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Week 2 had its ups and downs for the members of the SEC. The conference’s newest additions were rudely welcomed to the conference and a SEC championship contender fell to a team of lesser talent.
Just another Saturday in the world of college football.
Here are my SEC Football Power Rankings after week 2:
1. Alabama: The Crimson Tide rolled over Western Kentucky last week in what was a warmup for this weekend’s game against Arkansas. Alabama did nothing against WKU to show that they are not the conference’s top team and therefore, keep their top spot. Last week’s ranking: 1
2.LSU: The Tigers played a quality opponent last weekend in the Washington Huskies but you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at the score. LSU lost five players this week, four due to academic ineligibility, and their depth seems to be waning. However, LSU is still LSU. Last week’s ranking: 2
3. Georgia: The Bulldogs followed up a sub-par performance against Buffalo with a thrashing of the Missouri Tigers last week. Georgia was playing without four defensive starters but still held Missouri quarterback James Franklin to 25 yards on 20 carries. Watch out when this team is at full strength. Last week’s ranking: 3
4. South Carolina: The Gamecocks routed East Carolina and did it without their starting quarterback. Backup Dylan Thompson filled in nicely for Connor Shaw and showed what South Carolina can do when its offense is firing on all cylinders. Last week’s ranking: 5
5. Tennessee: Volunteers quarterback Tyler Bray was in control once again last week as the Vols dismantled Georgia State. Transfer wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson seems primed to terrorize opposing SEC defensive backs in conference play. Tennessee may be back but let’s wait until after this weekend’s game to declare that. Last week’s ranking: 6
6. Florida: Defense wins championships. That’s all Gators fans can say after another dismal display on offense by their team. Defense will only go so far especially now that the team will be without linebacker Jelani Jenkins for the next couple of weeks. Sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel will need to improve on the fly for the Gators to stay in contention. Last week’s ranking: 7
7. Arkansas: Well that was quick. The Razorbacks were almost upset in week 1 but were not so lucky in week 2. The team may now be without quarterback Tyler Wilson against Alabama this weekend and it seems hard to seem them avoiding a 1-2 start. These just aren’t last year’s Razorbacks. Last week’s rankings: 4
8. Mississippi State: Dan Mullen finally beat an SEC West team that isn’t Ole Miss. This year’s Bulldogs seem like the most talented group Mullen has had while at Mississippi State but trouble may be on the horizon. The NCAA recently learned that a booster paid multiple Bulldogs and that could lead to ineligibility. Last week’s ranking: 9
9. Missouri: The Tigers learned in their first SEC game that you do not provide your opponent with bulletin board material. Missouri had a strong showing in the first half against Georgia but fell apart in the second half. This is a talented team but they need to learn to play four physical quarters of football. Last week’s ranking: 8
10. Texas A&M: Sometimes it’s hard to kick old habits. This is true for Texas A&M. Last year the Aggies seemed to always collapse in the fourth quarter, they continued the trend in their first game against Florida. However, new quarterback Johnny Manziel showed promise in his first game. Last week’s ranking: 10
11. Vanderbilt: An 0-2 start is not what James Franklin imagined for his Commodores. They should be able to get back on track this week but how they will fare in SEC play is anyone’s guess. Last week’s ranking: 11
12. Ole Miss: What seven game losing streak? New coach Hugh Freeze has eased the tension between the Rebels and its fanbase with a 2-0 start to the season. They face the Texas Longhorns this week. A win against the Longhorns will open the nation’s eyes to what’s happening in Oxford. Last week’s ranking: 13
13. Kentucky: The Wildcats not in last place in the SEC? How often has that happened? Young quarterback Maxwell Smith helped keep cool of his coach’s seat last week with a victory. Last week’s ranking: 14
14. Auburn Tigers: Oh Auburn, what has happened to you? Gene Chizik just cannot seem to win without Cam Newton. The Tigers need to get it together quickly before Chizik’s seat gets put on the burner. Last week’s ranking: 13
Chris Lionetti is a writer for Rant Sports with a focus on the SEC and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisLionetti
