WBN SEC Football Power Rankings: 10/30 Edition
By Paul Jordan
1. LW – 1 #1 LSU 8-0 (5-0) (OFF this week) There will be plenty written in the next week concerning the SuperBowl like matchup between LSU and Alabama. So I’m not going to add much more to the hype except to say that I can not wait for this game!!! THIS WEEK: 11/5 @ #2 Alabama
2. LW – 2 #2 Alabama 8-0 (5-0) (OFF this week) See LSU THIS WEEK: 11/5 vs #1 LSU
3. LW – 4 #13 South Carolina 7-1 (5-1) (defeated Tennessee 14-3) It has to be frustrating for Steve Spurrier to have a team this offensively inept. Having Marcus Lattimore out does not help and Connor Shaw is young. But can we give props to that Gamecock defense? In the last five SEC games, they have given up 3, 16, 3, 12, and 3 points. And defense can win an SEC East title. THIS WEEK: 11/5 @ #10 Arkansas
4. LW – 5 #22 Georgia 6-2 (5-1) (defeated Florida 24-20) With the defeat of Florida, it appears that the “Fire Mark Richt” train will stop, regardless of what happens the rest of the way. The Bulldogs have won six in a row and while they don’t do any one thing great, they do a lot of things good. THIS WEEK: 11/5 vs New Mexico State
5. LW – 3 #10 Arkansas 7-1 (3-1) (defeated Vanderbilt 31-28) I’m not entirely convinced that Arkansas is a top ten team anymore, hence the shakeup in the WBN Power Rankings. Anyone waching the Vandy game can see that the Razorbacks were outplayed by the ‘Dores and needed a few big breaks (and a missed gimmee FG) to escape Vandy, And the Hawgs have escaped a couple of bad teams lately. But you can’t hide forever. THIS WEEK: 11/5 vs #13 South Carolina
6. LW – 6 #23 Auburn 6-3 (4-2) (defeated Mississippi 41-23) When the Auburn offense is clicking like it was this week (Clint Mosely – 4 TD passes, Michael Dyer – 177 yards), it is very hard to stop the Tigers. But the defense can be rancid. As a result, Auburn is one of those not-as-good-as-the-record-indicates teams. THIS WEEK: BYE WEEK
7. LW – 8 Vanderbilt 4-4 (1-4) (lost to #10 Arkansas 31-28) Heartbreak, thy name is Vanderbilt. Vandy should have beaten the Razorbacks by double digits yesterday, but instead are kicking themselves for fumbles and a missed easy FG that allowed the Hawgs to win the game. Aaron Rodgers baby bro has a solid grasp on the starting QB spot and Vandy has responded to the hype James Franklin was selling. No one wants to play this team right now. THIS WEEK: @ Florida
8. LW – 7 Florida 4-4 (2-4) (lost to #22 Georgia 24-20) Even though ardent Gator fans still think this is a national title contending team “IF”, the fact is Florida is 13-10 over their past 23 games including their first four game losing streak since 1988. Jeff Brantley back gives them a boost but the once touted running game rushed for (-19) yards versus Georgia. And yes it makes me sick that as bad as Florida is, Kentucky still can’t within 30 points of them. THIS WEEK: 11/5 vs Vanderbilt
9. LW – 9 Mississippi State 4-4 (1-4) (defeated Kentucky 28-16) All it took for this offense to get clicking was to face Kentucky. Chris Relf and Tyler Russell both looked like world beaters last night. The defense is still pretty bad, but this team should limp to 6-6 and get a bowl bid now. THIS WEEK: 11/5 vs UT Martin
10. LW – 10 Tennessee 3-5 (0-5) And now we reach the bottom level of Dante’s Hell. The worst of the worst of SEC teams. And without Tyler Bray, the Vols are putrid. The Vols offense has averaged 5.3 points over their last three games and that is truly offensive. THIS WEEK: 11/5 vs MTSU
11. LW – 11 Kentucky 3-5 (0-4) I am still keeping Kentucky here because of two words : Maxwell Smith. And for the reason that the offense has scored 54 points over the last two weeks. The defense is still pourous but if Maxwell Smith can get this Wildcat team to a bowl bid, John Wall’s reign as the most popular “UK 11” may be in trouble. THIS WEEK: 11/5 vs Mississippi
12. LW – 12 Mississippi 2-6 (0-5) (lost to Auburn 41-23) The defense is horrible and although the offense has played very respectable in the last two weeks versus Arkansas and Auburn, two wins overall keeps you in last. This weeks game should be interesting as it could be a case of which team wants to fight for their coaches job more. THIS WEEK: 11/5 @ Kentucky
Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans