Alabama Football: SEC Football Week One Power Rankings
By Ronald Evans
No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks – (last week ranked No. 10) Predicted regular season ceiling – 5 wins
Arkansas was another SEC team that looked poor in the first half of their opener. Just as the Vols were booed in Knoxville at halftime, the Hogs had loud complaints from fans. Rice led at the half on Saturday, but Sam Pittman’s team came alive to win 38-17.
No. 9 LSU Bengal Tigers – (last week No. 4) Predicted regular season ceiling – 7 wins
Why the big drop for the Bengal Tigers? The reason is not just because of the loss to UCLA, 38-27. When LSU cannot run on a Pac 12 team and cannot stop a Pac 12 team’s rushing attack – toughness is seriously in doubt. A team melt-down is possible and if it happens, O might not last the season in Baton Rouge. What irony if the Bengal Tigers become one of the easier Alabama Football challenges this season.
No. 8 Missouri Tigers – (last week No. 8) Predicted regular season ceiling – 7 wins
Eli Drinkwitz is bringing the Tigers back. How far that recovery can go, and how long it will take, are the only questions. The Tigers opened with a 34-24 win over Central Michigan.
No. 7 Auburn Tigers – (last week No. 9) Predicted regular season ceiling – 7 wins
Skepticism remains about Bryan Harsin cutting it in the SEC. Running away from Akron 60-10 does not remove the doubts. Auburn may end up being a strong team, but for now, it is not close to competing with Nick Saban’s Alabama Football team.
No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats – (last week No. 7) Predicted regular season ceiling – 8 wins
A 45-10 win over Louisiana-Monroe showed much promise for the Wildcats. Penn State transfer QB, Will Levis brings a new dimension to the Kentucky offense. He has a dynamic weapon in Nebraska transfer, Wandale Robinson. Mark Stoops will still focus on tough, physical play, but a more open offense can be explosive.
No. 5 Florida Gators – (last week No. 5) Predicted regular season ceiling – 9 wins
Emory Jones is no Dak Prescott. As a result, Dan Mullen has a quarterback dilemma. Against FAU, in a 35-14 win, the best performing QB was backup Anthony Richardson. The Gators have plenty of speed on both sides of the ball and might be better defensively. Alabama Football and Florida’s date is less than two weeks away. Dan Mullen needs a strong QB performance for any chance to hang with the Tide.