WBN SEC Football Power Rankings, 11/13 Edition
By Paul Jordan
1. LW-1 #1 LSU 10-0 (6-0) – (defeated Western Kentucky 42-9): You had to expect a let down after last week’s “Game of the Century” and you got it in the first half as the Tigers trudged to a 14-7 lead over WKU. LSU responded in the second half and ended up with a 33 point romp. No need to worry about LSU. They’re still the best team in the nation. THIS WEEK: 11/19 @ Mississippi
2. LW-2 #3 Alabama 9-1 (6-1) – (defeated Mississippi State 24-7): Once again, post GOTC letdown for the Crimson Tide and once again, nothing to worry about here. Alabama is still the second best team in the country and deserving of a rematch. The defense has allowed over 10 points just three times this year and have given up just 26 points in the last 5 games — all against SEC opponents, no doubt. eserving THIS WEEK: 11/19 vs Georgia Southern
3. LW – 3 #15 Georgia 8-2 (6-1) – (defeated #20 Auburn 45-7): Wow. This was probably one of the most impressive performances of the season as the Bulldogs dominated the 20th ranked Tigers. Make no mistake, Georgia will not be going to the SEC Championship game to get rolled like the Gamecocks did. Georgia has won 8 straight and can do it all: run, pass, and play defense. THIS WEEK: 11/19 vs Kentucky
4. LW-4 #8 Arkansas 9-1 (5-1) – (defeated Tennessee 49-7): Any other year, the Razorbacks would be in the national title talk but their one lapse, a 24 point beat down at the hands of Alabama is going to be hard to ignore. Regardless, Arkansas is a legitimate top ten team and really should be tied with Georgia in these rankings. Arkansas has the 11th best air attack in the country and a pretty solid D to boot. THIS WEEK: 11/19 vs Mississippi State
5. LW-5 #13 South Carolina 8-2 (6-2) – (defeated Florida 17-12): This is not team Steve Spurrier imagined in the preseason as the Gamecocks have a new QB and starting RB and the Gamecocks have looked less than impressive most of the season. Despite most of their warts, they are a top 15 team and should get a pretty good bowl bid. Believe it or not, this has been one of Spurrier’s best coaching jobs. THIS WEEK: 11/19 vs Citadel
6. LW-10 Vanderbilt 5-5 (2-5) – (defeated Kentucky 38-8): Such is the state of the SEC this year where a 2-5 team is the 6th best team in the conference, But the Commodores have played very tough this season with several heartbreaking losses, I know it won’t happen, but James Franklin deserves coach of the year in the SEC. This is truly not your parents Commodores anymore. THIS WEEK: 11/19 @ Tennessee
7. LW-9 Mississippi State 5-5 (1-5) – (lost to #3 Alabama 24-7): It has to be frustrating to be a Mississippi State fan. They were a preseason top 25 team and showed that potential giving LSU and Alabama some of their closest games. But in reality, they have not looked good in any of their other games. They will make a bowl … and that is all you can say. THIS WEEK: @ #8 Arkansas
8. LW-7 Florida 5-5 (3-5): (lost to #13 South Carolina 17-12): How the mighty have fallen. You can say that this is a young team and “rebuilding” but Florida has gone 13-10 over the last two seasons. Florida always recruits well and you would think this is a temporary down period … but this team can be looking at a losing season if they lose their bowl game. THIS WEEK: 11/19 vs Furman
9. LW-6 Auburn 6-4 (4-3) (lost to #15 Georgia 45-7): In my preseason poll, I had Auburn ranked about here and it has come full circle. Yes, Auburn won more games than I thought and will make a bowl game, but their true colors have been exposed in their last three losses to LSU, Arkansas, and Georgia. The Tigers were outscored 128-31. And that puts you about 9th in the SEC. THIS WEEK: 11/19 vs Samford
10. LW-11 Tennessee 4-6 (0-6) (lost to #8 Arkansas 49-7): Face it, Tenness was not a good team to start with. And they became rancid when they lost Tyler Bray. The Vols have scored just 23 points in their last four SEC games. I don’t think Derrick Dooley is on the hotseat because of Bray’s injury. But it may heat up if the Vols lose to Vandy this weekend. THIS WEEK: 11/19 vs Vanderbilt
11. LW-10 Kentucky 4-6 (1-5) (lost to Vanderbilt 38-8): Guess it wasn’t all Morgan Newton’s fault after all. Kentucky regressed this week and played their worst game of football since the probationary period. The hot seat is white hot right now and Kentucky has to win out to keep the bowl streak alive. THIS WEEK: @ #15 Georgia
12. LW-12 Mississippi 2-8 (0-6) (lost to Louisiana Tech 27-7): Really, Ole Miss? Are you still in the SEC any more? THIS WEEK: 11/19: vs #1 LSU