Alabama Football: SEC Power Rankings heading into week four
By Ronald Evans
1. Alabama Crimson Tide – 83 points (last week, 84 points)
Alabama football is yet to receive a stern challenge. Tua Tagovailoa and the best four wide receivers in college football have been sensational. Although the offense has not been fully tested, both Steve Sarkisian’s schemes and his tutelage of Tua are paying benefits.
There are problems the Alabama football staff will continue to address on the offensive line and at inside linebacker. The lack of depth on the defensive line is worrisome. The pass rush has not been stellar. Even the much-improved Alabama football secondary looked vulnerable at times against South Carolina.
We could comment on the kicking game – but instead, we choose to stay cautiously optimistic.
2. Georgia Bulldogs – 79 points (last week 76 points)
Just like the Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs are not perfect. In three weeks they have not played against a real threat. The upcoming game with Notre Dame will get over-hyped beyond reason. As last season’s CFB Playoff proved, the Fighting Irish are not an elite team.
Also, like the Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs will not be much threatened until November.
3. LSU Tigers – 72 points (last week 74 points)
The Bengal Tigers had a lackluster first half against a team that could not compete with New Mexico State. For those like me, who know next to nothing about Northwestern State, other than it being an FCS school that was 5-6 last season, here’s some perspective. In week two this season, Division II school, Midwestern State beat Northwestern State, 33-7.
Midwestern’s quarterback threw for 323 yards. On Saturday night, LSU’s Joe Burrow threw for 373 yards. With 5:28 left in the second quarter in Tiger Stadium, the score was LSU 17 – Northwestern State 14.
Maybe a little brake-pumping is in order on the LSU hype train. The offense has improved with a legit passing attack. Dave Aranda’s defense has not been as good as expected.