2015 Heisman Trophy.
Through two games, Fournette has racked up 387 yards and six touchdowns. He also has accrued a ridiculous 8.2 yards-per-carry average. Don't forget, Fournette produced these outputs versus top SEC West competition in Mississippi State and Auburn.
He wasn't afforded the opportunity to pad his stats against "cupcake" competition because LSU canceled its opener against McNeese State due to weather.
While he's producing at an incredibly high clip, it's how he's producing that's the impressive part. Fournette ran over, shucked and evaded defenders on multiple occasions this past weekend. It was the kind of dominant performance not seen on the college football level in quite some time. With a marquee SEC schedule, he'll get more opportunities to showcase his talents on the national stage.
He'll have a chance to further enhance his Heisman resume this weekend, as the Tigers travel north to face Syracuse on the road.
Soul searching for Spurrier and South Carolina
An embarrassing 52-20 loss at Georgia over the weekend now puts Steve Spurrier and South Carolina at 1-2. The prospects for 2015 are truly hanging in the balance.
There's been a general lack of energy throughout the squad, as well as a serious absence of consistency. This may ultimately have to do with coaching. However, it could also be the result of sub-par recruiting. South Carolina is relying upon an inordinate amount of current and former walk-ons within its depth chart.
From the years 2011-13, South Carolina's record was a combined 33-6. Spurrier appeared to have his program ready to launch itself into not only the upper echelon of the the SEC, but also as a national powerhouse. Since the conclusion of the 2013 season, the Gamecocks have gone 8-8. South Carolina is turning to its third starting quarterback this season (true freshman Lorenzo Nunez) in the upcoming game versus UCF. The instability at the position is surely not a recipe for success.
A win in this non-conference contest is imperative. After facing UCF, South Carolina will be hitting the meat of its tough conference schedule. It's key for the Gamecocks to find some semblance of consistency. Spurrier's team hasn't yet been able to play a complete football game on both sides of the ball.
Recent injuries to center Alan Knott and running back Brandon Wilds won't help matters offensively, but an absence of talent can be compensated for with discipline, effort, energy and execution.
These are principles Spurrier hopes to see in a must-win game on Saturday.
Missouri will rely on defense going forward
This wasn't how Gary Pinkel scripted it.
The Tigers returned a seasoned quarterback (Maty Mauk), an experienced offensive line led by All-American candidate Evan Boehm and one of the best running backs in the conference in Russell Hansbrough. Their offense was expected to be a potent attack, and one that needed to be so with a completely rebuilt defensive front.
However, the first three games of the season have told us a different story.
The defense in many aspects has been dominating. Buoyed by defensive end Charles Harris and linebacker Kentrell Brothers, Missouri currently is ranked No. 4 overall in total defense. While Harris has been the focal point for the defensive line, four freshmen have also contributed exceptionally well.
The Tigers will face an upstart Kentucky team this weekend on the road in Lexington. To date, it will be the most explosive and diverse offense Mizzou will have faced.
As a result, the offense needs to provide more in the way of production. Too many times this year, wasted red-zone opportunities have resulted in field goals rather than touchdowns. Inefficient play in these situations against a team wanting to atone for a tough loss last week isn't ideal. Kentucky figures to be hungry, and in some ways desperate for a conference victory.
Quick hits: With the 47-7 victory over Austin Peay, Vanderbilt has something to feel good about. Its reward? A road game this week at Ole Miss ... Speaking of the Rebels, Hugh Freeze's team is coming off of a highly emotional, hard-fought victory over Alabama. While a Vanderbilt upset on the road is extremely unlikely, Ole Miss may come out a bit deflated.
