SEC storyline catch-up: Oklahoma gets narrow win over Auburn, Florida loses again & Arkansas upset by Memphis

Aggie nation got to sit back on the couch and relax this weekend after earning its first bye week of the season. While you may have taken the time off to observe all the happenings within the SEC, let's still get you up to date on everything that took place.

Oklahoma holds off Auburn, but not without some controversy, 24-17

Jackson Arnold made his not-so-long-awaited return to The Palace on the Prairie this past weekend and, much like his tenure with the Sooners in 2024, he found himself on the losing side of the outcome. The second-year starter performed surprisingly well against his former team, completing 21 of his 32 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown, but his offensive line's inability to keep him upright made all the difference. The Sooners notched 10 sacks on the afternoon, two and a half by star defensive end R Mason Thomas, and always stepped up when a big play was required from them.

While Auburn, Texas A&M's next opponent on the schedule, did a nice job stopping the shaky Sooner run game, the Oklahoma passing offense carried most of the weight. Star quarterback John Mateer chimed in with 300 yards of total offense and two total touchdowns, and it was Isaiah Sategna making the difference out wide with nine grabs for 127 yards and a score.

That same touchdown from Sategna was met with heavy contention — as Oklahoma should've been penalized for faking a substitution. But, hey, if you're an Auburn fan then look at the bright side: the SEC put out this apology to make you feel better. That helps, right?

Arkansas loses at Memphis after Tigers' fourth-quarter comeback

A shocking result came early Saturday afternoon when the Arkansas Razorbacks handed away a 28-10 second-quarter lead to the Memphis Tigers, who outscored Sam Pittman's crew 17-3 in the second half and won on a late forced fumble by Chris Bracy.

Arkansas has had one of the better offenses in college football in the early parts of this season, averaging nearly 41 points per game and 552 yards of total offense, but its defense has been equally as bad in its last two games. They allowed Memphis to rush for 290 yards on the afternoon and average nearly seven yards per play, just one week after giving up 41 points and 475 yards of total offense to Ole Miss. Now sitting at 2-2 on the season, it's tough to find light at the end of the tunnel — with games coming up against Notre Dame, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Florida's offensive struggles continue in 26-7 loss at Miami

It's been a rough September in Gainesville, Florida, as the Gators have now rattled off three straight losses at the hands of South Florida, LSU and Miami. All three outcomes have followed a similar theme — where offensive incompetency has let down strong defensive efforts — and that was the case again on Saturday. While Florida didn't throw away five turnovers like it did against LSU the week prior, but it averaged just 2.7 yards per play and went a shocking 0-13 on third down.

This feels like all but the end for the Billy Napier era in Florida. He saved his job last season by winning five of his team's final seven games but, with a daunting schedule of Texas, Texas A&M and Georgia still on the horizon, he'd have to pull off a miracle if he's to survive the next month of the season.

Missouri runs amok on South Carolina in home victory

Eli Drinkwitz's impressive start to the season continued into conference play as his Tigers took care of a LaNorris Sellers-led Gamecocks squad by a final score of 29-20. Missouri torched South Carolina on the ground all day — running for 285 yards behind 138 from star back Ahmad Hardy — and its defense held South Carolina to negative nine rushing yards and a 3-for-11 mark on third down.

SEC play has not been kind to Shane Beamer's crew, losing to Vanderbilt and Missouri in consecutive weeks. The defense, one that had to replace nine starters from the previous season, has really struggled to find its footing, and the offense has been far too inconsistent despite solid play from its star quarterback. Much like the Gators, the Gamecocks don't have much time to right the ship — with a stretch of LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M starting in October.

On a smaller note ...

• Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Texas all thoroughly took care of their G5 opponents over the weekend — outscoring them by a combined score of 264-65 — while LSU beat FCS Southeastern Louisiana Lions by a final score of 56-10.