October 6, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Kenny Miles (31) runs the ball in the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium. South Carolina won 35-7. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE
1. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0) Prior Rank 1- The Tide were on a bye week but there is no reason to remove them from the top spot as of now. There is a team making a case for this coveted position, but until ‘Bama loses, there is no reason to drop them. They will face a Missouri team this Saturday that is now 0-3 and just dropped a home game to lowly Vanderbilt. Alabama should have little to no trouble with retaining their position as #1 in the SEC and #1 in the nation. Next Game vs. Missouri: Saturday October 13th, 3:30 PM
2. #3 South Carolina Gamecocks (6-0, 4-0) Prior Rank 3- Steve Spurrier has a legit BCS title contender on his hands. After sleepwalking through a half against Kentucky and then winning 38-17, the the Gamecocks embarrassed the #5 Georgia Bulldogs in Columbia 35-7. UGA had one of the most effecient offenses in the country and USC held them to seven points and 224 total yards. When motivated, South Carolina is deserving of a top three national ranking and they are now the team that should face Alabama in the SEC title game for a chance to play for all the marbles. Barring injury, South Carolina seems unstoppable on both sides of the ball. But, LSU still has a stout defense and a road game in Baton Rouge is never an easy task. Next Game at #4 LSU: Saturday October 13th, 8:00 PM
3. #4 Florida Gators (5-0, 4-0) Prior Rank 5- The biggest jump in the AP Poll and our Power Rankings are the surprising Florida Gators. Florida was tenth in the AP and rocketed to fourth after defeating LSU. Florida’s 14-6 win over a team with an anemic offense signaled their return, or so we think. Can’t take anything away from what Will Muschamp and his team has done. They are undefeated and just beat the #4 team in the country. But outside of Kentucky, they haven’t really dominated anyone. Mike Gillislee and their defense is the real deal, but quarterback issues still persist. Jeff Driskel hasn’t cost them a game yet, but one must wonder if he can keep it up week after week. Luckily Vanderbilt is next on the list for the Gators, hopefully they don’t experience a let down after such an emotional victory. Next Game at Vanderbilt: October 13th, 6:00 PM
4. #19 Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0) Prior Rank 6- The Bulldogs remain unbeaten after the 27-14 win at Kentucky. Is fourth a little high? Maybe, but until someone beats them then I think they deserve this spot. MSU has all of the tools on offense with Russell, Perkins and Bumphis. They also have a defense that is only allowing 11.3 points a game. But they are still unproven. Their marquis win was a blow out over a dismal Auburn Tiger team. Check back with next week’s rankings and see if they are still in the top five after a tussle at home with Tennessee and their high octane passing attack. Next Game vs. Tennessee: Saturday October 13th, 9:00 PM
5. #9 LSU Tigers (5-1, 1-1) Prior Rank 4- Is there a more maligned individual in Baton Rouge than LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger? The Tiger quarterback has been atrocious all season and was especially so against Florida’s excellent defense. He went 11-25, for 158 yards with one interception and zero touchdowns. LSU’s running game cannot get going without a passing game to compliment it. While their defense is still one of the best in the nation, their enormous time spent on the field wears them down and that was apparent as the Gators were able to run all over them in the second quarter in their 14-6 loss yesterday. Unless LSU can find someone other than Mettenberger to play quarterback, then expect to see them continue to drop in the rankings, especially with Jedeveon Clowney and that Gamecock defense coming to town. Next Game vs. #3 South Carolina: Saturday October 13th, 8:00PM
6. #22 Texas A&M Aggies (4-1, 2-1) Prior Rank 7- We see the Aggies jump up a spot after a close call against an improved Ole Miss team. A&M won 30-27 in their first SEC road game. Their only loss of the season was against Florida, and the Aggies dominated that game until the fourth quarter. A&M seems to have the total package as they are in the top 30 in every major category including 8th in points for, 14th in points against and 20th in rushing yards. Texas A&M are enjoying their time in the SEC so far. Next Game at #23 Louisiana Tech: Saturday October 13th, 9:00 PM (Make up game from week one)
7. #14 Georgia Bulldogs (5-1, 3-1) Prior Rank 2- Georgia is the biggest loser this week in both polls. They plummeted from fifth to fourteenth in the AP and second to seventh in our Power Rankings after being demolished 35-7 by South Carolina. Calls for Mark Richt’s job have renewed as the head coach is supposed to have BCS title caliber talent. But his Bulldogs looked shellshocked going against the juggernaut that Steve Spurrier has put together. Aaron Murray and his duel freshmen running backs were playing from behind all game as that questionable Bulldog defense was finally exposed. It’s lucky that they get this week off to think about where they need to improve before heading to Lexington. Next Game: Bye Week