Alabama Football: Week Two SEC Power Rankings

What a week it was in college football.

Alabama Football

, after looking like world-beaters taking down the Miami Hurricanes, gained a less than satisfying victory over FCS Mercer.  The Alabama Crimson Tide and several other FBS programs got tougher than expected games from FCS teams.

In just two full weeks of the 2021 college football season, eight FCS teams have won over FBS schools. The first big shocker was Montana beating, then, No. 20 Washington. The most recent was Jacksonville State topping Florida State after Notre Dame barely beat the Noles in week one.  After a 59-yard, walk-off Hail Mary from the Gamecocks, FSU incurred its first loss ever to an FCS program.

After the Mercer game, Nick Saban gave a Nick Sr. story about his childhood. Failing to do what he was supposed to do always led to a ‘reckoning’ from his dad. Saban was clear his Alabama Football team needs a similar experience.

Two weeks into the new season, SEC Football has done well with a 6-2 record over, out-of-conference, Power Five teams.

With so few games, it is a challenge to find separation in groups of teams. The top and the bottom of the SEC are pretty clear, but a large group in between is hard to rank. Alabama football and other SEC fans should note these rankings are based on current resumes and not on expected future performance.

Week Two SEC Football Power Rankings

No. 14 – Vanderbilt Commodores (1-1) Predicted regular season ceiling – 3 wins

Last week the Dores were ranked No. 14 after an embarrassing opening 23-3 loss to FCS, East Tennessee State. Saturday night, Vanderbilt ended a losing streak that went back to the 2019 season. The Commodores beat Colorado State, 24-21 in Fort Collins. Former Alabama Football placekicker, Joseph Bulovas made the game-winning field goal for the Dores.

No. 13 –  South Carolina Gamecocks (2-0) Predicted regular season ceiling – 5 wins

After blowing out Eastern Illinois in week one the Gamecocks were ranked No. 12 in the SEC. A 20-17, road win over FBS, East Carolina kept Shane Beamer’s team undefeated. Perhaps Beamer’s team has turned a corner. It is too early to know.