Alabama Football: Week Two SEC Power Rankings

No. 12 – Tennessee Volunteers (1-1) Predicted regular season ceiling – 5 wins

Last week the Vols were at No. 12. This week they hold that spot even though the Vols lost, at home, to Pitt. The Panthers are a fairly good team, with an offense improved over last season. Going into the season, Pitt was expected to have an above-average defense. The Vols had little trouble scoring on them, despite losing starting quarterback Joe Milton in the game. Milton’s replacement, transfer Hendon Hooker was effective in Josh Heupel’s offense. Hooker looked better than Milton had in the early season. Had the Vols not been shackled by over 130 yards in penalties and three turnovers, they would be 2-0.

No. 11 LSU Bengal Tigers (1-1) Predicted regular season ceiling – 6 wins

Last week LSU was ranked No. 9, having dropped from No. 4 in our preseason rankings. An unimpressive win over McNeese State did not stop the slide. The Bengal Tigers are not very good on offense. A defense that was porous against UCLA looked better, but it was against a Southland Conference team that could not outscore West Florida in week one. LSU has too much talent to be this weak. It all comes down to coaching – particularly the head coach.

No. 10 Auburn Tigers (2-0) Predicted regular season ceiling – 6 wins

Last week the Tigers were ranked No. 7. Auburn might be much higher as the season goes forward. Tank Bigsby is one of the best running backs in the nation. So far, the resume of blowout wins over Akron and Alabama State does not qualify Bryan Harsin’s team for a higher ranking.