Last week, I ranked Tennessee ahead of Florida, even after Florida beat Tennessee. I did this for two reasons. One, because I despite the win I still felt like Tennessee was a tiny bit better than Florida. And two, because I messed up. The good thing was I got so many angry tweets and texts from Florida fans!
Anyway, let’s get to it…
1. Georgia (last week: 1)
It’s interesting that the number one team in these rankings and in the AP polls hasn’t really gotten any praise all season. From anyone. We’ll see what happens this week at Auburn in Carson Beck’s first road game. Dawgs should win big.
2. Missouri (last week: 8)
Screw it, it’s time for the Tigers to get some love. They’re undefeated and have Vandy on tap this week, and then the schedule starts getting serious. I like how they figure out ways to compete and win, and Luther Burden might be the best wide receiver in the SEC.
3. LSU (last week: 3)
The good news is last week they beat Arkansas. The bad news is it was only a three point win. Giving up a combined 45 points to Mississippi State and BYU doesn’t really seem like an LSU defense, does it? This week they’re at Ole Miss.
4. Alabama (last week: 4)
Fine, we’ll put Bama here. I know they won by 14 at home against Ole Miss, but it was tough to watch that game and not think Alabama should be better, especially at QB.
5. Kentucky (last week: 10)
Yeah, the Wildcats are 4-0, playing a schedule even UGA would find envious. I really think this game against Florida this weekend is crucial for both teams.
6. Ole Miss (last week: 2)
Jaxon Dart feels like a TikTok influencer or YouTube streamer who is playing QB as a social experiment. If they couldn’t beat Alabama this season, I’m not sure it’s ever going to happen. A win right now against LSU would feel very Kiffin-y.
7. Florida (last week: 9)
Look, Florida is 1-0 in the SEC and 3-1 overall. Should we give them side-eye because they only beat an awful Charlotte team 22-7? Probably, but I think we’ll get a fairer view of them this week against Kentucky.
8. Tennessee (last week: 7)
Let’s just park the Vols here for another week until we see them against someone with something to play for, like South Carolina this week. (I still think they’re better than Florida FWIW.)
9. South Carolina (last week: 9)
I want to believe in South Carolina, really, I do. But a 2-2 start with uneven play is not great. Now they have three straight games against ranked opponents (at Tenn, vs Florida, at Missou).
10. Texas A&M (last week: 7)
Give backup QB Max Johnson some credit for coming in for an injured Conner Weigman and going 7-11 for 123 yards and 2 TDs in the second half against Auburn. The Aggies play Arkansas and their leaky secondary this week.
11. Auburn (last week: 6)
Auburn is 3-1 but man was that a brutal loss to TAMU last week. Auburn’s three-headed QB situation went a combined 9-23 for 56 yards! I have no idea what they can try this week against UGA’s defense, other than Hugh Freeze better be ready to empty the playbook and throw nothing but gadget plays out there.
12. Arkansas (last week: 12)
The Hogs have given up 31 points in back-to-back games. I don’t care how good KJ Jefferson is (and he’s really good), he isn’t be good enough to win on his own. Maybe they can steal one at home this week against TAMU.
13. Mississippi State (last week: 13)
Yeah, they lost to South Carolina last week, but they finally opened the offense up and let Will Rogers cook (48 passing attempts for 487 yards). If you’re going to be bad, which Mississippi State already is, why not have some fun while stinking it up?
14. Vanderbilt (last week: 14)
Sigh.