WBN SEC Power Rankings: 9/30 Edition
By Wayne
September 29, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Justin Hunter (11) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Sanders Commings (19) after a catch in the second half at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs won 51-44. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE
8. Tennessee Volunteers: (3-2, 0-2) Prior Rank #8- These Volunteers must love digging ditches because they sure put themselves in a deep, deep hole to start this game. With an improbable stretch of Defense to end the first half tied at 30 after being down 27-10, Tennessee had nothing left in the tank. A lot of different players were involved in the scoring but Tyler Bray wasn’t consistent enough in the passing game to keep Georgia from keying on the run. They need more balance if they hope to see 6 wins this season. Next Game: at Mississippi State University: Saturday, October 13th @ TBA
9. Missouri Tigers: (3-2, 0-2) Prior Rank #10- Mizzou overcame getting shut out in the 1st Quarter by posting a TD in each of the next 3. They had a couple big plays with an 80 yard TD from James Franklin to Beckham and Marcus Murphy 66 yd PR TD but nothing to write home about. Their O-Line gave up 3 sacks of Franklin who did just enough to get by…barely. Mizzou’s defense played well enough to cover the offense. Next Game: vs. Vanderbilt: Saturday, October 6th @ 7:00 PM.
10. Ole Miss Rebels (3-2, 0-1) Prior Rank #9- Bo Wallace didn’t stand a chance and it’s a shame no one let him know that ahead of time. Completing a little over 50% of your passes, with 2 going to Alabama, is not the way to give your team even a shot at beating the #1 team in the country. They had no consistent running game, though their two scores came from Scott and Mackey TD’s. If you can’t run in the SEC, or your coach isn’t the best thing this side of Bear Bryant, they you have virtually no shot of succeeding. Especially against the best defense in the country. Next Game vs. Texas A&M: Saturday, October 6th @ 7:00 PM
11. Auburn Tigers: (1-3, 0-2) Prior Rank #11- BYE Next Game vs. Arkansas: Saturday, October 6th @ 12:00 PM
12. Vanderbilt Commodores: (1-3, 0-2) Prior Rank #12- BYE Next Game: at Missouri: Saturday, October 6th @ 7:00 PM.
13. Arkansas Razorbacks: (1-4, 0-2) Prior Rank #13- Arkansas is starting to look like the Kentucky of the West and that should give John L. absolutely nothing to smile about. Tyler Wilson threw for a ton of yards (373, TD) but had two costly interceptions, and when your defense has more holes than Spongebob, it makes for a long day. Their brightest spots were Knile Davis whose heart and rushing attack (18-65, TD) clearly led the way, and Cobi Hamilton (11-162) did all he could to help Wilson out but in the end it was a “stat padding day” for the Next Game: at Auburn: Saturday, October 6th @ 12:00 PM.
14. Kentucky Wildcats: (1-4, 0-2) Prior Rank #14- Kentucky fans, I give you Jalen Whitlow. Starting his first game, and an SEC game at that, he exceeded expectations. He was very poised in the pocket and was as tough a runner as Connor Shaw. The kid has game. But, the game was over, for all intents and purposes, when starting QB Maxwell Smith went down with an ankle sprain on the first play of the game but Whitlow played his game and played it well. The brightest spot for the Cats was the play of their offensive line, in particular both tackles. South Carolina has NFL ready players at Defensive End and they were held in check…for a half. Unfortunately there are two halves and it’s tough to stop a freight train ever play. They played their heart out, but Lattimore found his Heisman Gear and the D-Line was gassed as the second half wore on. Next Game: vs. Mississippi State University: Saturday, October 6th @ 12:21 PM