SEC Week 1 Recap: Statement Wins, Big Debuts, and Two Big Facepalms
Birmingham, AL - The SEC opened 2025 with a bang—and a couple thuds. Fifteen teams played. Thirteen won. One kicks off today. And two of the biggest brands in college football—Alabama and Texas—took a punch to the mouth.
For everyone else, Week 1 was either a flex, a tune-up, or a quiet warning: we’re built for this.
Friday, August 29
Auburn 38, Baylor 24
Auburn took over in the trenches. Jackson Arnold’s debut was electric—137 rushing yards and two scores from the Oklahoma transfer. Hugh Freeze’s offense racked up 300+ on the ground and controlled the game start to finish.
Saturday, August 30
LSU 17, Clemson 10
Defense, defense, and more defense. LSU bullied Clemson in the trenches and made Cade Klubnik look ordinary. Garrett Nussmeier didn’t light it up, but he did enough. Big road win to start the year.
Florida State 31, Alabama 17 🤣
Bama got worked. Gus Malzahn schemed circles around DeBoer, and Florida State’s offense rolled. The Tide offense looked stuck, and the O-line got beat up. If this is the “new era,” it’s not a good one.
Ohio State 14, Texas 7
Arch Manning couldn’t get going, and the Longhorns’ offense looked flat. One touchdown, no rhythm, and a reality check in Columbus. Not a good start for the youngest Manning Quarterback.
Tennessee 45, Syracuse 26
Joey Aguilar didn’t waste time. The new Vols QB had total command, and Tennessee’s offense lit it up. Fast, aggressive, explosive—exactly what Josh Heupel wants to see in Week 1.
Georgia 45, Marshall 7
Gunnar Stockton looked sharp in his first home start, accounting for four TDs. Georgia was surgical and balanced on offense, suffocating on defense. Same movie, different year.
Mississippi State 34, Southern Miss 17
A steady opener for Jeff Lebby. State ran the ball, avoided mistakes, and handled business. Not flashy, but physical—and that works.
Kentucky 24, Toledo 16
Closer than it should’ve been. Kentucky’s offense sputtered, but the defense came through late. Gritty win, but plenty to clean up.
Arkansas 52, Alabama A&M 7
No drama in Fayetteville. New QB Taylen Green looked comfortable, and the Hogs controlled everything. Strong debut for a team with a lot of new pieces.
Oklahoma 35, Illinois State 3
John Mateer made his first start and kept it simple. OU’s defense did most of the heavy lifting—fast, physical, and completely in control.
Vanderbilt 45, Charleston Southern 3
Vandy started fast, stayed disciplined, and never gave Charleston Southern a window. Clean win. Nothing fancy. Just handled it.
Florida 55, LIU 0
Mismatch from the opening whistle. Florida scored at will and got what they needed—reps, rhythm, and a full-team blowout.
Texas A&M 42, UTSA 24
Marcel Reed heated up in the second half—four TDs, nearly 300 yards—and the Aggies pulled away. A&M’s skill talent showed up late and made the difference.
Ole Miss 63, Georgia State 7
Austin Simmons looked like a veteran in his first start, and Lane Kiffin’s offense put on a clinic. Five straight scoring drives to open the game. Rebels looked ready.
Still to come – Sunday, August 31
South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech (3 PM ET, ESPN)
The Gamecocks get their shot today, and it’s LaNorris Sellers' time. Big spotlight, neutral field, and a physical Virginia Tech squad across the line.
Big Picture Takeaway
The SEC is 13–2 with one to play. And the only losses? Alabama and Texas.
Not great for the two teams that entered the season with the most eyes on them.
Bama looks like a program still searching for a post-Saban identity. Texas still can’t match talent to production. Everyone else? Solid, aggressive, and locked in.
This league didn’t need a “new era.” It just needed the season to start.