Week 2 in the SEC offered a little bit of everything. We saw one big upset, an almost historic one that didn’t pan out, a couple of thrilling games and some blowouts. Let’s take a look at each game, starting with the in-conference matchups.
LSU @ Mississippi State
Game Recap: LSU looked dominant early and held on to withstand a Mississippi State comeback, picking up an impressive 21-19 road win.
Key Players: LSU – Leonard Fournette was the offense for the Tigers and he was fed early and often, carrying the ball 28 times on Saturday. He scored two of his three touchdowns in the 1st quarter en route to a 159-yard game. Fournette flashed both speed and power throughout the game and should be quite the weapon for both the Tigers and DFS this season. Brandon Harris and the passing game were quiet but he showed a firm command of the offense. He finished the day with 71 passing yards and added on another 48 on the ground.
Mississippi State: Dak Prescott was under heavy pressure during the first half and unable to get much of anything going on offense. He settled things down in the second half and sparked a furious comeback in the 4th quarter, rushing for a 1-yard touchdown after an 87-yard drive and passing for another to cap off an 82-yard drive. Prescott finished the day completing 34 of 52 for 335 yards. De’Runnya Wilson rebounded from a quiet Week 1 with an 8 catch, 86-yard and 1 touchdown performance. The running game produced only 43 yards combined, partially due to game flow and partially due to the strength of the LSU defense.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: LSU – Fournette is the key player to watch for LSU and you should only consider not rostering him due to facing an elite defense or an exorbitant price. On that note, Harris could be a great play for games against teams with elite run defenses. For now, Harris could be considered for 2QB sites with the best choice for a partner in crime coming down to Travin Dural or Malachi Dupre.
Mississippi State: Prescott to Wilson remains an elite combo both on the field and for DFS purposes. You can feel comfortable rostering both of them in most weeks. The backfield continues to evolve and there is no clear-cut must-play for DFS. Ashton Shumpert led the team in carries with 10 but Brandon Holloway was the most productive rusher with 37 yards.
Georgia @ Vanderbilt
Game Recap: Georgia started off slow and only lead 14-6 at the half but turned it on in the second half to run all over Vanderbilt in a 31-14 win.
Key Players: Georgia – The running game was up to its usual dominant ways in compiling 284 yards and 2 touchdowns. Nick Chubb contributed 189 yards. He is a dominant force and his pricing across the DFS landscape reflects that. Sony Michel carried the ball 12 times for 56 yards and a touchdown while Keith Marshall chipped in 11 yards on 5 carries. Greyson Lambert had a shaky day at quarterback, completing only 11 of 21 for 116 yards. Malcolm Mitchell led all receivers with 4 catches for 36 yards.
Vanderbilt: Johnny McCrary was also shaky behind center, completing 24 of 50 for 295 yards, 1 touchdown and 3 picks. He completed passes to 8 different receivers, who were led by Latevius Rayford’s 7/57/1 performance. Ralph Webb was again a workhorse in the backfield, carrying the ball 25 times for 68 yards and adding on 7 receptions for 57 yards.
Key Injuries: Vanderbilt tight end Steven Scheu took a big hit after the second of his two receptions and did not return.
Players to Watch: Georgia - It’s all about the backfield in Georgia. Chubb is a stud, but his price makes roster construction challenging most weeks. Michel and Marshall should be on your radar for potential blowouts as they would see the bulk of second half work in those games. Lambert has the talent to succeed in the play action system of Georgia but needs to start putting it together.
Vanderbilt: Webb is a great talent but will be held back without improved quarterback play. Definitely in play for any soft spots on Vanderbilt’s schedule. If McCrary can get his turnover problem under control, he could be productive in the right spot and make for a decent flier on 2 QB sites.
Kentucky @ South Carolina
Game Recap: Kentucky took advantage of South Carolina’s slow start to take a commanding 24-7 lead at the half and held on to win 26-22.
Key Players: Kentucky – Stanley Williams did his part in the yardage department by gaining 107 yards on the ground and another 23 through the air but three other running backs scored touchdowns for the Wildcats. He’s the only back that deserves DFS consideration at the moment, but JoJo Kemp did have only one less carry. Patrick Towles completed a solid 21 of 29 for 192 yards with an interception. The Wildcats relied on the run once the lead was established. Garret Johnson and Dorian Baker led the team in catches with 5 apiece, while Jeff Badet was tops in yardage with 62 yards.
South Carolina: Connor Mitch exited the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and was relieved by Perry Orth. The quarterbacks combined for 222 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 INT. Brandon Wilds received the bulk of the backfield work and picked up 106 yards on 16 carries and tacked on 2 catches for 22 yards. Pharoh Cooper paced the receivers with 9 catches for 100 yards.
Key Injuries: Mitch suffered a separated shoulder and is likely done for the year.
Players to Watch: Kentucky – Williams remains the biggest factor for DFS purposes but monitor the distribution of snaps in the backfield going forward. Towles can produce when the game dictates it, not necessarily a top option for single QB sites but definitely in play for 2 QB sites. The receivers can be hit or miss, Johnson remains the preferred option to pair up with Towles.
South Carolina: All indications are that Perry Orth will get the start at quarterback this week for a tough matchup against Georgia. Wilds and Cooper are both intriguing for DFS purposes, but Wilds is probably the safer option until we see how the quarterback play is going forward. Cooper is a tremendous talent and some stability at quarterback would vault him back into the conversation of top DFS receivers.
Oklahoma @ Tennessee
Game Recap: This one’s going to sting for awhile. Tennessee was up 17-3 at the end of the 3rd quarter and in full control of the game but went on to lose 31-24 in overtime.
Key Players: Joshua Dobbs struggled with his accuracy, completing only 13 of 31 for 125 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 INT. He added on 12 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Eight different receivers caught passes for the Volunteers, led by Josh Smith’s 4 catches for 56 yards. Josh Malone was on the receiving end of Dobbs’ TD pass. Jalen Hurd had a very strong game on the ground, carrying the ball 24 times for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Dobbs and company should rebound nicely next week against Western Carolina. The accuracy issue could have been a case of big game jitters as the game was played in front of 102,455 fans. He would benefit tremendously with the emergence of a true WR1. Hurd has 229 yards and 4 touchdowns already this season. He deserves serious DFS consideration on a weekly basis.
Fresno State @ Ole Miss
Game Recap: Ole Miss put up 70+ points for the second week in a row as they defeated Fresno State 73-21 on Saturday.
Key Players: Chad Kelly is firmly in command of the Rebels offense. Granted the past two weeks have been against lesser competition, but completing 20 of 25 for 346 yards and 4 touchdowns will certainly gain your attention for DFS purposes. Kelly also contributed 26 yards and another TD on the ground. Nine different receivers caught passes on Saturday, led by Quincy Adeboyejo’s 5 catches for 123 yards and 3 touchdowns. The backfield saw no particular standouts in the rout but the running backs combined for 215 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Kelly looks unstoppable through two weeks but will run into much tougher competition this Saturday against Alabama. Defenses should be concluding by now that focusing their attention on Laquon Treadwell will lead to another receiver having a huge day. Treadwell remains the top option but has done little for DFS purposes through two weeks. It was a full timeshare in the backfield as the game got out of hand. Jaylen Walton should continue to be the top option going forward.
Ball State @ Texas A&M
Game Recap: Texas A&M and their explosive offense cruised to a 49-3 halftime lead en route to a 56-23 victory over Ball State on Saturday.
Key Players: Kyle Allen was sharp again in leading the Aggies offense, completing 10 of 13 for 126 yards and 3 touchdowns. He gave way to backups before the first half ended. All told, Aggies quarterbacks racked up 233 yards and 4 touchdowns. The backfield was crowded in the rout with seven different rushers carrying the ball for 270 yards and 3 touchdowns. It was Ricky Seals-Jones’ turn to lead the receivers with 3 catches for 54 yards. Eleven different receivers caught passes on Saturday.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: Allen looks like a great fit for the Aggies offense and gets another opportunity to rack up the stats next week against Nevada. The crowded backfield should still belong to Tra Carson, who contributed 59 yards and a touchdown. The loaded group of receivers remains a frustrating puzzle for DFS purposes, but it’s worth noting that Christian Kirk turned in another solid day with 4 catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Middle Tennessee @ Alabama
Game Recap: Alabama rolled over Middle Tennessee 37-10 to improve to 2-0 and will begin conference play next week against Ole Miss.
Key Players: The quarterback race appears to be over. Jake Coker played the first half and threw for 214 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 INT. He ceded the reins to Cooper Bateman for the second half and he added on another touchdown pass. Derrick Henry had a huge day, carrying the ball 18 times for 96 yards and 3 touchdowns. Backfield mate Kenyan Drake contributed 40 yards on the ground and led all receivers with 5 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. Tight end O.J. Howard chipped in 4 catches for 68 yards.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: It’s Coker’s job and he is an option on a weekly basis. We’re still waiting for a true WR1 to emerge. Robert Foster was the most productive with 4 catches for 49 yards and a touchdown, but Ardarius Stewart led the Tide in catches with 6. Henry is an elite option for DFS and should be considered weekly. Drake is an explosive complement in the backfield and should also be on the radar, especially for any potential blowouts. Howard is also in play and makes for an interesting option to pair up with Coker.
Jacksonville State @ Auburn
Game Recap: Auburn avoided what would have been one of the most shocking upsets of all-time by rallying to beat Jacksonville State 27-20 in overtime.
Key Players: Jeremy Johnson threw two more picks on his way to racking up 236 yards and 2 touchdowns. More was expected from the Auburn offense thus far, we’ll see if he settles down with a few more games under his belt. Peyton Barber took over lead back duties and carried the ball 23 times for 125 yards and a touchdown. Roc Thomas chipped in 22 rushing yards and had 2 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Ricardo Louis paced receivers with 10 catches for 76 yards.
Key Injuries: D’haquille Williams was banged up in the in the 3rd quarter but appears to be okay.
Players to Watch: Johnson will need to show improvement as the schedule gets tougher or the season could go down south quickly. Williams remains the top option of the receivers but had a quiet day on Saturday with only 2 catches for 22 yards. Barber rushed for 100 yards for the second consecutive game.
Toledo @ Arkansas
Game Recap: An ugly Saturday for the Razorbacks as they fell to Toledo 16-12, a result that knocked them out of the Top 25.
Key Players: Brandon Allen piled on the yardage but that didn’t translate into touchdowns. He completed 32 of 53 for 412 yards and an interception. Alex Collins rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown as the Razorbacks were surprisingly held to 103 total rushing yards. Tight end Hunter Henry caught eight of Allen’s passes for 117 yards. Keon Hatcher was the top wide receiver with 7 receptions for 92 yards.
Key Injuries: Hatcher suffered a broken foot and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
Players to Watch: Allen looks like a solid DFS option after his second consecutive week of airing it out, but spend wisely and don’t get burned if his price inflates and the team reverts to ground and pound in response to the loss. The loss of Hatcher stings and likely means more targets for Henry, one of the top tight ends in the country. Collins has been quiet thus far but is capable of big games if his number gets called enough.
East Carolina @ Florida
Game Recap: Florida held on to defeat East Carolina 31-24, but their lackluster performance drew the ire of head coach Jim McElwain.
Key Players: Will Grier saw most of the time behind center and threw for 151 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Treon Harris completed 5 of 8 for 54 yards and also ran for 32 yards. The running game produced 168 yards and a touchdown, led by Kelvin Taylor’s 16/55/1. Demarcus Robinson led the team in catches with five and found the end zone, while DeAndre Goolsby had 94 yards and a touchdown to his credit.
Key Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: The quarterback situation is DFS kryptonite until someone is officially given the job. Taylor and Robinson appear to be the safest players for DFS purposes as the best players on the team at their respective positions.
Missouri @ Arkansas State
Game Recap: Missouri came back and held on for a 27-20 victory against Arkansas State on Saturday.
Key Players: Maty Mauk contributed through the air and on the ground, throwing for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns and running the ball 10 times for 75 yards. Russell Hansbrough exited with an ankle injury after running for only 15 yards. Three different receivers were the recipients of Mauk’s touchdown tosses. Sean Culkin led the receivers with 5 catches for 46 yards and 1 touchdown.
Key Injuries: Hansbrough is expected to miss this week’s game due to the ankle injury.
Players to Watch: Mauk was solid on Saturday and the victory can largely be attributed to him on the offensive side of the ball. He should be busy next week if Hansbrough does indeed miss the game. He could use some more consistency from his receivers who struggled with drops on Saturday. Hansbrough’s absence could lead to an intriguing DFS flier on whoever gets the start, although that is unclear at this time.
