It’s a Football Friday adn we’re releasing our SEC Power Rankings heading in to Week 2. There has been some movement from our Week 1 rankings now that we have some real games under our belt but let us know where you think we screwed up.
1. Alabama 1-0
The Tide jumped to the top spot after demolishing a decent CUSA program in MTSU 56-7. Coming into the season there was a lot of concern about the QB position, but Jalen Milroe looked the part throwing for 194 yards and 3 TD while also adding two more TD on the ground. Defensively they stifled MTSU. Next they get their first big test with Texas coming to Tuscaloosa. That game airs on ESPN at 7pm ET this Saturday.
2. Georgia 1-0
Georgia drops one spot in part because of how good Alabama looked but also because their performance could only be described as sleepy in the first half. Understandable of course since it was an FCS opponent in UT Martin, but even a 48-7 score didn’t exactly excite anyone. New QB Carson Beck was fine as he threw for 294 yards and a TD, but back-up Brock Vandagriff looked more dynamic in limited snaps. Georgia will almost certainly be fine and are a virtual lock for the SEC Championship Game. Up next for the Dawgs is Ball State at home. The game airs on the SECN at 12pm ET.
3. Tennessee 1-0
The Vols jump two spots in this week’s rankings after dismantling ACC opponent Virginia 49-13. QB Joe Milton wasn’t quite as sharp as many were expecting, but Tennessee rushed for over 200 yards as a team and completely dominated the Cavaliers holding them to just over 200 yards of offense. Up next this Saturday Tennessee welcomes FCS opponent Austin Peay to Neyland at 5pm ET on SECN+.
4. Ole Miss 1-0
Ole Miss stays put at number 4 from last week after a 73-7 win over FCS opponent Mercer. Jaxson Dart looked like an absolute stud, throwing for 334 yards and 4 TD. The most exciting thing about this Rebels’ performance was having two WR go over 100 yards in Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins to go along with the best RB in the country in Quinshon Judkins. This Saturday Ole Miss goes on the road to take on 24th ranked Tulane. That game airs on ESPN2 at 3:30pm ET.
5. Texas A&M 1-0
There has been a lot of drama around the Aggies but they looked the part this past weekend. QB Conner Weigman threw 5 TD in a 52-10 dismantling of New Mexico. It appears he’s going to have solid playmakers in Evan Steward and Noah Thomas and the defense looked to take a step forward from last season. The Aggies have a big road match-up with the Miami Hurricanes this Saturday at 3:30pm ET on ABC.
6. LSU 0-1
It was not a good week for the Tigers as they looked completely outclassed in the 2nd half against Florida State. The offense was far too reliant on Jayden Daniels who threw for 346 yards and was the leading rusher with 64 yards, but the most alarming thing was the secondary. A program that typcally takes pride in developing elite DBs they were completely overwhelmed by FSU WR tandem Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson. As disastrous as that 2nd half was LSU probably should have had a bigger HT lead and there was a certain amount of snowballing that I think probably isn’t indicative of how LSU’s season will go. Also, FSU is a legitimate top 5 team and looks destined for the playoff based on how weak the rest of the ACC is. I’m not out on the Tigers yet but the Check Engine light is on for Brian Kelly. LSU gets a reset this week with Grambling coming to Tiger Stadium this Saturday at 7:30pm ET on SECN+.
7. Arkansas 1-0
QB KJ Jefferson looked the part as Arkansas dismantled Western Carolina 56-13. The Hogs looked crisp on offense but still kind of shaky on the defensive side of the ball. The good news of them is they have one of the best players in the SEC at QB so their defense just needs to be average for the Hogs to be dangerous. This Saturday Arkansas welcomes Kent State to Fayetteville. The game airs on SECN at 4pm ET.
8. Kentucky 1-0
Kentucky was in a bit of a first half dog fight with Ball State before a defensive score in the 2nd quarter allowed them to get some separation. They ended up winning 44-14 but Mark Stoops was heated after the game due to his team’s poor execution. Leary showed flashes in the 2nd half but it’s clear things in Lexington are still a work in progress on offense. The good news is the defense looks a traditional Mark Stoops defense and the schedule provides a longer runway than normal to get the offense up to speed. This Saturday the Wildcats bring in FCS program Eastern Kentucky. The game airs on SECN+ at 3pm ET.
9. Missouri 1-0
The Tigers ran past FCS opponent South Dakota 35-10 and showed some flashes that should leave fans with some hope. They stayed put in my rankings this week but they aren’t far behind the programs in front of them. Brady Cook was efficient going 17/21 for 172 yards with 1 TD but he also added another TD on the ground. On the ground is where Missouri really imposed their will, as a team they rushed for 211 yards with RB Cody Schrader putting 138 by himself. Blossoming star WR Luther Burden III looked to be a real weapon as well. The Missouri defense held SD to 45 yards rushing and looked to be just as stout as they were last season. Up next for the Tigers is a home game this Saturday with CUSA opponent MTSU. The game airs on SECN+ at 7pm ET.
10. Mississippi State 1-0
Mississippi State honored the late Mike Leach this past Saturday and ran past SE Louisiana 48-7. Offensively they ran for almost 300 yards on the ground and were dominant on defense. Questions remain offensively for the Bulldogs as they transition away from Mike Leach’s Air Raid but with veteran Will Rogers there is reason for optimism. Up next for State is an improving Arizona team. They welcome the west coast Wildcats to Starkville Saturday at 7:30pm ET on SECN.
11. Auburn 1-0
The Uncle Baby Billy of CFB made his triumphant return to the SEC on Saturday with a 59-14 drubbing of UMass. The Tigers put up almost 500 yards of offense which is remarkable considering how awful Auburn had been offensively the last couple of seasons. There were some warning signs on defense as they allowed 140 yards on the ground, but Hugh Freeze has at least brought excitement to a desperate fan base for a week. This Saturday Auburn travels to Berkley, CA to take on the Cal Golden Bears. The game airs on ESPN at 10:30pm ET.
12. Florida 0-1
Florida went on the road and lost to a good Utah team (who was playing their back-up QB) 24-11. Billy Napier was probably lucky that a good portion of the country fell victim to a Disney/Charter dispute and couldn’t watch the game. Florida could not run the ball and were dependent on Graham Mertz bailing them out, which is a scary place to be as a program. Utah basically controlled the game and allowed Florida to beat themselves with poor execution. Florida has some decent talent so it’s possible they can get it together, but things are already rocky in Gainesville. Up next for Florida is FCS team McNeese State in The Swamp. The game is at 7:30pm ET and airs on ESPNU.
13. South Carolina 0-1
Last week I was puzzled by the love South Carolina was getting by the national media and it turns out they are who I thought they were. The Gamecocks lost to rival UNC 31-17 and frankly they were kind of lucky it wasn’t worse. Spencer Rattler put up a bunch of empty stats, but the story of the game was South Carolina OL being awful. Rattler was sacked 9 times and officially rushed for -2 yards as a team. As Kentucky found out last year you can’t be that bad up front and expect to win games. Even more confusing is post-game HC Shane Beamer refused to take any accountability and instead tried to blame the….chain gang? Turns out doing a bunch Tik-Tok dances doesn’t build you an OL or make you a good coach. I personally can not wait for the Andy Bernard of CFB to exit stage left. Up next for the Gamecocks is FCS opponent Furman at home. The game airs at 7:30pm ET on SECN+.
14. Vanderbilt 2-0
Vandy still holds the bottom spot despite having multiple wins. This past week their biggest highlight was briefly holding a 5-3 lead over FCS team Alabama A&M. It was just a two score game deep into the 3rd quarter with Vandy finally able to capitalize on their massive size advantage long the OL and ran away with the game. They ended up winning 47-13 and rushed for 215 yards. AJ Swann was inefficient which does not bold well for Vandy as they’re now two games into the season and have yet to impress. The Commodores travel to Winston-Salem to take on Wake Forest this Saturday. The game airs at 11am ET on the ACCN.
