WBN SEC Football Power Rankings: 09-01-2013 Edition
By Wayne
Aug 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Christion Jones (22) kisses an unidentified woman after the 2013 Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome. Alabama won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports
1. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0, 0-0) Last Game vs. Virginia Tech Hokies 35-10 Win: It was a surprise to no one that the Crimson Tide handled Virginia Tech with relative ease. On a team of All Americans, Christion Johnson made his presence known by returning a punt (72 yards) and kickoff (94 yards) for a TD while hauling in a 38 yarder from McCarron for his third (3rd) of the day. As if Nick Saban needed more weapons. Next Game: Date vs.
2. #7 Texas A&M Aggies (1-0; 0-0) Last Game vs. Rice Owls 52-31 Win: With Johnny Manziel having to sit out the first half, A&M struggled a bit. The 21 point second quarter put the game away early. Manziel was uber-efficient at 6-8, 94 yards and 3 TD’s. Ben Malena and Tra Carson are as advertised, combining for 158 yards on 26 carries and 4 TD’s. Ricky Seals-Jones is a deep threat that balances this team out. Next Game: vs. Sam Houston State on Saturday, September 7th @ 7:00 PM
3. #12 LSU Tigers (1-0; 0-0) Last Game vs. Texax Christian University Horn Frogs 37-27 Win: Zach Mettenberger isn’t a game changer but he doesn’t appear to be the game ender anymore. Though he threw one (1) TD, he always had his team in a position to score. Scores came from predominately from the tandem of Magee and Copeland on the ground (3 TD’s). LSU’s D was able to force three (3) fumbles and recover one (1) of those. Looks like they’ll be contending in the West…again. Next Game: vs. UAB on Saturday, September 7th @ 7:00 PM
4. #5 Georgia Bulldogs (0-1; 0-0) Last Game vs. Clemson Tigers 38-35 Loss: Ok, so I didn’t see that coming. Truth be told, not many did. When your QB is named Pre-Season First Team All SEC and your RB’s are the best they’ve been since Hershel Walker, people seem to assume that your D is just as good. It’s clearly not. Taj Boyd ran for two (2) TD’s and threw three (3) more. Mark Richt can all but kiss that National Championship shot goodbye. Next Game: vs. South Carolina on Saturday, September 7th @ 4:30 PM
5. #6 South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0; 0-0) Last Game vs. North Carolina 27-10 Win: Shocking absolutely no one, Spurrier’s Cocks owned the Tarheels. Despite Clowney having dealt with a stomach virus all week and appearing gassed around halftime, Mike Davis crushed UNC. Their WR’s were strong playing with both Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson. Spurrier knows how to run a two QB system to success. The East is USC’s to lose. Next Game: at #5 Georgia on Saturday, September 7th @ 4:30 PM
6. #10 Florida Gators (1-0; 0-0) Last Game vs. Toledo Rockets 24-10 Win: Yes, Florida won and Jeff Driskell didn’t suck but beating Toledo by only 14 isn’t exactly SEC Caliber. RB Mack Brown was their primary offense, scoring two (2) TD’s and gaining over 100 yards so there is still much work to do on the offensive side of the ball. Mainly with their QB/WR play. Next Game: at University of Miami on Saturday, September 7th @ 12:00 PM
7. Ole Miss Rebels (1-0; 1-0) Last Game vs. Vanderbilt Commodores 39-35 Win: Ole Miss opened SEC play against Vandy and, despite being down 21-10 at the half, really showed the grit and determination to execute down the stretch. In the back and forth contest in the second half, Bo Wallace relied on his feet to find pay dirt. RB Jeff Scott was a man-child on the ground at 12-138 and the game winning 75 yd TD late in the game. There is much work to be done on D but they managed to create some havoc with a couple fumbles, etc. Next Game: vs. Southeast Missouri State on Saturday, September 7th @ 7:00 PM
Aug 31, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers cornerback Chris Davis (11) runs past the defense of Washington State Cougars wide receiver John Thompson (85). The Tigers defeated the Cougars 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports