SEC Rewind | Will Muschamp's seat stays hot
With the University of Kentucky a play away from beating Florida, the SEC standings may end up meaning something to the Wildcats by season's end.
After a week off, UK has a chance to run its league record to .500 against Vanderbilt, essentially the worst team in the SEC. Until then, here's a look around the league.
SEC EAST
1. Florida (2-0, 1-0) — Will Muschamp really needed that one. The Florida coach's seat didn't get much cooler, however, thanks to a 36-30, three-overtime victory over UK. "The offense still seemed hamstrung," wrote CBS Sports' Jerry Hinnen. "The defense still seemed to have its handful of damaging breakdowns." (http://cbsprt.co/1oLsE1N)
2. South Carolina (2-1, 1-1) — The Gamecocks are back in the College Football Playoff picture after running the clock out on Georgia for a 38-35 victory. How close was it on a 4th-and-1 quarterback sneak to seal a win? Bulldogs coach Mark Richt described it as the width of a credit card. (http://bit.ly/1qAiRkL)
3. Missouri (3-0, 0-0) — Quarterback Maty Mauk starred for the Tigers, throwing four touchdown passes in a 38-10 victory over Central Florida that kept Missouri undefeated. Afterward, coach Gary Pinkel quipped about the sophomore, "Wait until he gets good." (http://es.pn/1qUCJg0)
4. Tennessee (2-1, 0-0) — The final score — a 34-10 loss to Oklahoma — didn't tell the story of Tennessee's evening at Memorial Stadium. "The Volunteers are getting better in a hurry," writes Bleacher Report's Brad Shepard. (http://ble.ac/ZluBvZ)
5. Kentucky (2-1, 0-1) — It's UK's youngsters who came up with the biggest plays against Florida, which is why offensive coordinator Neal Brown said he recruited them. "They're not scared of this moment," he said after the game. (http://cjky.it/1qOAdZO)
6. Georgia (1-1, 0-1) — Richt said his team "just didn't seize the moment." South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson threw an interception with 5:25 to play Saturday, but the Bulldogs couldn't turn it into points. (http://bit.ly/X02JM3)
7. Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-1) — The Commodores were a field goal away from having to play overtime with FBS cellar-dweller UMass, but Blake Lucas missed a 22-yarder. Good thing Vandy's Adam Butler was around to provide a hug. (http://bit.ly/1wtlsz3)
SEC WEST
1. Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0) — The Rebels are for real. Bo Wallace completed his first 14 passes and finished 23 of 28 in guiding Ole Miss to a 56-14 win over Louisiana-Lafayette. "I knew it," Wallace said of his hot start. (http://cbsprt.co/1s2i656)
2. Auburn (2-0, 1-0) — The Tigers, off this week, were focused on making the most of the time. They're back Thursday against San Jose State and then turn to an "unorthodox" Kansas State. (http://bit.ly/1oLwCY6)
3. Texas A&M (3-0, 1-0) — Quarterback Kenny Hill was solid again, completing 20 of 31 passes, but lost one of his weapons during a 38-10 win over Rice. Freshman Speedy Noil was carted to the locker room during the second half. (http://bit.ly/1qOBPmo)
4. Mississippi State (3-0, 0-0) — Quarterback Dak Prescott starred by running, passing and even catching a pass for a touchdown in Mississippi State's 35-3 victory over South Alabama. "The play-calling just sets me up to do things like that," Prescott said. (http://bit.ly/1s2iD7m)
5. Alabama (3-0, 0-0) — Blake Sims took over the quarterback race for Alabama in helping the Crimson Tide to a 52-12 win over Southern Miss. Playing three quarters, he threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another. (http://es.pn/1wkVUS3)
6. LSU (3-0, 0-0) — The Tigers blanked a future UK opponent, Louisiana-Monroe, 31-0 behind a surprising rushing force. Darrell Williams scored twice, but it's Leonard Fournette who gets the buzz. "I think those guys, as a tandem in the backfield, they're going to be unstoppable," said quarterback Anthony Jennings. (http://es.pn/1qVMzQq)
7. Arkansas (2-1, 0-1) — There's a blueprint for beating Texas Tech's high-powered passing attack: Limit the offense's touches. The Razorbacks kept control of the ball, racking up 438 rushing yards in a 49-28 victory Saturday. (http://cbsprt.co/X2vS9w)
Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199; follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner .