Hey guys. Isn’t college football fun?
After a rollercoaster ride this weekend, I’m here to help you collect and organize your thoughts on SEC football. We had miracles, struggles, and blowouts. Just another day in paradise. It was an incredible day in college football all around, and fortunately for you, I stayed in and watched every single second of it (My life is exciting you guys. Trust me).
There are no major changes this week in the Power Rankings, but that won’t last much longer. Let’s have a look.
1. Alabama – Same old song and dance here. The offense looked pretty stale on Saturday, but it doesn’t really matter when the defense outscores your opponent. The Crimson Tide is still king, but they’ll need to bring it all together to get through the gauntlet starting this weekend. Alabama will travel to Arkansas this weekend for the Tide’s first real test.
2. Texas A&M – Like Alabama, the Aggies looked mediocre against South Carolina. Relying on a solid defense, the offense did enough to win the game. I still believe A&M might be the most complete team in the SEC, but it’s time for a real test. The Gameday showdown with the Vols will answer all questions.
3. Tennessee – The Hallelujah in the Hedges? The Miracle in Athens? I’d just call it the most exciting 19 seconds in college football so far. Admittedly, I thought the Vols were done when Georgia scored on a gorgeous 40-yard touchdown pass. Not to be outdone, Josh Dobbs completed the king of all Hail Marys to keep UT’s season perfect. This team looks like a team of destiny, but will need more than luck at College Station. Win this one, and the momentum train is unstoppable.
4. Ole Miss – Revenge is sweet. Ole Miss cruised past Memphis, showing that they are more than capable of finishing games. The Rebels looked to be running on all cylinders while still having a lot to play for. Depending on how Alabama plays in the next 4 games, Ole Miss has a chance to make noise down the home stretch. It’s bye week time for the Rebels.
5. Arkansas – A thrashing of Alcorn State is just what the Razorbacks needed to get back on track. After a rough loss to A&M, Arkansas needed to gain some confidence and work out the rough patches before the Tide come to town. They’ll need to step up the run defense to hope for the upset. It’s gut check time in Fayetteville.
6. LSU – No Les? No Fournette? No problem. Coach Orgeron’s first game at the helm showed a more diverse offense that racked up the yardage. An impressive beating of Mizzou has the Tigers moving in the right direction. That certainly looked like a different team, and one that some teams should be nervous to see. A trip to the Swamp (hurricane pending) will test the new LSU.
7. Auburn – If you’re curious, the Auburn offense was finally spotted this season. Sure, it was ULM, but the offense appeared to be clicking for the first time. This is definitely a good sign for Gus Malzahn heading into the thick of conference play. There are plenty of things that need to improve, but don’t count Auburn out yet. They travel to Mississippi State this weekend.
8. Florida – Yes, I’m aware you won, Gators. Your fall this week is due to the uninspiring play at Vanderbilt. We can blame it on the hangover from the loss to Tennessee, but they need to snap out of it soon. An inspired LSU team is visiting the Swamp, and will put up a much bigger fight.
9. Georgia – I know, I know. Georgia lost and moved up a spot? Yes, but that’s mainly because there’s nobody to put in front of them. The Bulldogs were 10 seconds from victory, but Georgia gonna Georgia. After a taunting and offsides penalty, both of which were unbelievably stupid, the Bulldogs allowed Tennessee to take the win in Athens. The charm is seemingly wearing off of Kirby Smart. They travel to South Carolina where Georgia should get back on track (hurricane pending).
10. Missouri – After getting thrashed by LSU, Missouri falls several spots. I legitimately can’t figure this team out. A week after posting 79 points, the Tigers offense basically vanished. They head into a much needed bye week.
11. Mississippi State – You had a bye week and moved up 1 spot. Proof that I believe in charity.
12. Vanderbilt – That Florida game was ugly all the way around. One silver lining? The Vanderbilt defense. While not being perfect, the defense managed to keep the Commodores in the football game late in the 4th. A complete lack of offense and awful quarterback play prevented any type of comeback. Now they travel to Kentucky for what some people will call a football game.
13. South Carolina – Out of the basement! South Carolina actually kept A&M honest in what most (myself included) thought would be a blowout. I don’t believe in moral victories, but if I did, the Gamecocks would get one. They’ll need to find an offense somewhere before welcome Georgia (again, hurricane pending.)
14. Kentucky – It was closer than I anticipated with Alabama, but nothing to hang your hat on. They host Vanderbilt in what some will call a football game.
Enjoy it, kids. Poppa Bear loves ya.
Bill Griffin is the lead SEC contributor for the SoBros Network, and serves as our resident expert on the human anatomy, fixin’ stuff, and tomatoes. Follow him on Twitter @Winter_Griffin
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