Week 1 gave the SEC a clean sweep in the win column, but Cole Cubelic wasn’t handing out identical grades across the board.
The ESPN analyst went team by team on social media after the opening weekend of the 2026 college football season, and his message was pretty clear: everyone in the league took care of business, but some clubs looked a lot sharper than others. The SEC finished 16-0 in the first week, the only conference to go undefeated, yet Cubelic still found plenty to point out - from quarterbacks settling in to offensive lines that still need work.
A few programs drew especially strong praise. Cubelic called Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell’s first career start a strong showing, saying he operated the offense well and kept things moving.
Georgia earned a nod for its offensive mix, while Kentucky’s offense under first-year head coach Will Stein was described as “smooth.” He also said the quarterbacks at Mississippi State and Missouri looked confident and in control.
LSU’s win over Clemson stood out to him as “tone-setting,” and Florida’s dominant performance against Florida Atlantic was labeled an impressive first victory for the Gators. On the other end of the spectrum, Arkansas’ 31-14 win over North Alabama left Cubelic wanting more.
He said the offense “got bogged down” and that the quarterback play was “off and on.” Auburn’s tight win over Baylor in Atlanta brought a similar note of caution, with Cubelic saying the Tigers have “plenty to work on.”
For Alabama, Cubelic’s Sunday takeaway was simple: “Handled their business. QB operated offense well.
Most throws on time. Took a few chances.
Timely called QB runs. Has to manage edges better moving fwd. showed nice ability to keep plays alive & find things after it breaks…”
His Arkansas note focused on inconsistency and missed chances: “Take the W & move on. Offense got bogged down a bit.
QB off & on. Missed a few throws.
Got a ton of different looks from that secondary. Can't turn it over in RZ.
Saw what he's capable of. Wanted to see more 0 in low red zone.
Great use of TE/FB. 32 fun to watch. That…”
Auburn, meanwhile, got this from Cubelic: “Just needed the W. Huge to get it.
Plenty to work on. Offense had spots.
Zone scheme was going. Had pullers miss on gap scheme.
OL not bad in protection other than being on different levels vs twists. Liked the effort from 79 & 56 up front.
Needed more movement at POA. …”
Florida’s opener drew praise for both execution and effort. Cubelic wrote: “Impressive 1st win for Sumrall.
Baugh was immaculate. Such a great feel for the scheme to go along with ridiculous skill set.
OL really strained. Effort was really good. 58 & 77 stood out.
Understood what was asked. QB operated the offense.
Got in & out of reads quickly. …”
Georgia’s offensive rhythm also caught his eye: “Handled their business. Loved the mix on offense early.
Quick game to extend run game. Showed they have a few guys with juice that can handle it, mainly 0 & 1.
Missed some perimeter & downfield blocks that could have given them more. QB accurate & deliberate early.
Had…”
Kentucky’s first game under Will Stein was described as efficient and clean: “Handled their business. Operation of offense looked smooth.
QB had command. Like tested seams early.
Ball got out on time. Took his check downs.
No wasted energy. TEs added a great deal.
Formationally they help present different things. 81 was out of his mind blocking! …”
LSU’s performance against Clemson earned the biggest label of the day from Cubelic: “Tone setting win. Offense was rolling.
QB made a LOT happen on his own. The zone scheme did pick up momentum as the game went on.
Backs did a great job gaining yards after contact, especially 13. Same side counter hit nice.
OL strain was def improved. Solid on pass pro.
TE 7…”
Mississippi State got a positive review built around confidence at quarterback: “Handled their business. Love the shot play off the top. 1 looked much more confident.
Seemed to have almost zero doubt. Really nice job working In-N-Out of RPOs.
Just can't side arm no look too many. Legs are going to help as well.
And he protected himself. 87…”
Missouri’s offense, in Cubelic’s eyes, looked comfortable from the start: “Handled their business. QB looked extremely comfy & confident.
Operated with authority. Good off play action.
Minimized miscues. Felt like he was just playing pitch & catch.
OL had some good & not so good. Missed on slide protection a few times.
Center was great…”
Oklahoma also got a mostly upbeat review: “Handled their business. Offense effective.
Plenty of room to grow. 1 just insanely impressive. Makes so much happen.
QB flashes brilliance. Had wow plays.
Could tell he was gassed up. Still had some hero tendencies show up & that's ok.
Velocity on intermediate throws…”
South Carolina’s opener included a note on the screen game and the quarterback run element: “Handled their business. Like getting 8 going in screen game early.
He blocked well also. The designed QB run element will help the traditional run game. 44 will be important yo what they do. 16 looked comfy manipulating the ball.
Maybe rushed a few throws. 10 has…”
Tennessee’s quarterback came away with a composed review, along with some concern about pass protection: “Handled their business. QB looked composed & confident.
Decisive when leaving the pocket. Adding him to the run game will be big.
Missed a few throws but made most with authority. OL good effort. 72 had good pulls.
Tackles gave up edge in pass pro a few times. TEs…”
And Texas A&M finished the weekend with a familiar theme: power up front, but some issues to clean up. Cubelic said: “Handled their business.
OL looked big & powerful. 71 got after folks. 76 can move people. Little concerned about handling movement & quickness.
Body control will need to improve with them. Just inconsistent.
Protection break downs early. QB saved them but that can't…”
Cubelic said he would post his Ole Miss takeaways later in the week, leaving one more SEC breakdown still to come after a first weekend in which every team in the league opened with a win.
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