By Chris Marler
As we head into Week 2 there are several big matchups in the SEC including a road game against the defending national champions as well as the first conference game of the season between South Carolina and Kentucky. Whether you’re watching, betting or arguing about the games with your buddies, here are this week’s numbers to know for week two in the SEC.
Texas @ Michigan
0-5: Michigan has been a seven-point underdog at home just five times since 2000. They are 0-5 in those five games and haven’t won as a TD underdog at home since 1995 (vs Ohio State).
23 & 27: The 7.5 points Texas is favored by is the most for Michigan against a non-conference opponent since 2021 vs UGA. They lost that game 34-11. The next highest was in 2012 when they were a 13-point underdog vs Alabama which they lost 41-14.
Arkansas @ Oklahoma State
11-3: Arkansas is 11-3 ATS as a road underdog under Sam Pittman. They’re also 12-4-1 ATS in road games overall during that stretch.
225 & 126: Arkansas QB Taylen Green’s passing prop total from Vegas is 225 yards. Oklahoma State has allowed at least 225 yards passing in nine of their last 11 games overall and finished last season with the 126th ranked pass defense allowing over 275 ypg.
Auburn vs Cal
4-15: Since 2020, Cal is 4-15 in road games. Only one of those wins was against a team with a winning record (2023 UCLA) and two of the four wins were vs 3-9 Stanford (twice).
28: Cal had 28 total turnovers a year ago which was the third most in the country. They also gained 28 turnovers which was tied for the most in all of FBS.
12 & 125: Cal struggled mightily in the first half against UC-Davis last week, and at the break had 12 less first downs (4 total) and 125 less yards (109 total) than UCD while clinging to a 14-3 lead.
South Carolina @ Kentucky
2-10: Shane Beamer is 2-10 in SEC road games as the head coach at South Carolina. The Gamecocks have lost those 10 games by an average of 20.7 ppg.
68: South Carolina has forced 68 total turnovers since the start of the 2021 season. That’s the most in the SEC.
36: Kentucky starting QBs have thrown 36 total interceptions since the start of the 2021 season. That’s also the most in the SEC.
17: Kentucky is 1-16 over the last 5 seasons when held to 17 points or less. They are 3-20 over that span when held to less than 21 points as well. USC hasn’t allowed more than 16 points to Kentucky in the last 3 years (since Shane Beamer has been HC).
Tennessee vs NC State
32: Tennessee has scored first in 32 of their 40 total games under Josh Heupel.
35: Tennessee starts fast. In the 40 games under Heupel, they’ve scored at least seven points or more in the first quarter 35 times.
22-7-1: Josh Heupel teams are 22-7-1 ATS in the first half away from home. They’re 41-17-2 ATS in the first half overall during that span which is the most profitable of 305 total coaches. They’re a 6.5 point favorite in the first half vs NC State this Saturday.
LSU vs Nicholls
5: Nicholls forced 5 total turnovers last week against Louisiana Tech
1-10: Nicholls all-time record vs Power 4 opponents in football. The lone win was against Kansas in 2018.
45: Despite his week one woes at LSU, Brian Kelly has been very good in Week 2. He’s 9-1 straight up in his last ten week two games including a 2-0 record at LSU winning by an average of 45 points per game.
Mississippi State @ Arizona State 37:
The average age of both head coaches in this game is 37. Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby turned 40 this year, and he’s the old-timer compared to Kenny Dillingham who, at 34, is the youngest head coach for any Power 4 team in college football.
