Round Two does not getting any easier for Georgia. After losing at Clemson in the most anticipated game of opening weekend, the Bulldogs return home for a Southeastern Conference East Division tilt against Jadeveon Clowney and South Carolina in the top game of college football's second week.
Here is a look at each of the 12 games involving SEC teams this week, ranked from worst to best.
12. Austin Peay at Vanderbilt, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, CSS
Rating: 0 stars
The skinny: The Commodores look to rebound from a heartbreaking home loss to Ole Miss with what should be an easy non-conference win. After torching the Rebels for 178 yards despite missing a few snaps with health issues, star receiver Jordan Matthews could be way out in front of the SEC receiving leaders after Week 2. Other NFL hopefuls to watch here include OLT Wesley Johnson, and DBs Andre Hal and Kenny Ladler.
11. Alcorn State at Mississippi State, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CSS
Rating: 0 stars
The skinny: Like Vandy, the Bulldogs come off a tough loss to a solid opponent to face what should be a runaway win. Although this seemingly easy matchup comes with one complication: MSU starting quarterback Tyler Russell isn't expected to play (concussion). OG Gabe Jackson and RB LaDarius Perkins figure to be relied on heavily for a strong running game to help backup QB Dak Prescott navigate his first start. Defensively, ILBs Benardrick McKinney and Deontay Skinner look to stifle an Alcorn State rushing attack that racked up 280 yards last week.
10. Samford at Arkansas, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, PPV
Rating: 0 stars
The skinny: Arkansas center Travis Swanson was credited with 16 knockdown blocks against Louisiana-Lafayette last week by the Razorbacks' coaching staff. Look for double digits in that category again for Swanson, one of the Hogs' top NFL hopefuls.
9. Southeast Missouri State at Ole Miss, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, PPV
Rating: 0 stars
The skinny: For all the talk about Ole Miss' freshman class, it was veteran safety Cody Prewitt who was probably the Rebels' MVP in a win over Vanderbilt last week. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior is fun to watch and not prone to some of the mistakes his newcomer teammates have made and will make. After a quiet five catches against Vandy, junior star receiver Donte Moncrief will look for better production against SEMO.
8. Arkansas State at Auburn, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Net
Rating: 1 star
The skinny: The Tigers clearly outclass the Red Wolves, but there are a few interesting matchups to watch. AU center Reese Dismukes takes on one of the Sun Belt Conference's top interior defensive linemen in Ryan Carrethers, who had a huge game last week (eight tackles, 1.5 sacks). RB David Oku, who rushed for 124 yards last week on only 16 carries, will test an AU run defense that went untested by Washington State last week (65 pass attempts).
7. Miami (Ohio) at Kentucky, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Net
Rating: 1 star
The skinny: Among the most promising players on either sideline will be Miami (Ohio) CB Travis Carrie. UK will start Max Smith at quarterback, who may be well-advised to throw away from Carrie's side of the field. A Kentucky defense that should be solid up the middle with DTs Donte Rumph and Mister Cobble, plus MLB Avery Williamson, was hurt on the perimeter last week by Western Kentucky.
6. Toledo at Missouri, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Rating: 1 star
The skinny: The Rockets had a respectable showing against a far stronger opponent than Missouri last week in losing 24-6 at Florida. Matchups to watch here include Toledo's receiving duo of Bernard Reedy and Alonzo Russell vs. Missouri CB E.J. Gaines, and Toledo OG Greg Mancz vs. Missouri DL Kony Ealy. This game should be a lot closer than the Tigers' blowout of Murray State last week.
5. Western Kentucky at Tennessee, Saturday, 12:21 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Rating: 2 stars
The skinny: Star Western Kentucky LB Andrew Jackson (6-1, 260) takes on a highly regarded Tennessee offensive line. This is probably Jackson's best chance of the season to make NFL scouts notice him with future draftees such as C James Stone and OG Zach Fulton lining up for Tennessee. If he can make a few more plays like this one, his stock will climb. Another matchup to watch: Tennessee LB A.J. Johnson chasing around do-it-all WKU RB Antonio Andrews should answer some questions, as well.
4. UAB at LSU, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Rating: 2 stars
The skinny: Although UAB is largely bereft of pro prospects, the sheer number of future pros on the LSU roster makes the Tigers a worthy watch regardless of opponent. QB Zach Mettenberger looked more comfortable in the pocket last week in beating TCU, even though he completed only 50 percent of his passes, and drew praise from NFL.com's Bucky Brooks. WRs Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. both recorded more than 100 yards. Defensively, LSU's youth went through some growing pains against the Horned Frogs, but hot junior prospect Anthony Johnson set a strong tone on the line of scrimmage.
3. Sam Houston State at Texas A&M, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, PPV
Rating: 2 stars
The skinny: Johnny Football playing (we're guessing) for a full four quarters may make this the most watched Sam Houston State game in Sam Houston State history. If Johnny Manziel deserves to profit off his name, he should get a piece of the pay-per-view revenue on this one -- he'll be the only reason most people buy this game. Coach Kevin Sumlin will be looking for more maturity from Manziel this week.
2. Florida at Miami (Fla.), Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN
Rating: 3 stars
The skinny: No shortage of subplots here. Among them: Florida sophomore LB Antonio Morrison returns from suspension, but he is listed as a backup rather than a starter. Meanwhile, RB Matt Jones, who missed the preseason and the season opener with a viral infection, returns as a starter. UM QB Stephen Morris gets tested against two future pro cornerbacks in Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson, and a pair of promising pass rushers in Dante Fowler and Ronald Powell.
1. South Carolina at Georgia, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Rating: 4 stars
The skinny: The marquee game of the day in the entire nation, South Carolina visits the Bulldogs to get the SEC East race started. Georgia's offensive line struggled in pass protection last week against Clemson, allowing four sacks. This week, they get to work against star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who is looking to bounce back from a quiet opener. Georgia CB Damian Swann against South Carolina WR Bruce Ellington should be a good matchup, as should Gamecocks OT Corey Robinson working against Georgia DE Garrett Smith.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
