Alabama Football: Power Ranking the SEC after week one

• No. 4 – Tennessee Vols (1-0)

Beating Ball State is no resume-builder. The Vols beat the Cardinals 59-10 at the start of last season. This season the result was 49-13, but Ball State is an FBS team that won five games last season – so Tennessee sneaks in at No. 4 after week one.

• No. 3 – LSU Bengal Tigers (0-1)

It is hard to not punish LSU for its second-half collapse against Florida State on Sunday night. The final score of 45-24 was not misleading. FSU’s dominance in the second half begs an argument that the Bengal Tigers quit on Brian Kelly in Orlando. The Seminoles became not only the better but the more physical team with a 31-point second-half explosion.

LSU let down the SEC, but an opening game does not make a season. If FSU can win in Death Valley, the Noles are a likely Playoff team.

• No. 2 – Georgia Bulldogs (1-0)

It is not a complete exaggeration to claim Georgia played an opponent not much better than an elite high school team. Actually, UT Martin is a pretty good FCS team. But it should be an embarrassment for a two-time defending college football National Champion to play such an inferior opponent. The Bulldogs started slowly but finished with a 48-7 win.

• No. 1 – Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0)

Alabama looked improved putting away Middle Tennessee State, 56-7. A true test will come against Texas in week two. An early prediction is Alabama Football will get an early season ‘We’re Back’ statement win over the Longhorns.

Week two includes several more guaranteed wins for SEC football teams. Georgia moves up a small notch to a less unworthy opponent in Ball State.