I’ve officially given up trying to predict how these SEC games are going to go. Things just aren’t the way they used to be.
For instance, this week Ole Miss is playing Arkansas. The Rebs are coming off an important win over LSU, and Arkansas has lost three in a row and given up at least thirty points in all of those games. So, it only stands to reason that Ole Miss should win easily, right? But in this topsy-turvy season, doesn’t it stand to reason that Arkansas will somehow win?
Or maybe I’m over-thinking?
Anyway, let’s get to the rankings…
1. Georgia (last week: 1)
UGA didn’t look great against Auburn, mostly because Auburn was gashing UGA’s defense on the ground. UGA, smartly, started throwing it to Brock Bowers on every play, and they managed to pull away. This week they host Kentucky, in a matchup of two of the last three undefeated teams in the SEC. (By the way, as bad as UGA’s defense looked at times, UGA QB Carson Beck made several really great throws in the second half and to me he looked every bit the part of a starting QB on a contender. So there’s that.)
2. Missouri (last week: 2)
We’re keeping the Tigers here again this week, after they beat Vandy by 17 last week. Brady Cook looked great, and Luther Burden continued racking up yards and TDs. This week the schedule cranks up in difficulty as they host LSU. I still believe!
3. Kentucky (last week: 5)
I mean, they’re undefeated, right? The knock against them had been they hadn’t beaten anyone. Sure, they blew out Florida, 33-14, but I’m not sure if that really counts as “anyone.” If Ray Davis can break some runs against UGA’s leaky run defense, they’ll have a shot to knock off the Dawgs.
4. Alabama (last week: 4)
Three weeks in a row at the 4 spot. They had an old-school Saban win against Miss State – Milroe only threw 12 passes and the offense really just managed to minimize mistakes, while the Alabama defense showed some sparks. Now Saban gets a revenge game against Texas A&M.
5. Ole Miss (last week: 6)
We’ll bump the Rebs up a spot for outscoring LSU at home last week. Has Lane Kiffin’s squad finally turned the corner and moved into the upper echelon?
6. Tennessee (last week: 8)
Big win for the Vols last week against a disappointing South Carolina group. The defense got after Spencer Rattler and sacked him 6 times, but then, Rattler’s already been sacked 22 times(!) this season.
7. Texas A&M (last week: 10)
I like Max Johnson, and he’s been really good filling in for TAMU the last two weeks. Should be a real test against a surging Bama defense this week.
8. LSU (last week: 3)
I guess we’ll park the Tigers here? What a terrible loss to Ole Miss, and with as bad as LSU’s defense has looked this season, I feel like Missouri has a real shot against them this week.
9. Auburn (last week: 11)
You don’t get rewarded in life for trying hard, but perhaps you do in the Grind City Media power rankings? Auburn played Georgia pretty even most of the way, before running out of steam in the fourth quarter. It was a good thing they were able to run the ball against UGA, because their passing game is still horrific (their QBs were a combined 11-20 for 88 yds this week).
10. Arkansas (last week: 12)
Sam Pittman keeps spouting platitudes about things like “hard work” and “toughness” and stuff like that, but maybe Arkansas just doesn’t have enough good players? It would also probably be a good idea if their offensive coordinator didn’t engage via email with fans upset over his playcalling…
11. Florida (last week: 7)
11. South Carolina (last week: 9)
The Gators let Kentucky run for 329 yards last week. South Carolina let Tennessee run for 238. Both of these teams have been so disappointing. Sad face.
13. Mississippi State (last week: 13)
Sure, the Bulldogs are 0-3 in the SEC, but at least they have Arkansas and Auburn coming up!
14. Vanderbilt (last week: 14)
Yeah.