WBN SEC Football Power Rankings: 9/5 Edition
By Wayne
8. Missouri Tigers: (1-0, 0-0)- Thanks to a killer rushing game and return game, this one was a laugher from the beginning. Between PR Marcus Murphy taking two punts (72 and 70 yds) back to the house and Kendial Lawrence adding his own 70+ yard TD run, SE Louisiana didn’t stand a chance. The spread offense didn’t translate into much with the receiving game but their D is SEC caliber, especially if they keep turning teams over and running the gifts back to the house. I’m looking at you Zaviar Gooden and Michael Sam. Next Game: vs. Georgia on Saturday September 8th at 7:45 PM. Prior Rank #8
9. #24 Florida Gators: (1-0, 0-0)- Florida “edging” Bowling Green is not what you want to hear if you are Will Muschamp but that’s exactly what they did. I don’t know if BGSU is that good or Muschamp’s Gators are that soft. The bright spot in their game was RB Mike Gillislee rushing 25 times for 148 yds and 2 TD. Jeff Driskel was pedestrian at best but Muschamp is sticking with him and with the upcoming road game, he better have a back up ready…just in case. Next Game: at Texas A&M on Saturday September 8th at 3:30 PM. Prior Rank #9
10. Mississippi State University Bulldogs: (1-0, 0-0)- A balanced offense (183 passing and 194 rushing) led this beat down. Tyler Russell was 15/23-175, 2TD, while the running game was paced by Derrick Milton and LaDarius Perkins. The Defense caused 3 TO’s, running two interceptions back for TD’s. Jackson State never was a match for SEC talent so I won’t be putting them in a Top 25 anytime soon but if their D improves, they may not dwell at the bottom of the West. And for Dan Mullen’s sake, they better not. Next Game: vs. Auburn, on Saturday September 8th at 12:00 PM. Prior Rank #10
11. Tennessee Volunteers: (1-0, 0-0)- With Tyler Bray playing like an SEC QB, Derek Dooley’s orange pants should be safe for another year. NC State had no answer for Cordarelle Patterson’s legs (2-72, TD) or arms (6-93, TD). Bray’s 72 yard TD throw to Rogers and 41 yarder to Patterson show he has big play ability and talent around him. Dooley shouldn’t be happy with his D giving up over 400 yards to NC State but forcing 3 fumbles has to assuage the sting a little. Unfortunately we won’t be able to see them against solid competition this weekend either. Next Game: vs. Georgia State on Saturday September 8th at 4:00 PM. Prior Rank: #13
12. Ole Miss: (1-0, 0-0)- Hugh Freeze found a diamond in the rough with Bo Wallace. 264 yds and 2 TD to go along with 13-82 on the ground, is a solid FBS debut for the Juco Transfer. Unfortunately, he was also their leading rusher which won’t do in the SEC. Their running game must improve if they want to stay afloat. But with the chemistry Wallace seems to have with his WR corps of Montcrief, Neat, and Mosley, they have a little time to improve the running game. Next Game: vs UTEP on Saturday September 8th at 7:00 PM. Prior Rank: #14
13. Vanderbilt Commodores: (0-1, 0-1)- Thanks to a sign of life in the 2011 campaign, and the sweet video (sarcasm) presentation of a scholarship to walk-on FB Mark Fanu, people are at least talking about Vandy without using the term “nerd.” After their battle with South Carolina Thursday night, it looks like Jordan Rodgers (13-23, 214, 1 TD) to Jordan Matthews (8 Rec, 147 yds, 1 TD) connection will test some defensive backfields. I’m not sold on their backfield but Zac Stacy is going to need bigger shoulders to carry that load. A repeat of last year’s success would be monumental, but I wouldn’t bank on it. Keep your noses in the books kids. As we saw last night, Vandy is still up to their old tricks as they lost their season opener to South Carolina. Next Game: at Northwestern on Saturday September 8th at 8:00 PM. Prior Rank: #12
14. Kentucky Wildcats: (0-1, 0-0)- Despite losing to UL 32-14, Joker clearly made the right call with Maxwell Smith at QB. His leadership, accuracy and grit are on par with success in the SEC. La’Rod King and Gene McCaskill give him viable options down the field but the running game leaves much to be desired. Two turnovers inside the UL 25 yard line were costly and not capitalizing on turnovers the D caused proved insurmountable. The D-Line got no penetration in the backfield and it was evident by Bridgewater doing anything he wanted. Clearly they belong here right now. Next Game: vs. Kent State on Saturday September 8th at 7:30 PM. Prior Rank: #11