SEC Power Rankings

I’ve always said that preseason polls are of the devil, and no official rankings should be posted until week 6. Too many teams are way overrated and some are even underrated.  For example, everyone had South Carolina as a top ten team in the preseason and now at week 6 they have fallen completely out of the rankings. On the flip side you have Mississippi State who started the season unranked and now at week 6 finds itself just outside the top 10. Six teams in the top half of these rankings are playing each other this weekend, so this could look totally different by next week. For now, here is the first 2014 SEC Power Rankings from A Good Sports Hang.

Related Coverage:                                                                                                           Big XII Monday Round-Up                                                                                          Breaking the Huddle: Week 5 Wrap-Up 

SEC Power Rankings: Week 6

1. Alabama Crimson Tide – Alabama seems to have found their QB and identity. Blake Sims has taken ownership of the QB position and everyone seems to have jumped on board. This week they will travel to Oxford for a showdown with #11 Ole Miss. The Ole Miss defense will be a real test for the Alabama offense, and if they perform well, should be ranked #1 in every poll out there.
2. Texas A&M Aggies – I rank A&M above Auburn based on recent performance. I know Auburn put up 40 on Arkansas but that Arkansas team is much improved. I also see a fourth quarter comeback by a QB seeing his first real competition as more impressive than a blowout. Kenny Hill had his first chance to fold under pressure but he didn’t. He stepped up and the rest of the team followed his lead.
3. Auburn Tigers – We all know that this Auburn offense has the talent to blow everybody out of the water but something just isn’t clicking for them right now. The rest of the Auburn schedule is just nasty and this weekend against LSU will give us a hint of what’s to come for the Tigers. Expect a shootout.
4. Mississippi State Bulldogs – Mississippi State edges out Ole Miss here after the Rebels had a hard time scoring on Memphis this past weekend. The Bulldogs shot into the rankings and the respect of many after going into Death Valley at night and coming out victorious. Dak Prescott is a proven leader and has this offense moving. The front seven on defense is among the best but the secondary has shown some vulnerability. Texas A&M will test that secondary this weekend in Starkville.
5. Ole Miss Rebels – Another team with a ton of talent that could blow out anyone in the league but there is a lack of leadership and inconsistency on the offensive side of the ball. Basically, you never know which Bo Wallace is going to show up. The defense on the other hand is crazy talented and will keep them in any game that the offense may be struggling in. This past weekend against Memphis is a perfect example. This coming weekend will be the ultimate test for the Rebels as Alabama comes to town. If Wallace plays well, Ole Miss could take that next step.
6. Georgia Bulldogs – Todd Gurley alone is enough to justify this spot. This past weekend they survived a battle with Tennessee and Gurley piled up nearly 280 all-purpose yards and had some key runs down the stretch to help preserve the win. Georgia host Vanderbilt this weekend before traveling to Missouri in what could be the game that decides the East. The winner will most certainly be the front-runner.
7. LSU Tigers – True freshman Brandon Harris got the opportunity to show what he can do this past weekend against New Mexico State and he took full advantage of it. He threw for three TDs and ran for two more. The defense also improved from its game against Mississippi State by only allowing one TD. With all that said, it was New Mexico State. Still, there is ton of talent on this LSU team and it will be interesting to see how they perform with Harris at QB against a top team in Auburn. My guess is they show up and make some noise this weekend.
8. Missouri Tigers – Missouri bounced back from a tough loss to Indiana and pulled off a come from behind win at South Carolina. This team is good and has the potential to run away with the east but they will need to come to play every week. They are fortunate enough to get a bye week before hosting Georgia on Oct. 11 in a game that will give the winner the edge in the SEC East.
9. Arkansas Razorbacks – The good news is that Arkansas really has a pretty good team. The running game is the best in the conference and Brandon Allen gets better every week. The bad news is, six out of the remaining seven schools on Arkansas schedule are ranked. I wouldn’t say it’s out of the question for them to reach six wins but its going to be very hard to do. The Razorbacks have a bye this week before starting the gauntlet against Alabama.
10. South Carolina Gamecocks – South Carolina hasn’t had the season so far that most expected but all hope is not lost. South Carolina’s two losses were to good ranked opponents. The SEC East may not be attainable but a good season and bowl game is still doable. Regardless, coach Spurrier will not be satisfied.
11. Tennessee Volunteers – This team of very talented young players gets better and better every week. They looked as good as they have all season in a loss to Georgia. There is no reason why they should not continue to improve every week and be playing for a bowl birth come Nov 29 against Vanderbilt.
12. Kentucky Wildcats – Coach Stoops has done an excellent job improving the talent level and changing the attitude at Kentucky. Kentucky still has a shot at a bowl game but they will have to win a game they are not supposed to win to get there.
13. Florida Gators – I never would have thought I would be putting Florida at number 13 but here we are. Unfortunately, I only see two, possibly three more wins on the schedule. The offense is just too bad to see it any other way when you consider whats left on the schedule.
14. Vanderbilt Commodores – I think it is safe to say that Vanderbilt has found its spot for the season. They showed some signs of life against South Carolina but then just couldn’t move the ball at all against Kentucky. Vandy, welcome back to the cellar.

Follow Stu on Twitter: @StuShoemake

StuShoemake

Stu Shoemake is a lover of Jesus, a husband, a father to two boys, an outdoor enthusiast and the epitome of the word fanatic when it comes to sports. Born with a tomahawk in one hand and a cowbell in the other, he is armed with a plethora of knowledge concerning Baseball and College Sports. But the Atlanta Braves and Mississippi State Bulldogs are his weapons of choice. Kneeling down to rub some dirt between his hands before the game, you won’t catch Stu chanting SEC after a nonconference win but a Braveheart or Tombstone quote are sure to be heard. “I’m your huckleberry. That’s just my game”

More Posts

Follow Me: