This week's games: South Carolina at Georgia

Many similarities between these two teams so far. First, they both faced outstanding quarterbacks in their first week and kept themselves in these games by keeping those same quarterbacks in check. Russell Wilson managed only 74 passing yards against a still stout USC pass defense and Zac Robinson squeeked out 135 yards against the Bulldogs. But their own quarterback play from Stephen Garcia and Joe Cox was dodgy enough to merit only 7 points for South Carolina (a win) and 10 for Georgia (a loss). In other words, great pass defense will be nullified by an inability to pass the ball. Georgia is at home, is the better team, and really needs this win after losing in week 1, so expect them to win, but they will need to do it with their running game. On the other hand, Georgia caught South Carolina at just the right time last season (see above), but still just escaped with a 14-7 win in Columbia. Without Stafford and Moreno, this one might go the other way.

Quick Note: South Carolina and Vanderbilt

Remember, just because South Carolina beat NC State does not mean they're ready for a breakout year. NC State has now lost two straight games with a final score of a lot to zero, the last defeat coming last season at the hands of Maryland-not a top 25 team.

And just because Vanderbilt beat SC does not mean they're good. They upset an SC team last year that everyone thought was one the verge of a breakout year, but the Commodores were not good last year either.

There are plenty of elite teams in the SEC. I'm not convinced that South Carolina or Vanderbilt are among them.

Quick Notes: Opening Day

Head Ball Coach has a defense. South Carolina made a statement in their opener. In beating NC State 34-0, they gave up only 49 passing yards and forced 4 turnovers. But we knew SC’s defense was good. If the 4 Gamecock turnovers and offensive hiccups were just products of first game jitters, this Spurrier team could be for real—which means they finish 4^th in the SEC East.

The Runaround. Miami is fast. Really fast. Or Charleston Southern has tried to field a team of professional speed walkers. It's too bad no one was there to see the performance-even the fanciest camera angles couldn't hide all the empty seats.

What could’ve been and what can be. In January, Ryan Perriloux was the projected starter of the defending national champions. Now, LSU will start a Harvard transfer at QB and Ryan Perriloux is the starting QB at Jacksonville State. The entire town of Jacksonville couldn’t fill the visitor’s section at LSU’s Tiger Stadium.

Georgia Tech showed some potential in becoming a well-oiled Paul Johnson machine. The wide receivers were either making pancake blocks 30 yards downfield or catching goofy passes from QB Josh Nesbitt after releasing from the infamous “run haphazardly and get wide open” route. Half the time I had no idea where the ball was, and then I would find that it was 20 yards downfield and in the hands of someone I was pretty confident started the play on the sideline. Jonathan Dwyer, playing the hybrid running back/fullback B-Back position in Johnson’s scheme, will run for 1000+ yards this season and make the position a sexy one at Georgia Tech despite being only two inches from the QB’s butt.

But the Jackets still have a ways to go. The 2 fumbles and 70 yards of penalties can be reduced or eliminated. Josh Nesbitt completed only 5 of 12 passes. Last year’s Navy team hardly let the ball touch the grass on fumbles or incompletions and was penalized less than 30 yards a game.

Player that impressed. UConn’s RB Donald Brown is a stud. He is a known commodity in the Big East, but doesn’t get the recognition he deserves nationally. Against Hofstra, he demonstrated great vision and the ability to pop through the seam. He doesn’t have the bulk to carry the load for an entire game, but he won’t have to.

On the Money. I made two picks for Thursday's games and was an impressive 2-0 straight up and against the spread. The problem with achieving perfection this early in the season, though, is that I can only go down from here.