Studs

Tyler Russell, QB- Mississippi State

Russell did not start against Memphis but by the time he came in, the game (and most likely the starting job) was his.  Russell showed why everyone in Starksville is so excited about the young signal caller by shredding the Memphis secondary to the tune of 256 yards and four touchdowns on 13-of-16 passing.  Russell is not the mobile quarterback that Chris Relf is but with an arm like his, you can leave the running to the tailbacks.  What has plagued Mississippi State for so long is the lack of any decent quarterbacking play and it seems that has all come to an end with Russell. 

Joe Adams, WR- Arkansas

Most people (myself included) expected the Mallett and Co. to shred the Tennessee Tech secondary and that they did.  However, I figured the main recipient of those passes would be Greg Childs but this Saturday, Mallett's favorite target was none other than the electric Joe Adams.  Adams reeled in five passes for 138 yards and two scores as he consistently got behind the secondary.  Now you cannot bank on this type of performance every week because on any given weekend the top receiver honors could go to Childs, Jarius Wright, or even someone like Cobi Hamilton or D.J. Williams, but it is safe to say that Adams is a dangerous target for the Razorbacks.

Cameron Newton, QB- Auburn

Wow,  I expected Newton to be an interesting weapon in Gus Malzahn's offense but I don't think anyone expected this much success in the first game.  Like a finely tuned Ferrari, sometimes these high-powered offenses take a while to warm up before they are off and revving, but with Newton at the helm, the Tigers offensive engine screamed.  Newton was efficient in the air totaling 186 yards passing with three touchdowns completing 9-of-14 but also scorched the ground with 15 carries for a blistering 171 yards and two more scores.  While you may want to temper your expectations as these were achieved against Arkansas State, make no mistake that Newton has arrived and the Tigers' offense is all the more dangerous because of him.

Randall Cobb, WR- Kentucky

Cobb makes this half of the list partially because of his do-it-all performance but we have grown to expect that from the talented athlete.  However, what really cemented his position here was that it was against his archrival Louisville Cardinals.  Cobb had a pass for 19 yards, two catches for 19 yards, four rushes for 80 yards and a score, and two kick returns for 59 yards.  Whenever the Wildcats need him, Cobb comes through and in what could end up being the biggest game of his season, Cobb definitely did not disappoint.

Ryan Mallett, QB- Arkansas

Against the overmatched Tennessee Tech secondary, Mallett had a field day throwing for 301 yards and three scores.  What is possibly more impressive is the fact that our of his 24 passes, Mallett only had three incompletions.  When you have as many touchdowns as you do incompletions, you can call that a good day.

Duds

John Brantley, QB- Florida

Brantley's performance against Miami of Ohio was just ugly in the first half as it was a smattering of short passes that were easily sniffed out, a couple overthrown balls, and troubles getting snaps from his center.  While Florida did come away with the victory, it was in spite of Brantley and not because of him.  Brantley completed 17-of-25 passes for two touchdowns but what is more telling is that all those passes only equaled 113 yards because most of his passes were little dump passes, screens, and slants.  While you can expect Brantley to get better and (hopefully) put this game behind him, it still was an ugly start for someone filling arguably the largest shoes in college football.

Mississippi Defense and Special Teams

Ole Miss has lost quite a few players to the NFL but the fact that they gave up 355 yards of offense and 49 points to Jacksonville State is inexcusable.  If the Rebels are going to do anything in the SEC this year, the defense has to shore up.

Chris Relf, QB- Mississippi State

When you look at the top of this article, you see a redshirt freshman who did not start his game but still ended up throwing four touchdowns.  If he didn't even start and did that well, it only makes sense that the guy who did start should be on this half of the list.  Relf completed 7-of-9 passes for a meager 116 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against Memphis.  Relf didn't do much on the ground either while garnering just 20 yards on seven carries.  With this performance and the stellar play of Russell, Relf may have just relocated himself to Wildcat duty only.

Robert Elliott, RB- Mississippi State

Elliott came to Starksville and a highly touted recruit and has not performed at all and the Bulldogs' game against Memphis was no exception.  During the offseason, Elliott was in a heated battle for carries against junior college transfer Vick Ballard as well as redshirt freshmen Montrell Conner and LaDarius Perkins.  Well Conner left the team and Perkins was getting work as Dan Mullen's next Percy Harvin so it appeared Elliott would have to split carries but could finally make due on all his potential.  Well Ballard played well turning just seven carries into 60 yards and two touchdowns while Elliott showed his true colors rushing for just 39 yards on 11 carries.

Carl Moore, WR- Florida

When talking about someone coming to a school with a lot of hype and falling short, you have to mention the curious case of Carl Moore.  In 2008, Moore was one of the top rated junior college transfers and was expected to make an immediate contribution to the Gators.  However, Moore was only able to muster 14 catches for 184 yards and a touchdown.  In 2009, Moore dealt with injuries and did not produce any stats.  In the offseason, Moore worked really hard and became a good target for Brantley as he exploded in the spring game with eight catches for 130 yards and a touchdown.  Well against the Redhawks this weekend, Moore was a non-factor with zero catches.