The SEC Crystal Ball started slowly with the Thursday games but rebounded over the weekend and finished 10-3 for the first week.
This week should provide several record-padding games against opponents from lesser conferences considering there’s only one conference game on tap. So let’s start there with Ole Miss at Vanderbilt.
Neither the Rebels nor the Commodores proved they can successfully run the football, but Ole Miss does have an experienced quarterback in Bo Wallace who has proven he can throw the football, even though he had a sluggish first half against Boise State. He did finish strong however.
“The guy has done a lot of great things for us and played a really good second half the other night,” said Rebel coach Hugh Freeze. “We just have to keep coaching him and making sure on Thursday, like we always do, that he understands each package. If he doesn’t understand it, then we don’t carry it. It’s his job then to make sure he goes out there and executes it. He didn’t in the first half like we’d like to see, but you don’t have to tell him that. He understands that. I hope its part of him pressing and maybe too emotional or so ready to play again. I hope that’s what it was and we see the Bo we saw in the second half carry over to Saturday.”
Vanderbilt turned the ball over seven times in the loss to Temple and the Commodores likely won’t be as generous against Ole Miss. But it shouldn’t matter. Ole Miss has more athletes and should be able to go on the road and play well. The Crystal Ball says Ole Miss.
Alabama hosts Florida Atlantic and it should be a chance for the Crimson Tide to improve on its 10-point win over West Virginia. The Tide wasn’t overly impressive in beating the Mountaineers, but a W is a W.
“I think it is really important how much you improve from first game to second game, and I think the key to be being successful in this season for a lot of teams that I saw is going to be who can improve, who can make that improvement. And that is what we are really focused on,” said Tide coach Nick Saban. The Crystal Ball picks Alabama.
Arkansas gets an opportunity to bounce back against Nicholls State after losing its opener to Auburn.
“I wanted to make sure I pointed out some of the good things we did well. Some of our guys are returning from a year ago and playing some of their best football,” said Arkansas coach Bret Bielema. “I think one of the things that happens in a situation like this, is that it’s like when you’re winning — it’s very hard to stop that streak. You get that confidence and that momentum. Now it’s important for our guys to understand that they can’t accept defeat or a losing attitude. I’ve been part of a team that there was never any waver and never any doubt about it. Until we get to that point, it’s hard to bring it up.”
The Crystal Ball says Arkansas will get a victory.
Auburn will meet San Jose State in seeking to win its second game of the year.
“We are playing a very solid San José State team,” said Tigers coach Gus Malzahn. “They played very well their first game and they have had a little extra time to rest and prepare; they played on Thursday. Last time they played a ranked opponent – Fresno State – they won, so we will have to be prepared. We will have to play well.”
The Crystal Ball says Auburn will go to 2-0.
Florida will actually open its season Saturday against Eastern Michigan and The Crystal Ball says Florida will get the season off to a good start.
Mark Stoops’ Kentucky team steps up in competition against an Ohio team that is coached by veteran Frank Solich.
“It’s obviously going to be a much bigger challenge for us with Ohio. Looking forward to playing Ohio,” said Stoops. “Coach Solich has been around for a long time and been extremely successful. He’s building a very consistent program there at Ohio. I believe they went to five straight bowl games. Very well coached, fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball. They’re a team that’s not going to beat themselves.”
The Crystal Ball likes Ohio, but just barely.
Around the rest of the league, The Crystal Ball likes Missouri over Toledo; Tennessee over Arkansas State; Texas A&M over Lamar; Mississippi State will get a win over an improved UAB team; LSU will get a win over Sam Houston State; and finally South Carolina will get a battle from East Carolina but will come out with a victory.