The opening month of the Premier League campaign was certainly a slog for Crystal Palace, but as the calendar flipped to September, so too have the Eagles fortunes.The south London outfit are aiming for their second consecutive league victory when they welcome Stoke City to Selhurst Park on Sunday.The Eagles (1-1-2) finally got things moving in the right direction with a 2-1 victory over new boys Middlesbrough last time. Christian Benteke opened the scoring for Palace, but it was quickly rebuffed through a goal by Daniel Ayala. The winning strike then came from Wilfried Zaha, who assisted on the opening score, in the 47th minute.Manager Alan Pardew was pleased with his sides performance.It was very similar to the other games that weve had in this division this year as it was so tight and the breaks went our way, he said. I was pleased with the first 20 minutes of each half and I felt that we controlled those periods. But then maybe because we hadnt won for a while we sat back towards the end of the first half.The manager also made mention of Bentekes first goal.I think its very important for a striker to get that first goal, Pardew said. And as soon as the cross came in you knew. ... I dont think any defender can defend against him in that position when hes coming on the back of you like that.Midfielder Joe Ledley echoed his managers thoughts on the victory.It was important to get three points after we have had a slow start but it is still early days, Ledley said.While Palace enter this contest riding a moderate level of confidence, Stoke City (0-1-3) are struggling mightily for form. The Potters find themselves at the foot of the table in the early goings.Stoke were off to a decent start with an opening draw against Middlesbrough, but their ensuing struggles continued with a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur last week. That result left Stoke manager Mark Hughes sufficiently frustrated with his teams performance.It is difficult when you concede the first goal at home because there is an onus on you to chase the game somewhat, Hughes said. We arent very good at the moment to be perfectly honest and we are allowing ourselves to get caught by being too open.You have got to give yourself a foothold in the game, keep a foothold in the game and then that will allow you the chances to get back on terms. When momentum starts to shift away from you then you have to recognize that and ride it out. Wholesale Jerseys 2021 .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Wholesale Jerseys 2020 . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. 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Alabama has been in this spot before, searching for a quarterback as it heads into a season, and usually it has worked out just fine.Coach Nick Sabans Crimson Tide has won four national titles since 2009 and three of those championships came with a first-time starting quarterback running the offense.So when talking about pivotal players in the Southeastern Conference, dont be so quick to mention Alabamas starting QB, whoever that might be. History suggests the Tide will be OK.No one player will ever hold the fortunes of a team and, notwithstanding Alabamas unique situation, the quarterback is going to be really important for every team. No need to name them all. With that said, here are six players who will play a big role in determining how things shake out in the SEC this season.Nick Chubb, RB, GeorgiaChubb was one of the best running backs in the country, right in the conversation with LSUs Leonard Fournette, when he blew out his knee last October. The sophomore was averaging 124.5 yards per game. New Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said he expects Chubb back by preseason camp but hedged on when he will be fully ready to roll and if he will play in the opener against North Carolina.Now Chubbs very capable backup, Sony Michel, is expected to be out six to eight weeks after breaking his arm. And the Bulldogs are unsettled at quarterback and receiver. The difference between a successful first season for Smart and a bumpy transition could come down to how soon Chubb is back to being the player he was before the injury.Gregory Little, OT, MississippiLaremy Tunsil is gone, leaving an NCAA mess and a big hole at left tackle behind in Oxford, Mississippi. In the 305-pound freshman from Texas, coach Hugh Freeze hopes he has another plug-and-play five-star lineman.The Rebels used redshirt freshman Alex Givens and senior Jeremy Liggins, a high school quarterback-turned-tight end and now 300-pound lineman, at tackle during the spring, and could even move center Sean Rawlings back outside. But getting Little established on quarterback Chad Kellys blind side could make a huge difference.Josh Dobbs, QB, TennesseeThe Volunteers are favored to win the East as coach Butch Jones rebuild appears to be nearing a peak. Dobbs hass already established himself as dangerous dual-threat (2,291 yards passing, 671 yards rushing, 26 touchdowns accounted for) for a potentially powerful offense.ddddddddddddThe question is whether he can take the next step from good to great player by improving his accuracy (59.6 completion rate) and ability to stretch the field. It could be the difference between the Vols playing for an SEC championship or a national championship.Daylon Mack, DT, Texas A&MThe Aggies already have maybe the best defensive end in the country in Myles Garrett. Paired with edge pass rusher Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M has one of the best combos in the country outside.Defensive coordinator John Chavis is hoping former five-star recruit Mack, who shed 25 pounds in the offseason to weigh-in at 315, can blossom into a steady run stuffer in the middle of a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league against the rush (5.01 yards per carry against).Carl Lawson, DE, AuburnIts a given that the Tigers need to solve a quarterback problem that was a big part of what ruined last season. Maybe JUCO transfer John Franklin is the next Nick Marshall? But for the second straight year Auburns defense was bad (5.37 yards per play allowed and just 19 sacks), and having a healthy Lawson could help change that.Lawson missed all of 2014 (knee) and much of 2015 (hip), but has the potential to solve Auburns pass rush problem.Antonio Callaway, WR, FloridaThe sophomores status with the team is murky. Callaways attorney says he has been held out due to a university conduct code issue. Coach Jim McElwain again this week said its still unclear when Callaway will be part of the team again.Solely from a football standpoint, the Gators are lacking established playmakers, breaking in a new quarterback and could really use Callaway, who averaged 19.4 yards per catch last season.Extra pointEight more pivotal players: Brandon Harris, QB, LSU; Kody Walker, RB, Arkansas; Alex Ross, RB, Missouri; Matt Elam, DT, Kentucky; AJ Jefferson, DE, Mississippi State; Ralph Webb, RB, Vanderbilt.---Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter/ralphDrussoAP ' ' '