Oklahoma Unprepared for SEC as Tennessee’s Defense Shines in Spotlight

The second week of the 2024 college football season was full of unexpected upsets and several close calls. However, the biggest shocker came when No. 5 Notre Dame unexpectedly lost 16-14 at home to Northern Illinois. This defeat has marked the Fighting Irish as the most disappointing team of the year, regardless of what transpires in the upcoming weeks.

After a promising start with a victory over Texas A&M in Week 1, Notre Dame’s path seemed clear, pointing towards a potential College Football Playoff appearance. Yet, everything fell apart in astonishing fashion. The Irish were heavy favorites, with a 28.5-point margin, but they managed to score only two touchdowns in their own stadium against Northern Illinois.

This performance is particularly hard to swallow, considering it’s not the first time under Marcus Freeman that the team has faltered against unranked opponents at home. To put it in perspective, former coach Brian Kelly ended his tenure with a remarkable 40-game winning streak against such teams.

Even if Notre Dame runs the table with an 11-1 record, it would be a challenge for the selection committee to overlook this debacle and consider them for a place in a 12-team playoff. The prospect of stringing together ten consecutive victories now seems daunting.

In Oklahoma, the football team is grappling with the aftermath of a complete overhaul of its offensive line. Facing a Houston team that was a 27.5-point underdog, the Sooners struggled significantly. They could not establish a running game, and quarterback Jackson Arnold was sacked three times for the second consecutive week. He completed just 19 of 32 passes for 174 yards, while the team averaged a mere 2.6 yards per carry against a Houston defense that struggled against UNLV the previous week.

While Oklahoma’s defense appears ready to compete at the SEC level, the shortcomings of their offensive line may hinder their success as they transition into the conference.

Meanwhile, both Michigan and Auburn find themselves in a precarious position, having effectively lost their seasons before they even began. Their inability to recruit a new starting quarterback from the transfer portal has haunted them. Auburn had a particularly frustrating situation, given that they failed to maximize the talent available in the transfer market, especially with their recruiting reputation and Hugh Freeze’s experience.

Despite upgrades in other areas, especially at wide receiver, the offense remains stagnant under Payton Thorne’s leadership. Michigan, dealing with the impacts of Jim Harbaugh’s flirtation with the NFL, also missed the opportunity to enhance their quarterback situation in the off-season. The coaching staff’s decision to stick with inexperienced options contributed to an underwhelming start to the season.

The reality of their situation became evident during their performances last weekend. On a more positive note, Tennessee is showcasing a formidable defense this season, thanks to defensive coordinator Tim Banks. Following an impressive 51-10 victory over NC State, the Volunteers have gone three consecutive games without allowing a single offensive touchdown.

Although their opponents’ caliber during this stretch hasn’t been particularly high, achieving 12 quarters without conceding a touchdown is no small feat. Tennessee’s defensive line, which had not been in the spotlight previously, showed its strength by dismantling an NC State offensive front with extensive experience.

NC State struggled to gain any traction, managing only 143 total yards and failing to convert a third down after their initial drive. Tennessee piled up 13 tackles for loss and three sacks, solidifying their defense as a potential national powerhouse.

On the other hand, Kentucky’s situation under coach Mark Stoops has led to disappointment. The Wildcats lost 31-6 to a South Carolina team that had previously struggled. Stoops, who earns $9 million per year, is managing a program that appears stagnated and struggles to live up to preseason expectations.

Though Stoops has helped make Kentucky a consistent bowl team, the program is falling behind in the increasingly competitive SEC landscape. With his contract extending through June 2031 and a significant buyout in place, it seems unlikely that changes will be made soon, despite the pervasive underperformance the team is experiencing.