Week 1 gave the SEC a clean sweep, and Cole Cubelic’s Sunday rundown was built around the same basic theme: everybody won, but not everybody looked the same doing it.
The conference went 16-0 in the opening week of the 2026 season, the only league to finish unbeaten. Cubelic’s read was straightforward for most of the group - they took care of business against inferior opponents. But he still found plenty to say about how each team got there, especially when it came to quarterbacks, offensive rhythm and the little things up front.
Alabama was one of the first teams he singled out, with Cubelic praising Keelon Russell for how he “operated offense well” in his first career start. He said most of the throws were on time, noted a few chances were taken, and pointed to timely called quarterback runs. He also added that Alabama has to manage edges better moving forward, while still showing the ability to keep plays alive and find something after a breakdown.
Georgia drew a similar verdict on the final score, but Cubelic liked the offensive mix early. He said the Bulldogs used quick game to extend the run game and showed they have “a few guys with juice” who can handle it, mainly 0 and 1. He did note missed perimeter and downfield blocks that could have created more, and said the quarterback was accurate and deliberate early.
At Kentucky, Cubelic said the offense looked smooth under first-year head coach Will Stein. He described the quarterback as in command, said the team tested seams early, got the ball out on time and took checkdowns without wasting energy. He also highlighted the tight ends, calling their contribution a major part of the operation, and said 81 was “out of his mind blocking!”
LSU’s win over Clemson earned one of Cubelic’s strongest labels: “tone-setting.” He said the offense was rolling and that the quarterback “made a LOT happen on his own.”
The zone scheme picked up as the game went on, the backs were strong after contact - especially 13 - and the offensive line strain improved. He also called the pass protection solid.
Florida’s first win under Sumrall was another game Cubelic liked. He called it an impressive first win and said Baugh was “immaculate.”
He praised the feel for the scheme, the skill set, and the effort from the offensive line, with 58 and 77 standing out. He added that the quarterback operated the offense well and got in and out of reads quickly.
Mississippi State and Missouri both got the same general treatment: handled their business. Cubelic said Mississippi State’s quarterback looked much more confident, with almost zero doubt, and did a really nice job working in and out of RPOs.
He liked the shot play off the top, though he warned not to sidearm no-look too much, and said the legs will help while also noting the quarterback protected himself. For Missouri, he said the quarterback looked extremely comfy and confident, operated with authority and was good off play action.
He said the offense minimized miscues and felt like pitch and catch, while the line had some good and not so good moments and missed on slide protection a few times.
Oklahoma also got the businesslike treatment, though Cubelic made it clear there’s room to grow. He called the offense effective and said 1 was “just insanely impressive.”
The quarterback flashed brilliance, hit wow plays and showed some hero tendencies, which Cubelic was fine with. He also pointed to the velocity on intermediate throws.
South Carolina’s offense got a nod for getting 8 going in the screen game early, and Cubelic said he blocked well too. He added that the designed quarterback run element will help the traditional run game, 44 will be important to what they do, and 16 looked comfy manipulating the ball even if a few throws were rushed. He also said 10 has …
Tennessee’s quarterback drew a strong review as well. Cubelic said he looked composed and confident, decisive when leaving the pocket, and that adding him to the run game will be big.
He said the quarterback missed a few throws but made most of them with authority. The offensive line effort was good, 72 had good pulls, and the tackles gave up the edge in pass protection a few times.
Texas A&M finished with the kind of note Cubelic often reserves for a team that won but still left things on the table. He said the offensive line looked big and powerful, with 71 and 76 doing damage, but he also expressed concern about handling movement and quickness.
He said body control needs to improve and called the operation inconsistent. Protection breakdowns showed up early, and while the quarterback saved them, Cubelic made clear that can’t keep happening.
Arkansas and Auburn were the two SEC teams where Cubelic’s tone sharpened a bit. On Arkansas’ 31-14 win over North Alabama, he said the offense “got bogged down” and the quarterback play was “off & on.”
He pointed to missed throws, different looks from the secondary, and the need to avoid turnovers in the red zone. He also said he wanted to see more 0 in the low red zone, even while praising the use of the tight end and fullback.
Auburn needed the win, and Cubelic said that much plainly. But he also said there is “plenty to work on” after the tight one against Baylor in Atlanta.
He noted that the zone scheme was going, but pullers missed on gap scheme and the line was not bad in protection outside of issues against twists. He liked the effort from 79 and 56, but said Auburn needed more movement at the point of attack.
Cubelic said he would post his Ole Miss takeaways later in the week.
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