SEC Power Rankings Week 5: Red Rises To The Top

OK, so the best game of the week (predictably) was in Athens, when Georgia took on LSU. The game wasn’t exactly defensively-minded, with the Dawgs coming out 44-41. In other worlds, Alabama reminded Hugh Freeze and Ole Miss that they had a lot of work to do still, while South Carolina and, er, Tennessee survived scares against mighty UCF and the even mightier South Alabama. Oh, and the Tyler Murphy experiment in Florida rolled to 2-0 after they slapped Kentucky.

So here are our SEC Power Rankings:

1) Alabama – Beat Ole Miss comfortably. There are still worries about the running game (which came good in the second half), but the defense is one of the best in the SEC. Theirs and Florida, anyway.

2) Georgia – There’s no doubt for us that the Bulldogs have the offensive talent to win the SEC East, but despite the ‘D’ coming up with the stop when they needed it at an ear-shattering Sanford Stadium, it’s still a worry. Still, winning a game 44-41 is better than losing a game 44-41, eh?

3) LSU – This is a young LSU team that fell down our SEC power rankings poll after their loss against Georgia, but Zach Mettenberger throwing to Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry can keep any team in a game. Those two NFL wide receivers are unreal. Defensively, they definitely lack though.

4) Florida –  Tyler Murphy’s got the offense just beginning to click. That’s why they put up 407 yards on Kentucky on Saturday. Yes, we know it’s not Kentucky, but this team’s ‘D’ is absolutely tremendous. LSU and Georgia: Watch out. This is a team on the rise.

5) Texas A&M – Failed to beat the spread about Arkansas, but Johnny Manziel is still fantastic. Even if the defense really, really isn’t. Still the funnest team in college football to watch….by a mile.

6)  South Carolina – The injury to Connor Shaw could well put Shaw out for a few weeks, but Dylan Thompson is a ready-made replacement. That’ll be why the Gamecocks QB tandem is one of the best in the conference. Their running game is solid, thanks to Mike Davis – and we saw that with a 167 yard, 3-TD performance against UCF, who gave them the scare of their lives. Defensively-wise, can they continue getting in these shoot-outs? Steve Spurrier’s still not loving the defense, either. And as for Jadeveon Clowney….

7) Ole Miss – We thought Rebels fans were crazy when they talked about beating Alabama and the Crimson Tide being unable to deal with their fast-paced offense. Well, they were shut-out and limited to 205 yards total, including just 46 rushing.

8) Vanderbilt – No huge points for beating the crap out of UAB, but we will say this: It was never close (unlike the UMass game last week), and Jonathan Krause is looking like a legitimate No.2 receiver for the Commodores after getting his second straight 100-yards receiving game. But defensively we’re not excited about the Commodores, and when Vandy plays strong opposition (South Carolina, Georgia and Florida), we think they’ll struggle. Badly.

9) Auburn – This fast-paced Auburn offense is going to be fun to watch, folks. But the defense will give you heart attacks. The Ole Miss game this week is going to be awesome to watch. Unless you like defense.

10) Missouri – The latest evisceration of a not-particularly-quality opponent hasn’t got us standing and saying: ‘This Mizzou team could upset some people!). But as we’ve said repeatedly, the James Franklin-to-Dorial Green-Beckham combo could be a lot of fun. Still, we wait to see how Mizzou will do against quality SEC opponents.

11) Arkansas – Gave Texas A&M the scare of their life, and it’s no shame losing 45-33, especially with a rebuilding team at home. Alex Collins had ANOTHER 100-yard (plus) rushing game (that’s four out of five), which is a plus. But Brandon Allen makes too many mistakes at QB and their defensive game really isn’t strong. Don’t expect a huge about from the Hogs, fans. Bret Bielema’s got a huge rebuilding project.

12) Mississippi State – Had a bye week which will help the team offensively. Dan Mullen’s team aren’t really that good, though.

13)= Tennessee – You know when a team’s in trouble when they SURVIVED SOUTH ALABAMA.

13)= Kentucky – Offense was quietened by one of the best defenses in college football in Florida on Saturday. Something has to click somewhere to give Wildcats fans a reason to be optimistic, and funnily enough, the defense hasn’t played horrifically. We still predict that the battle of the SEC Zero-fors will happen when the Wildcats play the Vols on Nov 30th.