WBN SEC Football Power Rankings: 11/25/2012 (and Final) Edition
By Wayne
1. #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1, 7-1) Prior Rank #1- While I don’t think there is an NFL team today that Alabama can beat, the fact that they didn’t go undefeated is still mind boggling. But with the Iron Bowl up for grabs, they brought their pre-LSU selves to the game today. Eddie Lacy was a beast as were McCarron and Yeldon, but we can’t leave their D out of the accolades. Bama is the most complete team in the country and, should they beat UGA in the SEC Title Game, will handle ND.
2. #3 Georgia Bulldogs (11-1, 7-1) Prior Rank #2- Well no one could accuse the Bulldogs of looking ahead to the SEC Title Game against likely opponent, Alabama, because they destroyed their “rival” Georgia Tech. Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall were unstoppable on the ground and Aaron Murray was extremely accurate and efficient. All accounting for 2 TD’s apiece. They will be ready for whoever they face in the SEC Title Game.
3. #10 Texas A&M Aggies (10-2, 6-2) Prior Rank #3- If you had told me at the beginning of the season that Texas A&M would be in the SEC title game if Alabama lost twice, I would have asked you who Texas A&M was. But after Johnny Everything got his feet wet in the SEC, he’s been sliding down hill ever since, putting himself in a strong position to be the first ever Frosh to win the Heisman. Strong indeed. And to play their final regular season game against the team it accompanied into the SEC, well they couldn’t have written it much better. They stepped on Mizzou’s throat early. Look for A&M to overtake Alabama before Manziel leaves for the NFL.
4. #5 Florida Gators (11-1, 8-1) Prior Rank #5- In what used to be the causeway for the National Championship teams, Florida did not disappoint in the annual battle against Florida State. It took some timely running from Mike Gillislee and precision throws from Driskell to thwart the Seminole upset. They were aided by the helmet-to-helmet hit that likely left FSU’s QB EJ Manuel with a concussion. Oh how much does that lone loss to Georgia sting now? Cost you a shot at the National Title. Wow.
5. #9 LSU Tigers (10-2, 6-2) Prior Rank #4- Another year, another 10 win season. This team continued its quest to play an entire season to the level of its competition. Arkansas should have been destroyed by this vaunted D, but the “Mad Hatter” was plagued by the lunacy of the “Joker.” The positives to take for LSU are they scored every quarter and are still in the hunt for the SEC title game, technically, but only if Bama and Texas A&M lose. Not likely. BCS at-large birth is more likely.
6. #11 South Carolina Gamecocks (9-2, 6-2) Prior Rank #6- Spurrier and the Cocks had their work cut out for them against Clemson adn they knew it. Opting to go with Dylan Thompson, instead of Connor Shaw, proved to be the right move for Spurrier. as he threw for 3 TD’s and didn’t make the same, head scratching mistakes as Shaw. Jadeveon Clowney and the Defense feasted on Tajh Boyd to the tune of 6 Sacks (5 for Clowney alone) and 2 INT. That’s what a legit SEC Defense does to everyone else. Now if SC can find a way to finish a regular season undefeated, we’ll get to see Clowney light up another conference’s QB like Boyd.
7. Vanderbilt Commodores (8-4, 5-3) Prior Rank #8- Apparently the Commodores are for real. They are coming off a 5 win SEC schedule and finish 8-4 overall. They rode Zac Stacy’s legs for 180 and 2 TD’s as well as Jordan Matthew’s down the field ability for 10-144 and a TD. Wesley Tate scored a couple TD’s on a reception and rush. While they don’t have BCS bowl hopes, clearly James Franklin has accomplished in this short amount of time down at Nerd U. is nothing short of miraculous.