Best and Worst SEC Football Performances: Week 3
By Ryan Summers
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Greyson Lambert and Nick Chubb, QB and RB, Georgia
– These two are an obvious choice, along with LSU running back Leonard Fournette (who I’ll talk about later), to be on this week’s list of top performers. Georgia absolutely stomped South Carolina in week three on their way to a 52-20 win over the Gamecocks.
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It was primarily due to these two guys offensively. Lambert threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns while Chubb ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 21 touches. Both set records in the process of impressing everyone during week three. Chubb ran for 100+ yards for the 11th consecutive game Saturday and Lambert set a school record for consecutive pass completions with 20.
Lambert was extremely efficient in week three, completing 24 of his 25 passing attempts. Lambert, the former starter at Virginia, was named to the starting lineup less than a week before week one and is proving to the doubters that he is the real deal and can compete in the SEC after already leading his team to two conference wins.
Chubb is dominating opponents, but quietly. People know he is good, but do they notice that he is 7.6 yards on average per carry good? Like this kid is an absolute beast. Yes, I know that it’s still early but I think Chubb will be one of the guys we’re talking about at the end of the season — not just in the SEC, but in the nation. Georgia might not let fans down this season like they have in the past if these two guys keep up this level of performances.
Sep 19, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Johnny McCrary (2) rushes for a touchdown against the Austin Peay Governors during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Johnny McCrary, QB, Vanderbilt
– The Vanderbilt Commodores were only favored Saturday against Austin Peay by six points following a 31-14 loss to Georgia in week two. They silenced all the oddsmakers in week three en route to a 47-7 explosion of offense against the Governors.
Vanderbilt was led by sophomore quarterback Johnny McCrary who threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns on 28 of 33 passing attempts. In order to win SEC games this season, McCrary will have to have performances like he did Saturday. His talent can’t be restricted to week three and expect to be just dandy the rest of the year for Vandy.
Already this year through three games, McCrary has 70 completions for 880 yards. That almost matches his 985 yards on 78 passes from the entire 2014 season. McCrary isn’t just a threat with his arm and he showed his quick feet on Saturday. McCrary ran for 41 yards and a rushing touchdown in addition to his impressive throwing stats.
The Ole Miss Rebels
– For the second straight year the Mississippi Rebels have knocked off Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide. Last year, led by the senior quarterback Bo Wallace, the Rebels were able to take down the SEC powerhouse in Oxford, Mississippi. This year, they were able to travel into Bryant-Denny Stadium and roll the Tide, winning 43-37.
The Rebels got off to a quick start thanks to a fumble on the opening kickoff. From their, though, it was a complete team effort to get the win in Tuscaloosa. The loss is the first for the Tide in the month of September since 2007. The Rebels scored 24 points off of five Bama turnovers on Saturday.
As a result of this game, the Rebels jumped from No. 15 to No. 3 in the AP Poll and don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Ole Miss is the highest scoring team in the nation and their high-powered offense could spring them into contention for the SEC title. They might have gotten a little lucky on certain plays like the helmet bounce touchdown in the third quarter, but the Rebels know how to score in bunches and keep opponents out of the end zone enough to win games. The Rebels are the real deal and the hot shots in the SEC after week three.
Next: Worst of the Week