SEC Football Power Poll
By David Collier
thedmsports@gmail.com
DECK: In this week’s installment, The Daily Mississippian’s sports editor David Collier will rank the 14 Southeastern Conference teams. Opponents, game times and television networks are also included for each team.
1. Alabama (1-0, 1st last week)
It’s the week the college football world has been waiting for. Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide have had two weeks to get ready for Johnny Football and should be ready to go.
This week: at Texas A&M (2-0), 2:30 p.m., CBS
2. Georgia (1-1, 1-0 SEC, 3rd last week)
After a disappointing week one loss, Georgia bounced back in a big way with the SEC-opening win over South Carolina. The Bulldogs are right back in the National Championship race, but a long season remains.
This week: BYE
3. LSU (2-0, 4th last week)
The Tigers offense continues to put up big numbers. This time LSU came out on top 56-17 over UAB, but we still won’t find out everything we need to about this LSU team until SEC play starts.
This week: Kent State (1-1), 6 p.m., ESPNU
4. South Carolina (1-1, 0-1 SEC, 2nd last week)
The Gamecocks have to put last week’s 41-30 loss to Georgia out of their minds, or Vanderbilt will beat them. Sleeper matchup of the weekend.
This week: Vanderbilt (1-1), 6 p.m., ESPN
5. Texas A&M (2-0, 6th last week)
Johnny Manziel gets his chance to do it again. Last year, he shocked the world with his performance against Alabama. Can he do it again? Time will tell.
This week: Alabama (1-0), 2:30 p.m., CBS
6. Florida (1-1, 5th last week)
Predicting a loss last weekend wasn’t a far stretch with the Gators offensive woes, and that thought proved to be right, as Florida fell to in-state rival Miami, 21-16.
This week: BYE
7. Ole Miss (2-0, 1-0 SEC, 7th last week)
The Rebels got a blowout 31-13 win over Southeast Missouri, and now, Ole Miss travels to Texas for a rematch of last year’s 66-31 loss. It would be a huge win for Ole Miss if they can get it.
This week: at Texas (1-1), 7 p.m., Longhorn Network
8. Vanderbilt (1-1, 0-1 SEC, 8th last week)
The Commodores beat Austin Peay, 38-3. Vanderbilt is a solid team and are a big candidate to pull a big upset against South Carolina this weekend. Turnovers will be key.
This week: at South Carolina (1-1, 0-1 SEC, 6 p.m., ESPN
9. Missouri (2-0, 9th last week)
The Tigers won 38-23 over Toledo last weekend. However, no one really knows how much this Missouri team has improved until they get into the thick of the SEC schedule.
This week: BYE
10. Mississippi State (1-1, 10th last week)
The Bulldogs took care of business against Alcorn State, winning 51-7. Mississippi State now has a crucial contest with SEC foe Auburn that could make or break their season.
This week: at Auburn (2-0), 6 p.m., ESPN2
11. Auburn (2-0, 11th last week)
The Tigers knocked off Arkansas State 38-9. There are still several question marks, but those should be answered when Mississippi State comes to town for Gus Malzahn’s first SEC game.
This week: Mississippi State (1-1), 6 p.m., ESPN2
12. Arkansas (2-0, 12th last week)
It wasn’t easy, but the Razorbacks stayed unbeaten in week two with a 31-21 win over Samford. With a struggling Southern Miss team heading to Fayetteville Saturday, they should get another win.
This week: Southern Miss (0-2), 11:21 a.m., SEC Network
13. Tennessee (2-0, 13th last week)
The Volunteers blew out Western Kentucky, 52-20. In a game they’re not expected to win, Tennessee and new head coach Butch Jones will learn a lot about themselves this weekend.
This week: at Oregon (2-0), 2:30 p.m., ABC
14. Kentucky (1-1, 14th last week)
The Wildcats bounced back and got the first win of the Mark Stoops era with a 41-7 win over Miami (Ohio). However, things don’t get any easier this week, as they host rival Louisville.
This week: Louisville (2-0), 11 a.m., ESPN
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss football, follow @DavidLCollier and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
