In last week’s SEC Power Rankings, I pointed an ‘Embarrassment Needle’ at Alabama Football, based on its failure against Texas. I never dreamed the ‘Embarrassment Needle’ would hit a new peak for the Crimson Tide after a win, but …
A reminder is these rankings are unapologetically subjective. Jeff Sagarin’s algorithm that ranks 261 teams is used to compare team records, but only as a guide.
The big movers this week are Florida, Missouri, LSU, Tennessee and Alabama. Sadly for Alabama football fans, the five teams are not all moving in the same direction.
Week Three SEC Football Power Rankings
No. 14 –Vanderbilt Commodores (2-2) Previous Week No. 12
A loss by any team to UNLV is never good, especially when it happens to an SEC team. The Commodores led UNLV 17-0 and then collapsed. What followed was 30 points by UNLV. To their credit, the Dores did put themselves in a position to pull out the win, but failed late, losing 40-37. Bowl eligibility at this point seems unlikely.
Next up: Vandy hosts Kentucky
No. 13 – Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-1) Previous Week No. 8
Almost nothing went right for the Bulldogs who hosted LSU in Starkville. The Bengal Tigers ran up 530 yards of offense on an outclassed Mississippi State defense. Worse for State is it no longer has an effective passing offense under new OC Kevin Barbay. Bulldogs’ QB, Will Rogers thrived in the Mike Leach system, but against LSU he completed a dreadful 39.3% of his passes.
LSU dominated the Mississippi State offensive and defensive lines on Saturday as the zest for cowbell ringing faded in Starkville.
Next up: Mississippi State is on the road against South Carolina
No. 12 – Auburn Tigers (3-0) Previous Week No. 9
Auburn’s defense is not bad. It will have to carry them this season. The Tigers have a decent win over Cal but beating Samford 45-13 on Saturday did nothing but ugly up the Auburn resume. A bright spot for Auburn is QB Payton Thorne is reaching ‘competent’ status, but unsurprisingly the offensive line is far short of SEC caliber.
Next up: Auburn plays at Texas A&M.
No. 11 – Kentucky Wildcats (3-0) Previous Week No. 10
Being undefeated means nothing when the wins are over Eastern Kentucky, Ball State and Akron. Even with Devin Leary at quarterback, the Kentucky offense is too often marred by mistakes. Turnovers and penalties hurt them against Akron and the Cats had to score 14, 4th-quarter points to make the game appear to be a blowout at 35-3. The Wildcats can improve and are fortunate to have a solid defensive team.
Next up: Kentucky on the road at Vandy.
No. 10 – Texas A&M Aggies (2-1) Previous Week No. 6
An easy win over ULM on Saturday is meaningless. I am not sold on the Texas A&M coaching staff. Apparently, oddsmakers are not either, with a bad Auburn team coming to College Station and the Aggies favored by only six points. There are rumblings coming out of College Station that Jimbo Fisher’s huge buyout might not save him at the end of this season.
No. 9 South Carolina Gamecocks (1-2) – Previous Week No. 13
I am giving the Gamecocks a lot of credit for leading Georgia 14-3, at halftime in Athens. If, and it might be a big if, the South Carolina pass protection issues can be repaired, the offense can be effective. The Gamecocks are No. 129 in the FBS in Sacks Allowed. Of course, nine of their 16 sacks allowed occurred in week one.
Next up: South Carolina is home against Mississippi State
No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1) Previous Week No. 7
The Hogs lost to BYU on Saturday. Even with the game in Fayetteville, it was not a bad loss. Arkansas is not good enough to overcome being No. 126 in the FBS in penalties.KJ Jefferson is an outstanding QB who can run as well as he can pass, but top defenses can key on him enough to keep him from taking over games. No 4th quarter points for the Hogs in the 38-31 loss was telling. A late drive by the Hogs took them to the BYU 12-yard line but Arkansas penalties ended the scoring opportunity.
Next up: Arkansas goes to Baton Rouge
No. 7 Tennessee Vols (2-1) Previous Week No. 4
It could be I’m being too tough on the Vols. It is hard to believe the defense is as bad as it showed against Florida. However, the weakness at quarterback, with Joe Milton is not a surprise. Adding to Milton’s inconsistent passing was that Florida whipped the Tennessee offensive line, holding two good Tennessee running backs to 98 yards.
Next up: Vols host UTSA
No. 6 Missouri Tigers (3-0) Previous Week No. 11
Any team that wins against a quality opponent with a last-second 61-yard field goal earns a ranking boost. The Missouri kicker even had to overcome a five-yard delay of game, because evidently, some Missouri coaches don’t watch the clock.
In addition, a game but gimpy QB, Brady Cook was tremendous against Kansas State. The Tigers need more from their running game, but when Cook is fully healthy, along with top receivers and a strong defense, the future looks promising for Missouri.
Next up: Missouri hosts Memphis
No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-1) Previous Week No. 2
Little explanation is needed, but I will say that not since the Mike Shula years have I been so disappointed in a Crimson Tide offensive performance. That includes the loss to ULM in 2007 when the Tide finding its bottom had to occur for the Saban reconstruction to move forward.
Next up: Ole Miss in T-Town
No. 4 Florida Gators (2-1) Previous Week No. 14
Clearly, I undervalued Florida’s potential. Getting to 2-1 after the opening loss to Utah is close to making the most of a tough schedule. The Gators physically whipped the Vols in The Swamp, and though Florida beating Tennessee at home is the norm, I thought Tennessee would overcome that history on Saturday.
Florida might not be the SEC’s fourth-best team, but with a strong running game and Graham Mertz leading the SEC in passing completion percentage at 75.3%, the Gators have earned some respect.
Next up: Florida hosts Charlotte
No. 3 Ole Miss Rebels (3-0) Previous Ranking No. 5
Forget the oddsmakers, I think Ole Miss is the favorite against Alabama on Saturday. That does not mean the Crimson Tide will lose, but Ole Miss QB, Jaxson Dart leads the SEC in Total Offense. The Ole Miss defense has stiffened with Portal additions. If Quinshon Judkins is 100%, the Crimson Tide defense will have to be outstanding to get a Bama win.
Next up: Ole Miss at Alabama
No. 2 LSU Bengal Tigers (2-1) Previous Ranking No. 3
LSU destroyed Mississippi State in Starkville. At this point, Jayden Daniels is the most dynamic quarterback in the SEC and the LSU offense is well-tailored to his skills.
It is too early for late November predictions, but LSU is a legitimate threat to return to Atlanta and win this time. Brian Kelly has a comparable roster to Bama and UGA and Kelly should not be underestimated.
Next up: Arkansas at LSU
No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) Previous Ranking No. 1
Does Kirby Smart have a weakness at quarterback? Again, it is too early to pass judgment. The Dawgs don’t need a superstar at QB anyway, with a roster that is solid and deep at every other position.
Next up: UAB at Georgia
Rankings don’t much matter in September, but later in the season, the top two teams in the SEC may be much better than the other 12 SEC teams. Will Alabama Football be one of them?