WBN SEC Power Rankings: 9/16 Edition
By Wayne
Sept 15, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A
8. Texas A&M Aggies: (1-1, 0-0)- Frosh QB Johnny Manziel won this game on his own by throwing for an A&M freshman record 294 yds to go along with 4 TD’s; while rushing 13 times for 124 yds and 2 TD’s. Uzoma Nwachukwu caught 2 TD’s while Mike Evans caught 6 for 123. With Offense like that you almost don’t need a defense but for good measure, they only gave up a FG. What’s noticeably absent is a running game that doesn’t involve the QB.Next Game: vs. South Carolina State: Saturday, September 22nd @ 7:00 PM Prior Rank #11
9. Missouri Tigers (2-1, 0-1)- Red Shirt Freshman Corbin Berkstresser isn’t James Franklin (Out due to injury) but when your D causes 4 turnovers, he doesn’t have to be. They used an average running and passing game to boost their defensive performance which tired by the fourth, allowing ASU to score 13. They’re probably just happy to play a non-SEC team before heading to SC next weekend. Next Game vs. South Carolina: Saturday, September 22nd @ 3:30 PM Prior Rank #10
10. Vanderbilt Commodores: (1-2, 0-1)- Vandy certainly knows how to whip up on the little guy but considering that’s usually them, it should be familiar at least. Behind a huge rushing game from Zac Stacy(8-174,TD), Vandy rolled Presbyterian. This should come as no surprise though. Austyn Carta-Samuels may have just taken Jordan Rogers’ starting QB job and with Chris Boyd stepping up at WR (4-90), Jordan Matthews could be open a bit more. Next Game: at Georgia: Saturday, September 22nd @ 7:45 PM. Prior Rank: #13
11. Ole Miss Rebels: (2-1, 0-0)- The Big 12 is not the SEC but Texas isn’t like anyone the Rebels have seen this year so far. When Bo Wallace wasn’t getting picked off (3), he was finding Donte Montcrief (7-144, TD) but Ole Miss was no match for the Longhorns rushing game (54-350), or their passing game (19-23, 4TD), for that matter. It all comes down to rushing with these SEC East teams and if you can’t do it, be prepared for a long season no matter who you play. The Rebels need to find one. Next Game at Tulane: Saturday, September 22nd @ 12:00 PM Prior Rank: #8
12. Auburn Tigers: (1-2, 0-1)- According to Gene Chizik after the game, “A win is a win” and while that’s true, his team sure didn’t make it easy against a very good UL-Monroe team. Auburn’s D couldn’t do much with Kolton Browning ((28-46,3TD) so were it not for the creative offense with Kheil Frazier throwing and catching a 33yd TD (not on the same play), and #98’s fingers lightly touching the OT field goal attempt, Auburn would be 0-3. Next Game: vs. LSU: Saturday, September 22nd @ 7:00 PM. Prior Rank: #14
13. Arkansas Razorbacks: (1-2, 0-1)- As if losing to UL-Monroe wasn’t enough, they were absolutely wasted by Alabama. And as long as Tyler Wilson is out, so will the Razorbacks be. Knile Davis had nowhere to run while neither Brandon had anyone open to throw to. Hence the 52-0 score. Next Game: vs. Rutgers: Saturday, September 22nd @ 7:00 PM. Prior Rank #12
14. Kentucky Wildcats: (1-2, 0-0)- This was a “dumpster fire.” It should never have come down to a trick play 2-pt conversion by WKU to win the game in OT because the Cats line of scrimmage play was atrocious. Maxwell Smith was picked 4 times and the Cats D couldn’t stop the run, again. It’s unclear where they go from here but it certainly has to be up. Oh wait, they’re heading to Gainesville next weekend. Next Game: at Florida: Saturday, September 22nd @ 12:21 PM Prior Rank: #9