SEC Power Rankings
In week 2 action the SEC teams fared pretty well, here’s how I rank them:
- Texas A&M
Sep 6, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kenny Hill (7) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Lamar Cardinals at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Aggies are 2-0, conference 1-0
A lot of people are going to disagree with me here and say Georgia is the better team and maybe that is true, but as of now I feel A&M has proved themselves. After an offseason with talk of how their defense was and will be subpar and that Johnny was the team, the Aggies and Kenny “Trill” proved themselves against South Carolina and then proceeded to run Lamar into the ground with a 70 point victory with over 500 offensive yards.
- Georgia
Aug 30, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) runs against the Clemson Tigers during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Clemson 45-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Bulldogs are 1-0
Losing Aaron Murray doesn’t seem to have to affected the Dawgs too much, after seeing them dominate a solid Clemson football team and Todd Gurley burst onto the scene as an early Heisman frontrunner it’s hard to argue against Georgia. Though this was a bye for Georgia, still #2 on my list. This upcoming week against South Carolina will be HUGE for them.
- Auburn
Sep 6, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back Johnathan Ford (23) celebrates his fumble recovery with defensive back Joshua Holsey (15) during the second quarter against the San Jose State Spartans at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
The Tigers are 2-0, 1-0 conference
Last season’s Iron Bowl is when I kind of realized “Hey, maybe Auburn is more than the other school in Alabama” and now they’re up 3 spots from their in-state rivals on my list. Solid wins over Arkansas and San Jose State and I believe they are more than ready for K State. Nick Marshall also threw and rushed for more than 100 yards each.
- LSU
Sep 6, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs against the Sam Houston State Bearkats during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Sam Houston 56-0. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Tigers are 2-0
Defeating #14 Wisconsin by four points, then shutting out Sam Houston State 50-0 I think the Tigers are proving themselves as serious SEC contenders once again. While not everyone was a fan of Leonard Fournette striking the Heisman pose after his first career TD- there is something to be said about his talent and his teammate Travin Dural.
- Ole Miss
Sep 6, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback DeVante Kincade (2) and receiver Quincy Adeboyejo (8) celebrate after a touchdown during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at LP Field. Mississippi won 41-3. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Rebels are 2-0, 1-0 conference
Bo Wallace had a few too many interceptions against Boise State but the Rebels still walked away with the win 35-13. This week they went up to Nashville and absolutely hammered Vanderbilt 41-3. They have momentum as Louisiana-Lafayette heads to town next and I see no signs of them slowing down in Oxford.
- Alabama
Sep 6, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffen and head coach Nick Saban all to quarterback Jake Coker (14)at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
The Crimson Tide is 2-0
After defeating West Virginia in a game where it appeared neither team really wanted to win, they rolled over Florida Atlantic 41-0. Southern Miss should provide some competition this week but their big test is next week against Florida.
- Florida
Sep 6, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Mark Herndon (37) runs past Eastern Michigan Eagles defensive back Pudge Cotton (7) to score a touchdown during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Eastern Michigan Eagles 65-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Gators are 1-0
Muschamp and the Gators drilled Eastern Michigan 65-0 down in the swamp. They’ll give the Cats all they can handle.
- Mizzou
Sep 6, 2014; Toledo, OH, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk (7) looks to hand the ball off against the Toledo Rockets during the third quarter at Glass Bowl. The Tigers beat the Rockets 49-24. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The Tigers are 2-0
Wins against South Dakota State and at Toledo showed that although they lost some of their main offensive guys, Mizzou’s high power offense hasn’t slowed down. Their biggest test yet comes this weekend against UCF.
- Mississippi State
Sep 6, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) advances the ball and points out a black during the game against the UAB Blazers at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
The Bulldogs are 2-0
Nearly losing at home to UAB, QB Dak Prescott stepped in and saved the day throwing four touchdowns and leading the offense to 516 yards (to make up for the 548 the defense gave up). They did shut out Southern Miss 49-0 and they take on South Alabama in week 3. Week 4 is the Bulldogs’ big “prove yourself” moment against LSU.
10. South Carolina
Sep 6, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mike Davis (28) runs for his first touchdown of the evening during game action between the South Carolina Gamecocks and East Carolina Pirates at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The Gamecocks are 1-1
Spurrier’s team had a very underwhelming game against A&M, then narrowly defeated East Carolina 33-23. Mike Davis appears to be the only big playmaker on the team in my opinion. Georgia is a chance for redemption and they traditionally give the Dawgs more than they can handle down in Columbia.
11. Kentucky
Sep 6, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Mikel Horton (4) runs the ball against the Ohio Bobcats in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Ohio 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
The Wildcats are 2-0
I can’t say enough about this Wildcat squad- all around a much more talented team that we’ve seen in recent years. After finally deciding on a QB, getting some depth in the WR position and building a solid defense, the Cats are ready to make some noise this season. After the UT Martin win people were still skeptical, but they proved themselves against a solid and experienced Ohio team as well. As the Cats travel to Gainesville they could shock the entire conference with a huge upset, but either way 2-0 is the best record they’ve had since 2011. They could mess around and win the next three after Florida as well. Florida will be a HUGE test for these young Cats and could get them to a bowl game with a win here. It’s a do or die game for Kentucky in my opinion, but regardless I think they will have conference wins (plural) this season
12. Tennessee
Sep 6, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jacob Carter (87) returns a punt against Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive back Andrew Tryon (21) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 34 to 19. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
The Volunteers are 2-0
The Vol’s opened up with significant wins over Utah State and Arkansas state in Butch Jones’ second season as head coach. Worley looks good, but I think Oklahoma will be more than they can handle this weekend.
13. Arkansas
Sep 6, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Austin Allen (8) looks to pass defended by Nicholls State Colonels linebacker John Williamson (44) at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Nicholls State 73-7. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
The Razorbacks are 1-1, 0-1 conference
The Hogs fell to Auburn, and turned around and smashed Nicholls State 73-7. I believe Tech Tech’s high-octane offense will be too much for Arkansas though.
14. Vanderbilt
Sep 6, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Stephen Rivers (17) is chased out of the pocket during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at LP Field. Mississippi won 41-3. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Commodores are 0-2, 0-1 conference
The fact that Vandy has yet to score an offensive touchdown and have been outscored 78-10 in two games tells you everything you need to know about the state of their football program. I expected a loss to Ole Miss, but the Temple beat down was an indicator that this Vandy football program has slipped. They have a chance to redeem themselves against UMass next week at home before they get back into conference play.