Last Saturday afternoon, I hopped in my Jeep and drove down to Oxford, Mississippi, to catch Ole Miss hosting the ACC powerhouse Georgia Tech. After a beautiful afternoon relaxing on campus and “touring” The Grove, we settled in to watch Ole Miss stake their claim as one of the best teams in the SEC. And they were…underwhelming? Sure, they ended up winning by 25, but it was a one touchdown game halfway through the fourth quarter, before the Landsharks ran up the score late. To me and my friends, the most notable thing about Jaxon Dart were the frosted tips hanging out of his helmet.
To be honest, so far this season, the entire SEC has been underwhelming. Putting together this week’s Power Rankings were a real labor of love, or perhaps even a labor of hate? Either way, be assured that plenty of labor was involved. So much so that I had to put on Aquemini to help me get through this week’s exercise.
Anyway, let’s get to it…
1. Georgia (last week: 1)
The Dawgs dismissed South Carolina, 24-14, but that was after being down 14-3 at the half. (Told you they wouldn’t cover!) Perhaps OC Mike Bobo finally figured out that opening up the offense is the answer, and while UGA’s defense seemed to find some form, the Dawgs need improvement in their kicking game.
2. Ole Miss (last week: 2)
I guess we leave them at the two spot? This week (at Alabama!) feels like the make-or-break week for the Sharks. Either way, this has to be Lane Kiffin’s best shot at finally beating Nick Saban, right?
3. LSU (last week: 4)
Maybe the Tigers are finally on track? They looked great last week at Mississippi State. At the very least, Jayden Daniels going 30-34 for 361 yards was encouraging.
4. Alabama (last week: 5)
The rat poison is flowing right now. Will it be delicious? Or will the Tide finally succumb?
5. South Carolina (last week: 10)
This is where the power rankings start getting wild. Carolina loses and moves up 5 spots? I mean, I guess? What it really comes down to, for me at least, is that I just don’t know if any team ranked below them is better than them.
6. Auburn (last week: 8)
OK, Hugh Freeze, it’s time to see what you got. The Tigers go to Texas A&M this week as 6 point dogs, in exactly the kind of game I sort of expect Auburn to win.
7. Tennessee (last week: 2)
Remember one year ago about this time, when the Vols seemed like the greatest show on turf and Vols fans had a palpable swagger? Now I’m wondering how long until Heupel benches Joe Milton. The Vols just seem to be lower on talent across the board than they were a year ago.
8. Missouri (last week: 12)
Hey, the Tigers are 3-0! The best nickname I learned about this weekend was for husky Tigers kicker Harrison Mevis, who is known as “The Thicker Kicker.” With Memphis and Vandy up next on the slate, could the Tigers get off to a 5-0 start?
9. Florida (last week: 14)
Shoutout Billy Napier for getting a good win, and the Gators for playing with some passion. Trevor Etienne running for 172 yards is a good way to establish your offense. If they win their next four (Charlotte, Kentucky, Vandy, South Carolina) they could roll into the UGA game with a 6-1 record.
10. Kentucky (last week: 11)
Kentucky is 3-0, with Vandy this week. And yet I’ve never felt such ambiguity about a team that could (and should) be 4-0. Unrelated: I played golf last weekend with someone who pulled out a bluetooth speaker and started blasting Jimmy Buffett songs. And while I appreciated the tribute, it made clear that Jimmy Buffett music is not golfing music.
11. Texas A&M (last week: 7)
I kinda like that a Texas team is led by two dudes named Jimbo and Bobby.
12. Arkansas (last week: 6)
What a disappointing and illuminating loss against BYU. Giving up 38 points to a team with just 14 completions is something. I dunno if the Hogs can find any answers on defense, but they need to, and fast.
13. Mississippi State (last week: 9)
Mississippi State, you are who we thought you were. Will Rogers, I expected better than 11-28, my guy.
14. Vanderbilt (last week: 13)
And…they’re back. At the bottom, that is. Anchors down, indeed.