In this SEC Power Poll, The Daily Mississippian’s Sports Editor Dylan Rubino ranks 14 Southeastern Conference teams.
1. Mississippi State- In their first game ranked as number one in school history, the Bulldogs had some lapses on defense, but the offense led the way as they took care of Kentucky 45-31. Junior quarterback Dak Prescott continued his Heisman-worthy season, throwing for 216 yard with one touchdown and one pick, also picking up 88 yards on the ground with two scores. The defense gave up over 500 total yards to the Kentucky offense. That will need to improve as the end of the season winds down.
2. Alabama- The Crimson Tide not only won the rivalry game at Tennessee 34-20, but the offense racked up 469 total yards. Junior wide receiver Amari Cooper reeled in nine catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns, continuing his torrid stretch. A bye week is next for Alabama, and then a trip to face LSU at Death Valley is in order.
3. Auburn- The defending conference champs struggled at home against a desperate South Carolina squad, giving up 35 points and over 500 total yards of offense. The Tigers put up more points and yards to squeak out the win at home 42-35. The ground game picked up almost 400 yards to lead the way on offense. Auburn travels to Oxford to play Ole Miss for what looks to be a great showdown.
4. Ole Miss- In college football, it’s more about when you lose more than who you lose to. The loss for Ole Miss at LSU Saturday could prove costly, but the timing of the loss still keeps the Rebels in the drivers seat to win the SEC West. The defense got lucky against LSU with the Tigers turning the ball over in the end zone, but the defense kept them in the game for four quarters. Senior quarterback Bo Wallace struggled, and the offense stalled because of it.
5. Georgia- The Bulldogs seem to get closer and closer to running away with the SEC East even after going through a bye week. With a ground-and-pound offense, Georgia is ninth in the country in scoring, averaging 43.4 points per game. A trip to Jacksonville is next for the Bulldogs to face rival Florida.
6. LSU- Death Valley proved helpful for the Tigers in their upset victory over rival Ole Miss 10-7. The ground game exhausted the Rebel defense, rushing for 264 yards. LSU also dominated time of possession, giving the Rebel offense little chance to score when it was most needed. The 41-7 loss earlier to Auburn does not seem so bad now since LSU has won three games in a row. A bye week is next, then the showdown with Alabama.
7. MIssouri- Missouri struggled at home against lowly Vanderbilt but played away 24-14. The ground game for the Tigers rushed for 244 yards, and the defense held the Vanderbilt rushing attack to only 44 yards. Missouri is still alive in the SEC East, but their loss earlier to Georgia could prove costly. Missouri gets Kentucky at home next.
8. Texas A&M- What a perfect time for a bye week. After the demoralizing loss to Alabama 59-0, the Aggies need to regroup in order to get their season back on track. The offense faces many questions after being shut out and head coach Kevin Sumlin re-opened the quarterback competition, possibly ending sophomore Kenny Hill’s time as the starter.
9. Kentucky- The offense proved to be one of the best in the conference, racking up over 500 total yards and scoring 31 points against number one Mississippi State. The defense is the complete opposite, giving up almost 550 totals yards and 45 points to the Bulldog offense. Another test looms for the Wildcats as they travel to Missouri this weekend.
10. South Carolina- Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks gave it all they had on the road against Auburn. Spurrier took any gamble necessary in order to come away with the season-changing victory, but the defense could not stop the Auburn rushing attack. Redshirt senior quarterback Dylan Thompson threw for over 400 yards and five touchdowns, but with three crucial interceptions. Next up for South Carolina is Tennessee at home.
11. Arkansas- After suffering three losses in a row, the Razorbacks got back on track with a 45-17 win over UAB. Junior quarterback Brandon Allen continues to improve as a passer, throwing for 205 yards and two scores. The ground game picked up 273 yards in typical Arkansas fashion. The offense will need to continue to improve in order to upset Mississippi State at Starkville.
12. Florida- The bye week comes after two losses in a row to LSU and Missouri both at home. The hot seat for head coach Will Muschamp may get even hotter this weekend in the rivalry game against Georgia in Jacksonville. Unless Florida pulls off the upset, the chatter for Muschamp’s job will never stop until he’s gone from Gainesville.
13. Tennessee- This is not the vision Volunteer fans had in mind after Butch Jones was hired. A 3-5 record puts Tennessee in danger of not even making a bowl game. Losing five of their last six games certainly doesn’t help. Tennessee must win three of their next four games in order to make a bowl. That all starts with a trip to South Carolina this weekend.
14. Vanderbilt- The Commodores seem to be forever stuck in the black hole of dead last in the SEC. Unless Vanderbilt wins their last four games, there will be no bowl game for them.
