Kamario Taylor has been absolutely unbelievable, carving up defenses as Mississippi State racked up a ridiculous 100 points across their first two games. After a historic Week 1 victory and then a dominant 38-13 road win over Minnesota, the Bulldogs are on an absolute tear, and now they’re rolling into their SEC opener against South Carolina. This isn’t just a hot start; this is a team firing on all cylinders, and the rest of the conference better be paying attention.
The Bulldogs’ Offensive Firepower Hits Columbia
Jeff Lebby’s squad is bringing that explosive energy right into Columbia, looking to shake up the SEC East. South Carolina’s Shane Beamer is no stranger to starting strong, hitting 2-0 for his third consecutive season, and he’s hungry for that first 3-0 start since 2012. Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been a dual threat through two games, slinging for over 350 passing yards and tearing off more than 100 rushing yards. Last week, he showed just how dangerous he is on the ground, busting loose for 119 yards on only seven carries. But to keep that momentum rolling and extend their 10-7 series lead over Mississippi State, the Gamecocks absolutely HAVE to figure out how to slow down Kamario Taylor and this scorching hot offense. Seriously, Taylor is the player to watch, and the entire league is tuning in.
Franklin’s Hokies Face a Big Ten Battle Royale
Switching gears, we’ve got a fantastic non-conference battle brewing when Virginia Tech hosts Maryland. This is a Big Ten-ACC showdown that’s got serious potential. Both quarterbacks are coming off monster games, throwing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns in their previous outings. Virginia Tech’s Ethan Grunkemeyer is completing over 70% of his passes with four touchdowns so far, while Maryland’s Malik Washington is also sitting above 70% completion with three scores through the air. This game marks James Franklin’s first real Power 4 test on the road, and it’s against a familiar conference foe. During his Penn State days, Franklin went a dominant 9-2 against Maryland, winning by an average of 25.9 points. Can he keep that absolute stranglehold on the Terrapins, even with a new team? Look out for Virginia Tech’s Luke Reynolds, the Penn State transfer, who has been Grunkemeyer’s go-to guy, leading the team with 13 receptions for 158 yards and three touchdowns. This kid’s a game-changer and will be key to Franklin’s offense.
Beyond the Sleeper Buzz
While those sleeper games are where the real intrigue might lie, don’t forget about the massive ranked matchups shaking up the weekend. Lane Kiffin makes his highly anticipated return to Oxford, leading his No. 7 LSU Tigers against the No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels. That’s the game everyone circled when the schedule dropped, and it’s going to be absolute fireworks. Plus, Friday night kicks off with another ranked battle as No. 22 Houston rolls into Lubbock to face No. 12 Texas Tech.
These early season games aren’t just warm-ups; they set the tone. For teams like Mississippi State and Virginia Tech, it’s about proving their early season form is legitimate and building momentum. Can Kamario Taylor continue to light up scoreboards? Will James Franklin extend his dominance over Maryland from a new sideline? We’re about to find out, and it’s going to be wild!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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