Alabama Crimson Tide: Week Four SEC Power Rankings
By Ronald Evans
A weekly reminder to Alabama Crimson Tide and other SEC fans, these rankings are based on current resumes from four weeks of play. Other than the projected win ceilings, the rankings are not predictions of future performance.
Though the SEC season is young and much can change, five teams defined themselves on Saturday. Those teams were LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn, Texas A&M and Arkansas.
Week Four SEC Football Power Rankings
No. 14 – Vanderbilt Commodores (1-3) – (Last week, No. 14); Predicted regular season ceiling – 2 wins
Vanderbilt was not one of the teams defining itself. What the Dores are and will be, is the SEC team with the worst record. The Dores win ceiling is lowered to 2 wins this week. Their only chance for an SEC win looks to be against South Carolina.
The Georgia Bulldogs were not kind to the way out-matched Commodores. The Dawgs trounced their way to a 35-0 first-quarter score. The Dores had no chance against the Georgia defense and made just four, first downs and a total of 77 yards for the game. Vandy did have three turnovers, but Georgia could have had three times that many (they had one) and still would have won by five touchdowns. Final Score: Georgia 62- Vanderbilt 0
No. 13 – South Carolina Gamecocks (2-2); Last week No. 13; Predicted regular season ceiling – 5 wins
The Gamecocks lost to the Kentucky Wildcats in a hard-fought game. The defensive game saw just two touchdowns – one by each team. Shane Beamer has the Gamecocks moving in the right direction. Lack of offense remains a major problem. The Gamecocks had 26 rushing plays and produced just 58 yards. Kentucky turned the ball over three times and was not impressive in the passing game. Chris Rodriquez Jr. provided most of the Wildcats offense with 144 rushing yards. Final Score: Kentucky 16 – South Carolina 10
No. 12 – Tennessee Volunteers (2-2); Last week No. 12; Predicted regular season ceiling – 5 wins
The Vols hung tough in The Swamp for a half, trailing just 17-14. The Gators shut out the Vols in the second half. Gators’ QB, Emory Jones was responsible for 353 yards of offense. Tennessee QB, Hendon Hooker was effective, passing for 222 yards, but the Vols were hampered by 10 penalties. Final Score: Florida 38 – Tennessee 14
No. 11 – Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-2); Last week No. 10; Predicted regular season ceiling – 6 wins
Two not very good teams played in Starkville on Saturday. The Bulldogs made another of their late rallies under Mike Leach but it was not enough. The Bulldogs moved the ball well early but had two drives ended by turnovers. Leach’s offense outgained LSU, 486 yards to 383 yards. The Bulldogs threw 62 passes, often against an LSU with eight men dropped into coverage. LSU was more efficient offensively, with Max Johnson passing for 280 yards and four touchdowns. Final Score: LSU 28 – Mississippi State 25