Power Five matchups give SEC chance to make early statement

AP photo by Vasha Hunt / Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham (65) sets up to block against Utah State during last Saturday’s game in Tuscaloosa. Alabama won 55-0, but the top-ranked Crimson Tide can expect a tougher test as they visit the Big 12’s Texas on Saturday. AP photo by Vasha Hunt / Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham (65) sets up to block against Utah State during last Saturday’s game in Tuscaloosa. Alabama won 55-0, but the top-ranked Crimson Tide can expect a tougher test as they visit the Big 12’s Texas on Saturday.

By JOHN ZENOR / The Associated Press September 9, 2022 5 min read

In the first full week of college football’s 2022 season, the Southeastern Conference was perhaps one blocked kick away from perfection, with a few impressive nonconference victories and some runaway wins that were to be expected.

For teams including No. 1 Alabama and No. 24 Tennessee, bigger tests start Saturday, when they’re among five SEC programs engaging in Power Five nonconference matchups. A league that prides itself on being the best in college football gets a chance for more September statements.

Georgia looked every bit the reigning national champion in a 49-3 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game win over Oregon, which was No. 11 at the time, and the Bulldogs bumped up spot to second in the rankings this week. Arkansas went from 19th to 16th in the AP Top 25 after a 31-24 win against Cincinnati, which was No. 23 in the preseason after winning the American Athletic Conference title last year and becoming the first Group of Five team to reach the College Football Playoff.

Florida upended Utah, the reigning Pac-12 champion ranked No. 7 in the preseason, matching the highest-ranked team the Gators have defeated in an opener. The first time was over No. 7 Houston in 1969.