Week 1 gave the SEC a clean sweep in the win column, but Cole Cubelic made it clear that the 16-0 start did not look the same everywhere.
The ESPN analyst went team by team on social media Sunday, and his overall read was simple: most of the league did what it was supposed to do. Some teams were sharper than others, some showed off real juice, and a few still have plenty to clean up even after opening with a victory.
Among the most encouraging notes, Cubelic singled out Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell for how he ran the Tide offense in his first career start. He also liked the way Georgia mixed things on offense, called Kentucky’s offense under first-year head coach Will Stein “smooth,” and said the quarterbacks at Mississippi State and Missouri looked confident and in control.
Cubelic also came away impressed with LSU’s win over Clemson, calling it “tone-setting,” and described Florida’s dominant showing against Florida Atlantic as an impressive first win for the Gators.
Not every SEC opener earned the same level of praise. On Arkansas’ 31-14 win over North Alabama, Cubelic said the offense “got bogged down” and the quarterback play was “off and on.” Auburn, meanwhile, came away with a win over Baylor in Atlanta, but Cubelic said the Tigers have “plenty to work on.”
For Alabama, Cubelic wrote: “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 takeaway read: “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’s note was blunt about the task ahead: “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 drew this from Cubelic: “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 offense got a strong review too: “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 was another team Cubelic liked after its opener: “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 win over Clemson earned the “tone setting” label, and Cubelic expanded on that by saying: “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’s opener also drew a positive assessment: “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, too, got the handled-business treatment: “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 was another team Cubelic said handled its opener, but he still saw room to grow: “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 opening note focused 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, in Cubelic’s view, looked composed and functional: “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…”
Texas A&M got a more cautious review despite the win: “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…”
And Vanderbilt, too, drew praise for how it started: “Handled their business. Love how they started down hill with 28 behind 44.
Set tone. 22 brings a different punch. 13 & 3 will help them east/west to keep teams honest. 28 looked good. Nice cuts.
QB handled things well. Used legs when he needed to.
Worked all the ball…”
Cubelic said he would post his Ole Miss takeaways later in the week, but for now his message on the league’s opening weekend was straightforward: the SEC won across the board, even if the tape still left plenty to chew on.
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