Week 3 SEC Letter Grades: Missouri Through South Carolina

By Tucker Harlin

MISSOURI: A-

Credit: University of Missouri Athletics

Penalties and a slow start are the reasons why Mizzou gets an A- instead of a straight A.

The Tigers found themselves in a 14-3 hole in the first half, and 30 of the Tigers’ 91 penalty yards were from undisciplined personal fouls on Luther Burden.

The stars delivered for the Tigers offense. Brady Cook played his first turnover free game of 2024 and was able to connect with Burden for 117 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another score. Running back Nate Noel was a constant on the ground, finishing the day with 121 yards.

The Tigers held a strong Boston College rush attack to just 49 yards, an area where the Eagles have repeatedly capitalized to begin the season.

The day started rough for the Tigers’ pass defense as it surrendered pair of touchdown passes in the opening frame, but interceptions limited the effects later on in the game in favor of Mizzou.

I’m still of the belief that Boston College is an upper half ACC team, so this win is one the Tigers can look back on fondly, similar to their win over Kansas State last season.

OKLAHOMA: C

Credit: University of Oklahoma Athletics

Before you tell me Tulane is good, I know.

But when you get up three touchdowns on a group of five opponent, you shouldn’t be trying to find ways to make the game interesting.

Oklahoma led 24-6 late in the third quarter, but the Green Wave was able to cash in on a fake reverse touchdown pass near the end of the quarter. Jackson Arnold began the fourth quarter by throwing an awful pick six straight to a Green Wave defender, cutting the Sooner lead to 24-19.

Arnold made up for this with a rush touchdown to put the Sooners up by 12, and the Sooners finished the day with a 34-19 win.

All in all, this was a better looking version of last week’s win for Oklahoma. Tulane’s offense wasn’t threatening enough to beat it, but you still walk away feeling like it could’ve done more.

The rushing output was far better than it was against Houston, and a lot of that had to do with Arnold taking matters into his own hands.

But Arnold’s not throwing the ball like a five star quarterback, and his offensive line is about to take the mother of all tests against Tennessee next week.

OLE MISS: B+

Credit: Wake Forest Athletics

The 40-6 win Ole Miss picked up against Wake Forest Saturday was awfully similar to Tennessee’s win over NC State in Week 2: a blowout with plenty of mistakes to learn from.

The Rebels gave away a fumble early, allowing for the Demon Deacons to drive down and kick a field goal. Jaxson Dart threw a pick early in the third quarter, but the Rebels defense nullified it with a goal line stand. 11 penalties for 114 yards isn’t exactly indicative of an A+ effort either.

Mistakes aside, there was no shot Wake Forest was keeping this within four touchdowns.

When you match one of the worst teams in a second tier conference with a top five team in the country, you’re going to get a blowout.

Despite the interception, Dart finished with a second consecutive 377-yard passing performance. Henry Parrish accompanied Dart in the backfield with 133 yards and a pair of rush touchdowns for the Rebels.

The way the middle of the SEC is shaping up, it could be a while before Ole Miss is really tested.

SOUTH CAROLINA: C

South Carolina joins Kentucky as highest graded loser this week.

The Gamecocks simply ran out of gas against LSU. They had it rolling on the ground early on offense, the defensive line was stout to start the day, and Beamer Ball got itself a punt block.

However, the offense took a step back when LaNorris Sellers left with an injury, making Robby Ashford the acting field general. Defensively, the Gamecocks couldn’t keep the same pressure it had as that LSU front proved why it’s one of the best in the conference.

The Gamecocks had a chance to tie the game and send it to overtime, but they were unable to advance the ball past the LSU 32 to set up a shorter field goal than the 49-yarder they missed.

This South Carolina team has no quit in it, an admirable quality for a heavy underdog in the SEC. But there are still plenty of issues like quarterback play and the offensive line that could keep it from pulling any upsets this season.