Texas A&M still the pick- Week 3 SEC Power Rankings

‘Twas a hell of a night in the SEC. South Carolina avoided getting hit by lightning to score a 3-point win over Georgia, Florida squeaked by Kentucky in THREE overtimes, and Arkansas ripped out a monster away victory at Texas Tech (giggles). Tennessee played valiantly at Oklahoma but were predictably outclassed, but there are green shoots. Oh, and Vanderbilt. Dear. God.

Anyway, here are our Week 3 Power Rankings for the SEC:

1. Texas A&M: We’re not sure how anyone can deal with Kevin Sumlin’s offense, for whom 38 points looked like a bad day on Saturday. And the defense showed some improvement by not particularly struggling with a Rice team who took them to the hilt in 2013. Kenny Hill’s 300 yard, 4 TD performance wasn’t too shabby, either. Did I mention I saw him play in high school?

2. Alabama: Alabama’s 40-point victory was under Vegas’ predictions (no great surprise there), and despite a disappointing first quarter (the Tide was only 7-3 up), Blake Sims and the offense took over and it was over by half-time. The Derrick Henry/ Kenyan Drake/ Tyran Jones/TJ Yeldon quartet is suddenly looking nasty (all four RBs went for over 50 yards as Nick Saban mixed up the touches). Blake Sims (3 Total TDs, 168 yards, 12/17) continues to impress at QB. This team’s not going away, folks.

3. Auburn: Hard to say bearing in mind that the War Eagle hasn’t really played anyone to start the year, but the offense is goooood, folks. Even if the D could do with some work. So why are they so high? Because you try stopping ’em. And then get back to me.

4. South Carolina:  Battled with this spot being Georgia’s, but after the Gamecocks overcame the Dawgs at home, 4th spot’s about right for Spurrier. His defense really isn’t great, and he was lucky to get away with the victory, but Dylan Thompson looked better at QB, and the running back duo of Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds looks more solid by the game.

5. Georgia: “SERIOUSLY, MIKE BOBO OR MARK RICHT, HOW COULD YOU NOT GIVE THE BALL TO TODD GURLEY WITH FIRST AND GOAL FROM THE 4 WITH THE GAME ON THE LINE?” Dawgs fans all over were saying it. Personally, I’d also ask Jeremy Pruitt how his D really can’t stop anyone, either. Let’s not forget Georgia gave up 447 total yards. Todd Gurley’s ****ing good, though (191 yards, 2 TDs)

6. Ole Miss: Mighty Bo Wallace threw for 316 yards and 4 TDs (and 1 INT) as the Rebels steamrolled the mighty Louisiana-Lafayette. They were helped by ULL QB Terrance Broadway throwing a musical 3 INTs. We can bet he must have been one of Les Miserables after that.

7. Missouri: We love you, Maty Football.

8. LSU: LSU fans will struggle with being this low, but it’s not really that important. What IS important is that the Tigers’ offense was dreadful for large parts of the team’s 31-0 HOME victory over mighty ULM. Anthony Jennings isn’t the answer at QB, but does it really matter when your running back stable features so much talent (Kenny Hilliard, Leonard Fournette, Terrence Magee). And as much as Les Miles tried to talk about how great his defense was (they were, pitching a shut-out and only giving up 93 total yards), the offense has got to be a concern. Hence why the Tigers are middling in our poll.

9. Mississippi State: Dan Mullen and Dak Prescott have got State firing on all cylinders right now. This team could well be a dark horse in the West. 

10. Arkansas: Huge win by Arkansas on the road at Texas Tech. 438 rushing yards. 438. Alex Collins (212 of them) and Jonathan Williams (145) are pretty talented. But does Arky have the ‘D’ to get it its first SEC win of the year?

11. Florida: By all accounts Florida was lucky to get away with a victory against Kentucky – particularly with Mark Stoops (still) screaming FOR A DELAY OF GAME FLAG. But let’s get this straight. The Gators really aren’t going to be very good this year. Sorry.

12. Kentucky: MARK STOOPS HATES EVERYONE AT THE MOMENT.

13. Tennessee: Looked young and overmatched against Oklahoma, but you can see the young talent at receiver. You really can. This is going to be a long project, and UT fans are going to have to find patience. Because right now, they won’t be very good.

14. Vanderbilt: We saw the UMass game. And laughed. A lot. Kentucky fans might see their team get their first SEC victory this year. And Derek Mason might well get a pink slip.