SEC Rewind | How the league fared in Week 1
The University of Kentucky's football team wasn't alone in making a Week 1 statement on the football field, as LSU toppled Wisconsin in a top 25 matchup and Georgia ran away from Clemson.
A look around the SEC, in order of the league's preseason poll:
SEC West
Alabama — With new quarterback Blake Sims under center for most every offensive play, the Crimson Tide lived up to their preseason billing in a 33-23 victory over West Virginia at the Georgia Dome. The fifth-year senior was 24-of-33 for 250 yards. (http://es.pn/1phkm0y)
Auburn — The Tigers overcame their quarterback issues — Nick Marshall didn't start as punishment for a drug citation over the summer — to pull away from Arkansas, 45-21, and prove that "the reigning SEC Champions are still very much a threat in the present." (http://on.mgmadv.com/1vYRXSJ)
LSU — Coach Les Miles' team rallied from 17 points down to open by beating traditional Big Ten Conference power Wisconsin, 28-24. "We played sloppy, we didn't do everything we could do until the latest possible time that we did it," Miles said. (http://bit.ly/1vAZ2eX)
Ole Miss — Behind a shaky start and strong finish by quarterback Bo Wallace, the Rebels pulled away from a 7-6 lead entering the fourth quarter to beat Boise State, 35-13. "It was awful hard to watch for 2 1/2 quarters," Ole Miss coach High Freeze said. (http://es.pn/1lD5LSo)
Mississippi State — The Bulldogs posted one of the most lopsided scores of the weekend, blasting Southern Mississippi State 49-0. After scanning the stat sheet, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said, "Everything to me looks pretty solid." (http://bit.ly/1sThgnb)
Texas A&M — The "Kenny Football" era began in earnest, but Kenny Hill, the sophomore quarterback who's following Johnny Manziel for the Aggies, "doesn't really like" that nickname. After completing 44 of 60 passes in his first start, Hill made a new name for himself. (http://es.pn/W0N3Ys)
Arkansas — The Razorbacks were tied 21-21 with Auburn but didn't score in the second half, forced to punt four times. They also threw an interception and turned the ball over on downs. "Overall, obviously, two quarters of football we can live with, and two that we can't," said coach Bret Bielema. (http://on.mgmadv.com/1vYRXSJ)
SEC East
South Carolina — Blasted by Texas A&M last Thursday, the Gamecocks are looking for momentum, writes Josh Kendall. "For South Carolina, that is gone now. It took a lot to kill it, but it's dead." (http://on.mgmadv.com/1vYRXSJ)
Georgia — Back from a sophomore season in which he was slowed by injuries, tailback Todd Gurley emerged in helping Georgia race past Clemson, 45-21. Gurley scored four touchdowns and set a school record with 193 all-purpose yards. (http://bit.ly/1ov5ICI)
Florida — Fans at the Swamp waited through a lengthy delay, saw a 64-yard kickoff return against opponent Idaho, and that was it before officials announced another lightning strike nearby. The school hasn't said yet when the game could be played. (http://bit.ly/1zZ9L0H)
Missouri — South Dakota State had its deficit down to three points Saturday before Marcus Murphy changed the game with a single play. After telling a teammate he'd return the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, Murphy did so in helping MIssouri to a 38-18 victory. (http://bit.ly/1vAZpGg)
Tennessee — The Volunteers start their season with a Sunday night home game against Utah State. Tennessee, in its second season under coach Butch Jones, has won its last five openers. (http://bit.ly/1wXlmku)
Vanderbilt — The Commodores' season started with some controversy about the "Anchor Down" team slogan on back of their jerseys. Temple left little doubt by the end of Thursday's game who deserved to win a 37-7 Owls rout in Nashville. (http://cbsprt.co/1phkJbn)
Kentucky — The Cats had fun again, so writes The Courier-Journal's Kyle Tucker, in dismantling visiting UT Martin on Saturday by a 59-14 score. "I've been saying all along that we're better," said coach Mark Stoops. (http://cjky.it/1vYpgFI)
Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner.